SNETTERTON - 29th/30th August 2009 - Rounds 7 & 8

2 RACES 2 PODIUMS

With just 4 days before the race at Snetterton Mark Bailey’s Team had collected the engine after the head gasket was replaced and fitted it back into the car. It was a relief to hear that all was well and the car will be ready for me on Sunday morning at the circuit.

Qualifying

With no time to test the car out it was straight into qualifying and was straight on the pace and setting some good times. The engine felt noticeably sharper and whilst I was keeping an eye on engine temperatures and listening for any abnormal noises I was enjoying the feeling of being near the front again. After 15 minutes of a 25 minute qualifying session the pit boards were telling me my times and grid position for the race later the same day. Each lap I was getting quicker and I was being signalled with 5 minutes to go that I was P1 + 0.5. This means I was in position 1 and the fastest by 0.5 seconds. I couldn’t believe it at first and had to have another good look when I completed another lap. I decided to come in for the team to recheck tyre pressures and to see if I could go any quicker. Unfortunately whilst I was in the pit lane Damien Charveriat and Chris Needham both went slightly quicker to put me 3rd on the grid for both races.

Race 1

I formed up on the grid in 3rd place and was thinking about my start and how its possible to take the lead. The lights went out and my start was perfect and I was up into 2nd place by the first corner and just behind Chris. I was trying to keep Damien behind me but whilst I was doing this Chris was opening up a lead. Damien came past me coming into Russell Bend and immediately set about catching Chris Needham. I decided to see what would happen when the 2 of them started to battle for the lead and hoping to pick up another place or 2. I was slowly reeling them in when the car started to feel loose at the back and I decided to back off and settle for 3rd rather than risk going off. Mean while Stephen Clegg was also catching me and whilst I had a healthy gap of 8 seconds by the time I took the chequered flag the gap was reduced by 1.8 seconds. It felt good to be up on the podium again even if it was on the bottom step.

Race 2

We all formed up on the grid again in our same starting positions and I had another great start driving straight past Damien. This time he didn’t waste any time and regained second place behind Chris the only difference was that Ray Rowan also came past to demote me to 4th. I spent another 3 laps trying to find a way past him and he was doing a good job of defending his position. Eventually I got past at Riches corner and managed to pull away from him and open up a comfortable lead. Mean while Chris and Damien had also opened a massive lead on me which had ruined any chance of having a battle with them for a win. And although I had a lonely drive to 3rd it was still another podium and with only a 2 week gap I can not wait to get back on the track again even if it is at my least favourite circuit Oulton Park.