Nippon Challenge Final

[Jonathan F]

Vaughan Fletcher No:15 Brands Hatch 24th October 2010 Rounds 13 & 14

Brands Hatch was the final race meet of the year, and all was left to play for in the Nippon Challenge title race.

Having taken the highest number of class wins this season, Vaughan had the GT300 class wrapped up after rounds 9 & 10 at Cadwell. However for the whole series Vaughan was level pegging going into the event with fellow Subaru driver Dale Gent on 5 race wins a piece.

Following Cadwell the car was fitted with one of ScoobyClinic’s XT-R billet turbo’s for the AAA races at Castle Combe, and so as not to change the setup, the car was entered in GT500 for the last event at Brands.

Nippon:

Having the use of the garages at Brands, meant we would be in the relative lap of luxury.

With the car unloaded, it was put up on axle stands in preparation for the following day. This would allow us to quickly fit the best tyres for qualifying given the weather in the morning.

The suspension was set according to the circuit, but this would be checked after the first session on track.

Race Day:

Race day dawned dry and bright, but with the track temperature at around 8°C it would be greasy where the sun hadn’t broken through.

The car was given a final once over and fuelled for qualifying.

It was decided to run with the Silverstone tyres, which with hindsight could have been a costly mistake. The pressures were dropped to take into account the weather, as the temperature would mean the tyres would take longer to reach their optimum performance, and we wanted to do all we could to allow Vaughan to get the most from the car.

Qualifying:

GT 500 was made up of:

15. Vaughan Fletcher Subaru Impreza RA
44. Ian Froggatt Subaru Impreza RA
88. Dale Gent Subaru Impreza STi

With a full grid of 32 cars we wanted to get a good grid position for the start of race 1. However as the cars were taken to the pit lane straight from the noise test, the position we got was a lottery, but we ended up 2nd in the queue behind the other ScoobyClinic Impreza of Ian Froggatt.

Traction was indeed lacking in areas on track, with Graham Hill Bend being the site of the most sideways action.

Coming into the corner, the back end kept stepping out, but was controllable. However whilst on a hot lap, the back end got a bit out of shape as the power was fed in, and it quickly spun and headed backwards towards the tyre wall. It was looking like it was going to be an early bath for the team! At the last second the car changed direction and ended up parked against the tyres with minimal damage. A broken mirror and scuffs to the driver’s side were quickly repaired with a few cable ties and some t-cut!

When the results came in we were surprised but pleased to see that even with the spin Vaughan had secured his 4th pole of the season.

Qualified 1st in class
Qualified 1st overall
Fastest lap: 59.900 sec on lap 8 of 9

Round 13:

Starting on pole on the inside of the grid, we had (on paper) the best line into Paddock Hill Bend, and known as one of the most fearsome corners on any circuit we wanted every possible ounce of help, as with an eager chasing pack, nothing would be clear cut.

With the lights out, all the front rows got clean away, and Vaughan kept the lead briefly until being overhauled by the chasing duo of Froggatt and Gent.

With Froggatt leading and Gent giving chase, Vaughan kept in contention with both of them, closing the gap and looking to make his move when the time arose.

Challenging for the lead, on the entry to Graham Hill Bend, Gent dropped a couple of wheels on the grass, and from then on in he was a passenger as he skated high up the grass banking, dropping him back down to 8th place.

Dale’s mistake handed 2nd place to Vaughan, and cleared the way for an attack on the first place Subaru of Froggatt. With a battle ensuing, Fletcher challenged for the lead at any available opportunity, with both Impreza drivers putting on a spectacular show of racing skill for the attending crowds. A few laps in on the run up to Druids, the constant pressure of Fletcher crawling all over his boot lid distracted Froggatt and he ran wide into the gravel, gifting the lead to Vaughan.

From this position he pulled out a commanding lead of over 14 seconds to take the win.

Finished 1st in class
Finished 1st overall
Fastest lap: 53.723 sec on lap 15 of 17

Back in the garage, the suspension settings from the morning had proved to be spot on with excellent even temperatures across all 4 wheels.

Round 14:

With a repeat line up for row one in race 2, it was anyone’s guess as to how the start would turn out.

With the lights out, Fletcher, Froggatt and Gent got clean away, with Froggat taking the lead out of Paddock Hill Bend. A stalled car on the grid brought out the safety car to bring the pack under control whilst he was cleared from the grid.

With the race back underway Froggatt capitalised on the safety car pitting and pulled away from Fletcher and Gent.

Over the next few laps, Fletcher pulled away from 3rd placed Gent and overhauled Froggatt with a passing manoeuvre on the inside of Clearways.

Once ahead, Vaughan settled into his stride and drove on to extend his lead and to take the chequered flag.

Finished 1st in class
Finished 1st overall
Fastest lap: 53.427 sec on lap 6 of 16

As a result of the day’s racing Vaughan increased his race wins to 7 and took the 2010 Nippon Challenge title, to add to the GT300 class title he secured a few weeks earlier. A fantastic result for Vaughan and the team.

Thanks have to go to all of our sponsors, the supporters and friends/family who have stood by Vaughan throughout this season. ScoobyClinic have produced an awesome car with superb reliability, and it’s a combination of this and Vaughan’s skills behind the wheel which have secured him the 2010 title.

Without all of the above, the results we have achieved would not be possible, and we are indebted to you all.

Well done Vaughan!!

[BertMk2]

Do the cars run on slicks or treaded tyres?

[Jonathan F]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Do the cars run on slicks or treaded tyres?

Hi BertMk2,

The majority of the cars are on "Silverstone" tyres, which are similiar to 888's etc.

Some run Federal or the Toyo's

Cheers