2001 RACE RESULTS

Silverstone race 1

Qualifying

With parts of the track still frozen it was had to get a good time with my car's set up. I qualified 29th which meant I was 9th on the grid for the B race.

B Race

I managed to get a good start and with Steve Forster going off I had managed to get up to 6th. My old car which I had sold to Steve Groom was soon in my mirrors and as we got on the back straight on lap 2 he powered pass me. I also managed to spin on lap 8 losing six seconds and another place. With the remaining laps I put in some good times and was third fastest in the race. Finished 7th.

A Race

I started 27th and again I had a not to bad start. Into Copse I kept my speed and managed to pass Steve Groom and another racer. I continued to pass a few more competitors when I saw Craig Shepherd going slow down the back straight, next Alan Thorndyke and Matt Potter was in the kitty litter at Copse. Matt came back onto the track right in front of me, he then spent the next three laps powering off down the straights and sliding sideways around the corners. This meant I could catch him in the bends but had no answer on the straights. While he fannied about in front of me my times where dropping allowing Dan Neil to catch us. Dan then pulled past on the straight and I finished just behind him for 18th. Not bad considering the car only has 111bhp at the flywheel and was 30kg over weight.

The race was won by Tony Scarlett (106)followed by Andy Burgess (swift) and third was Herring (swift).

Donington Park race 2

Qualifying

Having to Scrutineer, sign on, have the drivers meeting and get out to qualify mean't I had not set the car up for wet weather. The front of the car was too hard and it under steered far too much for my liking. Matt Potter tried to see if he could win the biggest slide on the grass competition through the Craner curves. A great spin on lap two but he surpassed this later with a better effort in the race!!!. Matt spun again just in front of me at the chicane which left me a gap to pass and thank god he stayed behind me after that. A car was laying oil on the racing line which caused most of us problems except for Paul Taylor who got pole by a long way from Mark Davies and Pete Morgan got third.

B Race

Robert O'Boyle took the Honors with the ever improving Daniel Adderley getting second. Matt Lewis got third with Steve Groom in my old car taking 9th after being 28th at the first corner.

A race

A good start by myself taking about 4 to 5 places before Redgate. The only trouble I had was before I had got to Redgate still driving in a Straight line James Fennelow had a tank slapper and t-boned my drivers door causing me to spin. I was traveling backwards down the start/finish straight with the rest of the field facing me. I Managed to pull the car round and carry on but I had lost a lot of places and I spent most of the next two laps remove glass from my face. I managed to retake places and gradually work my way back up the field. I had a great battle with Dan Neil with him finally out braking himself and allowing myself to get away to chase Paul Sheehan. Matt Potter ended up in the kitty litter after spinning again through the Craner Curves. There was other cars with him, but I don't know if he took them off or if they felt sorry for him sitting their knee deep in gravel and decided to join him!!!!!!!!. Matt did say that he might finish a race this year but don't hold your breathe. Finished the race 15th with Paul Taylor taking his first win in Stock Hatch followed by Mark Davies, Pete Morgan, Craig Shepard and Alan Thorndyke.

Oulton Park Race 3

Qualifying

My car as where a lot of cars understeering to much and I only qualified 24th.

B Race

Steve Groom through his 9th place in the kitty litter on the opening lap, but over the next 7 laps clawed his way to 6th!. A overtaking move into the chicane went wrong and he hit the tyres, he dropped a few places but was on a charge again but his throttle cable fell off and had to retire on the last lap. Tony Taylor had a great race mainly in second place untill the final two laps where he made his move to take the lead and the win. See us grey haired old gits can still win!!!!!!!!

A Race

With the safety car leading us round to line up, we all took our positions and waiting for the off. We waited and waited as the marshals cleared the previous race casualties but as our cars started to boil Dan Neil's car burst a water pipe and the marshals removed him from the grid. Finally we got the count down and after a long hold on the red lights we where off. I managed to pull away ok but lost out on the first two corners. I managed to get passed about five cars and then catch up Paul McMillan, he has got a more powerful engine but I managed to out brake him into the chicane but he could not slow enough and went straight through. I exited the chicane about five to six car lengths behind him but half a lap later I was up his chuffer again. As we approached the chicane I nipped up the inside and again he drove straight through as I went around. I thought when I caught him for the second time he would yield and let me through as now he has twice illegally got track position but he still fought me to the line.

I missed the action up front but Peter Featherstone won followed by Roger Ebdon and Pete Morgan.

Mr. Potter has finished a race much to my surprise but not before he went off!!!! I am sure his car was a lawnmower in its previous life!!.

Cadwell Park Race 4

Qualifying

I have raised the front of the car by 2 inches with the aid of new 250lb 8 inch tall springs. This does not aid turn in but at the apex of the corner the oversteer is great!!

