Friday 30 December 2011

CGRC Provisional Race Calendar 2012

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R1/2 – 31st March – Donington Park
R3/4 – 21/22 April – Brands
R5/6 – 19/20 May – Rockingham
R7/8 – 16/17 June – Anglesey
R9/10 – 28/29 July – Thruxton
R11/12 – 8/9 Sept – Cadwell Parl
R13 – 22nd Sept – Oulton Park
R14/15 – 12/13/14 Oct – Spa-Francorchamps

Amanda Black – Classic Championship – #76

Friday 11 November 2011

6hr Birkett – Silverstone – Oct 2011

TEAM: Ecurie Graduates
#3

Graeme Smith
Amanda Black
Rowan Williams
Graham Smith
James Russell

Circuit: Silverstone International GP

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I was the reserve driver at the start of the race. As you can see from my iPhone 5hrs and 58 minutes remaining. However that was for the first start. There was a very big pile up at the beginning of the race. it got red flagged and cleared up. I had to be in the car ready to go out for about 45 minutes being the reserve driver.

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James Russell (Left) Rowan William (Back) Graham Smith (Right) and I’m in my car.

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I ended up running for about 1hr 15minutes for the team. Having not driven the circuit before I was trying to learn it quickly. Unfortunately the rain started. As the circuit is so big. One corner would be wet and the next dry and never the same between the different laps. Good to have some practice in changeable conditions but I really need some more.

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Ecurie Graduates when the handicap race for the class. Last race of the season and my first win. What a great way to finish.

6th in Classic Championship 2011

Champ 2011

Yeppy! Roll on 2012.

Season Highlights

First race at Silverstone and getting fastest lap

Brands Hatch Pole Position

Podium position (3rd) at Castle Combe

First wet qualifying session – 2nd

1st Place in Class – Birkett 6hr Relay  - Silverstone.

Rockingham

Race 1 – 5th (4th place for championship points)
Race 2 – 5th (4th place for championship points)

Weather – very hot!

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Tigger supporting a plaster after its small bash from Pembrey. I was kind of hoping it might have special heeling powers and suddenly undent the basket. Unfortunately this did not happen!

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Thanks mother for this photo – What a great view! (Me changing my A frame bushes)

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Tigger all ready to go racing

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Tigger back in one piece after Race one. Other drivers did have a bit of damage. Luckily not including me this time.

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Other grad racers – James Russell and Stuart Higgins

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The classic grads grid

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The car in one piece at the end of my first season. Roll on 2012!

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Weather Forecast

This must be the best pre race meeting weather forecast. Or is it too good?

Best

Additions to the Kit list – Rockingham – Oct

Water
Sun Cream
Sun Glasses
Bikini
Shorts
T-Shirt
Umbrella for Shade!

Sunday 18 September 2011

Pembrey, South Wales - Race 2

Qualified P2
Finished last after contact

The second race started better, the track was a bit damp and I had the advantage from the start, by being on the dry racing line compared with that of pole sitter Graham Smith on the damp side. I had a good start and was level with Graham going into the first hairpin. I Graham battled for the first lap. I had a good run out of the hairpin and managed to overtake Graham into Honda Curve to take the lead. I was leading on and off for the next handful of laps. I out braked myself into the first hairpin letting 4 cars past. Over the next few laps I battled my way to near the front. Getting just into second place behind newly crowned 2011 Classic Champion John Parker. Whilst going into the old hairpin I got hit from behind and spun round by Rowan. I had to wait for the whole field to go past before restarting the car. I stalled, my immobiliser had fallen onto the floor so I could restart the car. I managed to get it to restart but I had to undo my belts. It felt like a hard impact so I went into the pits to make sure the car was ok to carry on and to retighten my belts. After getting the green light to carry on I was a lap and half down on the leaders. I unlapped myself with 3 back runners and when the chequered flag came out I was a lap away from catching the penultimate placed driver Shelia.

This has been a mixed weekend, but there are a lot of positives to take away. My first ever wet qualifying session, I far exceeded my own high expectations, qualifying second was truly amazing. In race two I lead for the most laps I have all season. I had some great overtaking and defending moves throughout race two. I’m now consistently racing at the front with the front runners and I’m looking forward to next season and getting a championship together.

