Race Report (Sorry Long read)
Discussion
Guys/Gals,
Well I'm really not sure where to start but I had one of the most exhilarating days of my life with some major up/downs throughout and I'm sure Adam feels just the same.
With a target in mind of just enjoying the day and getting us and the car back home safe we headed off early for the first race of our lives.
We made it on time to the circuit which was a surprise as we had a major frost first to contend with and then freezing fog up the Acle straight which was a bit worrying but soon cleared and turned out to be probably the best and brightest day of this year so far.
We got through the rigermaroll first of all after sign on, then scrutineering and the drivers briefing without any hiccups so then it was time for practice.
Practice
Adam was out first in practice and just as he was about to start a flying lap out came the safety car so 5 procession laps and it was my turn to get out.
I was only on my second lap when the safety car came in and it was time to see what the new Snetterton circuit was like. The new infield area seems more testing than the rest of the track as there is a lot of choice on the different lines in to the corners as some need a very late entrance. We finished practice with our best lap being a 2 minute 30 secs which didn't seem to bad to start with.
Qually
Not the best start : Adam again was due to go out first and whilst waiting around chatting to fellow drivers in the holding area one of them noticed that two of our wheels were on the wrong way round, so a quick dash back to our pit area and a juggle of the wheels we had all four tyres going the right direction. We made it out in time and we managed to qualify 17th overall with a time of 2mins 24.9 secs throughout the four classes of the 40 cars racing and the car seemed to be handling a little better with the tyres on the right way (schoolboy error ) and not the last....
The Race
I had been voted to start the race from the grid which I must say daunted me a little but the time was soon upon us for the green light.
There I sat with just over 1/2 tank of fuel waiting on my grid place for which seemed like an age and then go go go.
I didn't get the best start as I had quite a bit of wheelspin which I didn't realise was happening until I felt the rear of the car moving round ( it's so noisy at the start with 40 other cars at full revs you can't even hear your own engine).
I lost a couple of places up to the first corner with all the chaos going on and I think I lost another on the second corner but after that I managed to settle down.
The race settled fairly quickly and by the 2nd to 3rd lap I calmed myself and began to get into the flow managing to start picking a few cars off here and there and also managed to miss 3 to 4 cars that decided to spin off in front of me. I had a good battle with a Golf, an MR2 and a Peugeot from what I recall but the car felt good so I pushed as hard as I could.
I was about 20 minutes into the race 2 laps before I was due to pit and hand over to Adam when I noticed the car was holding back out of the sharper right hand bends and then clearing itself on the straights, a quick look down at the fuel gauge and there was under 1/4 of a tank left.
My signalling to the pit crew on the wall that I was running low on fuel was to no avail so I came in late after missing one pit board to hand over to Adam with the fuel light flashing.
When I told him about our predicament the look on his face said it all, we were both thinking that our first race ever was going to be a "DNF" but with Adam taking it easy and a little bit of lady luck we managed to splutter over the line to finish the race.
Results
All in all it was a fantastic day for our entrant into motorsport and we came away with 4th place in our class. We believe if it wasn't for the extended pit stop and our lack of fuel we would of definitely had a 3rd and possibly a 2nd place with a podium and a trophy.
We took the fastest lap of the day in our class which to put it lightly "Pleased me a bit" and to top it off we won a Trophy for the best prepared race car of the day from and the race support team supporting the series for the year.
The trophy for the car was a real fantastic end to a brilliant day as there were 45 cars on the grid and they chose ours, after the hours of welding, grinding, sanding and spraying it was a just reward for the lack of sleep and damaged hands.
The buzz from the race has lasted nearly 4 days and I'm now back down to earth but as Mr Paul C said....... It's one hell of a rush!
Next race is Cadwell park were I believe our barge will be less competitive against some of the more nimble competitors but I can't wait for that Buzz again.
Matt & Adam ....... MAD Motorsport.
Well I'm really not sure where to start but I had one of the most exhilarating days of my life with some major up/downs throughout and I'm sure Adam feels just the same.
With a target in mind of just enjoying the day and getting us and the car back home safe we headed off early for the first race of our lives.
We made it on time to the circuit which was a surprise as we had a major frost first to contend with and then freezing fog up the Acle straight which was a bit worrying but soon cleared and turned out to be probably the best and brightest day of this year so far.
We got through the rigermaroll first of all after sign on, then scrutineering and the drivers briefing without any hiccups so then it was time for practice.
