7th July 2012: F1 British, Ministox British, and V8 at Coventry

With four cars leaving for this meeting, we did as much as we could the night before. Everything was going to plan the following morning until I went to load up my car. Basically, it sounded rough! So after an hour of messing about with it, I decided to take it to Huddersfield to see if Ian Whitworth could shed any light.

In the meantime I had tried to think of various options which would enable me to get a drive.

Dad and the family set off in the Big Truck, and me and Dan Clifford went to Huddersfield. We were an hour late leaving, same old!

At Ian’s we decided there was definite problem, which meant I wouldn’t be using my own car this evening. A few days prior to this, Neil Holcroft (496) had visited the farm. He noticed that I didn’t have an engine in mine. Before he left he told me that if I had any problems sorting it out to ring him and that he would take his car to Cov. It was my last resort but I gratefully took up Neil’s very generous offer.

Everything was pretty chaos as we arrived in the pits. As well as the parking being tight, ‘Young Un’ was straight out for his mini heat, followed closely by Phoebe in her V8.

JJ’s first race didn’t go that well, he just didn’t seem to get going. I don’t think he even got a top 10?

Phoebe was going well though. She seems to go into the corners less erratically than some of the others and often comes out smoother. She’s doing great and is up into fourth place before getting spun out.

I’m in heat 1 and wondering what this beast can do? Well, I was pleasantly surprised! Going well, going quick too. I was in a top 3 spot and went for Lundy; unfortunately it didn’t quite go to plan and we both went out. Managed to keep the car going though and got sixth place.

Danny’s out in heat 2 and like me finishes in a 6th place.

The Ministox are back on. This time young Frankie is going much better. Without problems he finishes in fourth place.

In Phoebe’s second race she is once again going well before getting spun out. She battled on and finished in tenth place.

Heat 3 for me and once again the car felt mint! A better race and result for me, fourth. Danny’s heats on after this and he earns himself another sixth spot. A quick tally-up on points reveals that I’m starting on the third row outside and Dan is row 6 outside.

JJ’s British is on now, and unlike F1 they start in normal grade order. He’s not totally as on the pace as 1 or 2 others, but does well getting into fifth place before being deliberately taken out by a lap down car.

Phoebe’s turn. Her final was her best race, she holds her own and makes pace, finishing in seventh spot.

The ‘Big Race’ is going out on track now. I get off to a great start! Danny gets a right front flat on about lap 4. I soon find myself sitting comfortably behind Murray (97) and nobody seems to be close behind. The race remains like this for some time. I come across Ryan, who did slow me a little…

On the last bend I take a dive for Murray. We both sailed wide and Craig Finn followed by Mick Sworder blast their way past. So I finish in third place. A fab race and meeting.

Frankie