Photo credit Marc Lawrence
It was a long drive down, and a near midnight arrival down at the Pembrey circuit in south Wales. Huge thanks as ever to Michael and Adam Kluj Transport Services for getting my Saxo down there safely. Also thanks to my dads pal Ady, for helping us prepare the car, and also to Ashley Gregory Racing for taking time out of her studies to go over the track and race footage with me.
After the long journey I couldn't wait to get back out driving this circuit where I have special memories of driving a JSCC Saxo for the first time last year, just four days after getting my race licence. The staff at the circuit were helpful and friendly just as I remembered, and the marshalls and medics too..., as I would find out later.
Friday morning was an early start to get the race awning set up, tools out, and check over the car ready for my first practice run, which we used to familiarise me with the circuit again and scrub in some new tyres, just in case it rained. It felt good to be driving my own car around and I was happy with my initial pace with lots to work on too.
My second run was on a wet track, but we still went out for the experience and set up data even though the forecast for the three races over the weekend was dry. Next, we got in another useful session on a drying track. And my last practice session was back to a full dry setup, (albeit on some pretty old tyres now) but big gains on my laptimes from the knowledge gained in the previous sessions.
Saturday came, spent the pre qualifying practice session nice and easy, bedding in some new brake pads. Qualy went well for me, timed my tyre pressure stop just right and managed to post three consistent laptimes without exceeding track limits, meaning I would start my first race in the afternoon from P14.
Didn't make the best start off the line in race one with a bit of wheelspin and going tight into turn one let a place go round the outside, and a couple more on the first lap after two mistakes on cold tyres. Still enjoyed coming back and having a good little battle with Parfait during the race and very pleased to finish P15 with a best lap only 0.8 off the winning car.
Photo Credit Rob Pittas
With the racing done for the day we spent a great Saturday evening with the company of Aston from Nurburgring Tours and his friend, and it was also awesome to have a visit from our good friends Rob and Jack Pittas, who didn't have far to travel to see us this time. Thanks to my mum for providing 'THE best catering, better than any hospitality in ANY motorsport paddock' the food she puts on at race weekends is legendary. (We once had a full sunday roast for 6 at the track served out of the tiny motorhome kitchen).
Sunday saw me start race two P13, a better start but more cautious on the first lap caused me to lose early places again. Once I settled into my pace, recovered, and found myself sat on the back of a four way battle for P13, patiently watching the opposition and waiting for my chance. When the opportunity came I managed to take two places in one corner, in true old Honda karting style so close to the end of the race. Also had an enjoyable, clean, and close battle with Dix who was at the front of this group,... respect. Eventually crossed the line P14 but pleased with my racing and laptimes.
Race three in the afternoon I headed to grid up P16, which shows just how close the qualy times were. This time nailed my start, probably my best off the line so far) and had a great lap and a half. Taking three places already it looked like this was going to be my best race, but coming round to complete my second lap when I took a big hit along my inside which dragged me straight on, and across the grass into the tyre wall at high speed. Thankfully the safety equipment did its job and I was ok. ( Might have to pay more attention to the crotch belt in future though)
With the heavy impact and my bonnet stuck in my windscreen, annoyingly I knew my race had been ended. Nothing left but to let out a yell of frustration and turn the camera off.
Thanks to the track marshalls and the medics for looking after me and recovering my car.
The incident caused the race to be red flagged, and after a short ride in the ambulance I was checked out by the medics and given the OK..... My car didn't look so good though, I was gutted to see it like that after all our hard work this season. Big thanks to my parents who have done an unbelievable job as rookies on the spanners, I have finished every race this year without any failures up to this, my first DNF. And thanks to Adam Kluj, Nurburgring Tours, and Arthur Morgan who have been there throughout, we really appreciate how they have supported us in our first year of car racing.
Thanks to everyone who asked about me after the accident, wishing me well, and everyone who has done what they can for me and my parents to help with the unexpected repairs to my racecar. There really are some amazing people out there, we are truly humbled. Needed to be reminded by a good friend this week, that something good can come out of a bad situation, and it has, new contacts, friends and opportunities, building plans for 2023.
All systems are now go, and we WILL make it to the season finale at Brands Hatch weekend 12th November one way or another. Even more pressure and less time than last year when we filmed the documentary, but at least this time we have a head start by actually having a car. Lol.
Never give up,
Sandro#19
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