Firstly, I have to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped me/Team Air Ambulance to exist, and be there. A double big thank you has to go to my wife, and the crew, Scotty, Rikko, Beery, Ben, Jon, Henry, and Nick, who helped the days go well.
As it was my first V8 Trophy race, my first race on the oval, I was heading into unknown territory. Was I going to cut the mustard? Was I still going to like it? Would I end up in the wall? I decided to put those thoughts away into a box somewhere under the file marked F for filing, or was that B for bin?
Scotty and the guys worked their magic with the car, and I took to the track for the first time in first practice. It was the first time I’ve worked with Nick, so we’d had a chat beforehand about how he’d talk to me when there was traffic around me. I think I soon had that bit worked out. The Icom radio gear worked spot on (thanks to Icom for the sponsorship), with crystal clear communications all the way around the circuit.
Alas, my fun was cut short when one of the tailpipe sections made a bid for freedom as I started my seventh lap. I pitted and returned to the V8 Village for repairs. A spot of re-styling welding and it was ready to go, but not quite in time to get out before first practice finished.
A few more issues were found between the two practice sessions, but nothing we couldn’t cure without the help of Pete Stafford and his supply of parts!
It was a good practice for me in the second session. I finally had a chance to run alongside other cars on track. And I was able to get a feel for the car for the first time, hence the second fastest time, which put a big smile on me and the Team Air Ambulance crew!!
The first race was yet another voyage into the unknown. I’ve done quite a few rolling starts, though none quite as fast as this one, and I must say, I think we made the right decision to err on the side of safety. I was happy with the car, and made it up to seventh place.
After the pace car period, my car didn’t want to turn through 4, and Keith picked up on that. Rather than try something silly, I knew he’d get past me into 4, so I opened the door and let him through, rather than fight a lost cause with the chance of meeting Mr Concrete for the first time. Thankfully, I was able to hold on to the flag.
We had to make a few adjustments after the first race, and by the time they were done, it was time for the second race.
Due to the race being brought forward, we didn’t get a chance to get it on the scales to check the setup, so it was a case of suck it and see.
Again, I took a steady start, and took time to get a feel for the car. Shane’s guys, with the help of Tractor, got him back out, and I had a feeling that he’d be through fairly quickly heading for the pointy end of the field again.
Heading into Turn 4 in the early laps, something escaped from Keith Whites car onto the track. I couldn’t avoid it, but it didn’t make much noise when I hit it, and it didn’t affect the car. If anything, the engine temperature ran where it should do, since it have been running cold all weekend. More about that later….
When Shane appeared behind me, I took a gamble and let him through, thinking that we’d run through the field together. Once he was in front, I realised that his car wasn’t doing that well. It was loose through most of the turns, but in 4 he had a bigger push than me! My car was still very tight, and the work we’d done between races hadn’t made much of a difference.
I tried getting back ahead of the #48 car, but just couldn’t make it stick. I guess a spot of inexperience comes into play here, I’ve got a lot to learn, and we learn by our mistakes!!
I was happy to take the flag, with my car in once piece, and a lot of new experiences under my belt.
But what was the piece that left Keith’s car…. His air filter had somehow escaped, and it went through the grille in the nose of my car, and blocked off my radiator a bit more. It didn’t look very happy when we got it out!
Once again, great work from my spotter, Nick, and my crew, headed up by Scotty. Thanks guys.
The first meeting for the ‘Yellow Peril; has been an eye opener, and I think I know which direction we have to go now (yeah OK, I know, anti clockwise, turn left, etc…!)
Thanks to all who supported the team, especially those who bought the Team Air Ambulance tickets to see the meeting, helping to raise much needed funds for the Air Ambulance charities in England and Wales. Please please please, do it again, and tell your friends!
Thanks to Icom for the radio’s, Anglian Engine Services (St Neots) for their help with lubricants etc.., Pete Stafford of US Automotive, Shell for selling V-Power, Mark Proctor for selling me his car, K&N Filters (Keith White) for the extra radiator blanking in race 2, and my wife, Suzanne, for putting up with me!
