Review 2002

Only aims for this year were to understand the car and be challenging in the top 10. We ended the year challenging in the top 5, but..........still not sure how the car works!

11th in the championship was very pleasing, having missed 3 rounds and retired from 14th, 4th and 3rd places.

Highlights must be 2nd at Cadwell and fastest lap in the damp penultimate round at Oulton.

Many thanks to Dad (Richard), Barry, Clare, Liv and Mum for all your help. Its been memorable year.

Oulton Park April 6th 2002

First race in my new car at Oulton park went okay, although it was a bumpy ride.

Testing on Friday 5th (race was Saturday), after only 2 hours sleep on Thursday night (Dad and Barry didn't sleep at all), managed only 13 slow laps before gear box failure. Rushed back home stripped gearbox and found 1 syncro slider broken. Luckily had another gearbox which we managed to strip and obtain a replacement slider 5 mins before our deadline of 11.30 pm (at which point we were going to forget the race and have a relaxing weekend). All went back together okay and managed to get 3-4 hours sleep. Car scrutineered okay Saturday morning, whilst I attended the prerequisite briefings ready for qualifying. Went to set off for qualifying, Car started and died, rpt, rpt then starter motor stopped working at all. Bugger. Quick panic revealed the main ignition switch had chosen this moment to release its grip on its connectors forever. Quick hotwire and got onto the circuit only having missed 3 mins of 15 min session. 3 slow laps (needed to qualify at all) and then started to go for it. Every thing went smoothly and did 11 laps, even a couple without too much traffic. This was the first sign things maybe okay - I was having to pass more people than were passing me. Before I tell you the result please bear in mind that a major part of the rear suspension (roll inducer bar) was missing due to a small fault discovered at 7am on Friday morning. Old hands in the paddock had warned us that the car would not handle at all without it and may be dangerous with a possibility of jacking.

When time sheets appeared I was 14th out of 38. No one could believe this, least of all me.. The bonus of this that was because the top 12 went straight into the final I started 2nd on the grid for the heat! All started well, a bit too much wheel spin, but so did the guy beside me. Lead into the first corner but on the outside, I ended up heading into the next kink on the inside but slightly behind so had to give way (poof, I know!), then under braking into the chicane 2 more crammed up the inside. I think one more got by leaving me in fifth, and dropping back slightly. Once settled in started catching up slightly , until .... another gear selection problem. Initially occurred into the first corner, ended up in neutral, not 3rd, just kept it on the track, although caused the guys behind some problems as I fished for a gear. The next 7 laps to the end were a case of miss gear, get overtaken by 2-4 cars, overtake them back (easily), miss gear...etc. Ended the race in 7th.

This left me starting the final 20th on the grid, and realising how much they cram you in on the grid. All a bit of a blur but lost a few places at the start, was 20th by the end of the first lap, then 18 at end of second, then retired with a knackered engine - spark plug had stripped the cylinder head and blown out. But didn't matter! The car had proved quick on its first outing (and my first time at Oulton) and with more improvements in the pipeline for Brands on the 27 April, I am having to think harder about my excuses.

Silverstone July 27th 2002

Fourth event in the new car was at Silverstone on the 27th of July. It was successful but, once again, not easy. There were many changes following the successful Pembury weekend (4th and 7th in the finals). An engine rebuild had taken most of the time, the VW flat four being new to both Dad and myself. The strip down had revealed that we had not entirely survived the oil pressure problems at Brands hatch although somehow everything had held together for Pembury. Knackered big end bearings were duly replaced and Dad balanced many of the other components. Rebuild went okay, although pretty slow, and took we the opportunity when installing the engine to raise it slightly in order to reduce rear camber, install a new clutch and tidy up the exhausts.

Test day on the Friday, and managed 71 laps of the Silverstone club circuit. 20ish laps running in and the rest trying to refine set-up for Saturday. Set-up was mainly based on trying to get confidence through the first corner, copse. Not sure what speed the F1 cars do it at (this is 1 of 2 corners shared with the GP track) but I was entering at about 100 - 110 mph and having some pretty lurid slides. I ended up with a best of 66.8 seconds, which was 1 second off the lap record, and all looked good for Saturday.

