Great results Neil, especially with the car holding up as well. You can not beat a S_E pit team...........
I presume that the calipers arrived OK and that you managed to get them fitted?
tut
McApe @ Spa...
McApe goes to Spa - full race report
The prequel
Monday and tuesday, car was still in bits, i hadnt booked a ferry, and i was currently sleeping in the car on the first night. I REALLY should be better prepared, but this happens every time. Thanks to Robin, i had working brake calipers again, and all my wheels were pointing in roughly the right direction.
Wednesday
6.30am. alarm wakes me. decided i cant really be arsed racing at Spa afterall.
7.00am. change my mind. The excitement has started to build (morning glory
) and although i'm not looking forward to the 700 miles of motorway that awaits, i am more tempted by the end result.
7.15am. start driving.
10.15pm. finish driving. My back hurts.
After 14 hours on the go, i deserve the first 2 or 3 pints at least. Suitably relaxed i fall for the first of many practical jokes. Need some Euro's so get pointed in the general direction of the cash machine. As i stick my card in the hole in the wall thats located in the foyer of the bank, i realise that a big wedge of wood has just been slipped through the door handle. Arse. Takes me 10 minutes to flag someone down, try to explain in loud english that i'm not robbing the bank, and free me from my cage.
Thursday
Awake feeling totally knackered. I had 8 hours to change my brake discs, then planned to go and do a few laps of the track. TBH, the last thing i wanted to do was get back in the car. At this point, i could understand why people pay someone to do this for them, however, i had driven the car too and from every event this year, and i wasnt about to change my tack now.
Friday
We have Qually for the Lotus Elise Trophy races at 2pm, and another Qually for a 50 minute endurance race at 5pm.
My plan was to use my car for the 2 lotus races, and to share someone elses car for the endurance race, as its a 2 driver affair with mandatory pitstop.
Qually for the elise race goes well. I manage a 2.51.5 which puts me 3rd in class (8th overall). I'm normally a bit off the pace, to which i normally blame the car, although i get the feeling that nobody believes me
Qually for the endurance race ends up pretty similiar. The car is in the lower class, so the lap time drops to 2.57.9 which again is good enough for 3rd place on the grid in class (9th overall). This time however, i am 4.3 seconds off the pace of Martin Donnelly who posted a 2.53.6
Martin Donnelly is an ex Lotus F1 driver, and you obviously dont get to F1 level without being fantastic, but i sat in the bar that night wondering how i could make up 4.3 seconds. 4 or 5 hours of winding up (mental preparation) from Robin and Kelvin and i was wound up enough that i would try a bit harder the next day.
Saturday
Race 1 is the elise trophy race. I start 3rd in class, and eventually finish 3rd. Although that sounds pretty boring, i had 20 minutes of high adreneline racing at its best. I was being sprayed with oil by Chris Pearsons Exige for about 15 minutes of that, and both his car, and David Harveys 340R could comfortably outdrag me up the camel straight and down blanchimont. so i was upto 2nd and down to 4th about twice a lap for every lap, only managing to get positions back by outrageously late braking. On the last lap, i exited the bus stop in front, expecting to take 2nd, but was outdragged by the 340R and finished 3rd, losing out by 0.141 seconds. Arse. It was such an exilerating race that i was chuffed to have got another podium and improve my podium finish to 8 out of 11 (72%)
Race 2 was the endurance race. With 50 starter, made up of a mix of astons, morgans, caterhams, genetta's and lotus's it was always going to be the most exciting, and so it proved.
For the first time ever, i was sat in the pits for start, with everything crossed that my team mate (Matt) would hold onto positions and make the car last long enough for me to get my stint
Matt had problems from the beginning with the heavy fuel load, so we called him in after 20 minutes to swap over. The stop went well, and i exited the pits about 45 seconds after he entered. I exited straight into one of my most manic races ever. We had lost over 30 seconds to the lead car of skeggs and donnelly, and we had also dropped behind all the other class A cars due to making the early stop.
