We're back folks! (Featuring BTCC Round 1 Report) - 09 / 05 / 06

Okay okay I admit it's been a little while since I updated this site but the truth of the matter is I have nothing to tell you! ;-) Since the last update I have indeed ventured out to Kerswell once more. As it was the weekend of the first round of the BTCC at Wrexham there were a very small number of cars present at Kerswell. First thing in the morning and my car felt good on the wet track but as it dried things got worse and worse, and I mean worse! I was sliding around all over the place, it didn't seem I was racing on the same surface as everyone else it was that bad. So after that less than fun outing I decided what I really should decided months ago.....have the summer off!!!

Of course this leaves me with very little to write about (unless you'd like to hear about my visit to Wales last week or the complete mess that is my life? No? Didn't think so ;-) Right then, fellow local racer Sean Guy is contesting the BTCC this year and has been kind enough to write a race report after each meeting, so let's start with a review of how all the other local drivers got on at round 1of the series in Wrexham last month. Take it away Sean! :-)

BTCC Round 1 - Wrexham Report

		When we eventually got to Wrexham after about 4 1/2 hours drive (thanks to my sat nav) we were welcomed by high winds and then heavy rain combined with the stench of Kellogg’s burnt krispies being made about 600yds away. After battling with gale force winds to put up a tent in force 7 wind we eventually thought about scuffing some tyres on a track which my 1st thoughts were "Horrible track" "Anti Clockwise " lets get that tent down and get out of here!!
The authors Dodge shelled Tamiya ready for the start of the outdoor season

After putting Justins car down facing the wrong way I eventually got the idea and started looking at the track in the right direction. Justin went round for the 1st time on this tight looking track and made it look easy and I mentioned to a couple that I believe he would put his car in the A final the following day. Running back to the pits to get my car so I could go round with him for a couple of laps I started to think the track wasn’t too bad after all. After putting in a couple of good laps with Justin I started to love it. Paul Hopkins came out to play and he too looked pretty good until he put it on the grass. I called Jamie up to take my car round while I went over and put Pauls car back on the black. That is when the day went downhill, FAST!!! After putting Pauls car back on the track, Jamie collected it and put it and mine in Kellogg’s bend with lots of parts spread about 10 yards across the track.

An aerial shot of the twisty Wrexham track

By this time the pegs were out the ground and the tent was nearly packed away. While speaking to race control, asking them to take me out the meeting I saw my gazebo at about 300ft. I believe NASA are still tracking it as I type. Race control were great and offered me the warm surroundings of their indoor venue to repair my car and a good therapist to calm me down. 1 hour later and with a dry track, I was again out there with a now very fast car in 1 piece and feeling good. Russell Williams was kind enough to take my handset of me and show me how good my car can actually go. Can’t understand why he wouldn’t let me try his Cyclone with a 7 single in it though.With everybody looking pretty good on a wet and dry track I was very optimistic with TRAK taking a fair share of silverware the following day.

Last we heard NASA were still tracking Seans gazebo...

Justin was one of the 1st out in sunday morning practise and had problems with interference almost straight away. Everybody else went out and came back with only slight changes to be made to their cars to make them think they would be OK. Justins luck got no better all day and suffered with a possessed car right through the day which was to go on and ruin his chances of even a "B" spot. My prediction is an "A" final at Bedworth with Spektrum bolted to his handset. He has showed more than enough in practise to convince me that he will be there. Also joining him in the not to distant future will be Michael Doody who Took overall 3rd in the "B" final and Jason taking 5th in the "B"s then I'm guessing he will be at the "A" party soon as well. With myself taking 3rd in the "C" final (nice pot) then my hopes are for a "B" spot at Bedworth are not out of the question. Justin finishing off the 27t boys with 2 glitchy finals putting him 6th in the "C"s.

19 turn was led by Paul Rose who finished 2nd overall in the "B"s with Paul Hopkins close behind grasping a 3rd place pot also in the "B"s.
James Matthews was out of luck with his Cyclone finishing 9th in the lower finals with James bell winning the final below that.
Les Bell didn’t get off the line in his finals of the GTRE class due to some soldering problems but looks likely to pick up silverware this year with his efforts.

With others joining us at Bedworth on 23rd April (Wayne, Mike, Adrian) then more good racing is sure to follow. Well done lads, you did TRAK proud.

Thanks for that Sean, i'll be adding the Bedworth report later on this week,

See ya,

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