Practice
Adam was out first in practice and just as he was about to start a flying lap out came the safety car so 5 procession laps and it was my turn to get out.
I was only on my second lap when the safety car came in and it was time to see what the new Snetterton circuit was like. The new infield area seems more testing than the rest of the track as there is a lot of choice on the different lines in to the corners as some need a very late entrance. We finished practice with our best lap being a 2 minute 30 secs which didn't seem to bad to start with.
Qually
Not the best start : Adam again was due to go out first and whilst waiting around chatting to fellow drivers in the holding area one of them noticed that two of our wheels were on the wrong way round, so a quick dash back to our pit area and a juggle of the wheels we had all four tyres going the right direction. We made it out in time and we managed to qualify 17th overall with a time of 2mins 24.9 secs throughout the four classes of the 40 cars racing and the car seemed to be handling a little better with the tyres on the right way (schoolboy error ) and not the last....
The Race
I had been voted to start the race from the grid which I must say daunted me a little but the time was soon upon us for the green light.
There I sat with just over 1/2 tank of fuel waiting on my grid place for which seemed like an age and then go go go.
I didn't get the best start as I had quite a bit of wheelspin which I didn't realise was happening until I felt the rear of the car moving round ( it's so noisy at the start with 40 other cars at full revs you can't even hear your own engine).
I lost a couple of places up to the first corner with all the chaos going on and I think I lost another on the second corner but after that I managed to settle down.
The race settled fairly quickly and by the 2nd to 3rd lap I calmed myself and began to get into the flow managing to start picking a few cars off here and there and also managed to miss 3 to 4 cars that decided to spin off in front of me. I had a good battle with a Golf, an MR2 and a Peugeot from what I recall but the car felt good so I pushed as hard as I could.
I was about 20 minutes into the race 2 laps before I was due to pit and hand over to Adam when I noticed the car was holding back out of the sharper right hand bends and then clearing itself on the straights, a quick look down at the fuel gauge and there was under 1/4 of a tank left.
My signalling to the pit crew on the wall that I was running low on fuel was to no avail so I came in late after missing one pit board to hand over to Adam with the fuel light flashing.
When I told him about our predicament the look on his face said it all, we were both thinking that our first race ever was going to be a "DNF" but with Adam taking it easy and a little bit of lady luck we managed to splutter over the line to finish the race.
Results
All in all it was a fantastic day for our entrant into motorsport and we came away with 4th place in our class. We believe if it wasn't for the extended pit stop and our lack of fuel we would of definitely had a 3rd and possibly a 2nd place with a podium and a trophy.
We took the fastest lap of the day in our class which to put it lightly "Pleased me a bit" and to top it off we won a Trophy for the best prepared race car of the day from and the race support team supporting the series for the year.
The trophy for the car was a real fantastic end to a brilliant day as there were 45 cars on the grid and they chose ours, after the hours of welding, grinding, sanding and spraying it was a just reward for the lack of sleep and damaged hands.
The buzz from the race has lasted nearly 4 days and I'm now back down to earth but as Mr Paul C said....... It's one hell of a rush!
Next race is Cadwell park were I believe our barge will be less competitive against some of the more nimble competitors but I can't wait for that Buzz again.
Matt & Adam ....... MAD Motorsport.
Thanks boys,
James, Iv'e been dreaming of racing a car since I was 16, its taken me till nearly 40 but as you know it's just amazing. The Trophy boys seem a good bunch with really large grids.
Rob, Thanks for the support and I'll see you at the silverstone trackday.
Conleth, Thanks M8 and I hope to see you at Spa
Worty, Cadwell race is on the 21st May and be great to see the stripey beast. We are gonna do an overnight stay so you may be able to advise a cheapish half decent hotel as there doesn't appear to be any travelodge types around near the track.
James, Iv'e been dreaming of racing a car since I was 16, its taken me till nearly 40 but as you know it's just amazing. The Trophy boys seem a good bunch with really large grids.
Rob, Thanks for the support and I'll see you at the silverstone trackday.
Conleth, Thanks M8 and I hope to see you at Spa
Worty, Cadwell race is on the 21st May and be great to see the stripey beast. We are gonna do an overnight stay so you may be able to advise a cheapish half decent hotel as there doesn't appear to be any travelodge types around near the track.
