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Gav's report... SUNDAY PRACTICE **full
results here**
The day started with a lot of snow and with it being
the first time out on track for most competitors it certainly wasn't
to be easy. The track was very wet as a result of all the snow prompting
some in depth discussion with Craig (poodles) and Alan (team principle)
the consensus of opinion being we should take the option of intermediates,
saving the wets for the race if needed.
After a few late set up changes to the Nimbus truck
we found ourselves at back of the pack leaving pit lane however
I took it easy and adjusted our myself to the conditions thus enabling
me to have a few clear laps.
The truck felt good, the whole team had put so much
effort in pre season I was feeling confident with the solid set
up, the first lap we put in was the fastest and I was not even pushing,
we had deliberated long and hard after the title had slipped away
last year the result of which was that the emphasis was to be on
finishes rather wins so we were looking for consistant lap times
as opposed to one banzai on the edge effort.
We ran a total of 8 fast laps all of which were
in the 56 second barrier and 4 being faster than the nearest truck
to us Steve D, every thing was looking good even the weather forecast
for Monday according to Sonny was for a reasonable Day !
Seager 56.396
Dance 56.732
Smith 57.171
RACE 1
After Sunday we all thought with the forecast for
dry we would task Poodles with putting the dry set up back on which
would give us a steady Monday morning prior to the first race.
So much for Sonny Howards prediction…. snow everywhere
Monday morning meant we were all in for a long cold day, with temperatures
nearing minus we were all inside the lorry trying to keep warm except
for Poodles who was busy putting the wet set up back on the truck
!
The first race was at 12:30.
Having been told to put all the wets back on the
lorry Sunday night Poodles was well chuffed (not) to be taking them
all out again whilst we decided whether it should be full wets or
the inters in the end as the weather (see picture) deteriorated
it was decided the intermediates were not going to cut the mustard
and new wets were readied for use.
As a result of the reverse format meaning we would
start near the back we were going to have our work cut out if we
were to continue with the winning streak from the last November
meeting in 2007.
Steve Dance was on our bumper and Nic Grindrod to
our left.
As the pace car peeled into pit lane the lights
turned green and it was go go go ! Every one made it through the
first corner despite the bad track conditions, I had passed a few
trucks and was making good head way, Dale (spotter) came on the
radio and was giving me instructions and guiding me through the
field and made it sound easy.
At the end of the first lap I had made up 10 positions
and was in 7th from 17th not bad in one lap I thought and was fairly
chuffed as was dale and the team.
With Steve dance in 13th we had time to steady the
ship and then go about catching the rest of the field this included
new man Chris Dawkins who was certainly gonna be no push over as
he had streaked away at the start. The recently new sponsored Lee
Rogers in the 69 machine was having a good run and passed Dawkins
on lap 6 but got out off shape on the run out of paddock which ended
in a spin. By now we were up to third with Dawkins again in the
lead with Simon Carr hot on his heels, within a few laps I had closed
down and past the battling duo and in turn Simon passed Dawkins
and set his target on the back of my Nimbus truck. Dale was cool
and calm and he talked me through the rest, he told me where Simon
was, the lap times and kept me calm as well.
We brought the truck home on lap 18 for the teams
first win of 2008.
RACE 2
After a lengthy delay caused by a bad crash in the
big rig race it was at one point looking like race 2 was not going
to run however series co-ordinator Sonny Howard and his team did
a sterling job to ensure we got on track.
As the weather had now started improve and to keep
Poodles on his toes we yet again instructed him to go for the dry
setting and put wets and intermediates back on lorry, after a wait
that seemed like forever we were ready to go when called.
Same format as before but this time with the dry
weather, starting a little further forward due to other drivers
having been penalized, you could be forgiven for thinking how could
this race be harder than the first however because of all the delays
due to armco damage in the previous race the Pickups would now run
just 12 laps instead of the 18 and with a few fast drivers having
had bad results in the first race would mean they would be nearer
the front.
Kelly Jayne wells was on pole and pistol Pete Wilkinson
on row 2 we were nearer the back about 16th.
As the green lights came on Pete had a good start
and had the lead by the first corner, I had got past a few trucks
on the way into paddock and a few more on the run up to Druids,
a good fight with Richard Grindrod ended with us getting past and
we then set our sights on the leading pack. All the time Pete was
pulling out a healthy lead on the battling duo of Wells and White,
Pete Stevens was next on my list and we caught him at Paddock he
protected the inside line into Druids so we took the high one and
held him tight on the apex and then had the line down to Graham
Hill bend.
I could see smoke starting to appear from Wells
so was cautious and as her and White battled up to Druids next time
round her car enveloped in a huge cloud of smoke as the gearbox
gave way and oil went all over the racing line at near the apex
very bad luck for her as she needed a break she retired on lap six.
A good exit from clearways gave me the upper hand
on Phil White and I was able to pass him before Paddock it was then
I realised how far Pete had gone.
The gap was 3 seconds with 4 laps to run, Dale kept
me cool and was talking the whole time, we knew we were quicker
it was just a case of was there enough laps left and not only that
but where could we pass him, he had shown good pace and was well
capable of keeping me behind.
Over the next 3 laps the gap was coming down he
and was getting closer, when we started the last lap I was putting
the car everywhere trying to get him in the mirrors with time running
out, I wasn't going to make any rash moves but then he ran one wheel
wide at on the exit toGraham hill this in turn gave me the drive
and just enough speed to get my bumper up alongside him and pass
him into clearways. He tried to come back but I was wise and held
him there to bring the Nimbus truck home for win number 2 and 3
on the trot.
Along with the first places on track we had another
two firsts for Pickups … first time out in the snow and first time
in the dark (nearly).
I would just like to take this opportunity to personally
to thank the team and all the fans and a special thankyou to our
sponsors Nimbus Motorsport and would dedicate these to wins to them,
their continued support is most appreciated.
Thank you
Gav
Round One pics
from Brands (courtesy of David Swan and George McNeill)
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