Tell me about your first race…
Discussion
I'm now about 10 years into my track day "career". I've always driven reasonably hard (read: aggressively) and thought I was fast, but as is often the case; I had a westfield - these things are fast even if you're driving at 50% of their ability.
2 -3 years ago I decided I really wanted to hone my craft and be a better track driver, so I did the sensible thing and bought a cheap MX5. There is a reasonably active Westfield sprinting scene, but thats not really for me. I digress. I'd like to think my driving has now gone from "passable" to "bless him, he's really trying".
So thats the background, the stars have finally aligned, the wifes objections have all been met, I'm going racing this year. I've got a couple of rounds booked for the BRSCC MX5 Clubman Championship and its fair to say as d day gets closer, I'm bricking it.
I am fully expecting to be in the rear 1/3 of the grid - I wont lie though, I'll be gutted if I'm last. My aim for the first race is to overtake more times than I'm overtaken - is this even realistic?
First one is at Silverstone GP on 21st May, which handily, I'd never driven. I've got the test day booked on the Friday to hopefully give me an idea of which way the track goes
but other than that I'm going in completely blind.
Please share your experiences as a novice? How did your first race go down?
2 -3 years ago I decided I really wanted to hone my craft and be a better track driver, so I did the sensible thing and bought a cheap MX5. There is a reasonably active Westfield sprinting scene, but thats not really for me. I digress. I'd like to think my driving has now gone from "passable" to "bless him, he's really trying".
So thats the background, the stars have finally aligned, the wifes objections have all been met, I'm going racing this year. I've got a couple of rounds booked for the BRSCC MX5 Clubman Championship and its fair to say as d day gets closer, I'm bricking it.
I am fully expecting to be in the rear 1/3 of the grid - I wont lie though, I'll be gutted if I'm last. My aim for the first race is to overtake more times than I'm overtaken - is this even realistic?
First one is at Silverstone GP on 21st May, which handily, I'd never driven. I've got the test day booked on the Friday to hopefully give me an idea of which way the track goes
but other than that I'm going in completely blind. Please share your experiences as a novice? How did your first race go down?
Did my first track day at Mallory Park 12 years ago in my Westfield (it was the club day, don’t know if they still do them?), loved it and did 3 or 4 more trackdays that year with Apex Trackdays who sadly no longer exist The Westfield Sprint thing didn’t appeal to me either. Got my race licence at the start of 2016. First race at Cadwell in a beautiful ex Cup Porsche 924s I was sharing with a mate (Steve H on here). He went first in quali and the car popped a water hose on the out lap so I had to do the 3 lap thing behind the course car at lunchtime to qualify for the race. In the race the alternator packed up resulting in a late race DNF. Next race at Silverstone Nat and we stuck it on class pole and came home 2nd. Rest of the year I think we were on the class podium all the time.
Been racing every year since with a few trophies to show for it, best one was 2018 Overall 750MC Club Enduro champions with Steve as my team mate again. I still get nervous before a race but the minute we are rolling out of assembly all of the nerves disappear.
Been racing every year since with a few trophies to show for it, best one was 2018 Overall 750MC Club Enduro champions with Steve as my team mate again. I still get nervous before a race but the minute we are rolling out of assembly all of the nerves disappear.
First race was at the Caterham Festival at Brands Hatch in 2000 in the Academy class. Was a very hot day and the car overheated during qualy. Qualified about 20th out 30 odd cars, but had to get the car sorted during a very small window between Qualy and the Race. The Academy support team noticed one of my coolant hoses was the wrong way round, and fixed the whole thing in 30mins, but I forgot to fill the car with petrol. Only noticed I had nothing in the tank in the collecting area before forming up on the grid. Managed to get some petrol in it, but missed the formation lap and started from the pit lane. Followed the field around for a few laps before being black flagged, whereby I pitted, got a b
king for not having hand restraints on, and then chucked out on the track again. Finished last, but the good thing was I'd set the 3rd or 4th fastest lap so knew I had the speed even if I screwed up the first race. Came 3rd twice in the two races of the season at Oulton Park and Snetterton, so not bad for a first year.
king for not having hand restraints on, and then chucked out on the track again. Finished last, but the good thing was I'd set the 3rd or 4th fastest lap so knew I had the speed even if I screwed up the first race. Came 3rd twice in the two races of the season at Oulton Park and Snetterton, so not bad for a first year.I had prepared a road car to race, or at least I thought I had- got sent away from scrutineering for having fitted the wrong kind of fire extinguisher and brake lights not working. Also had technical eligibility problems with the wheels and the lack of front number plate.
