Forum dead? Sad times, if anyone is still following heres pretty much the last 6 months
Cadwell! Aye- ticked that off the list !
So entered in the RWYB class for Time attack! big day of learning the track, few local guys there as well which is what i was scared off at first tbh, there is so much unsighted corners that track knowlage is key, youll see that from my vids that i really didnt know where to break, turn in ect ect , looks like a total newbe out on track haha!
So…. Time Attack – Cadwell Park,
Looking really forward to doing this track for a long time, got up Sunday, sun was out, I though awesome, question was how long would it last!
Line up for warm up – this was to see if the 100 laps of Cadwell on project cars were worth anything! They kinda were but one thing with Cadwell is the elevation change that you just can simulate! Its nuts!
In hold, and first things first – Oil, oil had been spilled, but it was dry. No maximum attack from me, just wanted to potter around and see where the track went (few unsighted corners to get used to!) All was going well until I decided to pick up the pace 4th lap in…. and boom famous 3rd gear combined with a miss shift, got away with it this time, think the clutch took the brunt of the incident. Session was then cut short to try make up time, Scary times as per the clip below! Time: 2:00.3 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZytJAjNSYg
Confidence knocked and tbh at his point not entirely sure what I had done to the car, few checks, logs on ECU confirmed I never went over 8150rpm, I was relived and set my sights on a better practice run, and tbh it was a flop, more oil down and just as we waited to go on the heavens opened up! Oil, rain, slicks and a car set up really stiff for the aero, and 3rd gear being temperamental on the up change (damaged dog ring) I was doomed from the start, wasn’t really going to post this clip but it gives you an idea of how much work I had to put in! Also cut short again, time improved to put me P3 Time: 1:56.2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEnykSY6GK0
So happy that the times had dropped, disappointed in the red flags and session cut short, but everyone else was in the same boat. On to Qualifying and a new tactic was born, just send it haha! Not wanting to risk not getting a lap in I just decide id go out and get a bit of space and just go for it! All was going well set a decent time considering it was still raining and still oil on the track, after a flyer I did a cool down lap and then decided to go for it again, made a bit of a mess coming though the trees and due to how slippy it was I missed a gear and then stalled the car, bumped it but as you’ll see in the clip the car wasn’t happy, I think the syvecs got a little confused when bump started it and long story short I had to retire (see clip below) Luckily I had set a P1 time of 1:52.7 but it was now obvious it was going to be between myself, Eric & Steven in there Evo’s and Kevin in a R35 GTR (tall order for the focus!)
https://youtu.be/1zXkYACjkao
Final Report to follow!
So Final! As you can figure, the day wasn’t exactly going to plan (bar the P1 in Qualifying and the car still being in 1 bit!)
I was disappointed tbh with my performance, the car was ok, but not perfect, few things needing tweeked but il get there, and myself, I was shocked looking back at these videos tbh! Not sure what I was thinking!
So game plan was to be clean, I had been rushing everything all day, and it just wasn’t working, I had to calm down, take my time and just try be nice and smooth and hope I pick the right breaking points and lines and sting something good together! It was still wet, starting to dry up although no dry line and still oil on the racing line. Went with the same tactic as before, get the car out, scrub the tyres and do a fast lap, sadly I took a bit of time to find some track space (as I had now learnt this was a massive part of getting a good quick lap in) Eric holms was on top, I was over 5 seconds behind with 4 laps to go (didn’t know this while out!)
I set my self-up for a fast lap but had to abort it mid run due to Eric spinning off on the slippy surface, still kept the flow going as I had the track to my self and knocked a second off Eric, cool down lap, then 2 laps to go…. Composed I went for it again, but sadly caught a Clio right at the last 3 corners of the track, lap was much better, 1.3 seconds now behind Eric, I had nothing to loose and knew time wouldn’t be on my side so I just went for it again, Clean track, grip! (sort off!) (fastest lap included a wee slide though corner 2!) everything was working! Had clocked a civic a head, but thought id not have another chance so had to keep going, got to the same place as I caught the Clio the lap before but had no option but just to keep my cool and see what happened, struggled with traction out the corner in my haste and then mis-shifted into 5th… **** my life, then i seen the checked flag was out! That was it!
Looked at the lap timer, I thought it said 1:59.something , round the first corner and some guy in a black bmw was jumping up and down pointing at me ( I just gave him a thumbs up ! haha!) but then it clicked! It was a 1.49.4 and the fastest lap in the final! Delighted!
Confirmed when I seen my dad and he and jon were giving it the big thumbs up! Over the moon I was able to pick away at the grip, with a damaged box, and with just 17 laps of Cadwell under my belt!
2 flying laps on board!
https://youtu.be/_J8yiMcTRwQ