This was the race. We knew it would come eventually. Across the whole Brands Hatch weekend there was a tangible sense that all the Academy guys really knew what was going on. The confusion, befuddlement and general craziness of the first two races was gone and everyone was getting on with being an Actual Racing Driver. Sign-on and scrutineering was completed without Caterham having to point it out and we were all even at assembly on time. How professional. Then the driving started...
And this was from qualifying!
Paddock Hill Bend claimed a fair few Seven-shaped victims over the weekend, even during qualifying. What a terrifying corner! Having tested the week previously at Brands I was hopeful of a decent time. Letting a gaggle of cars through to get some space I thought a couple of good laps were posted even if Paddock and Surtees were never ideal. Does anyone know the best line for the latter? Staying wide for a run out made the entry seem really slow and the exit was compromised by entering too narrow. Annoying. Though not as frustrating as going 11th fastest. Plenty to do in the race then!
It probably doesn't look it but there was a vague plan for the start; stay to the inside. It may be slower but I was too scared of what carnage may ensue on the racing line (we've all seen BTCC, right?) to venture there. And it worked! Paddock and Druids were a flurry of spins and locked brakes but I managed to sneak through unscathed after a respectable start. It was pure luck more than expert judgement I'd wager but fifth after the second corner felt fantastic!
Trouble somehow avoided at Paddock
Lap two and another Druids SNAFU pushed me up to third; result! From there things went very badly very quickly. This probably sounds like a terrible racing driver cliche but I had a rhythm with the faster guys for a few corners, or so it seemed. Attempting to keep up, learning where they were making up the extra tenths and having a bloody excellent time.
Then I missed fourth coming out of Surtees. Twice. Balls. I lost a place as well as a ton of momentum and confidence. From there a couple more mistakes let others past. You'll see Rob in the black and gold car nip through and then lock up at Graham Hill; we both continued unharmed but again it was time lost and no more places gained.
The longest race battle was with Martin Emkes who I could not pass. It was exhilarating to try though! The lap times from the race showed my quickest was slower than the guys ahead of me so to finish 10th probably was fair. I still reckon I could have held on had Martin been passed though. Maybe.
Yeah, four cars into Graham Hill...
Of course I would have liked to be nearer the top but that shouldn't detract from an amazing racing experience. Brands is a fabulous circuit, the racing was engrossing and the buzz from finishing is so addictive. If it could be bottled it you'd probably make enough for a season of motorsport!
According to Phil Jerome (who you can see coming past in the orange car) I was so sideways so often that he was convinced I would spin quite a few times. Maybe that's why the lap times were slow. I said it helps the turn-in and perhaps got carried away. Makes for a great video though!
Race video here, skip to 10:00 for start.