My first 2 laps where in the 1 minute 20's then with a couple of clear laps I managed to get into the 1 minute 18's. The rest of the session I had traffic on all of my remaining laps. I ended up half a second of the pole.

A Race

Having qualified 8th I new I would have to get a good start because overtaking the front runners would be very difficult. I managed to hold position as we left the line and Craig Sheppard had a stormer. He was on my tail for the opening lap untill it was red flagged when Peter Featherstone went off. The race was to be restarted and we where told that there would be a delay. I killed my engine as did all the grid, but when the 5 minute board came up my starter motor had failed and I could not start the car.

The marshal told me to stay in the car and they started the race. I was a little nervous as the pack shot through as my car stood motionless. After the grid had disappeared the marshal's bump started my car and I had to catch the ambulance. They indicated for me to pass on the exit to Charlies 2 and the chase was on to catch the back of the pack. Three to four laps later I had caught the nearest car and overtook him along the back straight. 

Alan Thorndyke was punted off in a accident which Craig Shepard also was involved in. Neither of them caused it but Alan had to retire straight away with a caved in rear end with Craig retiring a couple of laps later. I caught Paul McMillan again along the back straight, overtook him but he thought he could stay with me around Chris curve. I was on the inside with my car drifting out our car's rubbed and I carried on though the pack.

I see Matt Potter was in the fields again. Did you know there is a sweep stake on what lap Matt will go off. If you want to join in see Michael Thurston, its £2 for each lap chosen. 

I finished up 14th and I wish to apologize to the XR2 driver I overtook through the Goose Neck!!!. I think the first time he new I was near him was when I shot though mid corner. I did not see him again, I hope he did not go off.

Congratulations to Tony Scarlett for winning, second was Herring and third was the ever improving Steve Gordon.

Snetterton Race 5

Qualifying

After a downpour the track was awash. The marshal's must of thought that it is only stock hatch and they will throw them off in the dry so they might as well send us out in the wet because the recovery teams are always busy after our sessions, aren't they Mr. Potter.

Most people had problems through the bomb hole and Goram. I had a 360 spin on the exit off Goram but just managed to keep it on the track. We had put on dry tyres before we had gone into the assembly area as the track was drying, but as we where waiting it rained and only Steve Gordon nipped back to the pits to change his tyres. I finished up 8th on the grid.

RACE 5

Again the heaven's opened up just before our race. The clerk of the course cancelled decided it was to wet and rescheduled the race for Sunday morning.

There is a new expression used in the pits if you go off the track. It is called "Pottering"!!. If someone crashes into your car you have been "Pottered". Instead of having red mist in your eyes, you have yellow mist from now on. If your car suddenly changes direction you have been "Potter rubbed". If your car goes off the track and rolls this is now known as "Potter rolling"  after your car is returned to the pits you will find some of your paint has changed colour to yellow!. Nobody can explain why the paint changes but this has been put down to "Pottering".

On Sunday morning the track was dry which pleased all but one Alan Thorndyke. Alan had a problem with his car which does show up when its wet but when its dry he went backwards through the field after starting second. I made a good start but a crash( Potter) behind me took out three or four cars which left six of us with a good gap to seventh. One of the cars that (Pottered) crashed was Mathew Potter, how uncanny.

I changed places with Pete Morgan (without touching) until the red flag came out on lap 3. We all had to restart but on this start Craig Sheppard went off just before the bomb hole and Andy Burgess took the lead. The formation of Andy, Stanway, Gordon, Scarlett and myself was the same till the line. Only Craig chased me down on the last lap and had three attempts to pass me which I defended. A good clean race at the front which I was pleased to be in.

Snetterton Race 6

Race 6

Another good start by me coming by Pete Morgan and Alan Thorndyke on the first lap but on the second I was not happy with my brakes and Pete retook me as well as Paul Sheenan and Tony Scarlett. On the fourth lap I had built up my confidence with the car and retook Paul and Pete. This put me in sixth spot which I held to the line. Craig Sheppard won with Andy burgess second Steve Gordon third. Mathew Potter retired after a off.

Congratulations to Mrs. Wilson who correctly guess Matt would not finish either race. She wins the sweepstake of £87.00 which is the current highest amount of total bets on which lap Matt would throw it off. Don't forget its £1 a go and we are no longer taking bets on Matt not finishing any race left this year as the odds are too high! and there is a serious risk of punters being left bankrupt.  (there have been quiet rumblings that this is the sole purpose of Potters plan). 

Pembrey Race 7

Qualifying

Well I don't know what to write here as Matt Potter did not race this weekend.

Anyway the two qualifying heats where so different because of the weather the clerk of the course decided to qualify people in the championship positions. Least said the better.