Missed qualifying as a result and had to do three qualifying laps in with a much faster class.
Back of the grid start (18th). 11th in race 1 and 10th in race 2.
As well as eligibility problems with the race car I had reliability issues with the tow car I had hastily acquired. My organisation and time management skills have always left a lot to be desired. Fortunately they're a bit better now than they were when I was 20! (but not a lot).
Moral of the story, if you haven't bought a car which has already raced, ensure that it is compliant.
Missed qualifying as a result and had to do three qualifying laps in with a much faster class.
Back of the grid start (18th). 11th in race 1 and 10th in race 2.
As well as eligibility problems with the race car I had reliability issues with the tow car I had hastily acquired. My organisation and time management skills have always left a lot to be desired. Fortunately they're a bit better now than they were when I was 20! (but not a lot).
Moral of the story, if you haven't bought a car which has already raced, ensure that it is compliant.
mattnoss said:
Did my first track day at Mallory Park 12 years ago in my Westfield (it was the club day, don’t know if they still do them?), loved it and did 3 or 4 more trackdays that year with Apex Trackdays who sadly no longer exist The Westfield Sprint thing didn’t appeal to me either. Got my race licence at the start of 2016. First race at Cadwell in a beautiful ex Cup Porsche 924s I was sharing with a mate (Steve H on here). He went first in quali and the car popped a water hose on the out lap so I had to do the 3 lap thing behind the course car at lunchtime to qualify for the race. In the race the alternator packed up resulting in a late race DNF. Next race at Silverstone Nat and we stuck it on class pole and came home 2nd. Rest of the year I think we were on the class podium all the time.
Been racing every year since with a few trophies to show for it, best one was 2018 Overall 750MC Club Enduro champions with Steve as my team mate again. I still get nervous before a race but the minute we are rolling out of assembly all of the nerves disappear.
750mc Locost, probably 2003 years ago at Silverstone. The briefings, scruitineering and timetable was a total rush. Going to a few races with a friend first to get the idea is very useful.Been racing every year since with a few trophies to show for it, best one was 2018 Overall 750MC Club Enduro champions with Steve as my team mate again. I still get nervous before a race but the minute we are rolling out of assembly all of the nerves disappear.
My nerves have never disappeared before the lights change.
mattnoss said:
First race at Cadwell in a beautiful ex Cup Porsche 924s I was sharing with a mate (Steve H on here). He went first in quali and the car popped a water hose on the out lap so I had to do the 3 lap thing behind the course car at lunchtime to qualify for the race. In the race the alternator packed up resulting in a late race DNF.
I remember that race well, no quali time meant starting from the back but made it up to sixth before handing it over to Matt for it to break again 
. Pretty sure we still picked up a trophy on that one for maximum effort 
.My first race was in 750 Roadsports at Donny in 2014, in the same 924 as Matt mentioned above.
Grids were smaller back then but I was still very pleased with 2nd in class, only beaten by BRDC member Martin Short!
I have to smile at these results from your first races! I'm going to be happy with Top 30 from a field of 38!
Got any tips for me? My worry is because I have no racecraft (yet) I'll keep backing out and getting passed at every opportunity.
Re the car: Im renting from a team in the championship so I should be able to just jump in and send it.
Got any tips for me? My worry is because I have no racecraft (yet) I'll keep backing out and getting passed at every opportunity.
Re the car: Im renting from a team in the championship so I should be able to just jump in and send it.
Mr MXT said:
Got any tips for me? My worry is because I have no racecraft (yet) I'll keep backing out and getting passed at every opportunity.
You've been karting before? You won't. Anyway in a first race discretion is the better part of valour. Every grid has hangers-on making up the numbers at the back. You'll be quicker than a number of drivers instantly and you might find yourself in no-mans land in between or you might find that you're closely matched with some drivers. It's helpful to get to know the drivers that are near you on pace and remind yourself how much more experienced they are than you so that you don't take things for granted. Every grid has drivers who have picked up something of a reputation for errors or avoidable collisions and you don't want to find that out for yourself. You'll want to give a wide berth to any other novices and leave yourself a margin to everybody else. You don't want to come in and wipe out an experienced and established racer first time of asking.
