A foggy morning in the Lincolnshire Wolds meant that qualifying was effectively abandoned, as we ran for three laps behind the safety car in order to fulfil the MSA's requirements. After much speculation, the grids were announced to be set by championship positions. Good news for me, as my solid results all year would put me in second position for race one and pole race two.
With Rob Smith beside me for race one I was not confident of getting away ahead but a good start from me (and a bad one from Rob) had me safely ahead by the first corner. I was pretty sure I could hang on to the lead from there but Rob's sheer grunt cause me a couple of moments worry as he could get alongside on the long run up the hill into Park corner. A defensive line kept me ahead but only just. By half distance I was relatively comfortable in the lead but Rob kept me looking in my mirrors for the entire race! After a long, largely uneventful but flawless race, the sense of relief as I passed the chequered flag was huge as I hammered on the steering wheel with delight. My first win of the season! (it's been a while)
Sitting in pole position for race two, I'm reasonably confident of keeping ahead of Tony Smith beside me and taking a double win. Tony and I get off the line together and despite having the racing line for the first corner, we go round side by side which gives Tony the line for Charlies and he's ahead. I know I'm faster but it's almost impossible to overtake round here, especially with a power disadvantage. Tony can pull out a gap down the straights but I can close them back down (and more) through the corners. So I follow him as closely as possible, trying to worry him into a mistake. On lap six I get a good run on Tony on the approach to the Gooseneck and switch from a look down the inside to the outside as we start to turn in to the corner. However, from being unsighted round the right hander, my switch to the outside positions me too far off line and onto some concrete dust that was laid down from the previous race. That's all it takes to put me into a spin and I leave the circuit at high speed, heading towards the tyre wall...
Bang! I hit the tyre wall with the rear of the car which lurches me into an even more violent spin. Bang! The rear of the car hits the tyre wall once more, this time pointing me back towards the track. As I gently rejoin the circuit there are no unusual noises and the car feels OK. What's more surprising is that nobody has gone past me, at least I don't think so. Mad at myself for doing god-knows-what damage to the car, and through an unforced error at that, I put my head down and chase after Tony. I can't see him ahead but I can't see anyone behind me either. And the car is driving just fine. As I head onto the pit straight I get sight of Tony and the chase is on. There can't be many laps left but I'll do my upmost to undo my error. Ultimately my pursuit is fruitless but I do close the gap from 10 seconds to 4 seconds and set the fastest lap of the race in the process. Second place is an amazing result given my off-track excursion and visit to the tyre wall.
Back in parc fermé I reluctantly walk around to the rear of the car expecting to see most of it caved in. But to my surprise and delight, the damage is largely superficial save for a dent in the left rear quarter which ought to "pop out". The burnt-on tyre marks all around the rear of the car, including ON TOP of the bootlid will clean up OK. We live to fight another day!
Tony then went on to also win his second race of the day. By doing so he closes the gap to me in the championship. Rob Smith has secured the title this year (congratulations to him!) but I can still take second with two good results at Oulton Park.
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