After a 'first time racing at this circuit' briefing - which I had missed at Pembury and picked up my first endorsement - some slick work got us to the front of the pack in parc ferme for the qualifying session. After 2 laps warming up I was following one of the GAC cars, which normally qualifies in the top ten. First quick lap was on lap four and trailed the GAC car about 20 lengths across the line. A really good run around copse meant as I got onto the long back straight I was in the slipstream and looking to get a good tow down the straight (I had been told this was essential for a good time). Then just before changing up to fourth BANG pop, pop, pop, pop and a loss of power. Nursed it around to the pits, and after a quick inspection Dad told me our qualifying session was over. It turned out that an exhaust valve pushrod had snapped (in half) also breaking the pushrod tube. So once again we were into essential repairs between qualifying and the race. ????? 71 laps in testing - FINE. 5 laps of qualifying - BROKE????? Managed to obtain a new pushrod and tube from our competitors (luckily a friendly series) and had the engine up and running within 2 hours.

During this rebuild the results from qualifying had been released. I was expecting to be in the top 15 but only just. Somehow I had managed 6th, possibly helped by oil on the track in the latter stages of the session - I don't think it was mine…

The new clutch performed beautifully and made up a place off the line. Unfortunately a bit of over confidence into copse and under confidence braking for maggots left me defending 8th. Yellow flags at maggots for the next 2 laps meant I was dropping back from the pack (and watching some very dubious interpretations of 'proceed with caution'). Once the flags were removed I managed to hook up with the front pack again, although catching up to the GAC in the middle of copse forced me off line and off the corner, across the curb, across some concrete, across 1 m of grass and onto a slip road that rejoined the straight. Next lap the same happened although I kept my foot planted and managed to get past into 7th, and then gained another braking into maggots, putting me behind my old school friend Patrick Sherrington, although I didn't make it past him. My battle for 6th, 7th and 8th continued until I made another mistake. I was out braked into the second to last corner by both the others I had been battling with, I didn't defend too hard knowing I would get them at the end of the next straight. Unfortunately this plan was about to happen when we passed the chequered flag for the finish - so 8th it was.

In the end I was very happy with this. I had spent the whole race battling in the front pack, and hopefully with some improvement to the brakes (and my braking) I will be doing the same or better at Snetterton in 2 weeks time. Rest of calendar: Snetterton : 10th & 11th August Cadwell Park : 31st August Oulton Park : 5th October

Snetterton (x2) August 10th &11th 2002

First off, Snetterton, for a 2 race event celebrating the 35th B-day of Formula Vee. Qualifying went okay ending up in seventh. Lost a couple of places off the start, got stuck behind two cars all over each other until one spun right in front of me. By the time I'd gone over the grass and back onto the track I was stuck in 7th unable to catch those ahead, and not being caught. This is where I finished with no silencer, after some cunning mods before the race causing it to fall off half way round the first lap (I think it scared those behind).

Race on Sunday was far more exciting. Started 7th , decided by my lap time on Saturday, lost then gained a place down the back straight for the first time. Got a couple more, including old school friend Patrick, until one of the leaders spun right in front of me. The decision not to change down to 2nd was a bad one as Patrick slipped back past, and I only just managed to keep the next guy behind by going round the outside of the bombhole (fast right hander with a dip in the middle). Managed to catch Patrick back up who was battling with the championship leader for 4th. In a most satisfying move I got past both of them after a huge tow down the back straight. Next lap and things were looking good. I'm pretty sure I was catching 3rd place, until coming out the chicane 2nd to 3rd gear became 2nd to neutral. Spent the whole pit straight trying to find any forward gear but to no avail. Pulled over, got out and watched the rest of the race from the marshals post. Bugger!!!!!!!

Cadwell Park (long) August 31st 2002

Only major modification going to Cadwell Park was a guessed repair of the gearbox. Nothing internal had broken, it was just a selection problem (not the driver fault of course!).

Cadwell is an awesome track with long straights and a number of fast / edgy corners, as well as an extremely tight and narrow hairpin, and of course the infamous 'Mountain' section. Qualifying seemed to go okay although I was struggling with the handling through the corner onto the back straight (turn-in over steer for those interested). Managed to finish the session with no major problems. Ended up 6th on the grid, which was good, but a massive 1.8 seconds off pole.

