301 replies to this topic

[MAXR]

Im hoping to drastically slow down work this year & have more time to play & enjoy life. If I do racing, it will have be wheel to wheel. I do love watching in car wheel to wheel stuff. I think I may hire a caterham Track day with bookatrack & see what theyre all about!

[SteveA]

Just don't hire the 620r they have, more power to weight than a Bugatti Veyron, you will never be able to go back to the slow ones in racing.

[Captain Vimes]

Racing at Castle Combe today.

Another one where I’ve never seen the circuit and wasn’t able to test. Had a 15 minute practice session this morning in the mist and survived. I still have loads to learn but next opportunity is qualifying at 11am.

It’s a daunting circuit with very little run off and some nasty bumps right in the braking zone so one to approach with caution! There’s a few locals that have entered for this race so local knowledge is likely to win the day. Hoping to have some fun and bring it home in one piece!

Timing here: http://livetiming.ts...ming.com/182268

Qualifying: 11:10
Race1: 14:30
Race2: 17:05

Results here: http://www.tsl-timin...8/182268cgr.pdf

[SteveA]

Good Quali result given the lack of experience 👍

[Zoobeef]

Just seen the results for race 1. Looks like a close finish between 5-7th places. On you were only 13 seconds behind the leader!

Good luck starting the next one an extra place ahead.

[Captain Vimes]

Had some great scraps today. Great fun.

Nearly didn’t get out for race 2 when 30 mins before the race I found the gear stick wasn’t selecting gears. Got sorted by Rockey Racing while everyone else sat in the assembly area.

Got best improvers awards for both races but 4 abreast over Avon rise into quarry was... memorable!

[Zoobeef]

Watched race 2, no commentary so could only watch the times.

What was the red flag for?

looked close between the 3 of you again.

[Captain Vimes]

Red flag was for a classic who went off at Quarry. Driver OK not sure about the car...

 

Very close between 3-6th in race 2 plus we then had to fight each other and lap the entire field of classics and try not to mess up their race too.

[SteveA]

Race footage?

 

I've seen Mathews crash, doesn't look too bad other than mounting the cushion thing. 

 

 

Edited by SteveA, 29 May 2018 - 03:53 PM.

[Captain Vimes]

Was a long day yesterday.

Will get some up this evening

[MAXR]

I've done a few track days at Castle Combe. However, on a track day, it's relatively straight forward. But, I would imagine that in a proper race it can get a little intense with minimal space for mistakes... Quarry is absolutely fine in single file....I can only imagine how tricky it would be three abreast. 

[Captain Vimes]

Steve, thanks for sharing the crash footage I hadn't seen that! Good to see the massive lump of foam and how it did it's job. You also get a glimpse of me in 6th place (the subsequent race start wasn't as good and I had to fight to get the places)!

 

Max - you're right about Combe. The initial impression about lack of run off was probably heightened by (a) the stories and crash footage from previous Caterham races there and (b ) being on track with a bunch of racers whilst trying to learn braking points, turn-in, gear selection etc all in 15 minutes. Once I'd figured out the track it's a great circuit and one you can really attack and have some fun with.

 

Footage just processing from race 2.

Edited by Captain Vimes, 29 May 2018 - 09:21 PM.

[Captain Vimes]

Race 2

 

Started in 7th and despite a good launch I lifted when a gap closed and lost a few places into the first corner. Got back from 9th to 6th by the end of lap one (after putting the wheels on the grass to pass )

 

It's a 25 minute race and from lap five to twenty I was with the group battling for 3rd to 6th. Finished fifth after an incident between the two cars in front gifted me a place at the final corner.

 

 

It was great to be in the mix for the podium on raw pace, I was less than a second from 3rd across the line but 19 seconds ahead of 6th place man behind. Enjoyed the racing a lot this weekend and pleased to have a car that's still in one piece after half the season. I've also moved back to 4th in the championship for now too..

 

Edited by Captain Vimes, 29 May 2018 - 09:58 PM.

[SteveA]

Great racing as always, shame about Ben on the last lap but it does help in the points table.

[Captain Vimes]

It was a shame for Ben. I had a chat with a clerk about it and he did question why Ben was trying to pass on the left and why he didn’t anticipate the other car taking the racing line... Not quite how I saw it but it sets the boundaries for what’s allowed..

Points.. The driver that took 3rd was a guest (albeit an experienced Mega grad racer that just isn’t doing a full season this year). As such he doesn’t take points so I scored an extra one there too

[Zoobeef]

At 5.05 a car goes straight on at the chicane. He then doesn't follow the right path and takes a shortcut across the grass. Not right surely? 

[Captain Vimes]

At 5.05 a car goes straight on at the chicane. He then doesn't follow the right path and takes a shortcut across the grass. Not right surely?

But didn’t gain an advantage so presumably it would constitute a track limits infringement, which has no penalty for the first occurrence?

[Zoobeef]

No real advantage as you aren't close enough but not as disadvantaged as following the correct path would have been. As you would have gone passed I reckon.

[Captain Vimes]

Race 1. Started 8th and was in 6th for a lot of the race but got a bit caught out passing the classics and ended 7th.

 

Big lock up on the first lap after forgetting there was a chicane... 

 

[Zoobeef]

Some great racing