WOW – One race weekend left of the season. Roll on Rockingham

Saturday 10 September 2011

What a day at Pembrey!

Mum and I woke up at the B &B to look at of the window. To a brighter day however still grey but dry. By the time we had got to the circuit it was throwing it down. We quickly but the new wet tires on the car and then I had to drive round the paddock to get a heat cycle in them. Having never done any running in the pouring rain I was pretty nervous. The session started off well and I got some confidence. No hairy moments and over taking others felt great. I started to get some blue flags. It was feeling good. Knew I wouldn't be at the back but was expecting to be top of the mid pack. The track started to dry towards the end of the session. I was unlucky and caught traffic on my last 3 laps. To come back into the paddock to find out I had qualified 2nd in my first wet qualifying I was utterly amazed.

Our race was after lunch. At the start of lunch it was very grey and overcast however the circuit was dry. It looked like it could rain at any minute. So the debate began. Do I run dry tires or wet? That was the question. For us they are the same tire. However a wet set will have a full tread. I decided to change the front and then suddenly the sun came out. It was a lovely afternoon. Dry tires went on but they are starting to look very worn and hardly having any tread left.

So the race. I had a good start but Rowans was better from third. He took the inside line for the hairpin but out braked himself and went strianght on. So I was back to second. The next few laps I slowly lost a position here and there. It got a bit hairy when 3 of us were braking into the first hairpin. Me in the middle, Trevor on the inside and JP on the outside. On the apex I was getting squeezed. JP turn in. He had given enough room for me but I was getting pushed over by Trevor. I hit JP's rear arch. His fell off. My front arch was just a little scuffed! Race on. I had a great battle for 7th. Battling with Graeme Smith and Trevor Harber for the last 6 laps this was great fun but I lost out and finished 9th.

I've qualified again on second place. With Graham Smith on pole and Graeme Smith on third. So I'm in a Graeme Smith sandwich! Roll on tomorrow!

Saturday 27 August 2011

Castle Combe Race Video

First Podium – 3rd Place

A. Black–Video from Castle Combe–Aug 2011

Sorry about the quality – I need to sort it out. The camera on the car films in HD but when I put it on my computer Windows Movie Maker wont read the file, So I have to convert it to a different file and this has messed around with the quality. Will try and improve. Enjoy.

Monday 15 August 2011

First Podium Finish

Round 8 – Castle Combe


Weather – Dry
Qualification – 3th – 01:24.352
Finishing Place – 3th
My Fastest Lap time – 1:23.856
Classic Lap Record - Castle Combe – 1:23.330

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Some children may be wondering what teachers get up to in the school holidays.

I go motor racing and competed in Round 8 of the Caterham Graduate Classic Championship at Castle Combe, Wiltshire. I qualified in 3rd position, this was my second best qualifying of the season. After my pole position at Brands Hatch. Having not driven the circuit before the weekend of racing I was excited to learn the circuit quickly and get on the leaders pace. I do have to confess that I had some help this weekend as on Friday I had some tuition from Anthony Wilds. This enabled me to learn the circuit faster. It was my first visit to Castle Combe.

During the green flag lap, second placed driver, James Russell pulled off the circuit with a mechanical failure and was unable to continue. Resulting in a space on the front row.

Amanda didn’t have the best of starts and lost a place to Paul Hawker. There was cerement dust down at Quarry corner collecting an oil spill from the previous session. We were told that 25% of all motor circuit racing accidents happen at Quarry. I took the first few laps quite cautiously through there. James Carvey got a good run on me coming out of Old Paddock Bend and over took into Tower Corner. On to the second lap, Trevor Harber got a good tow behind me through Folly and over took into Avon Rise and into Quarry while on the cerement dust. I was down to 5th.

I stayed in 5th until lap 10. I wasn’t worried as I knew I had quite a bit of speed round the circuit. The racing this season has been so so close, the lead and positions are always changing. I’m learning all the time and thought it best to be tactical. I was pretty cautious at the beginning of the race and thought I’d let the others battle it out.