Have a look at this lot. Prices are from last year
Name Miles Location Guest Rating Star
Forest Pines Hotel Golf Resort Qhotels View Special Offer 29.4 Broughton nr S
horpe 4 £89.00 £95.00 £95.00
Number 7 17.8 Lincoln 4S £119.00 £119.00
Angel and Royal Hotel 29.5 Grantham 3 £60.00 £70.00 £70.00
Lincolnshire Oak 17.8 Sleaford 3 £40.00 £55.00 £55.00
The Old Coach House Motel 11.9 Lincs 4G £45.00 £45.00 £45.00
Tower Hotel 17.7 Lincoln 2 £65.00 £65.00 £65.00
Ibis Hotel Lincoln 20.7 Lincoln 2 £45.00 £45.00 £45.00
The Red Lion Hotel 28.5 Spalding 2 £55.00 £55.00 £55.00
The Lincoln Hotel 17.5 Lincoln 3 £80.00 £70.00 £70.00
White Hart Hotel 17.6 Lincoln 3 £75.00 £85.00 £85.00
Charlotte House 17.8 Lincoln 5G £109.00 £109.00 £109.00
Hall Farm Hotel and Restaurant 20.1 Grimsby 3 £90.00 £90.00 £90.00
The George Quality Accommodation Restuarant Bar 27.2 Kirton in Lindsey 4G £55.00 £55.00 £55.00
Holiday Inn Lincoln 17.9 Lincoln 3 £72.00 £85.00 £85.00
All Seasons Apartments and Suites 12.5 Louth nr Grimsby Lincoln 4S £160.00 £160.00 £160.00
Best Western The Vine Hotel 19.4 Skegness 3 Full £30.00 £30.00
The Olde Barn Hotel 27.8 Marston nr Grantham 3 £94.00 £94.00 £94.00
Plummers Place Guesthouse 18.4 Boston 4G £37.00 £37.00 £37.00
White Hart Hotel 15.9 Boston 3 £85.00 £85.00 £85.00
Holiday Inn Express Lincoln City Centre 18.1 Lincoln B £65.00 £85.00 £95.00
The Georgian Townhouse 29.8 Newark 4G Full £70.00 £70.00
Legacy Oaklands Country House Hotel 23.2 Grimsby Cleethorpes nr Lincoln Shorpe 3 £59.50 £59.50 £59.50
De Vere Belton Woods 27.6 Grantham 4 £69.50 £69.50 £69.50
Cley Hall Hotel 28.4 Spalding 2 £90.00 £90.00 £90.00
Sunnyside B B 19.3 Skegness N/A 3G £50.00 £50.00 £50.00
Grange Hotel 29.7 Newark 3 £79.00 £79.00 £79.00
Washingborough Hall Hotel 15.0 Lincoln 3 £65.00 £65.00 £65.00
Bail House 17.6 Lincoln 5G £89.00 £89.00 £89.00
The County Hotel Skegness 19.5 Skegness 2 £36.00 £36.00 £36.00
The St James Hotel A Corus Hotel 25.2 Grimsby 3 £42.00 £50.00 £50.00
Norton Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre 24.3 Lincoln 3 £65.00 £55.00 £55.00
Sugar Sugar 25.1 Cleethorpes 4 £50.00 £75.00 £75.00
Crown Hotel 19.5 Skegness 3 £45.00 £45.00 £45.00
The Castle Hotel 17.6 Lincoln 2 £82.00 £82.00 £82.00
Pride of Lincoln A Good Night Inn 20.6 Lincoln 4 £45.00 £45.00 £45.00
The Beaumont Hotel 12.9 Louth 3 £45.00 £45.00 £45.00
The Ship Inn 24.4 Spalding 3G £50.00 £50.00 £50.00
The Cleo Guest House 19.1 Skegness 3G £46.00 £46.00 £46.00
The North Shore Hotel 19.4 Skegness 2 £48.00 £48.00 £48.00
Southview Park Hotel 18.2 Skegness 3 £40.00 £40.00 £40.00
Bail Mews 17.6 Lincoln 4A £59.00 £59.00 £59.00
Butlins Skegness Resort 19.4 Lincolnshire N/A 4S £200.00 £200.00 £200.00
The Railway Inn 21.7 Lincoln 3G Full £45.00 £45.00
Best Western Kings Hotel 29.3 Grantham 3 £63.00 £63.00 £63.00
The Limes Country House Hotel 16.0 Market Rasen nr Lincoln NC Full £49.00 £49.00
That should give you something to go at
worty
