Spa Francorchamps is a worrying place, steeped in history and its notorious
reputation for extra fast corners, daunting hills and beautiful scenery make
this circuit one of the best in the world. To have the chance to race here is
one ambition fulfilled. Taking a deep breath on entering the pits tunnel to lead
you under the circuit and a brief glimpse of O'Rouge really starts the heart
racing that's for sure.
The team had arrived and was busy preparing everything for the battle ahead.
Spa's weather apparently is always a concern but someone had supplied us all
with the luck we needed, as it was to be dry all weekend. Extra practice had
been organized, so we really could learn the track before the races. As there
were some of us that had not competed here before this was a wise decision!
We all lined up ready for the off, first gear and up the hill. It is so
steep, unless you stand at the top or are in the car it cannot be appreciated.
The first laps were very steady checking the equipment and learning the lines
needed to attack in a race. Practice times were very good, fastest, which is
where we needed to be to stand a chance. Any of the top drivers could be
successful here because of the draughting up the long straights. You can gain
maybe another 15mph here, a definite advantage for overtaking.
After all the practice had been completed, a set up for the car had been
adopted. This should give us the optimum with new tyres for qualifying the next
day. Qualifying should not have been to difficult, scrub the tyres in, maybe
three laps to bring them up to temperature, back in the pits, pressures to check
and then ready for a flyer. The tyres didn't seem to be as good as the old
practice tyres we had used the previous day or maybe the set up wasn't in tune
with the new black round things. Massive understeer had developed so adjusting
the break balance to hopefully compensate a respectable time was set faster than
the practice times earlier. Sue my partner came forward urging me to go faster
as I was at present in second place behind Steve Gugliemi, so I returned to the
track hoping for better.
I tried to beat my time, but time was against me, with refueling and various
checks to the car the session was nearly over, one lap should do it but I had
Peter Wheeler and Ben Samuelson in front into O'Rouge, no problem I thought? But
people used to say "You know what thinking does for you." They were
right I tried for about three quarters of the lap to get past both but they
seemed to be in qualifying battle themselves. I couldn't pass before the
chequered came out. In the pits it was bad news - third place had gone to
Richard Hay. He'd obviously taken his protein pills and had blown myself and
Steve into the scenery. Richard was got pole position with 2.32.991 and Steve
was on 2.33.513 with me behind on 2.33.712. I was angry!
Still, starting has been my strong point this season. Third row the lights
change, a perfect start helped me to gain the traction. Steve accelerated hard
but I was in the lead. A perfect two laps later and I was still in the lead but
struggling with front-end grip. Steve was closing; a mistake on my part, too
wide on entry and Steve picked up the pieces and slipped past. Still in
contention were Hay and Brtinell through O'Rouge draughting behind Gug's. I took
him though not for long as he got me back. This was not going to be easy! I knew
the problem with the car could be put right before the next race. Myself and
Steve pulled away to secure first and second, Points, points were the words
offered to console my disappointment, it had been a steady race with Hay
defending off Brtinell for third.
My sponsor Sandy Livingstone had offered some advice before the start, he
normally says "drive like a safe lunatic," instead it was just
the latter. The grid was ready, the car tweaked in the hope of a win at Spa - a
real dream. The lights changed to red, I started to go in anticipation and
stated to roll forward on the slope. The green lights were slow to come on, I
had to brake to avoid a false start, You guest it I stalled, the first time for
me in two years I couldn't believe it. Watch your rear I thought as they say
"in a down town Bangkok bar" I pushed the start button again, oh no,
again I tried, it fires. We are off for the drive of my life. I look up as
mayhem fills my wind screen. Dave Porter misses me by inches "thanks
Dave" but crashes into the wall - that's racing! People said after that I
was about thirteenth place into O'Rouge... who cares. I drove like a man
possessed overtaking where I would normally wait. I had nothing to lose, fourth
lap Mason was in front of me, out braking him into the bus stop I couldn't stop
in time, straight through the tyre bails and over the grass. Mason did the same,
so not having any advantage between us I hold my position chasing down the
others.
Lee Caroline was in third and I could see I was closing. I had to have his
position to secure better points and a podium position. Up the inside I'm was
through but it wasn't over yet. I was really starting to struggle with my tyres,
a couple of corners later he tried to come back, we touched but I have the
advantage this time and pull clear to take a well earned third place, the drive
of my life so far!
Second and third place, twice on the podium on a Grand Prix track abroad will
do for me just fine. What a great weekend but with out all the help from the
boys at Colin Blower's, the support and belief of my partner Sue and especially
all the sponsors that make it all happen I wouldn't be there at all. Thank you
everyone.