To be honest, the next 30 minutes were a total blur. I got more keyed into the car every lap, and despite a clonking noise from the rear, and an oversteery rear end, all was well. I seemed to be getting past lots of cars, but had no idea where i was. I could see a black S1 in the distance that was battling with a more horse power than talent car from one of the other classes. Yes. It was the lead car of skeggs and donnelly, so i was in 2nd place and catching quickly. I got within 3 seconds over the finish to recieve the chequered flag. The car had been suffering with driveshaft and CV joint problems in testing, so both drivers had been instructed to just get the car home, but it was certainly exciting stuff, with me catching him at 4 seconds a lap and only 3 seconds in it at the end.
I was chuffed to have gotten 2nd, as although i dont take defeat well, i can cope better when i am beaten by an F1 driver. When the time sheets came out, i had improved my time to a 2.54.5, so only 7 and a bit tenths behind. Also (racing driver excuse number 101) my best lap was on the last lap of the race, on overheated rear tyres, and also, (102) it turned out the rear camber bolts had bent, hence giving a wobbly rear end.
Also, looking at times, i was 0.7 seconds behind Martin Donnelly, but a clear 5 seconds a lap ahead of my normal competitor in class B Its about time he addmitted its the car that does it for him
So, with another shot at it, i reckon i could have gotten a bit closer to the top step. I'm not sure Mr Donnelly would agree, but i can live and hope for another shot at it. More importantly, i had another class podium, taking me to 9 out of 12 (75%)
The beer was even better tasting that night having had 2 such great races. Surely it couldnt get any better than this?
A BBQ was thrown, and i stayed in the bar until 3am, albeit drinking cola's for a while. I didnt want to fail scruitineering on a breathaliser test in the morning
Sunday
An early race for us at 9.40am. Unfortunately, as i checked my wheel nuts, i noticed that the inner CV joint had dropped all its grease. With only 55 minutes before the race, we had our work cut out, but wayne (sinclaires of london), robin and kelvin sprang in to action, swapping the shaft for a spare one, and getting me into the holding area with 5 minutes to spare.
I was fired up after yesterdays endurance race, and hoping for more of the same. 3 cars hadnt made it to the grid due to technical problems, so i started in 8th place on the grid, but with only 3 cars infront of me. SOds law that the car that was unsited in front of me had a terrible start, and i had to swerve to avoid him. I swerved the right way though, and poured myself into La source and down through Eau rouge in 4th overall, 2nd in class. I got a run up the hill and managed to get alongside Steve Williams down the camel straight. It was a late breaking game of chicken, with cold tyres and pads, and the grass still had frost on it from the nights sub zero temperatures. We went side by side through the next few corners, and infact, swapped positions for the next 3 laps. For those of you that know, i have been beaten by steve at almost every race this year, so to finally be able to stick with him long enough to race was great fun. In the end, my newly warped discs (103) meant i locked up into la source on the 4th lap, and i dropped back far enough for him to break the tow, and pull away. He got 100 yards in fron, and i only managed to get back for him to tease me with a 1-2 formation finish in class B. Yet another podium to go to 10 out of 13 (77%) and the trophy cabinet is filling up rapidly.
And that was it for the weekend. Well, other than the small matter of the 700 mile drive home. It wasnt pleasant, and took 12 hours, but it was well worth getting out of bed for
Monday and tuesday, car was still in bits, i hadnt booked a ferry, and i was currently sleeping in the car on the first night. I REALLY should be better prepared, but this happens every time. Thanks to Robin, i had working brake calipers again, and all my wheels were pointing in roughly the right direction.
Wednesday
6.30am. alarm wakes me. decided i cant really be arsed racing at Spa afterall.
7.00am. change my mind. The excitement has started to build (morning glory
) and although i'm not looking forward to the 700 miles of motorway that awaits, i am more tempted by the end result.7.15am. start driving.
