Hednesford
22/04/07
As we arrived at Hednesford the weather
looked to be changing, there was rain in the air but as it still could go either
way as we got on with changing the gears in the Doug Nash box and checking the
car over for the meeting. Al removed the OSR lower torque arm which
connects the rear axle to the chassis at the midpoint and replaced it with a
“third link” which connects the top of the axle to the chassis behind the rear
panel. We hoped this would reduce the drive from the rear wheels and give the
front wheels chance to grip and help the car through the bends. In
practice the car was so much better; it actually turned left when I wanted it
too and even though we only had a few laps the car was obviously miles better!!
I’d never raced Hednesford before and my over-riding first impression was “jeez
this is FAST”. Managed to finish both my heats, no points again but to be
honest I was just glad to come off in one piece. Just as I was thinking
I’d get the car ready for the National and watch the final, Guy Parker came
round to announce the final would be “all in” so a quick refuel, check over was
in order before I got strapped again.
My first Hednesford final is a race I will not ever forget!! Right from
the start (which I made a complete hash of) I seemed to be getting pushed all
over the place. I hit the fence at least 3 times in the first two laps,
slewed across the track at least twice in font of the traffic but somehow
managed to keep going until the yellows came out for a hefty turn 1 crash on lap
3. As fuel had been spilt on the track it took the marshals some
considerable time to clear up and a complete re-start was called. Again,
right from the off, it was very busy, the car seemed to be going OK and I was
beginning to enjoy my race. I was still losing out going into the turns
(down to the driver, not the car) but seemed more or less on the pace and was
actually catching some of the other white and yellow tops in the race. As the 5
lap board came out I was picked up by Stuart Smith (390) coming off turn 2 and
he “helped me” down the back straight, I managed to control the slide round
turns 3 and 4 but as I did my inside front radius arm snapped which allowed the
axle to release and bury the inside front wheel in to the nerf rail…..race
over!!
Back in the pits, with
the car looking a bit sorry for itself, the team changed three wheels, replaced
the radius arm and ordered me back out on track to “try again” in the GN. I
managed to finish the last race with no further damage but came away a little
disappointed not to have picked up a point over the weekend.
All in all, I really enjoyed the whole weekend, I think we are getting better
and hope to continue in the same way as we progress through the year.
Got to say thanks to the “Team” for
all their help again.
Wayne Helliwell, Derek Fairhurst, Al Bateman, Brian, Tony, Ian, Suzzanne
and Sharon for their continued help. Special thanks to Steve Cording (Waz) for
his help at Hednesford and to Trish even though I got a rollicking after the
final! Also a big thanks to Neil Fitton of NFR Racewear for, not only, his
help over the weekend but for the loan of his 7.5 ton truck to transport the car
to the meetings, without Neil’s kind gesture I wouldn’t have raced at all!!
After the car is repaired my next meeting will be at the Skegness weekend 12th
and 13th May but the car will be out in the hands of Wayne Helliwell over the
bank holiday weekend 5th-7th May at Coventry and Belle Vue (bookings
permitting).
