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Wednesday 25 April 2012

2012 - Race 1 & 2 - Snetterton

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2012 - Snetterton Race 1 & 2


The FOC had a great turn out for the first race of the season. 35 cars in total (21 classics and 14 open) with plenty more expected to turn up throughout the season will keep us all entertained.  Although Chris Rea couldn't make this first race weekend, we were entertained by another Ferrari loving musician in the form of Jay Kay, in the Pink Porsche of Sarah Bennett-Baggs (just collecting signatures for his race licence was his excuse). Unfortunately the Porsche did not finish the race due to an engine fire, but hopefully JK will get his signatures and come across to Ferrari for his adrenalin rush.


Jay Kay - Potential new recruit to Classic Series

Race 1



Starting from a mid-field position on the new Pirelli PZero Rosso tyres (see footnote) was a good start, however turn in was poor into the first corner, scrubbing wide around the outside of Ray Ferguson in the Mondial T. Peter Fisk (dark blue 328GTB) jinks left pushing me onto the grass after he avoids Wayne Marrs (Red/white 328) as he spins. Returning to the track David Hatherway (Red 308GT4) has got ahead and blocks into Montreal, so I drive around the outside, taking David on the exit. Catching Tim Walker (328 Red/White/Gold) he shuts the door at Agostini and starts to pull away as we enter the Bentley Straight. Michael Squire easily pulls past ahead of entering Nelson and Ben Cartwright takes an easy pass on the Senna Straight to complete Lap 1. Hanging on with the pack of higher powered cars I see Squire twitch at the apex of Palmer.

Lap 3 sees the recovering Wayne Marrs pass as I go wide through Hamilton.

Lap 4 sees Squire parked in the centre of the track at the exit of Palmer, following a spin. He later confirms that the lack of grip from the Rosso tyres compared to the Corsa is causing him trouble.

Lap5 and Richard Allen (Silver 328GTB) has caught me. He tries taking on the entry into Brundle, but I take the wide line and block into Nelson. Along the Senna Straight he goes for the outside but pushes across to the inside of Riches. I try to keep the speed around the outside, however the grip is too low and he has me.

I try around the outside of Montreal and keep the pressure on the infield, however he pulls away on the Bentley Straight, only for me to catch him under braking into Nelson. I keep with him into Lap 6 and push hard through the infield. The Rosso's screaming in protest, I manage to dive inside into Oggies. He attempts to pass around the outside into Nelson, however I keep the speed up and hold him off.

Lap 7 and Richard takes the inside into Riches and passes.

Lap 8 managing to keep carry mores speed through Riches I notice a light mist of oil is clearly visible from the engine cover, hopefully nothing serious. It is now or never, so I decide to use the small gap he has left on the inside into Montreal and dive through. Pulling newly built engine up to 7k to keep ahead I am conscious that I may need to back off at any time, but want to pull a gip in the corners before the Bentley Straight. the engine

Finally on Lap 9 I reach the flag, ahead of Richard Allen. Yes, a class win to start the season plus 5 scalps from cars in higher classes. Result.

Catching Club Chairman Richard Allen's 328

Race 2

A shocking start drops me back 5 spots, however taking the outside line around Riches and Montreal brings me right back to my grid position behind club chairman Richard Allen. I just about keep with him along the Bentley Straight and go around him at Brundle drawing level on the inside into Nelson. Scrubbing more speed off to ensure we don't collide, I bog down in 3rd exiting and Richard pulls clear. I'm all alone at the front of Class 1 and 2 for the remainder of the race, however due to the 200 layout the front running 328's of Danny Winstanley closely followed by Jim Cartwright come through to lap the Class 1 & 2 cars on Lap 10. Finally on Lap 13 Nigel Jenkins and Wayne Marrs come through before the checkered flag. A comfortable second win of the season, even with the reduced grip from the Rosso tyres. Hopefully we will have an opportunity to raise the revs limit over the next couple of rounds.





Footnote: 

For 2012 Pirelli have supplied the classic teams with 17 inch wheels and new PZero Rosso tyres to replace the old PZero Corsa we have used since 2004. Unfortunately they are a significantly harder compound, reducing grip and therefore lap time. Only 6 cars started the first race with the Rosso tyres, including Tristec Racing. The squealing tyres are quite noticeable, so it will be interesting to see how long it takes the other teams to move across.


2012 - Snetterton Race 1 Footage
2012 - Snetterton Race 2 Footage

2012 - Snetterton Results Sheet

Click here to go to the to Ferrari Owners Club - Club Racing Series'.



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