Name Miles Location Guest Rating Star
Forest Pines Hotel Golf Resort Qhotels View Special Offer 29.4 Broughton nr S
horpe 4 £89.00 £95.00 £95.00 Number 7 17.8 Lincoln 4S £119.00 £119.00
Angel and Royal Hotel 29.5 Grantham 3 £60.00 £70.00 £70.00
Lincolnshire Oak 17.8 Sleaford 3 £40.00 £55.00 £55.00
The Old Coach House Motel 11.9 Lincs 4G £45.00 £45.00 £45.00
Tower Hotel 17.7 Lincoln 2 £65.00 £65.00 £65.00
Ibis Hotel Lincoln 20.7 Lincoln 2 £45.00 £45.00 £45.00
The Red Lion Hotel 28.5 Spalding 2 £55.00 £55.00 £55.00
The Lincoln Hotel 17.5 Lincoln 3 £80.00 £70.00 £70.00
White Hart Hotel 17.6 Lincoln 3 £75.00 £85.00 £85.00
Charlotte House 17.8 Lincoln 5G £109.00 £109.00 £109.00
Hall Farm Hotel and Restaurant 20.1 Grimsby 3 £90.00 £90.00 £90.00
The George Quality Accommodation Restuarant Bar 27.2 Kirton in Lindsey 4G £55.00 £55.00 £55.00
Holiday Inn Lincoln 17.9 Lincoln 3 £72.00 £85.00 £85.00
All Seasons Apartments and Suites 12.5 Louth nr Grimsby Lincoln 4S £160.00 £160.00 £160.00
Best Western The Vine Hotel 19.4 Skegness 3 Full £30.00 £30.00
The Olde Barn Hotel 27.8 Marston nr Grantham 3 £94.00 £94.00 £94.00
Plummers Place Guesthouse 18.4 Boston 4G £37.00 £37.00 £37.00
White Hart Hotel 15.9 Boston 3 £85.00 £85.00 £85.00
Holiday Inn Express Lincoln City Centre 18.1 Lincoln B £65.00 £85.00 £95.00
The Georgian Townhouse 29.8 Newark 4G Full £70.00 £70.00
Legacy Oaklands Country House Hotel 23.2 Grimsby Cleethorpes nr Lincoln S
horpe 3 £59.50 £59.50 £59.50 De Vere Belton Woods 27.6 Grantham 4 £69.50 £69.50 £69.50
Cley Hall Hotel 28.4 Spalding 2 £90.00 £90.00 £90.00
Sunnyside B B 19.3 Skegness N/A 3G £50.00 £50.00 £50.00
Grange Hotel 29.7 Newark 3 £79.00 £79.00 £79.00
Washingborough Hall Hotel 15.0 Lincoln 3 £65.00 £65.00 £65.00
Bail House 17.6 Lincoln 5G £89.00 £89.00 £89.00
The County Hotel Skegness 19.5 Skegness 2 £36.00 £36.00 £36.00
The St James Hotel A Corus Hotel 25.2 Grimsby 3 £42.00 £50.00 £50.00
Norton Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre 24.3 Lincoln 3 £65.00 £55.00 £55.00
Sugar Sugar 25.1 Cleethorpes 4 £50.00 £75.00 £75.00
Crown Hotel 19.5 Skegness 3 £45.00 £45.00 £45.00
The Castle Hotel 17.6 Lincoln 2 £82.00 £82.00 £82.00
Pride of Lincoln A Good Night Inn 20.6 Lincoln 4 £45.00 £45.00 £45.00
The Beaumont Hotel 12.9 Louth 3 £45.00 £45.00 £45.00
The Ship Inn 24.4 Spalding 3G £50.00 £50.00 £50.00
The Cleo Guest House 19.1 Skegness 3G £46.00 £46.00 £46.00
The North Shore Hotel 19.4 Skegness 2 £48.00 £48.00 £48.00
Southview Park Hotel 18.2 Skegness 3 £40.00 £40.00 £40.00
Bail Mews 17.6 Lincoln 4A £59.00 £59.00 £59.00
Butlins Skegness Resort 19.4 Lincolnshire N/A 4S £200.00 £200.00 £200.00
The Railway Inn 21.7 Lincoln 3G Full £45.00 £45.00
Best Western Kings Hotel 29.3 Grantham 3 £63.00 £63.00 £63.00
The Limes Country House Hotel 16.0 Market Rasen nr Lincoln NC Full £49.00 £49.00
That should give you something to go at
worty
I was thinking that someone else on here was taking part in the TDT this year!!
