A small change in the calendar meant the next stop in the Championship was at Snetterton on the 300 layout. Originally, it was meant to be the 200 layout with the 300 appearing later in the year but this got switched round due to unknown reasons. I would not consider the 300 version of the circuit as one I know well, the last time driving it being in 2019. Even then, I didn’t exactly know my way around. So, this round would be a different challenge all together.
Before hand, there were a few small maintenance jobs to be carried out to make sure we were in good shape heading into the Round 4 including supressing the small gearbox oil leak, solve why the rain light was intermittently failing, swap the turbo to manifold v band clamp and install a new set of spark plugs.
Warm Up
Like every other warm up, the key was to get 3 laps in to secure the 1 point available while at the same time learn my way around the 300 configuration of the circuit. Most of the infield section was new to me was new to me so it took some learning. I was once again out on the oldest set of tyres left in the rotation. By the end of the session, I had recorded 8 laps with a new personal best of 2:08.253 leaving me 5th in class but with a positive feeling.
Attack 1
After reviewing the laps we swapped the tyres over for a set with slightly less milage on them as the sessions were becoming more serious. Out on track it was straight down to business, trying to improve on the lap time from the previous session and make my way up the positions. This time I had to make sure I got some good space on track, I did this by completing two steady out laps. Right out of the gates I improved from warm up setting a time of 2:05.821. With over 10 minutes left in the session there was still plenty of opportunities to improve but frustratingly on each subsequent lap something went slightly wrong. As the session came to a close, the lap at the beginning ended up being my the best, leaving me 3rd in class and closing in on the lap times of the leading 2 cars.
Attack 2
Into the afternoon it was time to stick on the freshest tyres I have in order to extract as much as possible from the car. I waited to be the last, or one of the last, in the queue meaning I could hang back on the out lap as much as I wanted too to get that space required to do a clean lap. It’s a risky plan, which I have used many times over the years to great success on the longer circuits but can also bite you if a yellow or red flag is brought out. Luckily, the positives often outweigh the negatives and on my first lap I managed to improve from the previous session. Clocking a 2:04.316 just before a red flag came out, bringing the session to a temporary halt.
Back in the pits we checked the tyre pressures and I got the opportunity to take a look at the standings. To my surprise I was P1 after the initial runs with potential for an even quicker lap. Heading back out on track that was my goal, to find some extra time to stretch and/or keep my lead. Unfortunately, mistakes on the next two laps cost me and on the third attempt the car developed a massive vibration across the front axle. It felt like the nearside, so I limped the car back to the pits, through parc ferme then back to the paddock. As suspected, it was a failed inner CV joint. It wasn’t a massive issue as it took just over 3 minutes to swap it, yes we did time it. Despite our efforts there was no time to head back out so the time we had set was final.
Super Attack
With fire in my belly after just missing out on P1 in the previous session it was time to go again. The plan was the same as Attack 2, going out at the end to make sure I had space for lap and it paid off, with another PB of 2:04.285 seat early on. It wasn’t the best of laps either, especially turn 2 but I stuck with it and still managed to improve on the previous session.
After a cool down lap I was ready to go again. This time I nailed T1 and was up on my best. I then nailed T2 and after a quick glance down I was approaching 1 second up on my previous best, but then there was a bang and the steering went very odd. I continued to the next corner but something felt seriously wrong. I was having to steer right to go straight and any right hand turn was nearly impossible to take even at slow speed.
Once back in the pits we discovered that the rose joint on the nearside bottom arm had pulled out. How I got back to the pits is unknown. Knowing that would be it for the session, there was frantic work on the car as we still had to go through Parc Ferme to be classified. Thankfully we got it back together, sealing P2 in class. A result we can only be pleased with. Although, with David Dyson setting the lap record earlier in the day he has now over taken me in the championship standings.
Next up is Oulton Park on the August Bank Holiday Monday. A circuit I would class as one of my favourites as I attempt to regain my championship lead.