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Wednesday 30 May 2012

2012 - Brands Hatch Preview

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Brands Hatch Indy  Preview

My first introduction to Brands Hatch was as part of the A1GP series, with access to the full GP circuit and a 1:56 lap time, however all subsequent visits to Kent have been on the much shorter, and significantly simpler Indy circuit.   





During those four further visits we have only finished the race once, however this is primarily down to the delicate nature of the 328GTBChallenge we ran during those years.

For 2006 we managed a best lap time of 55.282 seconds, finishing 2nd in class in race 1 but failing to finish race 2.

In 2007 we had an engine fault with the car, lapping just over 1 minute and a DNF result.



Whist in the USA for the 2008 Gumball Rally we returned early for the Brands race, arriving straight from the flight and setting a fantastic lap time of 53 seconds only to lose the nearside rear wheel on the exit of Druids.


2008 - Missing Wheel Footage


2006 - Brands Hatch Race 1 Footage


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



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Tuesday 22 May 2012

2012 - AMOC Race 2 - Oulton Park


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2012 - AMOC Race 2 - Oulton Park



The earlier Ferrari Classic race has highlighted that our tyres are not up to a warm and dry day so it will be a challenge.  Also with a 45 minute race we know we are touch-and-go on finishing the race, so some short shifting will be required to get the result we need.

Intermarque rolling start


The rolling start allows us to keep with the pack and by maximizing the ability of the Rosso tyres to work best when cold we take the mighty Ferrari Daytona 365GTB/4 into Cascades, running side by side along the Lakeside straight.  We have the inside line into Island and Tim concedes.

Vance, the winner from Silverstone, is limping home in the white F355 as we pass into Druids but doesn't quite make the pits and parks on the inside of Lodge.

Early excitement ahead of the Daytona Group 4 racer ‡



We keep Tim's Daytona behind for a few laps, until he finally uses his extra power to pull through the inside into Island on Lap 5.  Once he is through and we have a healthy gap ahead of the chasing pack, we settle into a comfortable pace for the tyres about two seconds down on the max through short shifting to ensure we don't run out of fuel within this 45 minute race.  I let the leaders through just before pitting to change drivers.

DB4 lightweight lapping


A smooth pitstop hands over to Mark Cavoto for his second race. Gradually gaining pace we see the Aston DBS and DB4 Zagato parked up at the exit of Britten's but unclear if they have connected.  Cov allows the leaders through and brings the car back with a second 4th in class.  We arelooking forward to the Brands Hatch round in June.



Tris & Cov ready for action!!!



2012 - Oulton Park AMOC Race 2 Footage


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

‡ Pic from Michael Robinson




2012 - Race 4 - Oulton Park


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2012 - PFfC Race 4  - Oulton Park



At a surprisingly dry, yes very dry, Oulton Park we qualify second in class with around 1 second to find to match the leading class 1 car of Nick Whitaker, but must first pass the Mondial T Cabriolet of Didier.  The plan is hatched to take him into Cascades if we get a good start.


A busy start for the pack


 Unfortunately as the start lights go out, it's the Mondial's of Didier and Ray Fergusson that get the jump and both are comfortably ahead as we enter Cascades for the first lap and comfortably pull away. I see the awesome Daytona break through the battling GT4s in my mirror. Once free Tim easily powers by into Lodge, with the GT4s of Richard Stafford and David Hatherway continuing to have a great fight.

Daytona on my tail

On Lap 7 Richard takes two much speed into Old Hall, running wide and releasing David to chase me down.


ichard wide at Old Hall

Great footage onboard from Richard's own camera @ 2:12


After a lap of close running David makes an easy pass into Old Hall and manages to keep a comfortable gap. Richard is gaining but thankfully does not have the time to attack for my 3rd in class position.  It is clear the new Pirelli rubber is struggling in the dry and actually becomes slower as the temperature builds. Possibly due to the height of the tread blocks.  After the race we check the condition of the tyres against the old Corsa Cs and it is clear that they have less grip.


David inspecting my rear bumper


The search for some old Corsa Cs is on.  Without them we will struggle to maintain the series lead position in Class 1.








