DPR Racing Oulton Park April 19th 2008 (62)

Second race weekend of the season, Oulton Park, a circuit I enjoy, hoping to put a good result forward in the Championship. Again, not the best of weather, bitterly cold but with a dry track all looks well. All the other competitors in my class had the upper hand having had the chance to test here on Friday, ‘’Oh well some of us have to work!’’

Qualification

This had a different twist to the norm. Class 2 of the Club Championship were to have their qualifying round out with the Porsche Open boys, which left us in class 3 to go out with the class 1 boys. ‘’Why the Club didn’t do this at Donington Park the month before I don’t know, we may not have had to drop a round!!!’’ Off my soap box now, the car was handling really well. With the class 1 off and gone we had a few clear laps to put down some good times, which were dropping on every lap.

About half way into the qualifying session Jerry Clark had a bit of bad luck into Old Hall Corner when he parked his car into the tyre wall.

At the end of the qualifying session we were able to post a time that was fastest lap and pole for our class.

Race

With us on pole, we had a fairly good start but not my best. Bogged down a bit going into Old Hill Corner around the outside of some back end class two guys. Down into Avenue and Cascades did become a bit tight with front runners tussling for positions out the bottom. Through lakeside the pack spread out. Going over Hilltop and up and over Clay Hill we had the track to ourselves but in close pursuit, Sarah Bennett Baggs was holding on. With the car handling really well, the blinkers went out and head went down to go into full concentration mode. With the race well under way we kept our healthy lead until a few laps from the end. Changing down to third for Old Hall Corner, a loud tizzing sound came from the engine bay. My first thought was a belt snagging on the cover. With the car still pulling I decided to carry on, knowing that we had only a few laps to go. This was not to be. Climbing up Clay Hill a cylinder went down. With the race now at an end, I decided to pull off and took up a viewing point down at Lakeside. This once again gave Bennetts Baggs another easy 1st.

Summary

With a really good qualifying round and with a great lead within the race, I really did think this was our race weekend but it was not to be.

Thanks again go out to the team for their support (ONE DAY IT WILL COME!!)