After the last round at Snetterton we had some repairs to make after a component failure in Super Attack. Back home we concluded a longer threaded rose joint was required to ensure that there was enough thread contact within the bottom arm to prevent it pulling out again. After a few days of searching the exact part was located and it was fairly simple job to get the car back on its wheels and rolling.
While we had the car up in the air we also performed an oil change as the last one was a few rounds ago and with the busy upcoming schedule it seemed like the perfect time to do it. We also changed the gearbox oil again after losing some fluid when the lower arm failed and pulled the driveshaft out of the gearbox. Other than this it was just a basic check over of the car to make sure there wasn’t anything else that needed doing before heading over to Oulton Park.
Once we arrived at the track there was actually a few more jobs to carry out. Not something we like to do but as we don’t have level ground back at base we had to do the geo setup on the car in the pit garage. While we had the car up in the air and few extra bodies to help out we also did a brake fluid change which was well overdue looking at the colour but the car was now ready to go.
Warm Up
As has been the new normal, the plan for Warm Up was 3 steady laps to secure the single point on offer before getting down to the important business of going fast! On my first attempt I managed to make a steady 1:54.352 which was about where I wanted to be but I was feeling good so decided to push on a little more after a cool down lap. On the second hot lap I registered a 1:50.546 which was a new PB, improving on last years lap time, on lower power and with less effort. This left me feeling very confident for the day ahead, confirming what I already knew regarding the cars performance and potential for a strong result.
Attack 1
After a front wheel swap between Warm Up & Attack 1 to get some fresher rubber on the car and optimize performance I headed straight out to continue my run plan. Frustratingly, on my first attempt while the Garmin was showing I was up on my previous PB I came up behind a slow moving car not paying attention, subsequently ruining the lap. Soon after a red flag was waved due to a car stopped on track and another in the gravel. After losing almost a quarter of the session due to the delay, I was well aware that time was of the essence. Unfortunately though on the first attempt back out a boost hose blew off the car. I had to limp the car back to the pits but worked out I had worked out there should be enough time to get the hose back on and get out again. However, unknowingly to me, the session had been shortened and we ran out of time making it lost session with no time set.
Attack 2
After a frustrating Attack 1, it was time to crack on with the day, after all, each session is a new chance to get lap time on the board and secure some points. But again, the session did not go smooth at all. Having had laps ruined by cars on slow laps not paying attention, several attempts where condemned. I was starting to notice a trend but tried to keep focussed. Eventually managing to set a new PB, but only quick enough for fourth in class. I just needed to find some space on track and set a clean lap.
Super Attack
With only a splash of fuel needed, the car was good to go. Time to refocus after the frustrations of Attack 2. We also decided to get to the collection area early to be near the front of the pack in an attempt to find some space out on track. In the session there was no hanging about, straight onto a fairly rapid out lap to get everything up to temp quickly. The first attempt was going very well, with clean air, I was roughly one second up on the previous PB at the half way point of the lap. Unfortunately on the exit of Knickerbrook I got a little too greedy with the throttle, asking too much of the car on exit and running slightly wide. Sadly, this caused an inner cv joint failure, something I recognised straight away but I wasn’t giving up so I kept my foot in and accelerated out of the corner and up the hill. On the next left hander it proved too much and the car wouldn’t make the turn, pushing me off the circuit at around 100mph and across the grass. At this point I knew my day was over but in a shear will of defiance I got going again and limped the car back to the pits to retire instead of retiring at the side of the track. I have always said I will drive the car as hard as I can until the wheels fall off or it won’t go any more.
It was a day of much promise but ended as a day of frustration. Not something I can dwell on for too long as we are back out again in 13 days at Brands Hatch for Round 6. I will be looking for redemption to get my championship quest back on track.