I was driving the MR2 at the start!! We had to cut our boost (effectively putting us in Class D) as our intake temps were very high in qualifying and we were getting detonation down the straights!
It was a great race though, I had a storming start (got 5 places into 1st corner and another into the hairpin), you must have been behind me when I had a bit of an off at the bombhole after passing the Clio and then him taking a lunge back up the inside, but we managed to finish the race which is always good to do!
I'll remember to come and find you to say Hi if they put on a 2nd race at Cadwell!
Leon
I was driving the MR2 at the start!! We had to cut our boost (effectively putting us in Class D) as our intake temps were very high in qualifying and we were getting detonation down the straights!
It was a great race though, I had a storming start (got 5 places into 1st corner and another into the hairpin), you must have been behind me when I had a bit of an off at the bombhole after passing the Clio and then him taking a lunge back up the inside, but we managed to finish the race which is always good to do!
I'll remember to come and find you to say Hi if they put on a 2nd race at Cadwell!
Leon
Leon, We were pretty closley matched and we had a couple of passes between us if I remember correctly. You were slightly quicker on initial acceleration but once we got going we could claw a little back (thats the 1350kg).
I was just behind when you had your vacation from track which woke me up a little.
We originally started the day in class C but then got moved into D because of the vehicle weight.
We will have to try and catch up and talk Nobs next time.
Matty.
I was just behind when you had your vacation from track which woke me up a little.
We originally started the day in class C but then got moved into D because of the vehicle weight.
We will have to try and catch up and talk Nobs next time.
Matty.
I usually stay at this hotel (Kenwick Park Hotel) when i go to Cadwell. It's really good and about a 3rd of the price they could charge for the level of accomodation (50-75per night), seriously!
restaurant is great and you can't get much closer to the circuit.
www.bestwestern.co.uk/Hotels/Kenwick-Park-Hotel-Louth-83858/Hotel-Info/Default.aspx?IATA=00158450&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=Kenwick_Park_Hotel_Kenwick_Park_Hotel&utm_term=kenwick_park_hotel
cheers
restaurant is great and you can't get much closer to the circuit.
www.bestwestern.co.uk/Hotels/Kenwick-Park-Hotel-Louth-83858/Hotel-Info/Default.aspx?IATA=00158450&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=Kenwick_Park_Hotel_Kenwick_Park_Hotel&utm_term=kenwick_park_hotel
cheers
well done guys I just had a look at the lap chart and it certainly was pretty close.. just .1 sec across the line at one point!! I was suffering at the pit stop as we had to run with the fans on full heat as our temp warning light came on at the 2nd corner on lap 1!
We tipped the scales at 1319kg (with me in it though!) and like the nob seem to suffer understeer as we've not much front end weight even though we've kept the spare wheel in it!! we are having an outing at Mallory though to sort out our engine tune and try to look at suspension setup and tyre pressures
but if we do make Cadwell with the 2nd race then there are a lot of light front wheel drive cars there to keep us on our toes!!
We'll be booking Brands as soon as it comes online as it was the only race we finished last year in the pouring rain!
Leon
We tipped the scales at 1319kg (with me in it though!) and like the nob seem to suffer understeer as we've not much front end weight even though we've kept the spare wheel in it!! we are having an outing at Mallory though to sort out our engine tune and try to look at suspension setup and tyre pressures
but if we do make Cadwell with the 2nd race then there are a lot of light front wheel drive cars there to keep us on our toes!!
We'll be booking Brands as soon as it comes online as it was the only race we finished last year in the pouring rain!
Leon
Just to let you guys know we are doing our second race on Saturday at cadwell park.
Qually at 9 then race at 2. We have a couple of passes left at the moment if Anyones interested.
Theres BMW production championship, project 8 saloons, Monoposto,s etc and us in the trackday trophy.
We will be the ugly fat blokes with the bright orange BMW.
Matty (MAD Motorsport)
Qually at 9 then race at 2. We have a couple of passes left at the moment if Anyones interested.
Theres BMW production championship, project 8 saloons, Monoposto,s etc and us in the trackday trophy.
We will be the ugly fat blokes with the bright orange BMW.
Matty (MAD Motorsport)
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