Croft Winter Race

On 9th/10th October I competed in a non championship round at the fantastic Croft race circuit in North Yorkshire. Whilst it was a non-championship round, the only entrants permitted were the drivers from either of the two Caterham Academy groups. This meant that it was the first time that I would have the opportunity to race against those in the other group.

The weekend included a 20-minute qualifying session and 20-minute race on Saturday, and a further 20 minute race on Sunday.

Having never visited the circuit before, I only had the qualifying session to learn the circuit. I went out late in the qualifying session to get a free track and slowly my confidence grew. The car felt good and I finished on Pole, over 1.5seconds faster than my nearest competitor.

Race 1 was dry and the first lap was full of activity early on with cars tripping over each other to get the advantage. Behind me Chris Bingham and Joel Wymer were victims of their own late braking which helped me break free from the chasing pack. This enabled me to finish 1st, Mike Hart 2nd and Kurt Brady a very close 3rd.

Race 2 was a real fight, I started on Pole having won race 1 but, as always, I was suffering from very bad brakes, so much so that I even warned Mike Hart before the race who was starting in second, just in case I found it difficult to stop at the hairpin before the start finish straight.

I got a very good start and was followed very closely by Mike and Kurt for the first 5 laps. At the mid way point Kurt overtook me for 1st place, but then I pulled it back soon after. With the brakes still not improving I continued to suffer where Mike pushed me down to 3rd with one of his trademark lunges from nowhere, only for me to get it back again before the end of the lap. With one lap to go, Kurt had pulled out a secure lead where he finished 1st, me 2nd and Mike 3rd.

It was an excellent weekend with some very close racing. With about half of the competitors from this year expecting to stop racing based on previous years, there is likely to be only one grid in 2011. Those who have been at the sharp end are going to continue, so it looks like another great year of racing when we progress to Roadsport B.

Race win at Mallory and Champion!

The 7th and Final round of the Pistonheads 2010 Academy Championship was at Mallory Park.

After qualifying 2nd on the grid, only 0.022 seconds behind Merlin Edwards, I knew we would be in for an exciting final race. In fact, only 0.185 seconds separated the top four drivers and it was the tightest grid we have seen all year.

When the lights went out I managed to beat Merlin into the first corner but only after Blaize Rhodes made yet another superb start demoting me back to 2nd. The start of the race was frantic where 7 cars chased for the lead, which resulted in a number of light touches from the pack.

Mike Hart, one of the Championship contenders this year, defended his position from Matthew Waite into the hairpin, causing him to crash into the back of me. This unfortunately resulted in me being pushed forward into the back of Merlin Edwards resulting in minor damage to his car and substantial damage to my steering. Unfortunately this seemed to affect the cornering and performance of my car and I was unsure at the time if the damage was terminal. The corner after the incident was the first test but unfortunately it as also the fastest. With blind faith I threw the car into the corner and with some mid turn adjustment (which now continued throughout the rest of my driving) I continued to race.

It was a hard fought battle and the lead changed almost every lap. My race was not made any easier by rushing two gear changes, resulting in lost places where my competitors did well not to hit me.

After 12 laps it became a two horse race between Blaize and me where I managed to keep my cool and hold him off for the final 4 laps after he threw everything, including the kitchen sink, and a brief excursion across the grass to try and get past!

This last race gave me another 20 points towards the Championship where it was confirmed that I am the Group 1 Pistonheads Caterham Academy Champion for 2010 !!!!!!!!

The top 5 in this years Championship finished as follows;

Wesley Fox 120 points
Jon Mortimer 103 points
Merlin Edwards 102 points
Blaize Rhodes 101 points
Mike Hart 100 points

There are many people I want to thank for helping me achieve this. My wife Louise who has supported me 200% (as always), my father in law John MacDonald - who helped me build the championship winning car, Richard Grimes of Sidelines Automotive for his expert advice, support and supplies throughout the year and David Rowe of DPR Motorsport – who set the car up for the races, provided race day advice and race tuition.

The Racing Fox pit crew, who travelled the country on race days and track days, most notably Rod Germany and Martin Bielby who both made countless observations about competitors and myself at the events.

Mallory Test Day

Mallory Park test days are only on a Wednesday morning for cars, so there was little time to get it right. The test day on the 8th September only provided 3 x 30 minute sessions, which during a 56.00 second lap leaves little time to think about what you might be doing wrong. I kept the same setup from Brands Hatch and still suffered from under steer, which may require further adjustments on race day.

Whilst there is another test day available on 15th September before the race on Sunday 19th, I am unable to attend due to working commitments so what will be will be!

Whilst the circuit layout is relatively straightforward there are again key corners to get right with very few overtaking opportunities without a tow from another racer. The Tow at this circuit are very easy to get and this will make for a very interesting final event. It is also a circuit where you will need to lean on people to get passed and you are most likely to be either attacking or defending narrow lines with your competitors where the pack are likely to hunt together. Any small mistakes during the race could have quite a significant impact because there will be a train of drivers likely to pass together.

The competitive nature of the current Academy drivers and this particular track I feel make it very unlikely that someone will be lucky enough to break away from the pack.

