1999, Round1, Take 2, Cadwell Park
| Weather | Dry, Cloudy |
| Race length | 10 laps, 21.70 miles |
| New lap record | 1:52.62 |
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This time, I was not there to race. I was there as a support crew for a new driver, who is having a lot of trouble with his car. So, testing on Saturday turned into a very long day. The car cut out in both the first two sessions of testing, and several carburettor strip downs later, we finally had it running properly, and he was able to get a full session in, setting some very respectable times, in what has to be said is one of the least superior cars there. Unfortunately, the engine didn't like it, and started making terminal noises by the end of the session. After investigation, we decided there was nothing we could do, but hope it would be OK. A long shot. In qualifying on Sunday, it managed just one lap before becoming too ill to continue. Meanwhile, John Gladman set about setting pole. This was all the more remarkable considering he had crashed heavily in testing the previous afternoon, and had to stretch his race car between a firm post and another car to straighten it enough to race. The 'B' race was off first, with the top nine from that race due to join the others for the championship race later in the afternoon. The race itself was unusually lacking in serious action. Several cars came into the complex of corners leading to the mountain with too much speed, and had to take their chances on the wet grass, but on the whole they came out unscathed. The championship race was significantly delayed due to a very serious accident in an Alfa Romeo race, and then by another one in a karting race. Finally the race got underway, John Gladman made the best use of his pole position to lead from the start, followed by Ian Carvell, and shortly thereafter by Alan Blencowe. Further down the field there was action as the cars streamed into the mountain. It was unclear how it started, but it looked to me as though the guy who ended up stranded in a damaged car was the innocent victim. By lap 3, things were getting interesting up the front. The lead trio were pulling out a substantial lead on the others, but Alan Blencowe's throttle stuck, sending him into the tyres. He was able to keep control, and keep third place, but was faced with a difficult car for the rest of the race. John Gladman was coming under intense pressure from Ian Carvell as lap after lap they fought for first place. In the end it was Gladman by a whisker, with Carvell 2nd, and Blencowe still up with them in third. I have to say though, that the stench of hot brakes from Blencowe's car as it pulled into the paddock was overwhelming. He gets drive of the day in my book for surviving a stuck throttle at all, never mind coming home third. |
