This weekend started with us setting the fastest time in the first test session on Friday in the dry. However it then poured with rain on Saturday morning for qualifying. This meant very tricky conditions for everyone. The fastest laps were set right at the end of the session and this left us P6 on the grid for both races.
After a little snooze on the grid we had a very poor start in race 1 which saw us in last place heading into the first turn. However a great race from here on in meant we steadily moved up the field into 6th by the finish.
After all the extra sleep from the start of Saturdays race I felt full of energy and raring to go for Sunday’s race . We were looking good as we knew how strong the car was in the dry. A good first lap meant we were up to 5th and immediately challenging for 4th. A couple of laps later and a move up the inside into Cascades and 4th it was. The leaders had got away by now but it only took two laps to catch up to them and start to challenge for a podium. Unfortunately a few laps later at the very fast Island bend I dropped a wheel off the edge of the circuit while trying to hang on, on the outside line – maybe my balls were bigger than my brain at that moment!! This meant a massive spin and just avoided the barrier. By the time I rejoined the whole pack had passed and with only a lap left didn’t have time to catch anyone back up.
So a disappointing result, however looking at the positives – the car and team were very, very strong and the future is looking good. Also new team mate Charlie Ladell had a great weekend on his Clio Cup debut with two 8th place finishes. One to watch for the future I’m sure!