Well everyone was looking forward to the first races of the year, but with a slight tinge of anxiety. Cadwell is a wonderful track – the UKs Nurburgring – but with loads of off camber bends, gradient and only two cars wide in places it makes for a busy lap in a race tvr.

We missed testing as I had to work, but we arrived around 10pm, to the quagmire that was posing as the tvr Pit Area. Just managing to drop off the trailer and make it out of the car park, before nipping to the Hotel for a cold pint and a warm bed. A lot more than many could look forward to in the Paddock. The SC-Power boys had come along so a few beers were definitely on the cards.

Up bright an early the next morning and the Sagariff was unloaded next to Tim and Keith, the “Rookie Tasmin” boys who have been with us on the winter academy days. The cars were then moved through the scrutineering bays and we signed the relevant paperwork, after that there was a short break before Qualy.

The weather would threaten rain and hail all day, but it stayed dry for us…though the track was very cold and green. The guest 2500M buried itself in the tyre wall opposite the crowd watching by the Café on the first lap and I went completely sideways in front of Cliff “CJ’s” T350R twice! I wasn’t sure why, though it was obvious later, but the car was very loose and it showed in the times. However others were going great guns. New boy Mick Saunders put in a stellar lap in his Yella Cerby. Less than 0.5s behind Pole-sitter “Deano” Cook in his very quick AJP Tuscan. Result! He’s going to give me trouble over the summer. Another good Qualy for Cliff in his T350R. A 1.44 put him 2 secs faster than me, but the car looked much quicker. Mickey Holden showed how hard to beat he is going to be this year by out qualifying me in his V8 Tasmin. Only 17 but with a years tussling with Champ Sam Head behind him, Mickey is going to be a top contender for the Series crown in ’08 and he started as he means to carry on. Keith (Keefyboy) did well to get within 4 secs of him in his first Qualy. Marc Hockin was blisteringly fast too in his new GroupA Tuscan but ended up at the back after technical probs.

So, First race was just ahead of lunch and was dry! Wahoo! I was 9th on the grid but had a flying start and was 4th by the first corner. The car was moving around a lot and I had some seriously fast cars behind me now. Defending my position put even more strain on the tyres. This turned out to be my problem all day. Shot slicks are worse than road tyres, and controlling the wayward back end was costing me dear. The front was being pinned nicely by the SC Power aero kit, but the back is done by the throttle so I was in trouble. CJ’s T350R, Tony Abram and Marc’s Tuscans all pushed through over the following 5 laps or so and I had to defend hard against Tim Broughton’s Turbo Tasmin until he had difficulties…we finished to the applause of the Crowd and the rattle of hailstones on the windscreen. Just in time.

With no tyre truck on site, it was out on the same tyres for Race 2. Amazingly the weather held for us again. Starting from the middle of the grid my start was only average this time as those wayward rears scrabbled for traction. All the usual suspects took off and I spent the race power sliding out of every corner and drifting around the faster sectors on my own. Great fun, but not fast! Still keeping the pace I could, I managed to catch Mick in his Yella Cerb.  He was having his own problems as he’d been locking the front tyres under braking most of the day so his tyres will be shot too…but he had enough to hold me off for the last few laps to keep his podium slot. I finished 4th, one higher than race one as graham Walden had gearbox issues and was only out to complete the race.

So, man off the Meet? Well, difficult one this. Deano Cook took the tvr lap record so is in there. Marc Hockin also broke the lap record (with Deano taking it back again) with periodic mechanical issues…but for me it was Rookie Mick Williams in his yellow Cerbera. Never raced before…only trackdayed at Brands a few times and driving a home built car with a std road AJP! Taking second on the grid via a stellar Qualy lap and finishing well in both races at one of the toughest tracks in the UK, great stuff.

Lets hope I cream him at Snett! I think we lost a couple of seconds a lap due to lack of grip which keeps us in with a chance. We have some ideas on improvements at the rear too, so we’ll have to see how things progress, but it’ll take some work to get amongst those Tuscans! See you there.

For pictures of the first wo rounds click here

Andy
No 89
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