After 10 years of trackdaying there will be an adaption to make for sure but you’ll be surprised how small it is.
Most of the track craft is entirely transferable, the hardest thing I found was not politely waving people through when they caught up with me, I felt awful holding them up
.
Most of the track craft is entirely transferable, the hardest thing I found was not politely waving people through when they caught up with me, I felt awful holding them up
.Ah exciting, my first MX5 race was also at Silverstone GP, albeit 9 years ago. I was last but blame it on having a standard engine, we quickly found out a skimmed head was a must!
If you're running with one of the teams the car should be competitive and you'll have help with set up, tyre pressures etc so you can focus on your driving, which is easier than doing it on your own. Good idea with the test day the day before to get up to speed and then you'll be confident for qualifying.
The clubman series is a great place to start as there is a wide spread of abilities, almost certainly you will be racing with a big bunch of other cars and you'll have great fun whether it is at the back or the front, the worst bit is sitting in the holding area waiting to be released!
I'll also be there on that day but in the MX5 championship which is for the same cars but slightly faster / more experienced drivers, once you get the bug you'll struggle to stop! Enjoy
If you're running with one of the teams the car should be competitive and you'll have help with set up, tyre pressures etc so you can focus on your driving, which is easier than doing it on your own. Good idea with the test day the day before to get up to speed and then you'll be confident for qualifying.
The clubman series is a great place to start as there is a wide spread of abilities, almost certainly you will be racing with a big bunch of other cars and you'll have great fun whether it is at the back or the front, the worst bit is sitting in the holding area waiting to be released!
I'll also be there on that day but in the MX5 championship which is for the same cars but slightly faster / more experienced drivers, once you get the bug you'll struggle to stop! Enjoy
Edited by Seb27 on Tuesday 12th April 15:28
My first race was the inaugral track day trophy race at brands, which must be nearly ten years ago in a Mk2 Golf Gti. It was a really nice way to get into racing and that 1st season the cars were typical track day cars rather than the fully kitted race cars in the series now. I qualified way down the grid on a dry circuit, definatley in the last 3rd. The heavens opened just before the start of the race and it was delayed as the pits started filling with water. I remember my windscreen wiper falling off on the formation lap, which added to the adrenaline but we managed to fix it before the delayed start. The rain was a blessing, all the more powerfull cars on the mix grid struggled and I got up to 6th after 20 minutes, before doing a driver hand over. Not a happy ending as my mate managed to dislodge the throttle cable on his stint and the car stopped 5 mins from the end. I was gutted, but it was brilliant fun and typically I wished I'd done it sooner.
No need to be bricking it Mr MXT you already have ten years experience on track. I was at least x100 more nervous going out for my first ever track day session than compared to my first race.
I was nervous about scrutineering as that was something new to me so when that was finished I was able to relax and chat to some fellow competitors. It helped that I wasn't the only one with the novice cross on the back of the car. Going out for qualifying for the first time was fine, bit like a track day and not being last helped keep me calm between qualy and race time.
I felt reasonably calm, some nerves but not dumping a load in the Y fronts, in the build up to the first race, followed instructions for paddock assembly, out on track for formation. The only really new bit was forming up on grid and having a standing start surrounded by other cars. Once we were away and into second gear the nerves disappeared as I was too busy trying to keep it between the white lines.
Best experience ever on four wheels. They say the first time's the hardest but it's also the most exciting.
I was nervous about scrutineering as that was something new to me so when that was finished I was able to relax and chat to some fellow competitors. It helped that I wasn't the only one with the novice cross on the back of the car. Going out for qualifying for the first time was fine, bit like a track day and not being last helped keep me calm between qualy and race time.
I felt reasonably calm, some nerves but not dumping a load in the Y fronts, in the build up to the first race, followed instructions for paddock assembly, out on track for formation. The only really new bit was forming up on grid and having a standing start surrounded by other cars. Once we were away and into second gear the nerves disappeared as I was too busy trying to keep it between the white lines.
Best experience ever on four wheels. They say the first time's the hardest but it's also the most exciting.
Thruxton 2019 for me. Had come from Karting and been reasonably successful with rental Karting championships, not much proper two stroke quick kit though as I couldn’t scrape the money together. A year or so of trackdays preceded my decision to go racing.
