March 17th
So yesterday was the moment of truth!!!
We got up at 6:30 which is a feat in itself on a Sunday and set off to Waterbeach. As we knew the weather was going to be wet (bit of an understatement actually!), Phil had changed the tyres from our lovely new R888s to a set of Yokohama A539’s. They would at least help on the drive to Waterbeach and of course we took the R888s with us in case the weather got better.
Once we got to the track, we put waterproofs on straight away. The weather was horrendous. Freezing cold rain and a wind which built up speed on the way down the runway in the same way the Hawker Hunters had done in the past. Well, lets just say it was Cold with a capital C!!!
Our first task was to fit the stickers, as it is required by the Sprint Series that all cars carry the sponsor’s stickers. Have you ever tried to stick things to a car in the cold, wet and wind? My advice is don’t!!! We gave up on the sunstrip as that was just going to end in tears!!! Anyway, we sort of got most of them on in the end!
At 9:30 we had the drivers briefing and then it was a mad dash to get in the cars for two sighting laps. As it was compulsory for every driver to do the sighting laps, Phil took his road car out onto the track too. I thought I best drive Humphrey though to see what it really felt like!
The track began with a layout of cones, with the idea that you go between them in a ‘gate’ sort of fashion. My first worry was that I’d get lost so first of all concentrated on remembering where they were. Then there was a fantastic sweeping left hander, opening out onto a long straight ending in a tight chicane. After that was a right hand sweep into a long straight for the finish. After the finish was a very long trek to get back to the paddock, which we were warned to drive slowly for, which made it take even longer!!
Once the sighting laps were done, it was time to start queuing for two untimed practice laps. Phil decided that as we were sharing a car, it was a good idea to out early otherwise we might find that we miss out on runs. As it happened, we did start to get behind, but the marshals realised this and allowed drivers sharing cars to jump the queue.
Phil went out first for his practice, so he could tell me what the track was like. I went to the start as it’s important to get the start right on a sprint, so I wanted to watch some others to try and pick up tips! Throughout the day, the ‘traffic light’ starting system kept failing and towards the end, the marshals were just doing a 5…4…3…2…1…GO! Which was lots of fun!!
Phil finally got to the front of the queue. For his first run the traffic light was working and he went on the green light. Through the first gate, and suddenly he braked sharply and locked up the front wheels! He had nearly missed the second gate! It was quite a sharp right from the first gate and it was out of his line of sight, so he had started heading for gate three before realising!!!
The way the track was laid out meant you could only see to the end of the coned section, and missed seeing the second half of the track and the finish. It wasn’t great for our spectators (thanks to all who showed up to support us!!). However I finally saw Humphrey driving up the runway towards to paddock, and then it was my turn!
I got a bit nervous waiting in the queue, but once I got to the front and started concentrating on my start, I felt fine. After the third gate I was loving it! However when I got back to the paddock, Phil said people had laughed at me because of how slow I was. I never expected to be a natural at this! I knew I needed to concentrate more and really get my foot down, brake less and start scaring myself!
We had three timed runs before a lunch break, and I was definitely feeling more and more confident each time. I was GUTTED when Phil brought my times back and saw that I was a good 20 seconds off the pace. However I had made a 7 second improvement from my first to last run! Phil was doing brilliantly and was first in the class.
On to the afternoon, after a yummy chilli and chips from the catering van. As the track dried out, I got more and more confident, and just had more and more fun! Phil was debating a tyre change, but every time he thought about it, it would start to rain. However, in the dry, power becomes a higher factor than skill and Phil dropped down to 3rd in class – only a few tenths of a second behind the 2nd in class – something we might have been able to claw back with the other tyres. However, on the plus side he was the fastest in a N/A Mk1 so that’s an achievement! And before you ask, yes I was slowest. Still well off the pace although improving on my morning times by 14 seconds. I’m embarrassed to say that the Toyota Aygo actually beat my times
So finally we were packing up and I was dreaming about the lovely hot bath I would have once I got home. My arms and shoulders ached, I never realised driving could be so painful. Maybe this is even something that is holding me back!
I’d had the most fun possible today. I really didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did. I was pooping myself in the morning and nearly bottled it quite a few times. At least not I’m going to be confident from the start at the next sprint and hopefully will push myself further.
Phil and I have booked a trackday at Snetterton next week, and also a tuition session each, which I’m sure I’ll benefit from immensely. In the meantime, Humphrey is being used as a daily driver as Sakura is still at the bodyshop!
