Rounds 10, 11, 12 were held at Castle Combe.
We managed to scrape the budget together for this meeting, but only just!
We turned up to Combe on the Friday night as I couldn?t test. I had a look at some track footage during the week as I was straight into qualifying at a track I?d not been to before and wanted as best chance as I could get to try and put the car on pole. At first the track was a bit daunting as it?s very quick and also quite technical.
The Thorney Motorsport Corsa was quite nervous and loose on all the quick corners, which could be due to its short wheelbase.
Matt Cherrington was driving the Dunlop Seat Leon as recognition of his efforts in the 750mc Locost formula. Matt had raced at the track before and also had the benefit of the test day on the Friday, so he put his knowledge to good use and got pole for Class B and I was second, which in the circumstances I was happy with as I knew I?d increase my pace quickly in the race.
Race 1 was dry and we were told that when five red lights went out the race was on, but the lights malfunctioned and only three came on and went out. This resulted in the whole field hesitating for half a second and then going. I made a good start and lead Class B from the get go. The distance to the other cars remained static for the first part of the race but I was starting to struggle with under steer and I could see the Leon catching me in my mirrors. Four laps from the end Matt was on my bumper and I knew it was only a matter of time before he would pass me. The Leon is definitely quicker in a straight line so I really had to concentrate to keep on his bumper. On the penultimate lap going into the first chicane I tried to distract him by jinking out form behind him, whether this worked or not I do not know, but he went into the corner too quickly and span out.
So I took the class win and set the fastest lap. But in fairness to Matt he would have won the race without that mistake.
Sunday dawned very wet and the forecast was for more rain. As we lined up for race 2 I was nervous due to the fact I hadn?t driven the Corsa in the wet before, but I enjoy a challenge and was looking forward to it.
I made a mistake at the start as I went on the third light as per Saturday?s race but the lights had been repaired and went to the full five. I had moved 2 feet and realised my error and deliberately let the other cars get the jump on me so I could not be accused of gaining an advantage.
What a fantastic race. I spent the first couple of laps getting used to the slippery conditions and then started passing people. By 60% of the race distance I was leading the Class B by around 10 seconds and had also passed a few of the Class A cars. The only problem was a car had gone off and the safety car had to be deployed. This bunched the cars up and decreased my lead to about 6 seconds to Matt in the Leon when the race finished – Unfortunately I had been judged as jumping the start (true) and was given a 10 second penalty which I thought was harsh given when happened in race 1 plus around 5 other cars also did the same. But rules are rules.
Matt was awarded the win, which offset his disappointment of Saturdays lost win. I still finished 2nd and got the fastest lap by over a second and thoroughly enjoyed driving in the difficult conditions so I wasn?t too upset.
Race 3 was similar to race 2 but I didn?t mess up the start this time, I took the win and also managed to knock 1.5 seconds off my previous fastest lap.
So that?s two wins, a second, and three fastest laps. Another satisfying weekend!
Also congrats to Matt on a good showing!
Abbie x