I caught back up with the leading pack. I over took Paul on the exit of Quarry after he had taken the tighter defensive line and therefore I had the lead into the next chicane. The rest of the lap and the next I used to catch up the 1.5 second deficit to Trevor who was lying in the third. I pulled off the same move on Trevor as I did to Paul 2 laps previous. I was happily up to 3rd. Throughout the latter stages of the race the marshals had a black flag out for a Sigma driver but at the time I was worried it was for me but I couldn't think why! Thankfully it wasn’t and I achieved my first podium and the car is in one piece.

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So I guess now its time to set more goals! Having achieved more than I ever imaged at the start of the season.
Fastest Lap – Silverstone
Pole Position – Brands Hatch
Podium – Castle Combe

Next goal - a win before the end of the season. There are 4 races at 2 race meetings left, Pembrey and Rockingham. With Pembrey the only circuit I have raced at before this year.

Championship Standing (With dropped scores)
1. John Parker – 206
2. Rowan Williams – 204
3. Graeme Smith – 198
4. Paul Hawker – 193
5. James Russell – 190
6. Stu Thompson – 179
7. Trevor Harber – 170
8. Amanda Black – 168
9. Pete Cannard – 158
10. Shelia Marshall - 153

Friday 5 August 2011

Spa and Zandvoort in 1 week

Sunday 31st July – Thursday 4th August 2011

Having missed the Zandvoort race with the Catehams last month due to work commitments, the school holidays started and I got an opportunity to travel to Spa and Zandvoort with book-a-track.com.

Having travelled to East Midlands airport for a BMI baby flight to Amsterdam to find it cancelled I was able to sneak off to watch the F1 Gp and then return to the airport a few hours later for a the later flight. We arrived at Amsterdam airport to find our car rental company closed for the evening, so we had to re-book another one and we sent off for a 3 hour journey towards Spa. We arrived at 1:30 in the morning and had an early get up for the circuit the next day.

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2 amazing days at Spa + sun burn! Some great cars out on circuit. Ferrari 250, Porsches, Lotus Exige, Caterhams, more Ferrari’s. Passenger ride with Sarah Reader in an R400 – mega!

Wednesday we travelled back up to Amsterdam and on to Zandvoort and were ready for a track day on the Thursday. Woke up Thursday morning to bright sunshine and another fantastic weather day for a track day.

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Having missed the Classic Graduates racing at Zandvoort in July I was lucky to get a passenger ride in a Porsche GT3 around the circuit.

Having left the circuit early to rush to Amsterdam airport for our return flight it was delayed by 2 1/2 hours. So not happy with BMI at the minute. 2 flights in 5 days and over 8 hours of delays – not great!

Anyway home now. Countdown days until Castle Combe. Next week I have a Cadwell evening track day book – fingers crossed its not raining.

Sunday 26 June 2011

Donington Park – Round 7

Amanda Black #88–Caterham Classic Championship

Qual 4th
Finished 7th

Fastest Lap 1:59.316

Fastest in Sector 1
2nd fastest top speed – 163.9 kmh

New Championship Table position - 8th

Autosport quote ‘Epic Classic Graduate race’ ‘7 car lead battle’.

Next race – Castle Combe  - August 13th

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Donington Park

Saturday 17th June

Round 7
Weather – Dry (Just!)
Qualification – 4th
Finishing Place – 7th
Fastest Lap time – 1:59.316
Lap Record – 1:58.861

Race Highlights – Battling for a few laps for 3rd place. 2nd Fastest top speed of 163.9 km/h (101.8 mph). Fastest sector 1 time.

Current Championship Standing – 8th

Tuesday 31 May 2011

Wednesday 25 May 2011

Before Brands Hatch and After

Before

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After

 

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Sad smile

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Poor Tigger. Currently in Cat Hospital getting mended.

Thank you to everyone that is helping get Tigger back on his feet. Get Well Soon. I miss you x

Saturday 21 May 2011

Teacher tears up the track at Brands Hatch

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Column inches in the Skegness Standard
http://www.skegnessstandard.co.uk/sport/motorsport/teacher_tears_up_the_track_at_brands_hatch_1_2690574

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A SKEGNESS school teacher tore up the racing track when she took to the historic Brands Hatch Indy circuit at the weekend.