Race 7

As I am in 7th position in the championship this is where I started the race. I got a good start and held on around the hairpin even though Paul Sheenan have me a bit of a squeeze of the line. The front six car's all seamed to be exchanging wing mirrors untill Sean Stanway collided with Paul taking him off. Mark Davies shot past on lap five putting me back to 7th but Sean had a problem and I inherited 6th. Pete Morgan won with Steve Gordon and Tony Scarlett second and third. Dan Neil was 7th, which is his best result so far this year. About time too.

Pembrey Race 8

Qualifying

Qualifying is done from your best time in the previous race so I was 7th again. Dan Neil managed to sneak a fast lap in and he was 5th with Mark Davies on pole.

Race 8

Again no big drama's, held onto 7th till Sean Stanway came off with a problem so that mean't I was sixth. Mark Davies won from Tony Scarlett and Pete Morgan third. Dan Neil got fourth and is getting cocky with his new found form. Maybe I should not have shared my set up information with him!!

Silverstone race 9

Qualifying

Tried to tow Dan Neil around the circuit, which worked to a point, but with so much traffic we would catch to cars up so fast that we had to back off. By lap 8 I started to find clearer laps but every time I got to Copse, I caught a car up through the corner. The only time I did not have a car in front was when I went through Copse to fast and ploughed through the gravel. I did not do the full "Pottering" and bury myself knee deep in the kitty litter I managed to carry on!!. Little did I know that in the Hot Hatch the next day I would not be so lucky. The final lap saw me overtake Paul Mcmillan and get a time which normally would put me in the top 5. I had qualified 11th! Dan was 10th but had blown his engine. Craig Shepherd was on pole followed by our very own  Essex boy Glen Stokes. Touchy touchy Mr. Stokes .I think his car had been sniffing steroids because it had so much power!!! ha ha 

Race 9

Another good start be me, but Paul Sheenan had an even better one. As we all trundled around Copse I got a massive oversteer and shot towards the pit lane exit. Paul had cut back to overtake me down the inside and unfortunately our cars hit but without major damage. This dropped me down couple of places but I soon caught and overtook Paul and as he followed me around Copse for the second lap he overdid his entry speed and had a moment in the kitty litter. The cars behind slowed to miss him allowing me to pursue Pete Morgan and Roger Ebdon in front. Roger had a coming together with Crispy Lettuce (Chris Bettis) with Pete slowing to avoid hitting them I charged through with reducing my speed. Andy Burgess had a problem with his engine and he was soon swallowed up by the pack. 

I finished 6th for the 4th race in a row with Craig Shepherd taking the win from Glenn Stokes by 0.36 seconds and Tony Scarlett third. Finally Glen gets his 106 to handle. Isn't it time those Rallye's where banned!!!

Steve Gordon Finished 5th after an aggressive manouver by Mark Davies putting himself 4th. Steve's car faired worse after the incident. Its starting to look like mine!!!

Cadwell Park race 10

Qualifying

After failing scrutineering with a broken kill switch I was late at turning up for qualifying. Glen and I went out last with the other streaming off into the distance I set about trying to make sure I got a good lap in. I soon caught Steve Groom who moved over to let me pass but others thought it would be good fun to race me. This was not in there favour as I through my car down the inside as we approached a bend. The other car always gave way!! luckily.

Tony Scarlett took pole with Pete Morgan second Steve Gordon third and Gordon Macmillan fourth. I was 8th and Dan Neil 12th (bless he is only a poor boy and nobody loves him). I think all the Essex boys qualified together as Glen was right behind Dan. All that reminds me, there is a petition to ban the Rallye's which everybody should sign. Of course I am not bias and do not care if they should run next year.

BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S BAN THE RALLYE'S 

Race 10

My worst start this year. I got caught napping on the line and Andy Burgess, Paul Sheehan shot through. I hung on and Craig Shepherd seemed to have problems so I passed him and Andy. After a couple of laps Gordon Macmillan was in fourth with Pete Morgan behind him, Pete was eager to pass but Gordon was defending well. Pete leaned on Gordon, rubbed his back end ( oh er misses) but could not pass. Sean Stanway started to join in as well as Paul Sheehan.

On the final two laps I thought I might as well join in and rubbed Paul's backend down the start/finish straight to push him through as well as myself past Pete Morgan's car. Pete must have thought he had rubbed everybody else so he gave me a tap up my rear too. Its a little unpleasant at first but you do get used to it, "said Gordon" ha ha 

With 8 cars breaking the lap record the cars at the front have moved on a bit since we where last here in 99. Steve Gordon had taken the lead after a blinding start but Tony Scarlett out braked him after a good run down Park straight. Tony held on for the win with Steve right behind him, Mark Davies was 3rd, Gordon was 4th, Sean was 5th, Paul 6th with myself just ahead of Pete.

