Loading the Soarer onto the trailer and doing some final checks, then we set off for Teeside. A long journey, but twice as long dragging something that heavy behind. Finally reaching the track and dropping of the car, we headed back to the hotel (well slum). Meeting up with the rest of the Mint Tyres Motorsport Team for a drink before having a much needed rest. An early 6am start, heading to the track to get set up and carry out yet more checks. With the soarer seeming in good working order all was going well.
As Usual after the drivers briefing the practise sessions started. Semi-pro's up first, the Pro's, then last but not least myself and the rest of the Super Pro's. First Practise went well apart from the epic heat from the sun turning the car into a sauna. Anothers drivers briefing and onto qualifying.
The dry track ment i was eating tyres like there going out of fashion. Good Job im sponsored by Mint Tyres!
The time came for my qualifying. Practise lap went off without a hitch.....text book skidding. The first of my judged runs was classed as good but safe, i know i had to push a bit harder. Second qualifying run was classed as not so good with me doing a half spin slightly over cooking it on the first right hand hair pin. Last chance, third qualifying run. The only way was flat out, loads of smoke and massive angle to qualify high enough to get into the top 16.
After qualifying we had our usual drivers briefing where the results of the top 16 would be announced. To my surprise i managed to score joint 1st with Paul Smith from Team Japspeed. Result! I coundnt of been happier.
Now i could afford to relax a bit as the battles wouldnt start till the next day. We packed away and headed back to the hotel for celebration drinks, and there was alot of them.
Sunday morning arrived and we haeded back to the track. First of my practise sessions went perfect. I even had a little play about with Keith Hammond and some of the other Super Pro's.
My second practise session arrived and Julie Robinson and myself went out on track to have a little play.
Sadly it was short lived. Disaster struck.
Pulling away from the start line a loud bang echoed round the inside of the car, at first i suspected i'd blown another diff like the last round but on closer inspection in the pits it appeared i'd blown both the diff and the gearbox.
With help from the Mint Tyres crew we sourced another diff and gearbox and set about removing the old box and diff and fitting the new ones. Not easy in the pits to start with but i was also on a time limit. It was 1.00pm and i had til 4.30pm until i was due back out on track again for the top 16 twin battles. The whole situation was a nightmare, the box didnt even want to fit on, but with a gentle knock from Simon Booker's foot all started falling into place. With the job finished i managed to make it upto the start line with seconds to spare.
The first of my twin battle's saw me up against Jo Fletcher. Jo put up a fantastic fight and did his best to catch me right up until the end of the track but it was'nt quite enough to take the win on that battle.
My second battle saw Jo Fletcher as the front car. Again Jo put up a fantastic fight to the end but again i had the edge and took the overall win to go through into the top 8 battles.
Onto the first of my battles in the top 8. Now Up against David Waterworth. As i pulled away from the start line on my practise lap i couldnt get much grip so eased off to save what was left of my tyres. Back on the start line heading off for the first of the judged twin battles my grip was worse than ever and i just couldnt get the power down onto the track letting a gap open up between david and myself and allowing David to creep through and pass me on the inside.
Although i still did my best i knew it was pointless and i wouldnt be able to make up the ground i'd lost. On the second judged battle my tyres totally delaminated before the first corner and any grip i did have left had gone. Sadly that saw an end to the days drifting for me.The win went to David. It was very much deserved.
At the award presentation i did recieve the hard charger award for my efforts throughout the day to get back on track even after blowing a gearbox and a diff. My hard charger award is for everyone who help me sort out the soarer and get me back on track. My thanks go to all involved.
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