To be honest keeping on top of signing on, scrutineering etc was more nerve wracking than the racing. The racing came quite naturally and I cleaned up in my first weekend, top of class in quali and two class wins with fastest laps. If you’ve done lots of trackdays and learnt how to wrangle a car about you’ll probably feel similarly! Wheel to wheel is a bit different but if you’ve ever done Karting that’ll be easy to adjust to.
To be honest keeping on top of signing on, scrutineering etc was more nerve wracking than the racing. The racing came quite naturally and I cleaned up in my first weekend, top of class in quali and two class wins with fastest laps. If you’ve done lots of trackdays and learnt how to wrangle a car about you’ll probably feel similarly! Wheel to wheel is a bit different but if you’ve ever done Karting that’ll be easy to adjust to.
first race for me was back in 1996, at the world famous JRRDS international course Donington. Think I finished 8th out of 10! Was decidedly nervous and also took it way too seriously.
Been racing ever since, I reckon I hold some sort of record for the most consecutive seasons racing by a clubman.
Prior to my first race I attended as many race and rally schools as I could, just to get some sort of experience. Did some karting at University - which I won. So in all I've been on track in one form or another for 31 consecutive seasons.
As for your first race, your aim should be to finish, avoid any accidents, settle into a rhythm and find lap time during the meeting.
The general rule of thumb is - year 1, you crash by yourself, year 2, you crash into others, or are crashed into by others (speed but not experience) year 3 it kind of sorts itself out and you know what you are doing. But still occasionally crash
Been racing ever since, I reckon I hold some sort of record for the most consecutive seasons racing by a clubman.
Prior to my first race I attended as many race and rally schools as I could, just to get some sort of experience. Did some karting at University - which I won. So in all I've been on track in one form or another for 31 consecutive seasons.
As for your first race, your aim should be to finish, avoid any accidents, settle into a rhythm and find lap time during the meeting.
The general rule of thumb is - year 1, you crash by yourself, year 2, you crash into others, or are crashed into by others (speed but not experience) year 3 it kind of sorts itself out and you know what you are doing. But still occasionally crash
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
The general rule of thumb is - year 1, you crash by yourself, year 2, you crash into others, or are crashed into by others (speed but not experience) year 3 it kind of sorts itself out and you know what you are doing. But still occasionally crash
Worryingly accurate Steve H said:
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
The general rule of thumb is - year 1, you crash by yourself, year 2, you crash into others, or are crashed into by others (speed but not experience) year 3 it kind of sorts itself out and you know what you are doing. But still occasionally crash
Worryingly accurate Steve H said:
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
The general rule of thumb is - year 1, you crash by yourself, year 2, you crash into others, or are crashed into by others (speed but not experience) year 3 it kind of sorts itself out and you know what you are doing. But still occasionally crash
Worryingly accurate 1982 Sprite Midget Challenge for me. Donnington Park, No track days in them days! I had never even been there before let alone driven round it
grand old age of 20. My only car so no tow car here, drive there and back, from Morecambe.I had a mate who was already doing it so preparing the car was easy enough, I just did what he told me to do. Drove to my Sisters in Derby the night before, miraculously got there in one piece. No sat nav so used a map book to get to Donny. Car piled up with tools and crap. Passed scrutinering and just followed every body else out onto the track, absolutely no f
king idea at all, not a dickybird. Don’t remember anything about qualifying except I think I forgot to breath for the whole 15 min session. Qualified about 21st out of 30, I was gutted. I genuinely thought I was going to win.In the race it was all a bit hectic but it settled down a bit and I was trundling round in about 17th place at the back of a little 4 car train, so quite acceptable really. The only thing that I could remember my mate telling me was you had to overtake “on the brakes” whatever that means. So after about 7 laps of a 10 lap race I outbraked the car in front, passed him, stayed on the track and thought I had it sussed. I did it again and again until I was a the front of the train on the last lap. I then promptly spun it all the way down cascades and right across the track at the old hairpin which scattered the train in all directions as you can imagine. When it all stopped I did not even know which way I was facing or where I was. Luckily I didn’t hit anything or anybody but dear god I s
t myself. I still finished in about 17th place and managed to drive home.I was well and truly bitted by the bug, and true to form spent a couple of years crashing into everything and every body before my first race win at Lydden Hill 3 years later.
Very very happy days and a much simpler life. ARDS test
get a grip.Steve H said:
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
The general rule of thumb is - year 1, you crash by yourself, year 2, you crash into others, or are crashed into by others (speed but not experience) year 3 it kind of sorts itself out and you know what you are doing. But still occasionally crash
Worryingly accurate Now the adrenaline has dissipated I should probably tell you about my first race.... BRSCC MX5 Clubman Championship supporting the C1 24hr weekend.
