Donington Park Circuit, Test day, 20th Feb. '01

[Sparky]

Hee Hee! What a great day!

Chris got some valuable testing in for his first race (Donington, 25th March) and a few of the gang came along too. Which was nice...

We had a play with damper settings and tyre pressures, and Chris' times were consistant throughout the session.

We have some new shocks for the last test before the saeson starts (Mallory Park, March 1st) so we should be able to sort a few more adjustments.

We had quite a few stoppages during the day, the most er... spectacular (?) being the inverted 'Ex-Clarke' Clio! As it returned to the pits on the end of a strap, it didn't look too bad, until we climbed the pitwall (as Chris went out again,) and noticed the t'other side was much worse!

Rick Pearson was there too, along with Paul Lomax and the rest of the Mark Fish Motorsport gang, and while the 172 Clio behaved itself (apart from a Flymo moment - photos to follow, I expect!) the V6-powered Clio Beastie did not. I arrived at noon, and unfortunately only saw it turn in three laps I think, before the gearchange (or possibly the gearbox itself ) started to play up. Not a happy Rickster.

One other highlight of the day, apart from the Maranello Challenge Ferraris and the BTC Production class Alfa Romeo, was Ronnie Petersons '72 March. Loud red paint, and even LOUDER exhausts!! What a machine!!
I expect there could well be a March photo or two in the Historic forum by the days end!

A great day, well worth the trek from darkest Suffolk. (I'm glad it was an afternoon session!)

Roll on Mallory!

[Les]

Glad to see you had a good time.

so who Flymo'd??

Rick doesn't seem to have much luck with gearboxes recently.

[Sparky]

Who d'ya reckon? I think he was just having some fun...

We missed you Les. Next time...

[Lorna]

Very good day despite the cold!

It was great to see everyone again, especially our superstars -, Chris Rick and Paul. Good luck with 2001.

Now for a little plea. If anyone knows of anyone or a company that might be interested in sponsoring Rick and Paul, please get in contact with Rebecca Appleton as we all know that racing drivers heavily rely on sponsors. We've supported the guys, and those that made it to the Snetterton Charity day last year will know that Rick and Paul showed their appreciation and have been great to us.

Looking forward to Chris' race on 25th at Donington

[WoodyTJ]

One fantastic day - what can I say ...... I can't wait for the season to start now.

[Craig]

[Sparky]

Oh Craig...

It's worth it to be out of Titan though, innit?

[Craig]

erm, methinks that Sparky didn't hear about today's exploits at the new place... Don't seem to have much luck when it comes to jobs, so I ?!

[Sparky]

Bloody hell bloke! What happened? Too porsonal for here?

Is everything OK?

[Lorna]

Don't worry, Craig. I took two rolls of film and they are ready to be developed. I'll let you know when I have scanned them in.

[Chris Y]

Originally posted by Sparky
..Ronnie Petersons '72 March. Loud red paint, and even LOUDER exhausts!!

You should have been in my Mini when the damn thing opened up the throttle in front of me on Starkey's! BLOODY HELL I was still deafened even with my helmet on Oh, and the red Ferrari provided me with an interesting fireworks display from its exhausts on a number of occasions..

A great day, well worth the trek from darkest Suffolk.

Yes, I second that - it was cool. I got treated like some sort of star, and God only knows how many piccies of me were taken. Just like being with the paparazzi I'm just glad Woody wasn't around with her camera while I was getting changed

Seriously, thanks for coming along guys Thanks also to the Kirkpatrick brothers for giving me something to compare with..

I Can't wait for Mallory either

Craig, What happened bloke?

[Chris Y]

Just got one piccy to post at the moment.. Here's my amazing new name stickers. I don't think you'll have a problem identifying me on track



I've just got to say..

"What have I done? My wife's going to kill me!"

(You had to be there )

[Les]

Should have gone - thought of you all though.

Car looks great Chris - shouldn't get you muddled with anyone else.

[RickP:Clio51]

Was good to see you all for what looks like being my last drive in a 172.
Found 0.6 seconds in 6 laps, got to be chuffed, but a bit pointless...
Shame about the V6, really frustrating as it needs so much set-up work before the 1st round (which is now at Monza apparently). As far as I can tell from the regs, the 1st 30 qualifiers at Monza are allowed to go to Monaco. Only 85 cars expected to show...
R

[Sparky]

85 Cars!!??

Bloomin' 'eck Rick!!

Well, you won't be short on enthusiasm, at least.
I wasn't there for the morning session - did you have any useful track time before I arrived?
Or was it poorly out of the box?

You'll do it, matey! We have faith in ya...

[RickP:Clio51]

It never ran properly.
I did 2 5 lap stints, Paul did 1.
The electronics on the gearbox had been the wrong way round when it was delivered to us and it was trying to blip the throttle on the up shifts as opposed to the down ones...
By the time we realised what it was up to, we had damaged something in the box.
Could be a challenge as Monza is not renowned for being a slow circuit... Will just have to pull a lap out of the top drawer!
R

[Carrie]

A little grassy excursion

[Carrie]

[Lorna]

Tis true. The 10 Tenths Papparazi gang was following Chris around for the day.

Digital camera is working okay then Carrie

[Carrie]

It is, but unfortunately the pic of the March which I promised Tim I'd post is nothing more than a spec on the track - will have to wait until I get the other photos developed.