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With testing on the Friday evening and no racing ‘till Sunday, we decided to forego the long weekend and head up on the Saturday. On PH we had found out that graham had had a big off and a quick call put us in the picture. A sticky throttle had put him into the tyres at a vast rate of knots and the front of his car was decidedly second hand. Both He and Jamie at www.castle-race-engines.co.uk had put in a huge amount of work to get the car there in the first place so we offered our services. The only bit they needed was the front radiator frame (which we had for our Dulford Monster Tuscan) so we loaded it up with our kit and took it up.

By Saturday evening, we had dropped off the Frame, and checked into the Hotel. After a Steak, several beers and a good nights sleep we arrived trackside at 08:00. For the first time this year, we put the marquee up in the dry and headed over to scrutineering. After a bit of a meeting we were passed, but we need to modify the cage slightly for Rockingham. Off to “Qualy”!

The track was damp and I really wasn’t in the mood…and it showed in my lap times. I really couldn’t get in the groove. Its three years since I’ve been to Cadwell and the greasy, damp conditions weren’t helping. Both Sam Head and Mickey Holden from Group C had pinched places on the grid off me…but I knew I could start well so I should be OK. I was still p1ssed off though!

With the work done for the moment, I finally had time to walk around the Paddock and see how everyone was. Deano was on Pole and flying so I mead a beeline for him. Dean was there for the whole weekend as were the rest of the TWR guys. After Friday practice, they were offered and Race on Saturday. If I’d known I’d have made the effort! Anyway, Dean and Howard had particularly good form managing 2nd and 3rd respectively against all comers and beaten only by a “local” in a Caterham 400, the 400 being 400bhp/tonne!  An excellent start to the weekend and it really put Dean and Howard in the mood.

Also in the Paddock was Marc Hockin in his awesome Griff SC 500…and it was now inter-cooled! Still running low boost as a precaution, his car was looking fantastic and put in some seriously quick times, bettered only by Deano. Unfortunately, the long delays during the coming red flag periods would “glitch” Marc’s ECU causing it to go into safe mode; he would not make the restart.

Another casualty was Steve Hall in his “Thorpedo”. The first time the car had been out since its damage at Oulton Park in the maiden round, it had developed an oil leak during “Qualy” and was withdrawn for checks. A serious peace of kit that and one that I’d love to race alongside…if only for the noise!

 About now, Graham finished his Tuscan and got through scrutineering! A fantastic effort I have to admit. The car was on hell of a state after hitting the tyres head on at least 60mph. A testament to both the car, and the Driver. I was frankly amazed! He qualified in a later session and would be starting from the back of the grid. Superb!

The day passed quite quickly through lunch, and before we knew it, we were called to the Holding area. Deano had cooked his starter over the weekend and would have to be bump started, and Graham was pulled on a couple of bonnet repairs, which were fixed on the spot. We just watched and waited. Focus.

Out we went on green flag lap. This shows us where the Marshals are, that the track is clear and gives us the opportunity to warm up tyres and transmission. All was good. We lined up and waited. Lights out…GO!

A reasonable start got us past a couple and the pack poured over the hill two abreast, Graham passing me already. God that car’s quick! We followed the Tuscan pack of Rich Wright, Tony and Graham as they jostled for position. After two or three laps, Tony and Graham past Rich and started to pull away. At Barn corner a few moments later, one of Grahams oil unions let go and he disappeared on this on his own oil He was already on fire as he hit the wall, but the Marshals were right there and were on it right away. In the confusion I kept on full pace and managed to over-take Rich at the top of the track, but moments later the Red Flags came out for Graham’s recovery and we slowed into Pit lane. Red flag means positions as of the start of the lap, which meant my ace over taking manoeuvre didn’t count…hey ho! We stacked and waited.

Grahams recovery took a while, his car had to be recovered and he’d put a lot of oil down. As you probably know, proper racecars don’t have fans, so the Tuscans got very hot as we waited. Deano had real issues as with no starter he couldn’t shut down and just before we set off again, his car boiled over and he was pushed to the side. Off again under Green Flags. Half way round Marc’s Griffith dropped out with his ECU problem and as we lined up again we were down three cars.

Howard Bryan was effectively on Pole and made the most of it as he scampered off. Tony too made a good start and I managed to nip into Third! There then followed a cut and thrust battle with Rich Wright in his Tuscan, but after only a lap or two, Deano turned up scything through the pack on his way to a win from the pit lane. I made him wait for only two corners before he blitzed through at a tremendous pace. It really was a serious race weekend. The next three or four laps were spent trying to re-pass Rich, but we just didn’t have the pace. Some very close racing though and great fun. We gave each other a pat on the back on the way to the podium. We are both relative “Newbies” to racing, but we’re catching Tony fast.

A mention here for Sam Head, Mickey Holden and George Carter. I can’t comment on their races, but Sam was only a few seconds behind me at the line and the other close behind him. Sam still has a clean sweep in Group C, which makes him favourite for the championship. Well deserved as he is always there and always on the pace with well presented car. Just what the “Challenge” is all about.

Next round is the 60th Celebrations at Rockingham on the 5th August. As there’s a Trackday on the 4th with many of you attending, it’ll be great to see so many of you. A real tvr racing event with a full grid from T400R to Tasmin and Tuscan to GTFs its sure to be the one to watch, which incidentally nearly 2000 of you will be!

Andy
Tvrcc TDO
TVRCC Tuscan Challenger.