Bouy was that wet

One of the regulation changes for the 2008 MaX5 series, is the introduction of a 'wet tyre'. No fancy F1/CART style technology here, but it does mean we can run the standard tyre (Toyo Proxy T1-R) with it's full 8mm of tread. As qualifying time drew closer, the choice of tyre became easier.... it was really wet out there.

Out into qualifying, and all was fine until I touched the brakes for turn 1, when a massive wobble was sent through the steering wheel. The same happened every time I touched the brakes. Qualifying is only 15 minutes, so with no time to see what was the problem, I carried on. It's amazing what you can get used to, and after a few laps it seemed quite normal.

I caught up the pack of 3 in front, and was expecting to get the advantages of a tow down the back straight, but due to the conditions everyone was braking early... too early from my experience on earlier laps, so I backed off a little to give some space. The next lap was much better, with a time of just over 1:40. I tried to do the same for the next lap, but caught the pack in front part way around the circuit. The problem with this approach is you're cutting you number of flying laps in half. For each flying lap, you need a slow lap to get the space back. Anyway, the next flying lap was my fastest, and also the last lap of qualifying.

Over the break we found that the front wheel bearing had failed, and since the brake pads had been changed the previous night, we also took the precaution of putting new brake discs on as well. That was it, all ready for the race.

It's always difficult to get a good start in the wet, as it's so easy to light up the rear tyres. Thankfully I made a clean start, and lead into the first couple of corners. Paul went past me, and then I was locked in a battle with Dean Parker, swapping places a couple of times before a red flag stopped the race.

My restart didn't go that well, and whilst I was level with Paul, Andy Burge must have hooked up well as he went flying past us both. My slow start causing me massive problem at turn 2, losing several places. It was difficult fighting back, as the new disc/pads were making it very difficult to modulate the brakes. That said, I did have an excellent battle with Matt Robinson, even if he did take my 4th place ;).

3 rounds down, and I'm second in the MaX5 Campionship. Next round in a Brands Hatch on the 7/8 June, but currently not sure if I'll be able to make it.

N.B. Photo's curtersy of Bob Marsh (I can't take pictures when I'm racing ;)

Sunshine today, but probably a wet race

Excellent weather for sitting in the garden watching the day drift by, or maybe having a drink in the local pub's beer garden... but I guess it's not too much of a hardship driving the MaX5 around Snetterton either.

I looked at the 2007 laptimes for the MaX5, so went along aiming at low 1:28's... major frustration that after the first session my best laptime was in the mid 1:30's! Luckily, asking around the pits, others were finding the track equally slow.

I spend the next session adjusting damper settings, and the 3rd session working on my lines.... but I still didn't get into the 1:28's. I tried another couple of setup changes in the last session, and did get a good improvement, but the best time still started with 1:29!

Roll on tomorrow.

Oi, that's my car!

The POWERnights series started last year, and yesterday kicked of their 2008 season. All events are at Silverstone this year, so since I raced there last month & have just competed at Castle Combe, I gave the first event a miss. However, #25 was there!

As per my earlier post, Paul Sheard had been suffering mechanical gremlins at Castle Combe, and unfortunately these gremlins followed him to Silverstone. Luckily, Paul had my car with him, so rather than waste the entry fee (and with my consent), #25 had an extra outing. Paul had a good drive, finishing 3rd & 4th in the two Invitation MaX5 v MR2 races. Detailed results are available at http://www.tsl-timing.com/brscc/2008/81932.pdf

BARC have confirmed my Snetterton entry for the 25th May, and I'm also planning to attend the testday on the 24th.

Gained 3 places

Qualifying wasn't until 11:00, which seems like forever when you arrive at 08:30 and keen to get out onto the circuit!

When qualifying time did arrive, so did the surprise of the MaX5's having their qualifying sessions shared with the Caterham Classics. My first few laps were hampered by a couple of Caterhams, but after that the circuit flowed well with the two classes. Unfortunately I never managed to get a tow to work for my lap times, and ended up qualifying 10th on the grid. Timesheets show the Caterhams & MaX5's were very comparable in performance around Castle Combe http://www.tsl-timing.com/ccrc/2008/81968.pdf

DL1 & DASH2 information was reliable, with sector times and lap information all being displayed & recorded. My own measured lap time was within 0.01 seconds of the published time. Differences can be easily seen if the circuit is using a different datum for timing the lap, so maybe I was just lucky on where I put my sectors?

Start of the race was good, with everyone making it around turn 1; which is impressive given we were probably 5+ abreast at the time. I managed to keep with the pack in front for a few laps before needing to take more defensive lines with Jon Halliwell right on my rear bumper. On lap 7 or 8 Nick Wright managed to get a good tow, and flew past both Jon and myself. Paul Sheard then managed to get past Jon, and myself a lap later. Nick, under pressure from Paul, ended up spinning on the exit of Bobbies chicane which forced Paul to make a slight lift. This was sufficient to enable me to get a better run down to tower, and I moved to the inside line to get past Paul. Space ended up being tighter than we were both expecting, and the subsequent slides almost caused us to loose a place to Jon, but we managed to keep going and retain our positions. Sadly, Paul had engine problems shortly afterwards, and ended up retiring. Jon didn't let up any pressure for the remaining laps, and at the end of the race I finished 7th, with a lead on Jon of just 0.143 seconds.

I'm happy that my performance on the day was as good as I'd achieved on the Friday, but don't feel that I have mastered Castle Combe. More track time is definitely required for me to find the best lines for the MaX5.

04:30 Start!

Time to learn Castle Combe circuit, and get the car back to Paul Sheard http://www.mx5racing.com/ at the same time so he can get it prepared for the race on Bank Holiday Monday.

Trackday was booked direct with Castle Combe http://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk/ for the Friday, and an early start taken from Cambridge to avoid any problems with traffic. After an excellent breakfast, easy noise test for an MX5, & the usual drivers briefing, it was time to get on circuit.

The trackday was split into 4x 15min sessions, with #25 being placed into the same session as most of the Caterham Graduates http://www.graduates.org.uk/ (who are also racing on the Monday). The circuit is simple in layout, but with several key areas to get right; Quarry Corner, The Esses, Bobbies & Camp Corner. My performance on Monday will be the real test.

#25 was left with Paul Sheard at the end of the trackday, then a quick stop at a local pub for food (thanks to PaulW & Mel), before heading back to Cambridge with an empty trailer.