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The first mention this time must got to those who were unable to gain an entry into the Stock Hatch races due to too many entries. Luckily several of these drivers were able to enter the Hot Hatch race - and what's more it was good to see them do so well against cars that are allowed so much more heavily modified engines!
So, back to Stock Hatch, and the SRIS team was there in force again. We had both 106's out - Charles hoping to show that the A race result last time out was here to stay, and new driver Geno Esposito in his first drive since passing his ARDS test a couple of weeks ago.
The weather was not playing ball this time - it was dreadfully wet, Everyone was on their best behaviour though and qualifying went without a hitch. Geno managed to spin his car on the exit of Gerrards, making light contact with the tyres, but he carried on with no damage. The time sheets when they came out did produce a suprise or two though. Phil Smith in his Nova GTE having languished in obscurity was suddenly a force to be reckoned with. Charles had qualified 19th, and Geno would line up third to last.
Before all that, the team had arranged a lunchtime parade lap for the Peugeot Sport Club who were out in force to support the SRIS cars. This proved interesting as the club members were clearly in no mood to go fast in the conditions, giving the 'pace' car a bit of a problem.
On to racing then, and Geno lined up for his first race a bit more anxious for his spin in qualifying, but determined to finish. Conditions were dreadful, so he hung back at the start, and managed to avoid the usual spinners at the first corner, then had a race mostly on his own - learning the car and track and conditions - until a couple of laps before the end when the leaders roared by. All in all, I think it is an event that he will remember for a LONG time!
The A race was supremely well behaved, and all starters finished! Charles found himself in a pack fighting for 16th place, but realising that his championship position would not change whether he scored one more point for 16th, or 2 less points for 19th, he dropped back to 19th where there was a big gap, and he could safely mop up the points without risk. Tony Schumacher won AGAIN! That charging Phil Smith managed 4th, but a fastest lap over a second quicker than anyone else!
So, another year over. Who's doing what next year then??
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