Race Report - Zolder

With little opportunity to test, except for a handful of laps in the rain at the official test day, the newly formed Team RSA set off for Belgium with eagerness and some in trepidation.

Qualifying 1 proved quite enjoyable and apart from a small spin on one of Rob's quick laps, position 17 out of 25 and within 9 tenths of the top ten was reasonably confident of competing well. With the opportunity to analyse the data and give further consideration to the circuit layout there was genuine optimism of a top 10 place in qualifying 2.

However, this was to prove to no avail after spinning on his own water after only a handfull of laps. One of the water hoses connecting the oil cooler had worked loose and sprayed water all over the front tyres, although fortunately the engine did not reach a temperature as to cause serious damage. Qualifying was therefore over and we were genuinely disappointed to be in 21st position out the of 25 runners.

Things became more difficult in Race 1 due to brake problems which seemed to persist throughout the weekend. After the clouds had opened the race soon got underway and having been baulked by another competitor Rob was soon down back towards the rear group of cars. In heavy rain, cars seemed to be spinning in every direction. The car was becoming very difficult to drive due to the continuing rear brake problems. After a safety car period and whilst running in 16th place Rob was pitched into a spin on the first corner and found himself stuck in the gravel with little chance of being removed.

Chris and Jason worked extremely hard during the lunch break in order to clear all of the gravel from the car and to try and get to the bottom of the brake problem. In bright sunshine and with the car washed and ready for Race 2 a small delay in proceedings allowed the storm clouds to gather again resulting in another heavy downpour just as we formed on the grid. With the car completely misted up and zero visibility it soon became a race of attrition and resulted in three trips to the gravel, two of which required removal by the safety car, two trips to the pit lane. As a result we finished in an unclassified position. However, there was some encouragement as we were able to run comfortably in the top 8 position of race times, which gives us enourmous encouragement for the future championship races.

Once Team RSA are able to get to the bottom of the brake issues and also learn the set up for the European Championship Regs then we would expect to quite clearly be able to run in the top 10.