Race Report August 2008 Cadwell Park

WOW!!!

What a cracking weekend of racing was had by all in the PBIC at Cadwell!

With a monsoon at the start of the day the meeting looked in doubt but after a very leisurely practice session behind the pace car things started to brighten up resulting in a dry track for the double-header.

Some say it was all down to Jim Walpole’s lucky ‘Murray Walker flat cap’ which allowed the gods of weather to look down on us and smile. I of course was hoping for the monsoon to continue but so much for that!

Nevertheless, I managed to qualify in my highest position of the season for race one in fifth place on the grid. I am grateful to Dave Brooke for suggesting that we were gridded up in points order for the year and the cheque is in the post.

In fact Dave Brooke was lucky to be able to race at all this weekend. He spent most of his time trying to convince the marshals that he really was an entrant in the PBIC and not one of the bikers left over from the day before.

Alan Jones in car 45 the arrive & drive specialist, had shelled out a fiver for a new go faster paint job. Despite this, Colman, as his car is now affectionately known was unable to cut the mustard this weekend and would benefit from a dose of salts it seems. I understand the only thing tuned in his car was the radio.

Race 3
So as we lined up for the first race of the weekend I had my first experience of being able to see the start lights without the need for my trusty binoculars. The red lights went on and determined to make a good start I set my revs (yes higher than before) and waited ….lights off and I was immediately passed by half the field by the first corner…bloody hell!

How do they start so quick?

I made the best of it all the while expecting to see Mr Bergonzi and a few others bearing down on me in my rear view mirror.

I had a great tussle with car 18 Simon Tinkler, car 2 John Bussey (who later informed me that his car does not have a blower on it) and car 51 Kevin Stibbards who was driving the widest MGF in the West!

Brooke Junior meanwhile managed to keep ahead of me in his Metro GTi (car 44) and all hope I had of passing him was lost when my throttle stuck open. This was great for the straights but made the corners a bit tricky!

The throttle decided to play ball and I finally got past car 51 and managed to hold car 18 at bay in a very lively but clean race.

Lurking in the scrutineering bay was eagle eyed Dallas, our technical scrutineer. He weighed every car and I managed to squeak in with just one kilo to spare. I understand that a few others had been a little over zealous in their weight reductions.

Race 10
Our second race of the day was well into the afternoon allowing me to repair my throttle cable (or so I thought).

Our race 1 positions were to be our grid positions and I was back down to 10th. I think my start this time round was a little better as I don’t recall losing too many places although I did take time to sample the grass on a few corners.

Once again car 18 and car 44 were my main rivals although I did catch a few glimpses of car 9 from time to time.

I had the bit between my teeth and somehow managed to out brake (myself)  Alan Brooke and get past him in a death defying move at Mansfield, only to throw it all away at the foot of the mountain when the damn throttle stuck open again and I had to hit the kill switch.

This also allowed Simon Tinkler to get past but all was not lost as he made an uncharacteristic error and spun at the Gooseneck, definitely a 5.9 on the scorecard there.

My usual battle with car 13 was not to be had at this meeting as Mr B was baulked by the rest of the pack. (Can I call the other drivers a pack…?)

In the end I managed a 4th in class for race 1 and 5th for race 2. Nothing to write home about position wise but the racing was excellent!

For all the lap times and results breakdown follow this link - RESULTS

Footnote
I would like to thank the Classic Bikers who threw a magnificent party on Saturday night with a rocking live band…really good fun.

Following the popularity of the Cluedo game in the last report, this time round I have gone for a “Spot the difference Game”. All will be revealed if you go to the latest photo album. Thanks for some great shots provided by Pete Burchill’s Loony Team.

Back to the garage now to rip out the throttle cable linkage etc, etc.

See you all at Brands!

Jonesey