Made a few mods before the race and since it was the last of the day even got to see some of the other races. Managed to hold onto 6th off the start, and was treated to viewing of a titanic battle amongst the runners ahead down the back straight. 3 corners later, braking down hill two behind got passed me in a do or die up the inside. I could have got back by one approaching the 'Mountain' but their aggressive approach made me hold off slightly. Sure enough I managed to squeeze by as they both touched and ran wide under braking. Slightly unsure where the other car went but by lap 2 I was in fifth behind the championship leaders. Initially I assumed I would not be able to catch them, but with the car now handling much better after our mods I started reeling them in. Following both down the back straight they were two abreast, when one moved over on the other - pushed him onto the grass, and by the time he had rejoined I had managed to sneak by. Following 3rd place for a lap revealed I was a lot quicker onto the start finish straight. I got alongside but backed off because I wasn't sure if I could take the first corner flat from the inside position he was forcing me to take. 1 Lap later I went for it, ran wide but managed to get into the next corner ahead. My job was then made slightly easier by the two behind taking each other off. This was about mid race (lap 5). I occasionally caught a glimpse of the two leaders ahead, but knowing I had a good gap behind I backed off. After 2 huge slides, and a wheel on the grass moment, I decided to speed up again. Concentration was failing me.

3rd was looking good until half way round the final lap when I overtook the second placed car rejoining the track. Excellent! All I had to do was keep it going and claim second, the 300yrd gap should have been enough to stay ahead of anyone. Or so I thought. The next 5 corners I was all over the place, and had been caught. Thankfully I managed to get into the hairpin still in 2nd, and didn't make a cock-up of the last corner onto the start finish straight crossing the line in second by a huge 0.3 seconds.

My first trophy! No podium and Champagne, instead a port'a'cabin and a meek request of 'do I get a trophy for second' (although the 5 people present did clap - for a bit) This very pleasing result was made even sweeter with the victor being Patrick Sherrington, an old school friend securing his first win! Oulton here we come (5th October)!

Oulton Park October 5th 2002

My final race of the year was a return to Oulton, scene of my first race this year. This track is my favourite, although this round was run on the slightly longer Fosters track, which included Cascades (a very fast downhill, off camber left hander), a hairpin and a ridiculous chicane which had not been included in the shorter circuit earlier in the year.

Left Shropshire, with Dad, at 6.30am in beautiful sunshine but by the time we arrived in Cheshire it was windy and raining. Luckily by the time we had unloaded the car Mum, Liv, Clare and Barry arrived with the marquee, although something bigger with sides may be on the cards for next year. Scrutineered fine, although we were still fueling and deciding set up when we noticed the Bee's lining up in parc ferme waiting for qualifying. It was still raining when we set off for qualifying. Took the corner out the pits slowly and started sliding. The whole of qualifying felt like one long slide. With a couple of pauses for my first 2 unforced spins of the year. First was at the chicane trying to slide round a puddle. The second was at the fast Cascades corner. Did the corner fine but lost the rear under power on the way out, was sideways for a long time before the rear finally went all the way round and I ended up reversing up the straight at 50. When I came in I had no idea how I'd done. No one had passed me and I'd gone past many who were going very slowly.

Result was good. I had qualified fourth behind the 3 championship contenders, Patrick Sherington, Trevor Welsh and Jez Clarke. Had some time to enjoy some of the other races, in the improving conditions, and as our race approached the track was dry, although the sky very dark. We went to park ferme with a dry set-up, although changed the shock absorbers to wet setting as the drizzle started 2 mins before we left for the grid. Warm up lap was quite exciting as I had to try and work out how quick cascades was in the dry, and found numerous damp patches under the trees at the back of the circuit. Made a good start, from the outside, Patrick got into the lead, but I had to settle for fourth into the first corner. Jez and Trevor both got by Patrick down the back straight. Coming onto the start finish straight for the first time Jez got very sideways, slowing up Trevor and Pat. I managed to get past Pat although was blocked from getting into second. Last I saw in my mirrors of Pat was him on the grass at Cascades, and I was managing to hold onto the front 2. The next 5 (ish) laps were a huge battle. I tried into Cascades, and down the start finish straight, but Trevor was blocking me. Trevor only had to come second to win the championship and I think Jez was trying to hold him up so I could get past. Then it start raining a bit harder and I was siding a lot more than the other two. I also noticed the oil pressure was slightly lower than normal. Put the two together and decided to pull off. Had time to check oil pressure properly and decided to continue. Managed one more lap, which included going around the outside of a back marker at 45 degrees to my direction of travel (think I may have scared him slightly!) and decided to come into the pits.Quick inspection revealed that the oil cooler had split, and oil had eventually got onto my tyres. Found out later that it was my oil that had caused Pat to drop off the lead trio early on - oops!

Consolation from all this is that I got fastest lap of the race (on lap 4) and challenging for 3rd in my first proper year bodes very well for next year and a proper go for the championship. We are now into winter rebuild mode with plans for a new engine and redesigned front suspension (as much as possible whilst retaining the required VW beetle parts), and continuing the tidy up.

Maybe we'll even have a new paint job!