10.15pm. finish driving. My back hurts.
After 14 hours on the go, i deserve the first 2 or 3 pints at least. Suitably relaxed i fall for the first of many practical jokes. Need some Euro's so get pointed in the general direction of the cash machine. As i stick my card in the hole in the wall thats located in the foyer of the bank, i realise that a big wedge of wood has just been slipped through the door handle. Arse. Takes me 10 minutes to flag someone down, try to explain in loud english that i'm not robbing the bank, and free me from my cage.
Thursday
Awake feeling totally knackered. I had 8 hours to change my brake discs, then planned to go and do a few laps of the track. TBH, the last thing i wanted to do was get back in the car. At this point, i could understand why people pay someone to do this for them, however, i had driven the car too and from every event this year, and i wasnt about to change my tack now.
Friday
We have Qually for the Lotus Elise Trophy races at 2pm, and another Qually for a 50 minute endurance race at 5pm.
My plan was to use my car for the 2 lotus races, and to share someone elses car for the endurance race, as its a 2 driver affair with mandatory pitstop.
Qually for the elise race goes well. I manage a 2.51.5 which puts me 3rd in class (8th overall). I'm normally a bit off the pace, to which i normally blame the car, although i get the feeling that nobody believes me
Qually for the endurance race ends up pretty similiar. The car is in the lower class, so the lap time drops to 2.57.9 which again is good enough for 3rd place on the grid in class (9th overall). This time however, i am 4.3 seconds off the pace of Martin Donnelly who posted a 2.53.6
Martin Donnelly is an ex Lotus F1 driver, and you obviously dont get to F1 level without being fantastic, but i sat in the bar that night wondering how i could make up 4.3 seconds. 4 or 5 hours of winding up (mental preparation) from Robin and Kelvin and i was wound up enough that i would try a bit harder the next day.
Saturday
Race 1 is the elise trophy race. I start 3rd in class, and eventually finish 3rd. Although that sounds pretty boring, i had 20 minutes of high adreneline racing at its best. I was being sprayed with oil by Chris Pearsons Exige for about 15 minutes of that, and both his car, and David Harveys 340R could comfortably outdrag me up the camel straight and down blanchimont. so i was upto 2nd and down to 4th about twice a lap for every lap, only managing to get positions back by outrageously late braking. On the last lap, i exited the bus stop in front, expecting to take 2nd, but was outdragged by the 340R and finished 3rd, losing out by 0.141 seconds. Arse. It was such an exilerating race that i was chuffed to have got another podium and improve my podium finish to 8 out of 11 (72%)
Race 2 was the endurance race. With 50 starter, made up of a mix of astons, morgans, caterhams, genetta's and lotus's it was always going to be the most exciting, and so it proved.
For the first time ever, i was sat in the pits for start, with everything crossed that my team mate (Matt) would hold onto positions and make the car last long enough for me to get my stint
Matt had problems from the beginning with the heavy fuel load, so we called him in after 20 minutes to swap over. The stop went well, and i exited the pits about 45 seconds after he entered. I exited straight into one of my most manic races ever. We had lost over 30 seconds to the lead car of skeggs and donnelly, and we had also dropped behind all the other class A cars due to making the early stop.
To be honest, the next 30 minutes were a total blur. I got more keyed into the car every lap, and despite a clonking noise from the rear, and an oversteery rear end, all was well. I seemed to be getting past lots of cars, but had no idea where i was. I could see a black S1 in the distance that was battling with a more horse power than talent car from one of the other classes. Yes. It was the lead car of skeggs and donnelly, so i was in 2nd place and catching quickly. I got within 3 seconds over the finish to recieve the chequered flag. The car had been suffering with driveshaft and CV joint problems in testing, so both drivers had been instructed to just get the car home, but it was certainly exciting stuff, with me catching him at 4 seconds a lap and only 3 seconds in it at the end.
