33 replies to this topic

[Captain Vimes]

Theres live commentary and timing on TSL but its not really the same. There a couple of official Youtube videos collated by the club which give a feel for the Racing. Ill dig them out later (unless Steve has them to hand).

 

 

YouTube vid introducing the club:

 

 

The Thrills and Spills video is always a fun one to watch (all footage from 2017!):

 

[ChrisS1]

[SteveA]

Race number 2 this weekend, me and Vimes once again peddling our Caterhams this time around Cadwell Park. If anyone is in the area, get yourselves down to hopefully see Kev get another podium and me not crash this time

[rob999]

Good luck both 👍👍

[SteveA]

A great weekend of racing, the weather was good to us all the way through testing, quail and both race days. After the freezing eye opener that was Oulton Park I realised that testing was required if I was ever going to do well in Qualifying and the Race. I got there mid day on Friday to start my afternoon testing. My goal was to get up to my ultimate previous pace quickly. The last time I was at Cadwell I did a 1:44.29 which back then I thought was pretty quick by the end of the first testing session I did a 1:45 dead which I was happy enough with for an opener. In session 2 that came down to a 1:42.3 so all going in the right direction and on the final session I did a 1:41.2, it was clear testing was going to serve me well in quali already 3 seconds faster than my last best.

 

In Quali the next day I shaved another 2 tenths off with a 1:41.003, Really frustrated I didn't dip below 1:41 but still improving. At Oulton I was second last on the grid and here I was now fourth last so more improvement. On the starting grid I was 3 seconds faster than the guy behind me and 0.5 seconds slower than the pack in front so had work to do. I got a blazing start and pushed up the order but was squeezed onto the grass by another competitor so backed off and tucked in behind him which is where I stayed for the entire race finishing up fourth last with no lap time improvement 1:41.28 my fastest.

 

The Caterham Graduates lot are a great bunch and overnight I was stood around the fire pit having a few beers chatting to my fellow racers. Speaking to one guy he told my that I should soften my setup to go quicker as compliance is key with Caterhams. In the morning I softened down both ARBs and saddled up for race 2. I got another great start and held onto it this time taking the guy next to me through turn 1. The change to the setup made a huge difference and I was Immediately faster, I managed a few more overtakes and finished 14th in a field of 23 with a fastest lap of 139.99.

 

I've still got a long way to go to catch the guys at the sharp end of the grid as they are almost 3 seconds faster (quickest Race 2 lap was 1:37.05) but things are improving. With my class being the top tier there are some immensely experienced and talented drivers there with no less that 5 former series champions and a lot of the others have 10 years + racing experience.

 

The cherry on the cake was I won a trophy for best improver (most places gained), not quite a podium spot but I was very pleased

 

[ChrisS1]

Well done Steve brilliant

[hairy]

Good effort Steve!

[Captain Vimes]

Well done Steve, it was great watching you make progress in race 2! Got loads of pictures that Ill send across at some point.

[SteveA]

Thanks all. Was good to meet your family Kev and really appreciated the help and support. You got your bolt ordered? Really enjoyed watching your races too, there is certainly some stuff I can learn from your driving so I'm going to be constantly asking to see your footage

[Zoobeef]

Managed to watch the timing for your 2nd race and listen to the commentary. It sounded an eventful race! Nice avoiding that stack in the middle of the track and finally getting past red car. Good battle with the yellow caged car in one of your races Kev.

[Firthy]

Great stuff Steve interesting to hear about the setup tweaks.... no doubt you will find a sweet spot and the lap time will come!

[SteveA]

The massive bollard right in the middle of the track was a bit of a surprise, thankfully I went the right way around it.

 

Deffo, I have found out since then that most people use the softest bar (one softer than I was using in race 2) and I also saw the the pole sitter had no ARB at all. Before my next race I'm going to get to a local track and test both setups 

 

Congrats on your race Mark, we had the result up on Kev's phone and looks like you stormed it.

[Zoobeef]

First race was hard work keeping an experienced driver in a Seat Supercopa endurance car behind me.

The second race I think I should have pushed even harder but thankfully he ran out of fuel on lap 9 and retired. I got the lap record for my class too so I'm happy with that.

 

One of my coilovers is completely dead and has been for a year so they are getting a refurb. Should make quite a difference.

Silverstone is in 2 weeks, when's your next?

[SteveA]

I'm taking a break till Snetterton in August. My goal was 4 races this year. Two down, Snett and Anglesey to go. Gonna test in-between though to try and get the setup nailed.