VF-Racing @ Mallory Park

[Jonathan F]

Mallory Park 18th & 19th June 2011 “Classic Thunder” Round 5 & 6

Vaughan Fletcher: No:16 Class A4 Subaru Impreza

Mallory Park

It has been well over a year since the team last visited Mallory Park, and a lot has changed in that time, for both the circuit and the car.

With a new tarmac surface, and considerable ground works having taken place, we were looking forward to seeing how the combination of a fresh track and a revised car faired.

The Leicestershire circuit was playing host to the annual CTCRC festival, which had moved north from Lydden Hill in Kent for this year’s event.

Pre Race:

New suspension has been provided by sponsor “Racing Logic” and set up by “ScoobyClinic”. The system has been purpose built for the car and dyno tuned to optimise the spring settings we would require on track. Up until now the car has been running with one of their “Fast Road” kits, but the move to the “Hyper EX” system should be another step forward.

The race would also be the first outing where we would be running/testing the L-Sys2 race console from “BJR-Technology Ltd”.

John and Ben from BJR came along to Mallory to help with the set up of the on-board data logger and to upload the latest software.

The L-Sys2 is a fully integrated race console system which has been developed for the club racer. It will record a whole host of invaluable parameters including lap times, peak values for engine rpm and speed, and up to 4 temperature warning limits all in “real time”. The warning lights are there to indicate any potential problems before they become a serious issue, and will allow the driver to adapt accordingly.

By using the L-Sys2 we are hopeful that the technology will allow further improvements to be made on the set up of the VF-R Subaru, as well as being invaluable to BJR in terms of feedback on their product.


Qualifying:

Class A4 was made up of:

12. Ian Froggatt Subaru Impreza RA
16. Vaughan Fletcher Subaru Impreza RA
32. Martin Davies Ford Sierra 4x4
33. Paul Nevill Ford Escort RS2000
97. Andy Wilson Ford Escort Cosworth

With the weather being decidedly “wet” tyre choice would be critical. With two heavy down pours prior to qualifying, the track conditions were changing by the hour. With rain falling in the distance, and time running out we had to make a decision.

With a damp track, and the possibility of further showers during the session, we opted to run with the Toyo 888 tyres and a wet setting on the suspension. Only our lap times would tell if we’d made the right choice.

20 cars rolled out for qualifying, with each one taking a gamble on what tyres to run. With a mixture of slick and intermediate shod cars, it would be a close run thing to see who came out on top.

The number 47 Sierra XR8 of Piers Grange needed a helping hand to get going, which meant the 2nd half of the grid joined the circuit as the leaders were at about half distance.

With the circuit still holding onto a bit of moisture, the set up on the car worked well initially.

As the session progressed and the rain held off, a noticeable dry line appeared which was what all the slick running cars were praying for.

Towards the end of qualifying, the tyres were beginning to loose traction when pushed through Gerrards and the Esses, so we knew we’d got our best time recorded.

When the results came in:

Qualified 1st in class
Qualified 6th overall*

Fastest lap: 52.262 sec on lap 16 of 16

Back in the paddock, the tyre temperatures and pressures indicated that the set up hadn’t been working at its best, so there was still some more to come from the car.

As the races were taking place the next day, we would wait to see what the conditions were before making any set up changes.

The telemetry was downloaded from the data logger, which showed our lap times were consistent, with overlays showing almost the same data on each lap.

*After the first results were published, the driver on pole was later disqualified, which moved Vaughan to 5th on the grid.


Round 5:

With the weather looking like staying fine, it was decided that we would be running the slicks for round 5.

The suspension was set to allow for a better turn in around Gerrards, and the rest of the preparation was thankfully limited to just adding enough fuel for the race.

Due to the original pole man being dq’d, we now lined up on the inside of the grid, behind Neil Philpotts in his Evo engined Starion, alongside Martin Davies in his Sierra Cosworth (who is 2nd in class A4) and in front of Joss Ronchetti in the Sunbeam Lotus.

The grid followed the safety car around on the formation lap in readiness for the rolling start.

