The last round of the Dunlop Sportmaxx championship was going to be a non-starter due to the ever present problem of lack of funding, which was really frustrating because I was still in contention to win the overall championship.
However, two people seem to keep rescuing my racing season, so for the third time this year Mike and Andy at WHF LTD (Race transporters) were my knights in shining armour!!
The last time I was at Snett was a year ago at the last round of Saxmax. So not being able to test on the Friday was a major setback but that?s life when you?re racing on a non existent budget!
So I went straight into qualifying on the Saturday morning and managed to qualify 3rd, but some way off the pace, so after a few changes to the car and a think about where I could improve on the track, I was ready to head out for race 16 of the championship.
I managed to win my class and improved my pace (which was the aim).
Race 17 was less than perfect. I made a very good start and got alongside Ryan Bensley in the Leon but Matt Pike in the Mini was on my outside, and inevitably I got squeezed between the two, resulting in the tyre valve of the front right being ripped out, so I had to pit and get the wheel changed. I still managed to score points but Simon Shaw in the Class A Seat Leon was still 7 points ahead of me in the race for the championship.
So, for me to win the championship, Simon Shaw was going to have to hit problems. This didn?t happen and even though I won the B class, I lost out on the championship by 4 points.
However, on reflection considering this was my first year in senior racing, added to all the trials and tribulations with regards to funding that was promised and never arrived, I am proud of the results I achieved.
I couldn?t have achieved what I have done this year without the help of these few individuals:
John Thorne of Thorney Motorsport, who was placed in a difficult position, due to hollow commitments by some people, but he still hung in there and let me race the Corsa.
WHF Ltd and John Everard with their timely funding interventions.
And most importantly, my Mum and Dad. They really have been amazing this year; I can?t express how much they?ve both given up for me to be where I am. I often joke that when I?m rich and famous I?ll pay them both back and buy them a mansion, I just hope that this becomes a reality, because they deserve nothing less.
Also a big thank you to many other people who have given me encouragement to follow my dream of driving professionally.
So what does 2010 hold?!
A number of people are working on my behalf to try and get some funding in place to allow me to race next year. The possibilities that are on the table at the moment look very exiting and promising! So fingers crossed!
I hope you?ve enjoyed reading my blogs and I?ll speak to you all soon with some (hopefully) good news!!!
Abbie xx
