I was happy wandering round the pit lane catching up with everybody and joining in the general banter. However the favourable comments about Neil driving tempted me to sign on as a passenger and I tracked him down and arranged to go our for half a dozen laps. I have been out with many of the SE bunch and always impressed with the increasing confidence and skills.
I had never been out with Neil and within seconds of joining the track I realisied that this was going to be fun
We went hurtling into Duffas and I had no idea how it didn't give way at the bottom before entering McIntyres. Neil was nearer the centre of the track on the entrance to McIntyres than I used to but it seemed to work well for him. His car seems very planted and quick. The Chicane was awesome and the grip astounding. I just laughed and laughed. Managed to egg him on even further during the next few laps with comments like "Scotty managed through this faster" and "Tut managed a bigger slide there". We had some excellent slides around the hairpin much to the amusement of the nearby spectators. I have to admit that my pax laps today with Neil were the fastest and some of the most enjoyable I have experienced at Knockhill. I have been around Knockhill with Andrew Walsh when he was chasing Tut and that was fun but Neil's performance today was even faster. I can thoroughly recommend pax laps with Neil or any other of the SE gang. Its well worth going out with experienced owners to pick up hints and tips. Also shows the benefits of plenty of tuition.All did not go that well for Neil though. Only a few laps after he dropped me off he lost power approaching the hairpin. His fuel pumps had packed in and the track was closed while he was rescued. This was one of four or five red flag incidents during the afternoon. The worst was when a Suburu overheated and went on fire comming out of the hairpin. Apparantly a lot of damage in the engine bay
Within the last minute or so of the session a driver went of track and damaged the whole drivers side of his car after colliding with a tyre wall. The Bodget Brothers (Robin & FD) did their best to try and get Neil's car mobile again. As normal there was plenty of helpful comments from the SE gang around the car
Despite their efforts and some assistance from our friendly ex-elise owning AA Partolman they failed to get the car running. Hope Neil can make it up to Mexi Towers okay as we need him for the banter. Neil, I can give you a lift up on Saturday afternoon as I am heading up in the Punto with Skye around 1:30pm, though you would need to arrange a lift back as we are not comming straight back on Sunday.
The rest of the SE gang had left shortly after the end of the track night heading up to Fort William. The weather was still good so they should have had a good run to the hotel.
Suppose I had better get to bed. Hopefully see everybody tomorrow night at Mexi Towers
Iain
) This was when uldis decided he wanted a race, and i couldnt pull away on the straights. shortly after, just as we got to the front of the traffic, the pump died completly, and everyone i had got past cruised by with a smile on there faces.
Hope Ed wasn't watching at the time