With Brett in the Porsche dictating the pace of the rolling start, everyone held their position until the red lights went out.

With the lead 4 cars ahead and charging, we tucked in behind Whittaker in the BMW M3 holding off any advances from behind.

Cleanly around Gerrards for the first time, the pack was quickly becoming strung out, with Winstanley, Robinson, Philpotts and Whittaker streaking off towards the Esses.

Ronchetti had dispatched Davies to sit in 6th place behind us and was charging to catch and pass us.

For half a dozen or so laps, we held a lead over Ronchetti and the Sunbeam, until an Alfa back marker decided to let go right in from of Vaughan which boxed his route and allowed Joss to capitalise and drive around the outside at Gerrards.

Traffic now played a major part in the race with slower cars making overtaking difficult and costing Vaughan dearly in terms of time. By the time he was passed, Joss had pulled a good lead out, and we knew barring any mishaps, we would be finishing the race where we stood.

Finished 1st in class
Finished 4th overall
Fastest lap: 49.118 on lap 21 of 25 (Fastest lap in class)

Back in the paddock, the suspension settings from the morning had proved to work well, but there was still room for improvement.


Round 6:

Looking to the skies, we were going to stay running with the slicks for round 6.

A couple of adjustments to the tyre pressures and the front suspension were all that were needed before we headed out for the grid.

Now on the outside of the grid and with Joss alongside us, we knew it would be a fight to get ahead going into the first corner.

With race 1 winner Whittaker and Robinson in his Ford Falcon on the front row, we were looking for them to make the break when the lights went out.

With the race underway, the thunderous Falcon powered ahead with Whittaker, Ronchetti and then the Subaru tucking into the train that was leading the race.

Down the back straight, the sheer pace of Robinson couldn’t be matched and he quickly got into pulling out a commanding lead.

Keith Butcher in the Super Touring Primera was now behind us followed by Kev Wendt in his V8 BMW, although neither seemed to be closing.

Having failed to finish race one due to a broken throttle cable, the Porsche of Winstanley was charging through from the back of the grid, and we could see he was closing at a pace. Coming out of Gerrard’s at just over half distance he made his move to pass. Getting out of shape as he got on the gas, Vaughan gave him the space he needed to pass going into the Esses.

A couple of laps later, he made the same move on Ronchetti, but in doing so he clipped the rear of the Sunbeam, spinning off in the process and firing Joss into the Armco just before the Esses.

With Joss coming to a standstill in the middle of the track, meant the red flags came out and the grid was brought into Parc Ferme while the debris was cleared away.

The race was restarted behind the safety car and with us in 3rd place behind Robinson and Whittaker.

On the restart we held position from Butcher who was quickly on the inside looking for a way through.

Finished 1st in class
Finished 3rd overall
Fastest lap: 49.601 on lap 3 of 8 (Fastest lap in class)

Summary

A great weekends racing, and a new PB lap record by well over 3 seconds.

Next round will see us head deep into Wales and to the circuit at Pembrey.

Will it be a welcome in the hillsides?

Thanks to all of our sponsors and to ScoobyClinic for again preparing the car in order for it to race.


Jonathan Fletcher

[Al Weyman]

Nice report Jonathan.

[andy robinson]

well done again, have you seen Joss's video with me, Vaughan & him coming off gerrads all passing 3 cars @ once !
Im on the outside, he goes on the inside then Vaughan try to follow only to have the gap closed, 2 wheels in the gravel trap
Close call

Subaru is right on the pace now

[Jonathan F]

Originally Posted by andy robinson

well done again, have you seen Joss's video with me, Vaughan & him coming off gerrads all passing 3 cars @ once !
Im on the outside, he goes on the inside then Vaughan try to follow only to have the gap closed, 2 wheels in the gravel trap
Close call

Subaru is right on the pace now

Cheers Andy

Was a good weekend.

Yeah, Chris in the Mini e-mailed to say sorry for getting in the way!

All good fun.

Roll on Pembrey.

J

[Jonathan F]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Nice report Jonathan.

Thanks Al.

Sorry you had a rough weekend.

J