MIKE FIRST HIT

Mike STILL ON CLOUD 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BIRMINGHAM 29/07/06

After many years of being a wannabee F1 Stockcar driver the day finally arrived that I (Mike Ashcroft) would achieve a life’s dream!! Derek and the team had spent many hours preparing the shale car for me the week previous so we were able to arrive early at Birmingham and take advantage of the mid afternoon, paid practice session.  I took the car out twice during the afternoon, got on OK with the car and managed to get a feel for the track whilst there were few or no other cars out there with me!! A few alterations were made and it was soon time to go out in open practice by which time plenty of other drivers had arrived and were keen to get on track. I was keen to see how I felt in traffic before the meeting proper so as soon as we had the car scrutineered I fastened my belts, took a deep breath in and took to the track. I decided that my best plan would be to pick on a car as it came past and see how long I could stay with them and pick up their lines etc. I honestly can’t remember which car I picked on of the many that flew past but the answer to the question was not very long!!!! As the practice laps ticked by I became more comfortable with the car and was surprised how closely you can run to another car, sliding in the same direction without feeling that at any moment it could all go horribly wrong. I managed anticipate every driver who came behind me and was careful to allow them room with one exception, a certain Mr. Wainman who took great delight in announcing his presence with a timely tap on my rear bumper. As we pulled up to leave the track I came along side Frank, he just gave me a knowing look and off he went!!

I was due to race in heat 1 & 3 of the 2/3rds format and it was soon time to line up. The nerves that were strangely vacant from my day suddenly arrived as I sat on the back straight watching the rest of the field assemble, a few drivers gave me a nod as they past but before too long we were off and rolling. The rolling lap was surprisingly quick and I found myself reaching for second gear before the green was out but as soon as I had changed up the greens had come out and the race was on!! Things seemed to get off to a good start, the other novice who had been along side me didn’t come past so that was objective 1 out of the way. After 3 or so laps I was aware that Dan Johnson (4) was catching fast, so, as per my instructions from DF, I tried to allow room to pass but not loose too much speed. “That went well” I thought to myself as Dan and a couple of other came past so I carried on in the same way for the next few laps, I was really enjoying what was, for me, dicing with the other cars as they came by but it appears I didn’t leave enough room for Stuart Smith junior (390) as he decide it was time I took a ride.  I don’t think he hit me particularly hard but inside the cab it felt like Armageddon had broken out!!  Stuart sent me sideways and up the side of Rob Whitaker (142) which, in turn spun me sideways and backwards into the fence here I stayed for the bulk of the rest of the race. I finally found a gap in the traffic and limped onto the infield with an outside rear flat only to see the chequered drop for the eventual winner, Dan Johnson. Got a bit of a rollicking off DF for driving across traffic to get of the track and for driving off the centre without checking for damage 1st…fair point Derek.

Heat 3 (my second) was great!!! Loads of close racing got a big squeeze off Paul Harrison (2) and AN other coming off turn 3 which rattled me in the wall coming up the home straight and got what felt like a big hit off Ed Neachell (321) for getting under the feet. I felt much more at home in the car and I think I had learned a few lessons from the 1st race which paid off with a race finish and an ambition achieved.

Tried to blag my way into the final but was told not to be silly so made do with watching Paul Harrison (2) win a very fast and furious race, glad I didn’t get in now!!

The Grand National was next up for me where I made a complete shambles of the start, missing a gear and the entrance to turn 3 which allowed the whites to catch me within 2 laps!! Somehow I survived the first few laps and settled down into a rhythm again finishing the race with NO DAMAGE.

Overall, I can only describe the night as an experience of a lifetime, the power, noise, speed and overall bedlam of the racing gives you a rush you cannot compare, if you can DO IT.

Huge thanks go to (in no particular order) Derek and Suzzanne Fairhurst, Bob and Joan Timperley, Brian, Tony, Lee Fairhurst, Josh and Andy Coleman, Kay and Neil Fitton, Trish, Kirsten, Jack, and everyone who came by with there best wishes etc.

Mike