Leaving home at 9am for the lovely 9 hours journey to Scotland was not something i was looking forward to after a bad journey up there last year where a wheel bearing caught fire........twice! once on the way there and once on the way bay after being fixed. Fully loaded up we headed off and managed the whole journey without a problem.
When we finally arrived it was off to the track to unload the car and see who else was about before heading back to the travel lodge. Expecting the worst from the weather as the wind was getting up and the sky was grey with rain, made me wonder what sort of weekend it was going to be. First things first though, shower, food and bed for a good sleep.
Saturday was a late start not having to be at the track for a drivers briefing til 12. The briefing outlined what the judges were expecting/wanted to see from us and also what they dont. New rule at knockhill - No dirt dropping off the side of the track. If its and inch or a mile, 1 wheel off track means a big fat zero score.
Its been a whole year since i last drifted 'The Hill' as it commonly known and admittedly its not a track that i feel my most confidante on but saying that i was going to do my best. There was no qualifiying for Super Pro's on the saturday so it was just practise sessions. Getting back to grips with the track and building up my entry speeds and putting more angle on each time, i started to find my line. After everyone had done a few singles practise laps we went out to practise some twinning.
I went out with Simon Perry a few times amounst others. We have been up against each other in actual competition battles before which is always interesting and a bit of fun, but just as good to go out playing with no pressure.
An early finish (unusual for a BDC event) saw us heading back to the hotel early. Tyres were already changed ready to go straight into qualifying on Sunday with no more practise. Plenty of time left to meet up with the rest of the team and my supporters who drove miles to come and cheer me on.......cheers guys! Special big thanks to Kelli and Gary, not just for travelling up but for the help they gave me over the weekend in the pits and keeping me amused when away from the track.
An earlier start for Sunday morning and straight into qualifying. So far there had been a few light showers of rain that soon passed and the track soon dried out. Waiting in the que for your turn to go out and qualify is a nightmare. When my turn came i gave it my all and was pretty happy with my judged runs. From the noise my supporters were making, they were pretty pleased with them too. Then the waiting game began for the results to be announced at the drivers briefing. Did i make the top 16?
The results were in. Joint top qualifyer with Simon Perry. Sadly though there has to be a clear 1st and 2nd, so taking my second run score i scored a couple of point lower than Mr Perry's so i sat at 2nd. I was still happy with that. My first battle was against Dan O'Brien in the Competition Clutch S14a. Due to Dan putting his wheel slightly off the track i had a 10-0 advantage and just had to put in a safe run to go through. Dan pushed hard and did a great job but i was awarded the overall win of the battle and went through to the top 8.
Onto my nest battle and i had been put up against Matt Carter and not for the first time. Matt is a fantastic driver and is currently the Championship leader. With a slight straighten from me before the last corner on the first battle Matt was awarded the 6-4 advantage. I knew being up against Matt is a test of skill and was going to be close. Sadly Matt pulling away from me slightly on the second run he was awarded the overall win.
It was a great standard off drifting from all drivers throughout the weekend and ive been surprised by a few people too. Sadly no podium for this round but on points im now joint 3rd overall in the championship. Bring on round 5 for Super Pro's only at Silverstone. Im gunning for 3rd place overall to myself, or who knows, maybe even 2nd ;)
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