dbRacing - NSSCC Race Report Knockhill 10th August 2003

NSSCC Race Report Knockhill 10th August 2003

Practice

Following on from the success at Snetterton I was looking forward to a relaxing break in Scotland and a frenetic race over the bumps making the most of the new suspension. Pre race testing had found me feeling comfortable with the car, but still seeming to be lacking in the straight line speed department and my lap times were 2 seconds slower than last year. I was first onto the track and managed to have a quiet and clear session the only event of note was getting overtaken by Steven Ferguson after Glenvarigil chicane which resulted in him getting a licence endorsement and a fine !

I qualified 11th, 6th in class, though at least I would have a chance to catch David Cox & Ryan Upson who were just ahead of me.

Race

Like Cadwell the grid at Knockhill is very tight. Off the line I got another good start, due I believe to the benefits of the new shock absorbers, but lost out in the tussles through Duffus Dip and Mcintyres. Geoff Morton (Honda CRX) was the final car to pass me through Butchers and I decided to try and regain the place at Clark curve. I came to the inside and left the braking late and took the line. I held it as tight as possible to give Geoff some room, but as I looked in my rear mirror I saw him bounce around on the kerbs and onto the grass towards the tyrewall. Fortunately the damage was only minor and he was able to continue. Next in line was Oliver Vaulkhard in a Sierra Cosworth led by his father Nigel Vaulkhard (ex GT3 driver who wrote his car off at Rockingham earlier this year). For the remainder of the race I was in close pursuit and in the final laps was almost able to make a move as Oliver kept threatening to lose control of his car, but my tyres were going off and the brakes getting warm so I ended the race in 13th place with less than 2 seconds separating the three of us. Ryan Upson was 7 seconds clear and speaking to him after the race he commented that he kept expecting to see me arriving on his tail. Not this weekend though, I really need to get this tricky misfire sorted out