I've not been on track at Silverstone before, and the GP circuit is pretty long so I decided to do the test day the day before racing.
It'll just be a like a track day right? Sure its raining, but I'm half decent in the wet so it'll be fine, right?
Testing was in sessions - I pootled out ready to get up to speed. What followed was an absolute assault on the senses. Getting passed on the inside and the outside at the same time, while i'm trying not to fall off and learn which was the track goes. Mildly terrifying.
After a couple of laps, I had a word with myself and decided to send it. The rest of the session was much better and I was a lot more comfortable, although I suspect this may have been that the fast guys had gone past so I was settling in with the drivers who were around my pace.
As the day progressed, it dried out and I got happier and happier. Much more comfortable being in very close proximity and it was all good.
Ready for race day.
Didn't sleep, obviously. Got to the circuit around 730, scrutineering resulted in a couple of small jobs for the team. Very impressed with the scrutineers. I thought they'd be terrifiying ogres but he was so helpful - they really want to get you out there and keep you safe.
Drivers briefing - dont remember much, surprised at how short it was and they basically said "guys, you have to stop crashing into each other".
Next up, 15 mins of qualifying. Which to me, seemed pretty much like an actual race but with a rolling start. It was awesome, I didn't find myself with much space and probably should have backed off to get some, by the time I'd thought this it was half way through the session and I didn't want to sacrifice any laps (bearing in mind, its probably only 4 flying laps for quali).
All going well, big smile on my face, I've almost done my first qualifying session! Then smiles turned to tears - the car lost power down the Wellington Straight and I could hear the distinctive noise of big end bearing failure. Gutted. In to the pits to lament.
I qualified 19/33 though, which I was really pleased with. Catastrophic engine failure aside.
Race 1 was in less than 2 hours. This was not looking good. The team didn't have a spare engine, even if they could get it swapped in time. Luckily, they 'obtained' a bottom end from somewhere and the plan was to put the old head on the new bottom end and get that in. It was clear race 1 wasn't going to happen for me, so got out of the way, let them get on with it and did what i do best - a cup of tea and a sausage butty.
Race 2 was scheduled for 1640. Time was ticking... I'd have to start race 2 from the back of the grid, pretty disappointing but race 2 was looking less and less likely anyway
The team told me to get suited up and get in the car. Its still on axle stands at this point and the "new" engine hasn't run. I'm strapped in, the other drivers are already in assembly. One of the lovely race people (?) is on the radio giving control updates, while I'm stressed AF.
Engine starts, straight off the stands and round to assembly. Yes! I'm going racing!! Of course I got lost on the way to assembly, but figured it out after a wrong turn. They are making some checks on the car while we're waiting for green flag - a coolant leak is spotted...tools are dispatched, but its too late. The rest of the guys head for green flag lap and I'm stuck in assembly. I'm gutted, my racing dreams are over for today.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Or are they? Jubilee clip tightened and the car is good to go, they'll let me start from the pit lane. I high tail it over to the pits from assembly, the nice flag man explains he'll turn the light green for me when the pack are through turn 1. Excitement building now, lights go green and off I go! Getting onto the track as the pack head through Maggots and Becketts, I think I'm about 3s behind the guy who is next to last. Engine seems strong though.
I needn't have worried, I was on the back of them pretty much immediately and managed to get past 4 in the first lap. I was into my stride, this is so much better than track days. Trying to leave racing room, but passing on the inside and the outside. Managed to get on the power early, get a couple of overtakes on the long long straights and on the brakes.
The short 15 min race was over in a flash. It was actually cut short to 13.5 mins because of delays earlier in the day. I managed to bring it home 23/33 which tbh I'm over the moon about considering the circumstances (racing driver excuse #72). I am still buzzing and absolutely hooked.
Next outing Oulton Park on 23rd July, which I'm expecting to be different to silverstone but I cannot wait!!!
ETA - I'd post a video, but the gopro failed
I've not been on track at Silverstone before, and the GP circuit is pretty long so I decided to do the test day the day before racing.
It'll just be a like a track day right? Sure its raining, but I'm half decent in the wet so it'll be fine, right?