Amanda Black, 28, who teaches at Skegness Grammar School, bagged a pole position for the first race of the day - an achievement made all the more impressive by the fact it was her fifth race.

She eventually finished fourth.

She also started fifth on the grid in race two, and rose as high as third before an incident took her out.

“This weekend I was able to purchase some new tyres. I had been racing with five-year-old ones,” she said.

“It’s very hard to race on a budget and at the start of the season I just simply could not afford them. I didn’t think they would make the different.

“I thought it would be down to me being a novice driver. I was wrong and should have bought them at the start. Who knows where I would have been?”

Amanda is hoping to get her car repaired in time for the next race meeting at Donnington Park.

“It will be a great shame if I can’t race at Donnington for the next round, but I can only do what I can afford,” she added. “I am aiming for a podium at Donnington, car depending.”

Amanda would like to thank Signs of the Times, Skegness for their continued support. She is also on the lookout for additional sponsors

editorial image

Wednesday 18 May 2011

Brands Hatch – May 2011

Sorry its taken so long to update my blog. What a weekend! Not too sure where to start. I had a really good practice session on Friday. Even better in the afternoon when I got rid of my 5 year old race tires and but on brand new boots. What a difference. The car handled differently but was amazing.

Qualifying – I had a great battle with 4 times champ Graham Smith. It was pretty cool and I knew I was quicker than him. We spent the whole 15 mins battling it out – not the best tactics. I posted my fastest lap on the penultimate lap. I travelled back to the paddock to see my mother jumping up and down saying I’m on pole. I did not believe it. WOW. How amazing. Wasn’t expecting that in my 5th race with the club!

Race 1 – Pole position
Finished 4th

A great race. Unfortunately my camera did not work. Lead the race for a few laps. Loads of over taking. Was running in 3rd for the latter half until the last lap when 4 time champ did a late lunge into paddock to take 3rd.

Race 2 – 5th
Finished – DNF

Can watch it for yourself! 18:25 is the crash that finished my race – Unlucky. A lot of damage. Pretty costly – gutted. Was in 3rd and so close to my first podium.

Amanda Black #88–Started from 5th–DNF

There are a lot of positives however to take away from the weekend.

1. I had my first pole position
2. New tires are now on tigger and have made a big difference.
3. Was close to the lap record around Brands Hatch.
4. Ran with the top back and was competitive
5 Pretty much 3rd for both races.
6. I think people now know – this girl means business.

Fingers crossed that the car is ready for Donnie and I have enough money to race. Target = podium.

Thank you to everyone that has been and are involved in helping my poorly car ‘Tigger’ get back on the circuit.

Amanda x

Sunday 24 April 2011

Race Two – Snetterton – April 2011

Footage from Race Two. the quality is not good. We had a problem with misting on the camera lens. Hopefully the problem is solved for Brands Hatch. Most of the video is in double time to make it more exciting!

Qualified 9th – Finished 6th
Best finished of the season

Round 3–Qual 9th–Finished 6th

Race One – Snetterton 16th April 2011

Tuesday 19 April 2011

7th in Championship Table!

I have moved up from joint 9th/10th to 7th in the Championship table. Pretty happy with that! Roll on Brands Hatch.

Monday 18 April 2011

Snetterton–Rounds 3&4

Race 1 – Qual 9th – Finished 7th – Top best improver
Race 2 – Qual 9th – Finished 6th – 2nd best improver

Another amazing weekend racing with the Caterham Graduates Series. This time it was at the Norfolk circuit – Snetterton. Racing on their new 300 circuit.

I had great fun testing on the Friday. My first session out was amazing. The circuit was really challenging. The speed and direction changing at the end of coram took sometime to get use to. Also the late braking under the bridge. The infield section was interesting because of course no on had driven it before. My time throughout the day got better but I still needed to do some work! My best was 2:27.3 with the top runners running in the 2:24.

