2001, Round 9, Silverstone
| Weather | Hot, sunny |
| Qualification result | 5th of 72 |
| Race length | 10 laps, 16.39 miles |
| Championship race | 5th |
| Lap | Time | Difference | Ave. speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lap Record (prior to event) | 1:14.51 | 79.19 mph | |
| Pole | 1:14.86 | +0:00:35 | 78.82 mph |
| My qualification | 1:15.27 | +0:00:76 | 78.39 mph |
| Fastest race lap | 1:15.15 | +0:00:02 | 78.51 mph |
| My fastest race lap | 1:15.83 | +0:01:32 | 77.81 mph |
|
No changes to the car this time, just turn up and drive. 4th onto the track for qualifying meant I had a chance of clear track, and blasted through to head the field by Copse corner. I did about 6 laps, one to settle in, then a quick one, and then it just kept slowing down. I am still overcooking my tyres in qualifying. I came into the pits to get my tyre pressures changed (thanks Steve Powlesland), and it improved things, but did not get me back to the time I set on that second flying lap. I qualified in 5th with my best ever lap around Silverstone, so no complaints there. When the start came, pole man Shepherd shot off to a lead he was never to lose, but was hotly pursued by a 106 Rallye that has had the engine Stoked up a bit (bet he never heard that one before). By contrast the second row of the grid must have been caught napping as both myself and Tony Scarlett passed them from the 3rd row. For my part, I squeezed down the inside along the pit wall - an uncomfortable feeling! So by the first corner, it was Shepherd, from Stokes, Scarlett and then me. As we headed down towards Brooklands for the first time, Scarlett was protecting the inside line, I shot to the outside, he moved across in front and braked for the corner, and I shot back inside before braking - it was beautiful - you should have been there! So into third at the end of the first lap. A lap or so later, Burgess pulled the same move on me - just as beautiful, and I was down to fourth, but not giving up without a fight. I got inside him again at Luffield, and we headed down the pit straight together. Dammit, he still has more acceleration than me! So still in 4th. Tony Scarlett was hot on my tail for what seemed like ages, but probably was not. I made a mistake (boo...) at Becketts, and he was through again by the time we got to Brooklands. There is a fairground dodgem ride somewhere missing its star driver coz he is on day release to do Stock Hatch, he came past me at Luffield, taking my door and rear wing with him. A lap later, I got a better run than him out of Luffield, and moved up alongside him down the straight. As we entered Copse I was 3/4 ahead, but I left him room at the apex. He hit me again at the exit kerb for my trouble, helping me lose just enough speed that he was ahead again. A lap or so later, Andy Burgess is starting to struggle. He is losing fluid of some kind (don't know what), and it is well slippery. Suddenly my windscreen is all smeary, but he is now struggling for grip, and several of us get past him. This promoted Scarlett to 3rd, me to 5th, and Morgan to 7th. Blumson again picks up 6th spot. If 3 sixes are the number of the beast - what are 4 sixes Darren??? The championship has again moved closer together at the top. There are now just 14 points covering the top 4 cars, but Tony Scarlett starts to look a lot stronger once you take into account dropped scores. Cadwell next. I am looking forward to that one. Never done the long circuit before, but got my first trophy at the short circuit last time out! |
