Words by tea brewer ~ Ben

Testing Thursday

As we have said before we don’t really do testing sessions. It’s down to money but we all work full time and testing is generally a week day but this was a holiday and Rob had time (from teaching) plus we can practically see Silverstone from Barnett HQ. Rob opted for a track day test session. This had both pros and cons. If it’s an organised test day then generally we have limited track time. Track days tend to open pit lanes – meaning you can go out when you like for however long you like. Down side is that track days do not require drivers to have a race licence or even for the cars to be checked over…. The BIG upside was you are allowed passengers! Rob had put the passenger seat in especially so he could take us out under the guise of ‘track info’, we saw it as a loon about on track. After a few sessions we decided to actually do some setup work for the race on Sunday. So we went out for a last stint to finalise gear selections when the car lost loads of power. A trip back into the pits to diagnose the problem was in order. After a few hours of head scratching we sorted it out and Rob could finally get some testing done.

Qualifying

Like most race days on the MR2 calendar this was a double header format – qualifying was for both races, fastest time for race 1 and second fastest for race 2. The car had been running strong so we were confident of a good result. There were 38 cars taking part this weekend so we decided to get to the holding area early to be one of the first on track. The track was still pretty damp from the earlier rain so first few laps would be drying up the track and then being first out we might have an extra lap to get a really competitive time in. Rob was running well in the first lap and was gaining on the few cars in front. While the running was good Rob was even closing in on James Cross on the run into Brooklands, an engine light and a bit of a slide later and Rob contacted James. Didn’t seem too major but the body work was rubbing on the rear wheel so time for a quick visit to the pits to straighten it out. A quick visit later it was all straightened out so back out to get some good laps in as the track was now drying out and there was still time. The marshals, however, had different ideas…. Rob was not allowed back on track. This left us with a wait to see if Rob had actually done 3 timed laps – an out lap then 2 qualifying laps one for each race.  Rob qualified 30^thand 31^strespectively from 38 runners in both races. At least we were racing!

Race 1

We were all hopeful and looking forward to seeing Rob overtake loads of cars. On the way to the grid there was a downpour. It was so bad that the organisers decide to perform a formation lap or “Green Flag” lap as it is also known. Normally in the MR2 championship the cars form up on the grid and race straight away but the formation lap gives the competitors a chance to see how wet the track is and in turn the grip levels. Rob had probably the worst start this year, but so did most of the grid! Race one finished 13^thfrom 37^th! Great result!

Race 2

The track was now drying out on Rob and the car was running strong. Even from 31^st on the grid we still thought we might sneak a top 10 finish. After a few laps it was evident that was not going to happen. Rob seemed to be really struggling keeping the car on the track let alone make progress. Although Rob ran as high as 24^thhe finished 27^ththe car had come come home in one piece which given a car span right in front was a definite bonus! 

Afterthought

Car was running strong over the test and race day but 2^nd race something was wrong. After a couple of days Rob has identified the problem as broken front drop link, this ties the suspension together so if it’s broken the suspension in effect doesn’t work! A relatively easy fix and we will be all ready for the next race. Our next race will be our favourite event of the year the Birkett relay race with the Dawn GP team at Silverstone and same driver line up that we enjoyed a podium in class with last year. Big thanks for all the Barnett supporters that came to support Rob and hopefully see most of you, and more, at the Birkett!! Thanks to team Austin for re-checking our alignment, big thanks for Rob for taking us out on track on the test day, I now have new found respect for what the drivers (and the car!) are put through! I’ll stick to bringing the tools and brewing the tea!!

 

From the race seat, words by Rob

Testing was a novel experience for us especially as I’d never done a track day before. We got some good track time in and it was great to be able to show Ben, Dan a few others what it is like from inside the car. It also helped me as I found it was like when I was an instructor and talking other people around the track actually helps to order your thoughts and get things straight in your head. You are not allowed to do any timing on a track day either so although the car felt strong we couldn’t know for sure. I was able to discuss lines and gear selection with Ben and Dan and having that second opinion of what was quicker did seem to help. The car had been to Pro-Align on the Wednesday night and they very kindly let us use their laser alignment rig to get the car set-up properly and I could feel the difference it was making. I left the track feeling confident for Sunday especially as I knew how bad the car was at Donington and yet we still were within 5 tenths of the fastest lap of the race.

Qualifying was set to be good as we got out with the first few cars so we could have some relatively clear running for the first few laps at least. I seemed to be catching James Cross down the Wellington Straight which I felt would be useful as a marker for how my pace might match the front of the grid. What I hadn’t expected was the engine warning light to come on and distract me or James to brake earlier than I had anticipated. This left me with a choice to take the gap on the inside or go into the back of him. I went up the inside but the track was still damp there and offered little grip as I slid sideways into James door. Fortunately there was little or no damage to James’ car and it didn’t hamper his qualifying. Being the gent that he is he accepted my explanation and apology (could have made the Birkett Relay a bit awkward otherwise!). It was a different story for me though and I had to retire to the pits with the rear arch cutting into the rear tyre. I pulled the arch out as best I could and tried to get out into the pit lane again only to be refused by the Marshalls even though the green light was on. That was it. Qualifying done and an anxious wait. The contact hadn’t even been reported to Race Control and I had managed 3 timed laps albeit that I was at the back of the grid. I knew that realistically that was our day over but wanted to make up as many places as possible.

Race 1 had a huge cloud burst at the start which turned the Silverstone track from dry to full wet within about 2 minutes. These are the sort of conditions I love especially since we fixed the windscreen misting up issue from Mallory. I dropped the revs for the start and was ready to quickshift into 2^ndgear but apparently I needed even fewer revs as the wheels just spun in 1^stand 2^nd. The opening lap saw cars spin everywhere and it was difficult to see them until you were almost into them die to the number of cars on circuit. Everyone did manage to avoid contact though and I managed to fight my way up the order from 30^thto 13^thwhich I enjoyed and gave those who had come out to support me something to watch!

Race 2 was a different matter and although confident we could again move forward from 31^stI hadn’t factored in the fact that the car would break on me. I made a better start for this one on a drying track and moved up a few places. The car felt really bad and wouldn’t turn into corners (especially at Brooklands) which meant I had to reduce entry speed and then the car would either spin its unloaded inside rear wheel or try and swap ends on me. There was a considerable amount of oil dropped on the racing line around the circuit and the track was drying out but I couldn’t understand why my car was dealing with it so much worse than anyone else. I made it up to 24^thbefore falling back to 27^th. The biggest achievements in that race were just being able to drive it to the end and avoiding a spinning MKIII on the exit of the complex.

Back home again and after a night to reflect on the race day I was confident that there was more going on with the car than bad weather and oil. Even the reduced tyre pressures and track temperature couldn’t have made it that bad and I didn’t think I’d forgotten how to drive! I knew that it has been an issue with some of the MR2 race cars that they can pull the drop link out of the suspension damper and felt this would explain the handling issues. I took the wheels off to have a look and there it was on the front right........

Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me this year in whatever capacity. It really does make the difference between us doing this and not doing this. It might not have ended with the result we were hoping for or that I feel we were capable of but that is motor racing. We are not intending on doing the last 4 races due to budget and distance but wish all the other competitors well and hope to see you in 2012. That just leaves the Birkett relay for us where we hope to not only be the fastest MR2 team again but also to move up a step or two on the podium.

VIDEOS of RACES 8 & 9 HERE.

Results