Lyden Race 11

WARNING: MATT POTTER IS BACK! AND HE IS GUNNING FOR IT. BE CAREFUL IN THE B QUALIFYING AS HE IS IN WITH YOU AND IS LIKELY TO TAKE YOU OFF WHEN HE LEAVES THE CIRCUIT.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!!!!

HEY GLEN THE HEATS OFF MATT'S BACK.

Qualifying

My car would not oversteer as much as I needed so qualified 12th. More of a problem was at scrutinering my car failed with a split floor under the seat and had to be welded before the race. After locating some metal and a welder the car was finished just before the race. 

Race 11

A fair start, but McMillian Senior shot past. He had sorted out his handling and luckily he missed a gear coming out of Devil's Elbow, I was back in front. Paul kept trying to overtake but I defended making my Pug as wide as poss. Gradually We pulled in the quartette of Paul Sheehan, Sean Stanway, Anthony Ridd and Steve Gordon. They seemed to be pushing and shoving like women trying to get through the front doors of a Christmas sale!!!! As we all went round Chessons bend Paul And Sean had another coming together which resulted in both cars careering across the track, colleting Anthony and into the tyre wall.

Steve, Paul Mcmillian and I just missed all three and I won the drag to Devil's Elbow. I have finally passed Steve Gordon in a race, the only person that I have not beaten this year. Anthony's car came back across the track and caught McMillian (junior). He half spun but just got control and was hit by Matt Lewis.

They red flagged the race and then said as we had done over half distance that the race was over. Paul Taylor won (by a long way) Craig Sheppard was second Andy Burgess was third. I ended up 11th because they back tracked to the last lap. Bugger

LYDDEN RACE 12

Qualifying

A cock up in race control. Some times where taken from the B race even though the racer had competed in the A race. They should have taken their times from the late race entered. This lost me a couple of places on the grid.

Race 12

Not a bad start but was boxed in through the first bend, after the first lap I was still about 15th. Tapped Gordon McMillian through Devils Elbow after Mark Davies made him hit the curb, Tapped Dan Neil at the hairpin after a late braking manouver. Tapped Paul McMillian through Devil's Elbow (seemed to be getting good at this) Tapped Mark Davis through Devil's Elbow. Didn't manage to spin him ( as if I would). They all seemed to be pleased with my tactics as most of them waved at me!! Some with more than one finger!!I was up to 10th when the race was stopped again because a car had gone "Pottering" ( you did not think I would forget to get Matt's name in some where would you?)

Paul won again, worst of all Paul Sheehan came 5th which now looks like he will take 5th from me in the Championship. It will not help as I am not going to Mallory in two weeks time. Looks like I will end up 6th as the people below me can not catch me in the points.

Hope everybody handed back the questionnaire and ticked the box for the Rallye's to be banned. Only kidding, I put in the comments box that they should stay but with a 1000kg weight penalty. If you have not filled yours in yet please do so maybe taking my example!! Isn't that right Glen.

Steve Gordon obviously felt sorry for me as he came from the front rows back to where I normally finish. I keep telling him to win the race but he insists on letting other take the glory. What a nice man.

MALLORY RACE 13

No report.

SNETTERTON RACE 14

Qualifying

Changed my set up for the fourth time this year. The car handled fine but took five laps to get used to it. On the sixth lap there was oil through the Bomb Hole and all preceding laps where ruined because of this. Paul Sheehan spun on said oil and as he was my only rival in the championship I thought he would be behind me on the grid. He qualified 3rd I was 12th!! not quite as planned.

RACE

The first start only lasted till the leaders had got to the Bomb Hole as some of the mid pack had crashed at the first corner. Before we could restart Gordon McMillian engine boiled over and had to be removed from the grid. I got a good start and soon over took Andy Elliot but missed a gear onto the back straight for him to pass me. I again overtook him and got passed Craig Sheppard as well on the next lap. The car seemed to have better exit speed as we came out of the corners. This allowed me to catch Tony Scarlett within a lap and as we crossed the start/finish line I was all over him. I made a dive into the corner but he shut the door very hard and I had nowhere to go but into his rear quarter. We both slid sideways with Tony remaining on the track with myself going into the in field. I regained control only to see the grass in front of me. Little did I know that there was a bank there to. I hit the bank and landed nose first in the grass and rejoined the track. As I braked I spun on my own water and oil leaking from my car. I think nearly all the remaining field spun on the oil/water as well. The race was stopped and declared a result with myself finishing 6th after Paul Taylor was excluded for being under weight.

The B race was not run as the club run out of time or daylight so they could not race. Another cock up with the Stock Hatch racers having to lose out again.

If the club allows Bill Gregory and myself to have a bit more input and control on what goes on maybe we can sort out some of the issues raised over this year so that they do not happen next year.

Just remember when rebuilding your car for next year. CHEAT because no car gets stripped. Only joking!!!!!!!!!!!!