Photo Credit R Willsmore Photography
Last weekend had us back at Brands Hatch for round two of 750 Motor Clubs' 116 Trophy. We made the long drive down on Friday evening with Adam Kluj Transport, and got set up in the garage early on Saturday morning ready for the two sprint qualifying sessions and two 15 minute races in the afternoon. Again with GCSE exams and no days off for practice, we had to use these four runs as our 'practice' to get used to the car in preparation for Sundays endurance race. Was great to see my friend there Ads1928Racing racing in the Civic, and also boosted with a visit from our friends Jack and Pete Ferguson, and X-Karts Billy Corns and Harry HG.
Matty took the first session eager to test the setup changes we had made to the car in prep with the help of Darren of DT Motorsport. He returned happy with the improved handling and qualified P16 a little frustrated after not getting many clear laps in. I had a clearer laps in my session and was just shy of breaking into the sub one minute laptime qualifying P14 in my group and confident that with more clear laps we would improve.
Matty was to take the first sprint race early on Saturday afternoon and had a decent race, with some good overtakes and battles to finish P9 in class. My race also went well, going for consistency looking ahead to Sundays 90 min endurance race, and actually matching my qualifying time to the thousandth of a second returning the car P10 in class, meaning that we both finished in the top half of the grid in our respective races.
An enjoyable evening was spent with the awesome catering my mum prepared being the envy of our garage neighbours, thanks mum,... and watching the awesome Nurburgring 24h on a big screen we set up in the garage.
Sundays endurance race was capped at 40 cars and oversubscribed, so we were placed on a reserve list and went out to qualify hoping that a grid slot would appear. We shared the tracktime and I went out first, then Matty put the car P17 and with a couple of cars choosing not to start the race with technical issues, so we got prepared to race later in the afternoon.
3.50pm came around and Matty went out to start the 90 minute race, planning our driver swap for later after the pit window opens. He made a few places on lap one to P11, but sadly was soon on the radio with news the car was involved in an incident on lap 2, with a spectacular plume of steering fluid spraying all over the front right tyre making the next left corner impossible. On inspection after pulling round into the pits it was decided not to attempt a patch up repair and risk further damage to the car as there was still so long to go in the race.
A disappointing end to the day, but an early start on the long 6 hr drive home. Huge thanks again to Mike and Adam Kluj Transport, Nurburgring Tours' support and involvement in the team. Darren, DT Motorsport making sure the car was on point throughout, Arthur Morgan Kitchens, and everyone on board the car, the support is very much appreciated in helping to make our race weekends possible. (Please check out my sponsors and partners page)
Off track some exciting news too, as ready for when I finish my exams I launch my sign and print business, Graph X Studio, to support my racing under the guidance of Matty and my parents. Thanks to everyone who has ordered stickers, hoodies, T's and banners.
And also congratulations to Tom Holden Racing #87 whos name was drawn to receive some One Nine goodies after adding his name to the roof. Thanks for the new additions, The Motorsport Mentor, Sam Stoner Racing, and Tom Racing 74 for your support. If you want your name on the roof and to be included in the next raceday draw please visit this page in my shop.
9-10 till we do it again, at Croft Circuit on June 25th, hoping we end that weekend on a higher note.
Sandro#19
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