2001, Round 2, Donington Park
| Weather | Wet, cold, sleet & snow |
| Qualification result | 13th of 63 |
| Race length | 10 laps, 19.57 miles |
| Championship race | 11th |
| Lap | Time | Difference | Ave. speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lap Record (prior to event) | 1:32.53 | 76.15 mph | |
| Pole | 1:39.05 | +0:06.52 | 71.14 mph |
| My qualification | 1:42.87 | +0:10.34 | 68.50 mph |
| Fastest race lap | 1:39.00 | +0:06.47 | 71.17 mph |
| My fastest race lap | 1:41.32 | +0:08.79 | 69.54 mph |
|
After the last race, I was not going to let myself get stuck in the pack during qualifying again, so I made sure that I fell right back from the car in front as we went out onto the track. Sean Stanway had the same idea behind me, so I found myself with LOADS of room to play with. The track was VERY slippery, and I took it steady to ensure I got the mandatory 3 laps in before ramping up the pace. I was getting faster each lap, but then Paul Tibbs got sideways in front of me on the first bend, and my evasive action took me off the track. I rejoined among a number of other drivers, so I started to drop back to the next gap. I was ready to start one more flying lap, but the session was already over - after only 8 laps. I ended up 13th, which was still a little lower than I wanted, but not as bad as last time out. As the lights turned green, I got another good start. Up ahead Darren Clayton had a little wheelspin before setting off, so I was looking to go up his inside. Ahead of him, Tony Scarlett had an even worse start, and I thought I could be up his inside too by the time we got to the first bend, but he pulled across in front of me. I could not move to the other side, as Darren Clayton was still there, and Sean Stanway followed him through so all I could do was ease off behind Tony Scarlett and wait for a gap. The lost momentum allowed Glenn Stokes to get alongside too, and after several bends alongside each other, he got ahead as we climbed away from the hairpin. For the next couple of laps I followed Glenn, sensing that my handling was better than his, but unable to get past. Jason Watkins slithered onto the scene a little later, using all the track as he slid on almost every bend. As he came up my inside approaching the left hander down the hill through the Craner curves, I decided it would be unwise to be on his outside, and I let him through. Up ahead, Glenn did the same thing a couple of bends later, but then got back past Jason, as he slid briefly off the track at the next bend, and I came up alongside too, but had to give way at the chicane. Glenn wisely let him through again at the Craner curves and he was off. So I was back behind Glenn again, I could reel him in, particularly through the Craner curves, as he struggled for grip, but I could not pass, as he always knew where to put his car to make a pass impossible. I needed him to make a mistake. It came on lap 9, as he slid wide at Coppice, allowing me finally to get the inside line along the straight for the chicane. I was through at last, but with only a lap to go, I was never going to catch the others further up. 12th over the line, but 11th on the result sheets as Jason Watkins picked up a yellow flag infringement penalty. Up ahead, Paul Taylor took his maiden win from pole with no-one really threatening him. I really enjoyed the racing this weekend, despite the cold and slippery conditions, but several things happened during the day that made me realise the sacrifices that others make to allow us to race. These people are often un-noticed or under appreciated, so I would like to publicly thank Dave Lovie, who puts up with a lot from us drivers at times, and also the marshalls freezing their balls off around the track all day. Let's hope its a bit warmer at Oulton Park in April. |
