Donington Race Report 2012

DONINGTON RACE WEEKEND #1

Please bear in mind when reading this, I am attempting to write this update many months post the event as per all entries after this one up until Mallory Park, which forms the finale for the season.

Never driven at Donington before competitively, in fact i hadn't been and race on any  circuit 'competitively'. With circuit steeped in Motorsport history i wasn't too sure what to expect.

We arrive in the van with trailer and car in tow at the circuit, only to find we arrive about an hour too late to get through the Paddock Gate entrance.  So Tris decided to do a 3-4-5? point turn with trailer to turn us around.  I have to be fair to him, it was a much better attempt of getting out of a tight spot compared to when we were on our way back from our pre season test session at Anglesey   

Story - After a semi successful time at Anglesey circuit, heading home proved to be much more entertaining. Tris kindly suggested he drove home because I felt knackered.  The executive decision was taken to not drive cross country through Wales, like we did on the way there, but to come back via Chester (M56) then drop onto the M6.  Off we went.  Soon the traffic starts to build and we decided to come off the motorway and cut cross country after all and went via 'Horseshoe Pass'. Tris was quite excited going via this part of Wales once again as he started to recant tales from yesteryear and how much fun he had etc etc.....  He was so carried away in fact telling tales we got to Horseshoe Pass then he realised....'Oh cock'.  'Whats up?' i replied.  'How far can the van go when it goes into the red (fuel level)?'.  'Not far.  20 miles maybe with a good wind behind you.  Why?'  I said.  'Well we have been in the red for quite a while now.  Llangollen (the nearest petrol station) in best part of 15 miles away and we have a massive mountain to get up with a trailer, I might add'.  Oh dear, I thought.  What's the worst that could happen.....run out of fuel?  Probably!  From that point on we proceeded to ascend into the mountains knowing full well what the possible outcome could end up being, to which neither of us really wanted to have to deal with.  But having said that, i really could not be arsed to turn around to go back to find a petrol station.  We pressed on and some how we managed to get to the top of the mountain on Horseshoe Pass.  We made it i thought.  Err no.  Still miles left to go.  However we were in a much better position we could use gravity to get us to Llangollen.  Tris decided to free wheel a 3.5T van with trailer down a mountain round some hair pin bends all without using throttle or engine breaking, all in an effort to save fuel even though one or two corners were a little scary.  I suggested turning the engine off altogether to make sure when we did arrive at the bottom the mountain we stood half a chance to get to the fuel station.  I then realised, by switching off the engine, the likelihood in getting to the bottom would probably not be possible, what with powered steering.  

To cut a long story short....we arrived in Llangollen and went straight to the fuel station; did not go past 'GO' to collect our £200, just straight there.  I got out and duly filled up the van.  Paid, got back in, then Tris decided to make the biggest hash of turning out of petrol station you have ever seen.  I really thought at one point he had taken leave from his senses.  Definately spatial awareness!  No matter how hard he tried he could not manoeuvre the van and trailer off the forecourt.  I suggested why he not use the reversing camera, because that's what it is there for after all......i then got the reply 'I am'.  About a 23 point turn later and me marshalling the traffic on the road we managed to get on our way again.  What should have been a 5 min stop turned into nearly 25 mins!  Its fair to say, since his stressful ordeal, he hasn't much liked reversing trailers since!!

Back to Donington

Race weekend saw some much needed upgrades.  We needed more down force on the front to help turn in.  We were already running a splitter, but unless coupled with an Air Dam, splitters on their own do very little.  Hence an air dam was fitted.  The difference tiny piece of perspex can make to the handling of the car was quite unbelievable.  We generated SOOO much down force i was getting over steer in straight line if that is possible.  Qually turned out to be very entertaining.  After exiting the track before Craner Curves, due aero imbalance, i knew we had to make changes for the race.  

We set to adjusting damper rates, ride heights and actually managed to corner weigh it all in a few hours.  The result...it made the car a lot more drivable.  I was able to finish both Race 1 and 2.  Although not vying for a podium spot i had plenty of fun battling it out at the back of the grid.

Race 2 Video

End of lap one through chicane saw some excellent Dukes of Hazard driving doing 360 spin.  Why I spun? ....I have no idea!

Results for Weekend:

Qualification 25th on grid (out of 28)

Race 1 finished 23rd

Race 2 finished 25th