I was chuffed to have gotten 2nd, as although i dont take defeat well, i can cope better when i am beaten by an F1 driver.
When the time sheets came out, i had improved my time to a 2.54.5, so only 7 and a bit tenths behind. Also (racing driver excuse number 101) my best lap was on the last lap of the race, on overheated rear tyres, and also, (102) it turned out the rear camber bolts had bent, hence giving a wobbly rear end. Also, looking at times, i was 0.7 seconds behind Martin Donnelly, but a clear 5 seconds a lap ahead of my normal competitor in class B
Its about time he addmitted its the car that does it for him So, with another shot at it, i reckon i could have gotten a bit closer to the top step.
I'm not sure Mr Donnelly would agree, but i can live and hope for another shot at it. More importantly, i had another class podium, taking me to 9 out of 12 (75%)The beer was even better tasting that night having had 2 such great races. Surely it couldnt get any better than this?
A BBQ was thrown, and i stayed in the bar until 3am, albeit drinking cola's for a while. I didnt want to fail scruitineering on a breathaliser test in the morning Sunday
An early race for us at 9.40am. Unfortunately, as i checked my wheel nuts, i noticed that the inner CV joint had dropped all its grease. With only 55 minutes before the race, we had our work cut out, but wayne (sinclaires of london), robin and kelvin sprang in to action, swapping the shaft for a spare one, and getting me into the holding area with 5 minutes to spare.
I was fired up after yesterdays endurance race, and hoping for more of the same. 3 cars hadnt made it to the grid due to technical problems, so i started in 8th place on the grid, but with only 3 cars infront of me. SOds law that the car that was unsited in front of me had a terrible start, and i had to swerve to avoid him. I swerved the right way though, and poured myself into La source and down through Eau rouge in 4th overall, 2nd in class. I got a run up the hill and managed to get alongside Steve Williams down the camel straight. It was a late breaking game of chicken, with cold tyres and pads, and the grass still had frost on it from the nights sub zero temperatures. We went side by side through the next few corners, and infact, swapped positions for the next 3 laps. For those of you that know, i have been beaten by steve at almost every race this year, so to finally be able to stick with him long enough to race was great fun. In the end, my newly warped discs (103) meant i locked up into la source on the 4th lap, and i dropped back far enough for him to break the tow, and pull away. He got 100 yards in fron, and i only managed to get back for him to tease me with a 1-2 formation finish in class B. Yet another podium to go to 10 out of 13 (77%) and the trophy cabinet is filling up rapidly.
And that was it for the weekend. Well, other than the small matter of the 700 mile drive home. It wasnt pleasant, and took 12 hours, but it was well worth getting out of bed for
Epic effort mate! 
Really felt sorry for you having to put another 2k+ miles in, but what a result!
Massively appreciated the texts also I was gutted at stages this weekend not to be there - would have been epic if we'd have had a TSE RLC endurance race!
Look forward to hearing all about it on friday
Andy
Really felt sorry for you having to put another 2k+ miles in, but what a result!
Massively appreciated the texts also I was gutted at stages this weekend not to be there - would have been epic if we'd have had a TSE RLC endurance race!
Look forward to hearing all about it on friday
Andy
AMG GT-R
Atom 4 - CM425
Lotus Esprit S4S
G30 M5 Comp
Ferrari 599
Lotus Elise S1 "Shed" spec
Atom 4 - CM425
Lotus Esprit S4S
G30 M5 Comp
Ferrari 599
Lotus Elise S1 "Shed" spec
Scotty C wrote:kenny wrote:Good skills Sir
If it hadn't been for Steve Williams car you would have walked it this year.
Doing it again next year???
Scotty
If i'd had the same car as Steve i would have walked it, and i reckon would have beaten quite a few more of the class C cars.
I have a tough decision now for next year. Have proven i am quick enough when in an equal car, but without spending lots of cash, i doubt i will have an equal class B car.
So i either drop to class A, or stay in class B and fight it out in a non competitive car