Mixed reports on the weather this weekend will also provide what I hope as a very entertaining race for spectators.

Snetterton - POLE and RACE WIN!

Snetterton was my first race win. I Qualified 1st and went on to win the race holding P1 from start to finish.

I made a clean start, aided by Jon Mortimer of P2 missing second gear off the start line, however getting the clean break was essential knowing that Snetterton has the the fastest and longest straight in the country. This enables those following to get a tow, so to follow is a significant advantage.

I built up a lead that stretched over 7 seconds during the race but I had to slow down on the last 2 laps for fear of running out of petrol, a calculation that I realised I was too close to comfort whilst on the warm up lap.

The race behind was not without drama, which enabled me to build up the lead that I did whilst posting some of the fastest and most consistent times of the weekend.

I am now only two points behind the Championship leader with 2 races to go so its all to play for. Thanks to Brads for his help at the weekend and those who travelled to see the race. Next race is at Brands Hatch on 22nd August.

Snetterton Race 2 - 25th July

Sunday 25th July is race 2 of the Caterham Academy 2010.

The race starts at 13:50 where entry also entitles you to watch the other races which include the Porsche GT3 Cup and the Alfa Romeo series.

Those wishing to attend should contact me via this blog or via email.

http://ticket.motorsportvision.co.uk/media/1269350/britcar%20sn%202425%2007%202010.pdf

Next Event 4th July

The first race and next event is Sunday 4th July at Rockingham, Corby, Northants.

http://www.rockingham.co.uk/about/gettingto.asp

My Race starts at 10:55am. Those wishing to attend should be at the track for 10am. The rest of the day will include other Caterham races, including the mighty Caterham R300 cars. Fingers crossed for good weather, because I understand it could be a real challenge if its wet!

2nd at Curborough Sprint

Having travelled to Curborough for the second round of this years Pistonheads Caterham Academy, I feel happy that I have finally solved my long term brake problem.

Having complained for months now, Caterham have finally changed the Brake Master Cylinder which appeared to be the faulty part. This was changed on the morning of the Curborough Sprint which was less than ideal, however the brakes improved dramatically. The only problem was it changed all the braking points that I learned on the previous day during the test sessions.

Having missed 3rd gear twice on my last run of the day, I had to settle for second place. Whilst my time would have improved I doubt it would still have been fast enough to get first place on this occasion.

I am still in a very strong position for the rest of this season however its now time to start winning some races!

Next round is Snetterton on 29th MAY.

Round 2 - Curborough Saturday 15th MAY

This Saturday is the second round of the Pistonheads Caterham Academy 2010 at Curborough. This is one of the oldest motor racing venues in the UK and hopefully I can go one better than last time out. Those wishing to attend can join me at the circuit from 9am.

Castle Combe

On 14th April the first official Caterham Academy 2010 test day took place. The venue was Castle Combe.

It was the first chance to see how quick all 48 Academy would be in the year ahead. Whilst timing was forbidden, a few (including yours truly) timed their laps to see how well they were doing during the day.

The day confirmed that this year is going to be very close and is likely to go down to the wire.

ARDS Test PASSED

On 17th February I obtained my race license. This means that I have passed the MSA ARDS test where I proved that I am capable of understanding the rules/flags, and course etiquette during this year.

The day involved a relatively basic written exam, skid pan training, fast speed track assessment and medical. All the other Caterham competitors were also there on the day where we got to share tales and stories about the journey so far. The course was at the Castle Comb circuit in Wiltshire, which is one of the fastest and most technical circuits in the country.

Next stop Brands this weekend for a Track Day!

Snow Joke (Brands Trackday)

Weather is not looking too good for tomorrow! Snow forecast again for early morning and sub Zero temperatures all day. Club MSV are going to do all they can to make sure it still happens, however with the poor conditions I wait with interest for the email after lunch today from the organisers to confirm whether it is happening or not.

Watch this space.

2nd test day now booked

My next test day is on 20th December 2010 at Brands Hatch

I will be testing the car on the short Indy Circuit where this will be in preparation for my race in August next year. Having driven the car already in anger at Bedford in November, I spoke to Richard Grimes of Sidelines who confirmed that I should now spend time setting the car up for race conditions. Unlike Bedford, this will become a more structured day where I hope to make a number of changes to the car to learn more about its handling characteristics. This will probably include the adjustment of tyre pressures throughout the day and finding the best ways to drive a number of the very complicated corners at this historic and momentous race track.

I will report on how well we do, however this is likely to be one of a number of visits to this track as the weather and conditions improve throughout spring and summer of next year.

Track Day Booked

21st November is the day we visit the Bedford Autodrome to test the car. John is my co-driver for the day where we will gently run in the car for 1, maybe 2 LAPS!

We will then check the car over, before increasing the speed in what is looking like very wet and slippery conditions. This however will aid the running in process because the drive shafts, prop shaft, gearbox and engine will not be under constant load due to the lack of grip on the track.

This is something we are both really looking forward to where, photo's and a video will be available next week.

For those wishing to attend, we will be there between 9am-4pm. Bring an umbrella and some warm clothes.