The weather all weekend was good and Qualifying on Sat was no exception. I ended up running on my own so missed out on a tow down the straights, however I think this was quite good as I could go at my own pace. I managed to qualify 9th for both races. I was very happy with this as I was faster that the Fridays testing. Qual time – 2:26.9 (Pole was a 2:23.4 by Paul Hawker).

Race 1 was started with a flag because we where sharing our grid with the Sigma cars (They had the lights). I was caught a bit napping as for some reason I thought we would get a warning board. Instead the lights went off for the Sigma’s, there was a long pause. I didn’t even see the flag go up! So I started when I saw everyone else start. Mental note made – don’t do that again!! I lost a place to Dan Lewis on the start but managed to get this back during the race. Andy Sagar went wide so gained a place there. Up front Paul Hawker had spun and got damaged so was unable to continue – so made a place there. I ended up catching a slower Sigma of Nick Dyer a fellow novice. I off took him quite easily but he had more power down the straight so got me back. I was much quicker in the corners but lacked the power everywhere else! He spun under the bridge and I was likely to miss him! I ended up finishing 7th – Very happy with that. Improved fastest lap 2:25.2. First silverware awarded for top improver.

Race 2 I again started in 9th and was praying for a better start. This time it was better but Dan Lewis still managed to overtake me. So I was down to 10th. The first lap was very close with people changing positions nearly every corner. Going into Montreal for the second time their were yellow flags. On the exit of the corner we found 2 battered Sigma Caterhams blocking the road. On the next corner the race was red flagged.

So my first red flagged race!! What will happen! We travelled back to the grid was was reformed to our original grid position. Much to the disguised of Dan Lewis, as he had managed to overtake me and we had both managed to overtake Andy Sagar. It was a restart with now a 12 minute race. The restart was my best start of the season – glad they are improving! This time I was able to keep up with the back of the top back. Dan Lewis had got in front of me, so I was back down to 10th. Andy Sagar went wide at Hamilton, came back onto the circuit and Dan Lewis took avoiding action and I went up past both of them into the next corner. I got a good tow behind Paul Hawker and Andy got a great tow behind me going down the back straight (Now called Bentley’s). Paul went defensive into bridge (now called Brundle) and I tucked in behind. Andy shot past me into the next right hander (Nelson) but was slower coming out. I was able to accelerate earlier and managed a tight line around Coram to overtake him back. Andy again went to overtake me into Murrays. I took a wider line and he was slow out and I managed a great tow down Senna straight and managed to overtake him back. By this time Dan Lewis had caught Andy up and they continued to battled behind me. A few laps later there was an incident further up between James Russell and Graeme Smith who made contact and went wide into Montreal. I was able to pass both of them. So I was now up to 5th place. I could see the very fast Graeme Smith quickly approaching me on the last lap. Unfortunately he got into my tow down Bentley straight and there was nothing I could do! Managed to finish 6th and improved my fastest lap time. This time 2nd best improver medal.

Overall another great weekend. Roll on Brands Hatch!

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Preparation for Snett

For some of today and yesterday I have been getting the car ready for Snetterton. (Getting a bit too excited to be honest).

In summary. I have added additional stickers to the car. So many thanks go to -

‘For Your walls’ – Louth Framing
’Signs for the times’ – Skegness
’Glider Graffix’ – Glider artwork

I have also today added a lot of lead to the car. This will allow me to run the car with less fuel and less weight over the rear axle. This took me quite a bit of time because I had to weigh the lead and try and calculate how much I needed. (Think I have it right!) I also had to saw off the end of the bolts. Just what female teachers do in their holidays!! Hoping I will be able to get to the weighing scales over the weekend to see how much it weighs in total.

I have taken my tyres to a garage in town to get the reams transferred so that I will not have to practice with my race tyres on Friday. I’ll save them for the races. I have relocated my lap timer and egg timer.

Weather forecast for the weekend appears to be changing. This morning it was perfect and now it has changed to rain on Saturday. Hey ho. At least I have my wet tyres now!

Not long until Friday. Nice early start to look forward to.

Wednesday 6 April 2011

Race Video’s Online

Unfortunately I have yet to buy a camera to record the races. However it is currently on the wish list. Thank you to other racers there are some on vimeo. Thought you might want to watch.

