Race Report - Oulton Park

Determination results in fastest lap award!

Having recovered from the turbo charger problems that cruelly denied me of a decent finish at Thruxton we went to Oulton Park with high hopes of a reasonable finish, although having not visited the circuit for a number of years.

All running was interrupted by wet weather which affected all of the practice sessions and testing on the Friday. However, fourth quickest on Friday suggested that there was some real potential in the car for the weekend.

Qualifying didn’t go so well, again being interrupted by rainfall and not being able to perform before the rain clouds opened.

We therefore qualified for both races in eight position.

Round 9

As the cars formed on the grid following the first British Touring Car race the heavens opened and this necessitated a change to wet tyres.

I enjoyed a superb start around the outside of many competitors to end up in fifth place after the first lap. With the weather deteriating and a number of yellow flag incidents the race was shortened to 9 laps. Visibility continued to deteriate, although I was able to grab one more position for fourth place before the chequered flag.

Round 10

Conditions improved for Round 10 which again followed the final British Touring Car race of the day and with most of the circuit dry we all headed into the first corner at full speed. Regrettably one of the A Class cars spun as well as a B Class car in avoidance I took to the gravel and therefore ended the first lap in last position 5 seconds from my nearest competitor!

What followed was a determined drive, overtaking four cars in the process and finally finishing up in seventh place. More importantly, I was also awarded a Point for fastest lap of the day, which also shows that the car has true potential. The next round is at Donnington Park on the 14th and 15th July with nothing less than 2 podium finishes will be expected.