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


† Pics from Simonpics




Thursday 10 May 2012

2012 - Oulton Park Preview

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Oulton Park International  Preview

We prepare for Oulton with both excitement and trepidation. Over the years the mini Nürburgring has delivered some exciting racing, but also disappointment. Our first visit was in 2004 in a Class 1 308GTB on the Island Circuit (an appropriate name due how wet the track had become) with a best time of 1:54.370.  In 2005 we returned  in the 308GTB on the International circuit setting a dry time of 2:09.800.






The dark days in the troublesome 328GTBChallenge failed to finish on both visits. In 2007 we blew the differential on the green flag lap and in 2008 we destroyed the front-end of the car with a big crash at Island Bend (a very fast left hander).



Changing to the 308GT4 for  2010 we had a shaky start with the car emptying it's oil along the pit straight on the first qualifying lap. Thankfully we fixed the car and after starting from the back of the grid we finishing second in class by just 0.176 of a second and a fastest lap of 2:10.883.
William and Tris battled all race finishing just 0.176 apart

In 2011, with confidence building in the 308GT4 we managed a 2:08.380 with a class win whilst chasing down the more powerful class 4 328GTB of Nick Cartwright.



For 2012, our fingers are crossed for a wet weekend in the north west to minimise the power deficiency of the class 1 cars.


2011 - Oulton Park Footage


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



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Friday 4 May 2012

2012 - Join Tristec Racing @ the British GP


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2012 - Formula 1 British GP

For the third year running Tristec Racing have teamed up with Marussia F1 and LDC for the British GP. This is an exceptional opportunity to experience top flight racing close up and personal with the coolest new team in F1.





For 2012 the camping tickets are not for sale to the general public and are available as an invite only from Marussia F1, LDC and Tristec Racing.  For 2012 we have retained the key facilities of:
  • Pre-erected tents
  • Showers and toilet facilities
  • Car Parking
  • 24 hour security
  • Transfer to and from the circuit
  • Saturday evening Hog Roast with Entertainment

Note that we have not kept the pay bar / catering services or huge TV screen to reduce overall costs. So all you need is a boot full of food and drink and you are ready for the party.   


Camping only is available at £150 per person (assuming two sharing)
Camping and race ticket package available at £370 per person



Space is limited so get back ASAP to ensure your spot.

If you are interested, please call Tris on 07702 292 473; email sales@tristec.co.uk,  or Cheryl on 07841 741 582; email ccooper@ldc.co.uk  and give Tristec Racing as your reference.

We look forward to catching up with you all at the track.

Ciao,

Tris














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Thursday 3 May 2012

2012 - AMOC Race 1 - Silverstone National


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2012 - AMOC Race 1 - Silverstone National


After the excitement of the Ferrari Classic race we review the starting Grid for the Intermaque Championship race.  This is the first time we have entered the two driver, 40 minute race and a little concerned over the size of the fuel tank of only 40 litres.  At a burn rate of around 1 litre per minute, we are looking at finishing the race, but only just.

This will also be the first race for Mark Cavoto.  It surprised most people that although Mark is well known around the Ferrari paddock, he had never taken his race licence. This error was rectified on the Wednesday prior to the race, so no time to test just put the kit on and get out on track.

Qualifying
The track is truly wet as we start qualifying. Thankfully the experience from the Ferrari Classic session allowed us to immediately get on the pace whilst a large number of Porsche and Astons slid off in all directions. The result is 14th out of 22 just 0.5 seconds behind Vance in his White 355 and 2nd in class B. 
Race

As we start the race the rain has stopped and there is a clear 'dry line' around the track. Oh, dear, that will make it difficult to keep the grid position.  On a full tank of fuel and the engine faltering slightly after the first race we work hard to keep up with the pace.  Losing places lap by lap, with only the odd opportunity to take other cars.  I think this will be the norm of a little Dino GT4 in this series.    

911 spins through Copse
I hand over to Mark Cavoto for his FIRST EVER race on Lap 13.  Starting slowly Mark gradually increases his pace and established a respectable result of 4th in Class, just behind an Aston V8.  An excellent result for the new pairing.
 The race was won by the White 355 of Vance Kearney, who started next to us on the grid. Well done to Vance.  Unfortunately the 355 of Tim Mogridge collected a spinning Wayne Marrs into Brooklands on Lap 28.




2012 - Silverstone AMOC Race 1 Footage


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


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