Race 1

http://vimeo.com/21938949 – James Russell
http://vimeo.com/21893596 – Dan Lewis

Race 2

Hopefully more will follow

Tuesday 5 April 2011

Results & Standings

Silverstone R1/2 - Summary

Race 1 – Qual 7th, Finished 10th + Fastest lap
Race 2 – Qual 6th, Finished 12th

Championship Standings – 9th

Next round = Snetterton 16/17 AprilResults

Championship Table

Monday 4 April 2011

SUNDAY: Race 2

Having to wait until the afternoon to go racing again was very hard. Today I had my supporters! Mum, Dad, Annabelle and Richard (Thank you for coming). The car was ready to go. Full of as much fuel as I could get it, to make sure that I was over weight at the end of the race. There was again a long wait in the pit lane before the start. I just could not believe that I had managed to qualify in 6th. The only tactics I had for the race was to get a better start. As we were waiting in the pit lane there were a few drops of rain. I just sat there thinking ‘Please don’t do this, please stay dry’. Luckily it did. Having a better grid position and being on the better side of the grid and knowing I had achieved the fastest lap time yesterday I was feeling that this was going to be more fun. I was not wrong.

Unfortunately at the start I had another poor start. It was better than Race 1 but I still lost places and this really does need to improve. I found myself at the back of the leading pack. I did not panic and just thought the race is long. I knew that as long as I didn’t loose the tow I would be able to catch them back up again. The leaders were dicing in every corner. This helped me to make progress. I slowly picked people off! The tow and slipstream was again amazing. I was really making sure I had a clean exit and on the power as soon as possible. This gave me an advantage going down the straight. One of the scariest moments was being on the inside of Copse knowing I had 3 cars to my left all wanting to get round in one piece! I had managed to work my way up to 4th place! Amazing. However going round Luffields things got a bit tight and I spun. Again. Apparently there was a big cheer from the stands. I was just glad the car was still in one piece and of course I could entertain the spectators!! I was however completely guttered to travel round to the start/stop straight to see the last lap board. Gutted! Oh what could have been!

But overall the weekend was truly amazing. I never dreamt I would be so competitive. Especially driving with 5 year old tires on!! I can not wait for Snetterton. We are driving the new 300 circuit so no one has raced there before.

The countdown has begun.

Well done Tigger! Thanks for looking after me and performing so well!

Saturday 2 April 2011

Fastest lap race 1

Wow what a start to my caterham graduates career. I qualified in 7th place. I was very happy with this for a first race. Grid size was 18. The car was again running really well. Qual was very difficult to get a clean lap in and I managed 1:14.3 which was roughly the pace I was running yesterday during testing. Qual is very tactical you need a slip stream to get a good laptime. So I let a few people past but then they got slightly in the way. So didn't really feel I got a clean lap. But very happy with 7th place.

Before our classic race we went down to Luffield to watch the mega's and super's race. This started to make me very nervous. It was a long wait for our race at 4:20. I got myself ready quite early but really there was too much time. We were grided up in the pitlane and we must have waited there for 20 minutes. My grid slot was on the right of the grid. I had a terrible start and lost about 4 places. The first handful of laps were amazing. It was so close and tight. At one point I had to run wide to avoid someones wing and lights bits! The tow down the back straight was great however it meant that we had 4 cars going into the next corner. People say f1 is boring. It is! Come and watch Caterham racing. Purely amazing. I knew I had the best view in the house but it was really entertaining. About 3 laps to the end I unfortunately spun. But still managed to finish 10th. I was disappointed with myself that I spun but I'd just driven my first race of the season and my 4th race ever. Was very happy. However driving back into my pit garage my mother told me I got the fastest lap in the race. Omg! How amazing. Something I had never expected. Unfortunately no points for fl. If I had performed that lap in qualifing I would have got pole! So all that is really left to say is "roll on Sunday and race 2!"