Testing was in sessions - I pootled out ready to get up to speed. What followed was an absolute assault on the senses. Getting passed on the inside and the outside at the same time, while i'm trying not to fall off and learn which was the track goes. Mildly terrifying.
After a couple of laps, I had a word with myself and decided to send it. The rest of the session was much better and I was a lot more comfortable, although I suspect this may have been that the fast guys had gone past so I was settling in with the drivers who were around my pace.
As the day progressed, it dried out and I got happier and happier. Much more comfortable being in very close proximity and it was all good.
Ready for race day.
Didn't sleep, obviously. Got to the circuit around 730, scrutineering resulted in a couple of small jobs for the team. Very impressed with the scrutineers. I thought they'd be terrifiying ogres but he was so helpful - they really want to get you out there and keep you safe.
Drivers briefing - dont remember much, surprised at how short it was and they basically said "guys, you have to stop crashing into each other".
Next up, 15 mins of qualifying. Which to me, seemed pretty much like an actual race but with a rolling start. It was awesome, I didn't find myself with much space and probably should have backed off to get some, by the time I'd thought this it was half way through the session and I didn't want to sacrifice any laps (bearing in mind, its probably only 4 flying laps for quali).
All going well, big smile on my face, I've almost done my first qualifying session! Then smiles turned to tears - the car lost power down the Wellington Straight and I could hear the distinctive noise of big end bearing failure. Gutted. In to the pits to lament.
I qualified 19/33 though, which I was really pleased with. Catastrophic engine failure aside.
Race 1 was in less than 2 hours. This was not looking good. The team didn't have a spare engine, even if they could get it swapped in time. Luckily, they 'obtained' a bottom end from somewhere and the plan was to put the old head on the new bottom end and get that in. It was clear race 1 wasn't going to happen for me, so got out of the way, let them get on with it and did what i do best - a cup of tea and a sausage butty.
Race 2 was scheduled for 1640. Time was ticking... I'd have to start race 2 from the back of the grid, pretty disappointing but race 2 was looking less and less likely anyway
The team told me to get suited up and get in the car. Its still on axle stands at this point and the "new" engine hasn't run. I'm strapped in, the other drivers are already in assembly. One of the lovely race people (?) is on the radio giving control updates, while I'm stressed AF.
Engine starts, straight off the stands and round to assembly. Yes! I'm going racing!! Of course I got lost on the way to assembly, but figured it out after a wrong turn. They are making some checks on the car while we're waiting for green flag - a coolant leak is spotted...tools are dispatched, but its too late. The rest of the guys head for green flag lap and I'm stuck in assembly. I'm gutted, my racing dreams are over for today.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Or are they? Jubilee clip tightened and the car is good to go, they'll let me start from the pit lane. I high tail it over to the pits from assembly, the nice flag man explains he'll turn the light green for me when the pack are through turn 1. Excitement building now, lights go green and off I go! Getting onto the track as the pack head through Maggots and Becketts, I think I'm about 3s behind the guy who is next to last. Engine seems strong though.
I needn't have worried, I was on the back of them pretty much immediately and managed to get past 4 in the first lap. I was into my stride, this is so much better than track days. Trying to leave racing room, but passing on the inside and the outside. Managed to get on the power early, get a couple of overtakes on the long long straights and on the brakes.
The short 15 min race was over in a flash. It was actually cut short to 13.5 mins because of delays earlier in the day. I managed to bring it home 23/33 which tbh I'm over the moon about considering the circumstances (racing driver excuse #72). I am still buzzing and absolutely hooked.
Next outing Oulton Park on 23rd July, which I'm expecting to be different to silverstone but I cannot wait!!!
ETA - I'd post a video, but the gopro failed
Unusual to have one of ‘those’ weekends as your first.
I had a head gasket blow at Cadwell on my Caterham in a Saturday race. I had a race the next day too. A competitor had a spare engine in his garden in Peterborough which I went and picked up. Slept in the boot of the car with the engine and set to work swapping the engines in the morning. Got it done just in time- it was a dash to the assembly area.
DNF’d the race. In my hurry to replace the engine I’d forgotten to put any fuel in
I had a head gasket blow at Cadwell on my Caterham in a Saturday race. I had a race the next day too. A competitor had a spare engine in his garden in Peterborough which I went and picked up. Slept in the boot of the car with the engine and set to work swapping the engines in the morning. Got it done just in time- it was a dash to the assembly area.
DNF’d the race. In my hurry to replace the engine I’d forgotten to put any fuel in
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