LCE Donny this weekend

[robin]

Good result for Andy Dolan too! Well done Scotty - we were never going to make it to watch any of the racing so decided to head straight home on Saturday - shame now as I'm sure a few were quoffed (maybe, perhaps that's no bad thing after FF beer intake ...).

Cheers,
Robin

[Bob vanM]

it was anothe great week-end with Scotty doing well
his spin was to avoid e silver S1 who spun just in front of him
I did not have my camera ready at that moment
there was some good action in the last corner for the finish

[Brian J]

Well captured in that shot, Bob.

Yes - it really was that close for 3rd and Scotty had fallen to the back of that train of 4 cars a few laps earlier. Timing is all.........................

[Bob vanM]

the finish was 1 lap later

[Scotty C]

Not the best weekend, but the results were not too bad.

Drove down on Friday with Tracey in the Pax seat, wasn’t too bad apart from the M6 passing Manchester (5 miles in about a hour)

Had a 2.5 hour track session Friday night, car wasn’t handling very well and my brake’s were going of, the full circuit is very hard on the brakes. This was when I realized that my head wasn’t in it. Combination of things, not been feeling to good for the last few days and I haven’t driven my car on track in 2 months since Hockenheim. Normally I would have had Walshy to help me out with the handling, but I really couldn’t be bothered calling him and sorting it out.

Saturday morning, got the brake fluid changed and a new set of tyres fitted, out for Qually. I waited until everyone had went out and cruised round getting a big gap on the stragglers. Scrubbed the tyres in and then got in a couple of good solid laps. I knew I was slow, but I tried my best and finished 6th, not a bad result 4th would have been the best I could have hoped for anyway. I was 2nd 2-11 behind Mark Fullerlove (ex touring car driver and Lotus test driver) who was 4th overall.

First race was a rolling start. I had Sean in the Turbo Exige behind and I knew he would be quick of the start, he can floor the gas and hold the car on full boost with the brake pedal and then launch when the lights go green. I race was a bit blurry, I got a good start going down craners 2 a breast with cold tyres is a bit of a “big balls moment” but I was up there and then I noticed Fullerlove disappearing into the countryside, so I’m first 2-11 and in about 5th I think. Sean was having gearbox problems and he not the best under braking so I got passed him within a lap. Up to 4th but back off the first 3 (randy on full boost, Jamie and Steve Williams) I am getting a hard time from Dave Harvey(duratech 340r), Connaire( Honda elise). I’m just not on the pace and the car is a real handful (or am I just really rusty?) Connaire and Dave get passed and then Connaire spins at the hairpin just as I am alongside Dave Harvey I lift off and spin (DOH!!!!)I get back on track and fighting with Chris Hedlem (Honda elise) But I start to think about the class win and let him past. I have never done this in a race to date and it’s not me, but my head just not with it. I have the 2 x GT4 spec 2-11’s in my mirrors. I’m quicker at the start of the lap then the 2 of them and then they crawl back the time in the second half of the lap, I push as much as I can and managed to keep in front of them for the class win, but 6th overall.

Race 2 to follow.

[Dominic]

Great stuff

Spin must have been gut wrenchingly dissapointing. Good recovery though.

It's funny how much one's mental state can affect your approach / performance at sporting things.

[gambler]

Good report mate

Its amazing how much your mental state can affect your performance. I remeber being taught all about visualisation and focus in my rowing days. At 1st i thought it was all pish. I learned it really does make a difference. Even before time attack sessions. I try and find a quiet space to sit and visualise the perfect lap and get myself in the 'zone'

Still cracking results though Where are you sitting in the championship?

[Scotty C]

Good report mate

Its amazing how much your mental state can affect your performance. I remeber being taught all about visualisation and focus in my rowing days. At 1st i thought it was all pish. I learned it really does make a difference. Even before time attack sessions. I try and find a quiet space to sit and visualise the perfect lap and get myself in the 'zone'

Still cracking results though Where are you sitting in the championship?

Ye, normally I am on the ball. I used to race downhill Mountain bikes, you need to be on the ball straight from the gate.

LOT is not a championship.
I have done 13 races so far

Class
1 DNF
1 ding
1 9th (from the back of the grid and with only 2/3rds power)
1 3rd
2 2nd
7 1st

Not too sure about overall results.

2 x 2nd
3 x 3rd
etc

[gambler]

You would certainly have to be on ball for DH. You guys hit some amazing speeds.

Some pretty good results so far though mate

[Bob vanM]

pity you were not there on Sunday ,
quite spectacular in the Standard production class

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBQMTqepes8

[Scotty C]

Race 2

Went out on the green flag lap then came round to the grid and noticed Randy was missing from Pole????
Also Sean’s gearbox problem had not been fixed so he was missing from behind (I now have a GT-4 2-11 in my mirror)
I get off to a great start, Steve got off the line but he is have clutch problems and doesn’t look like he got second gear. I get up to 3rd behind Fullerlove and Jamie, I try to stay with Fullerlove but I just don’t have the confidence with the car at all. I stay with him for a lap or 2 but I am really struggling. Steve starts to hasstle me and we have a lap or so until I think his clutch gives up the ghost. I end up lapping with Dave Harvey, Micheal(GT4 2-11) and chris Headlem in my mirrors. I manage to hold them off for about 2-3 laps but then Micheal gets past then Dave. I then follow for a few laps wishing Dave out the way as he is not in my class and I really want to race Micheal for 2nd overall 2-11. I am really struggling with the brakes (donny is really heavy on the brakes) I have been using them very hard to make up time for the cars handling. I have over cooked them and I can really feel it through the pedal. Some how I waken up and make a small charge, I manage to get past Dave, can’t remember where think it was the hairpin?. I can’t remember seeing a last lap board out last time round but it seems like we have been racing for a while.( I forgot to look at the clock on the start grid) On the next lap even with my brakes fooked, I lunge down the inside of Micheal at the old hairpin from way back and totally out brake myself, forcing Micheal wide. I have to keep it tidy as I have a Dave and Chris close behind. I manage to make the turn and head up to the last corner in the lead (of this group) onto the pit straight, fook no flag, we have to do another lap. I thought I had judged my last lap last corner( well second to last) to perfection DOH!!!! Well I managed to hold them off for the whole lap and pass the finnish fairly happy with myself. Cool down lap toot and wave at the marshals etc, come into the pits and I get pulled over as I am on the podium. Tottally chuffed I had forgotten all about that. Got a interview and a nice bottle of bubbly.

Over all not a bad weekend considering.

I have now totally ran out of money and will be missing out on Dijon, Imola (Steve Williams is racing my car) and Spa.

I will be racing at Le Mans at the end of October, I must try and get in some tracktime before then.

Big thanks to Brian J, Bob Van, my mum, brother, nephew for coming down and supporting me. It does make a big difference, and helped me make a charge towards the end of the second lap. I think also a mention to Tracey for paxing all the way down to donny and back in the 2-11, she must be mad.

Scotty C

[H8OAG]

Dutch Bob!
Any pictures of Tracey for the "Still Game" boys to have a look at on a Friday afternoon?

[campbell]

Dutch Bob!
Any pictures of Tracey for the "Still Game" boys to have a look at on a Friday afternoon?

Yes curious here too

though if it's the same one, I think I got an intro at Gairloch!

[Mike Scib]

As said mate, well done

[Brian J]

[quote="Scotty C" I think also a mention to Tracey for paxing all the way down to donny and back in the 2-11, she must be mad.

Scotty C[/quote]

Yup! She seemed quite sane until I realised she was doing that!!