Friday 1 April 2011

Morning of first race and qual

Wow. This time has finally come. It is the morning of the first race of the 2011 caterham championship at Silverstone. Had an amazing day yesterday during testing. The car was running very well. The weather held out who ch was a big bonus. Didn't want April showers this weekend! I spent the afternoon on probably mid pack pace. But who knows. Just happy to be keeping up with a few that raced last year. So, my targets for this weekend where to have fun. This has already been achieved! To get faster. I made good progress yesterday and hopefully that will continue today. The last target was to bring the car home in one. We will have to wait until tomorrow for that one.

Yesterday was amazing. We had garage 9c which was buemi's during the 2010 grand prix. I bought a new set of tires but they are going to be my wet set. Fingers crossed I don't have to use them! Testing ran as sessions. I was in group 1 with most of the caterhams. To start off with it was scary. The mega's and super's are so much faster they were overtaking in all sorts of places ! Once I had a bit more confidence it was fine. Copse is a great corner. Not quite flat but because of the wide run off you can really attack the corner. Maggots and becketts are interesting too. There is apparently two lines but just need to think about the striangt coming up. The tow you can get in these caterhams down the back straight is utterly amazing. It's almost like some has installed the f1 Kers button! Brooklands and Luffield. Some room for improvement here! Important part to get the exit out for the stop/start straight.

Really can't wait for what today is going to bring. First sign on, drivers briefing, scuritneering etc. All I'll say is...... I think it's going to be fun!

Wednesday 30 March 2011

Not long to go

The countdown is getting very close to ‘go, go, go’. Tigger’s brake cylinder appears to have decided to leak. So the car is in the capable hands of McMillan Motorsport. Looking forward to getting the car back for Friday’s test sessions. Not long to go.

2 more sleeps until testing. (Or should I say attempted sleeps until testing!)

Thursday 17 March 2011

Booked, Booked, Booked!

Silverstone Test Day – 1st April
Snetterton Test Day (pm) – 14th April
Donnie Test Day (Evening) – 1st June

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Rockingham Track Day

Saturday 12th March
Weather – Dry
Rockingham – McMillan Caterham Track Day

The weather was great at Rockingham. Just what the doc ordered! We arrived and got the car off the trailer and invaded garage #18. Had a drivers briefing lead by Steve Lewis chief instructor at Rockingham. Overtaking only on the left and on the straights. Not sure all drivers were listening to that bit! The morning lessons I really lacked confidence and felt a bit bullied by the faster Caterhams. I really didn’t realise the speed difference between the Supers, Mega and Classics. Maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to get my hands on one! (www.rich man needs a wife.com needs to start working I think!) There were a few red flags throughout the day with the odd nose and wing coming off. The break for lunch did me a lot of good. The first session after lunch was a novice only 20 minutes. This was great, as I didn’t have to worry about the faster machines. The afternoon sessions worked a lot better for me, I had more confidence and found it rather exhilarating. The satisfaction of getting Tarzan sorted was great. Also gambling with Deene’s breaking point from 110mph was getting the adrenaline flowing. Fab.

048055056058Rockingham 1065116

I also got a new windscreen fitted. It was great to drive after that. I could see where I was going! Got a few things to do on the car now, especially as the club doesn’t want any duck tape on wings. Bummer! So it looks like this weekend I am learning how to glass fibre a rear wing! Any tips on the back of a postcard please! I also have the challenge of changing Tiggers A-frame bushes replaced again. Fingers crossed I can beat my last time (4 hours!!!). Also need to put this years decals on the car. Sort out the fire extinguisher. Check Oil. Sort out a rear view mirror. I’m sure the list was longer!

Thank you very much to my groupies! Dad, Mum, Jez, John, Graham, Alan, James and Laura for coming down and supporting. I hope those who went out in the car enjoyed their hot laps. I also hope that Dad, Mum and Jez enjoyed their trip to the Rockingham Scenery!

P.S I forgot to mention that I lost my front number plate out on circuit. Not sure where it ended up but it was kindly returned. Tiger seal is on order!

Sunday 13 March 2011

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Rockingham Countdown

I am now counting down the minutes until the Rockingham Testday on Saturday. I have just researched the predicted weather. It says white cloud 8 degrees. Happy with that! Fingers crossed.

rock

Need to start doing some homework on the circuit!

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