Thruxton 06-May-06

Exiting the Club Chicane in Pre-93 qualifying   [photo Az Edwards]

Production BMW Race | Pre-93 Race

The build up to Thruxton was filled with some trepidation. Yet another circuit I've not driven before and this time without the possibility of testing. Combined with the fact that Thruxton is the fastest circuit in the UK, I'm expecting this to be a struggle in my 318i. And so during the week prior to the race I spend a lot of time lapping the circuit on computer and memorising the circuit guide. An early arrival to the circuit the day before the race also provides an opportunity to walk the circuit. The walk in particular turns out to be an hour well spent.

As a way of getting some extra experience of the circuit, I've entered the CTCRC Pre-93 Touring Cars race in addition to the main event. Unfortunately, the Pre-93 race is after the Production BMW and so we won't be able to use that as some early practice. As we're the first practice session of the day I drop off my car early at the assembly area which ensures I'll be first out on track. I'm pleased to see that Stephen Markey and Alan Wileman are next to line up. Both quick and with knowledge of the circuit. I hope to be able to learn from them as they go past.

The first few corners are pretty much as expected until we leave the complex and venture into the far side of the circuit. It quickly becomes apparent that it's this area where the most time will be gained or lost - especially when Stephen Markey comes past me like I'm standing still. I latch onto the back of him and hope to follow him round for a lap or two. And so I'm surprised, when half way round the next lap that it dawns on me that I'm actually quicker (his engine seems weak) and get back past on the approach to the Club chicane.

From this point onwards I'm far more confident - especially as Alan isn't catching me - and push on to see my lap times come down and down. After a few laps, what I've learnt in the circuit guide really starts to make sense and everything "clicks". Things are going really well until I notice the slippery surface flag at the Club Chicane and discover that one of the cars has straddled the very high kerbs and released the contents of his sump onto the circuit from the chicane up to the exit of the next corner of Allards. Thereafter, traction on the exit is limited and I can't improve on my earlier lap times.

When the times are posted I'm blown away to find myself on pole, just over a tenth quicker than Alan and three-tenths quicker than Martin Dower, winner of the last race at Mallory. This is my first pole position since Rockingham last year and my second ever in 33 races!

Before Pre-93 qualifying it starts to rain and then gets properly wet shortly before we're called up. I switch to my "good" tyres with full tread and soften up the suspension. This slight delay puts me in the middle of the group as we head out onto the track but I'm past all of the Class F BMW's by the time I get out onto the back of the circuit. I'm loving this... the car is on a knife-edge through the quick part of the circuit and nicely balanced through the twisty bits. I know I'm fast... if only I could drive like this in the dry! Towards the end of the qualifying session I see that I'm catching Martin and Alan so I'm confident to have Class F pole in the bag.

But what I wasn't expecting was to be a full 3 seconds ahead of the next BMW! Wow!!!
Almost better than that was to be only 0.3s behind the E30 M3 of John Willcocks. This could be very interesting if the rain continues...

As the main race draws closer the rain dies away but the track remains damp. I stick with wet settings and hope to build up a decent lead before there's too much of a dry line. With a dry practice and wet race we have to undergo 2 green flag laps which takes forever, even at a reasonable pace. I deliberately mess about and avoid the racing line whilst doing my best to get some heat in the tyres.

Back on the grid I'm on the inside line for the first corner and hold as many revs as I think I can get away with. I get away pretty well and arrive at the complex with a decent lead. I still need to go defensive but once into the back end of the circuit I've pulled a few car lengths on Alan and start to drive away. I've a 2 second gap by the end of the first lap but on the second lap I notice Martin gets past Alan and start to close the gap. I'm still pretty confident I can hold my position and remain conservative in the braking areas. Unfortunately this gives Martin an easy way to close me down and the gap continues to close. I have the comfort of knowing that my qualifying time will be the fastest of the day and so even if Martin passes me, that I'll take a bonus point for that and collect maximum points. This is of no comfort as Martin drags past me on the long approach to the Club Chicane and puts in a good pass to go ahead before the corner.

I can get a tow down the pit straight but Martin's late braking into the Complex leaves me trailing a little and then I start making stupid mistakes by trying to drive quicker than the car wants to go. The track is getting quicker and quicker and my softer setup is really compromising me through the quick section. I fall back to a second behind, but on the final lap Martin gets caught up in traffic through the Club Chicane and I close right back up on him down the pit straight as we pass the chequered flag (affording me the fastest lap). The only thing is that because we're right behind a back marker, the chequered flag is only raised just as we pass the line. I catch a glimpse of it out of the corner of my eye and back off... but Martin hasn't seen the flag and the Marshalls aren't waving like usual... hmm. I'm so confused that I screw up the chicane and have to slide the car square on against the kerbs to avoid running over them. But I'm not directed into the pitlane and this time the chequered flag is waving so I'd be stupid not to be 100% sure that I've finished the race. The clerk of the course thought that we were stupid for not counting 10 laps!!!

By the time the Pre-93 race is upon us the track is largely dry. I'm lined up beside John Willcocks' M3 on the second row and get a good start. I'm quickly put in my place as the big boys power away up to the Complex but I'm delighted to keep in touch with them. In fact, with Martin pressing me, we're able to keep in touch with the front runners for the first 4 laps! In fact, on one occasion I managed to exit Church corner and get in the slipstream of John's M3 for a momentary tow until he disappeared off into the distance. After that it was back to fighting with Martin.

I had been struggling with my brakes all day, since practice when my brake pedal went to the floor at top speed on the approach to the Club Chicane. It seems that the brake fluid didn't like to be sitting doing nothing between the Complex and the chicane and needed a quick pump before working properly. With Martin trying for a pass and me going defensive into the chicane I forgot about this and had a heart in mouth moment trying to scrub of enough speed and not collect Martin at the same time. After this, he got past me on the next lap but I was able to hang on this time. Determined not to finish behind Martin twice on the same day I did all I could. I was quicker through the twisty bits but not the quick corners. On lap 6 Martin got it a bit wrong through the chicane and I had a chance on the exit. Unfortunately I misjudged his exit speed and mis-timed my chance to slide past. I ended up giving him a slight tap as we started down the pit straight and lost my momentum as a result. Martin gesticulates his disappointment and next thing I know he pulls over as if to say "I'm not playing any more". I finish the race with a class win but it's tainted.

All in all, quite an up and down sort of day... max points is great, extending my lead on the championship and I'm very pleased with my qualifying performance for both races but I let myself down in the races. Must try harder!

fourwheels racing © 30-Apr-2006