10/06/2024
Hey Guys,
Little bit of a late post but just an update for our first race of the 2024 SAMRC Season at The Bend Motorsport Park
Friday practice
Saturday Qualifying/Race 1 & 2
Sunday Race 3/4
Fridays practice was the first shakedown for the clio on the International circuit. Have driven many times in the Megane however first in the Clio. Very different to drive but wow its an outstanding car!!
Friday consisted of 4 Practice session.
Managed a 2:21 in the first few sessions getting used to the car and then snapped a 2:14.1 in the later part of the day. Just getting 20 or so laps under my belt I was able to shave off 6 seconds.
Saturday Qualifying I was required to do some licence testing which was in the first 3 laps of qualifying leaving me only 1 HOT lap to get a good grid position. I managed to pull a 2:13.8 which put me in 9th of 22 cars!!!!!
Race 1
Medium start due to nerves, best lap time was 2:16.3 finishing 13. Very new on the track and got pushed around a little as I was leaving alot of room.
Race 2
Poor start due to too much wheel spin, best lap time was 2:15.0 finishing 12th. Better pace however was getting stuck behind some of the magna's. Had the corner and braking speed however just running out of HP on the straights.
Race 3
Better start, however again too much wheel speed. Track was really cold. Best lap time 2:14.5 Had good mid pack times however battles with others pushing me back due to straight line speed. Finished P12
Race 4
Great start, track was warm, had a better plan for turn 1. Managed in turn 1 to 3 to make up 3 positions but coming in the turn 5 Hairpin had a bit too much rear brake and locked the rear causing me to rotate 90deg, managed to hold it togther but a BMW come up on the inside and we touched causing me to break the steering tie rod end sending me off the track. Driver was all ok but car had damage and had to be towed back.
Overall the weekend was fantastic, weather was great. Thanks to my pit crew Dad (Caron) and Dennis for your support for the car being ready for me to drive. Thankyou also to my sponsors. The Roller Door Co, TFI, Touge Alliance, Hyperdrive3d Interclub Challenges - Trackdays.
Just waiting for parts for the car and will be back out for the next round at Mallala on the 3rd/4th August.
Some problems with the incar footage for all the races but manged to capture qualifying and race 2.
Qualifying https://youtu.be/bypFNN5vj0o?si=OJgJlUZbeJ1Z_3OX
Race 2 https://youtu.be/dE_nB7FjdUA
There is also some great TV coverage of the weekend from BLEND LINE TV
https://www.youtube.com/live/wOAm9lwui-w?si=cf_W4vKVw610MK4S
https://www.youtube.com/live/Bf87PWvqKLY?si=xUikCLgYi6etaNuE
