Sunday turned out to be a very busy day, a lot of hours were spent trying to get my 2015 shale car ready for Frankie to race. We pulled it out of the container, and then it dawned on me how much we have to do! Danny had kindly lent us his spare engine.
With so much to do we were late leaving home, but still we managed to arrive just in time for Frankie’s first F1 heat. He was going to find this car a bit different as it was completely set up for left foot braking, something he hadn’t had any experience of. He had a steady start, didn’t do owt daft, and finished his first race as red top in 8th place.
All three of us were out in heat 2. A good race finish for Danny who got second. My race was short lived and after 2 laps I was out. Young Frank didn’t quite have the confidence or experience to hit and pass a couple of drivers who he was slightly quicker than, this delayed him a little bit and he finished in 12th.
Heat 3, and things didn’t get any better for me, half a lap and got a flat tyre. Danny drove another good race and got third.
All-in for the final. Frankie 555 was off front outside, not sure who was pushing but they all seemed to get put in on the first bend, and a big pile up! I got through, Danny got tangled and was a lap down.
Towards the end, a caution was out, and I was second behind Dowsy. I gave him a tap to get past him, he dived bombed me next bend and we both went out wide.
I come out just ahead and pulled some ground, only to get a flat with 2/3 laps to go. Dowsy saw his chance and put a good hit in, enough to stop me. I still got 6th so not all bad.
Danny recovered from his earlier bad luck and got eighth.
The National wasn’t much to shout about either. Danny got put out after a couple of laps. I was running with Rob 318 & Mat 16 before my diff went.
Only Ted was still in the running. He was going okay, but the engine started to flood up with 2 to go, so he pulled off.
No race wins but a few decent places between us. Roll on Cov!
Frankie.
Thanks to Martin for these pics – cheers pal!
