The race date at Brands hatch fell on Father’s day this year and with Team Cowland managing to join me at the track for the day, who could think of a better way of spending ‘my’ day?
It turned out to be a bit of an infamous weekend all round, really. You may have already seen the internet hoo-ha about the mouth breather that managed to get his road-going Polo onto the track during the Fun Cup race on the previous day – meaning that officials were more than a little nervous about a repeat during our meeting. Thankfully, nothing of the sort happened.
The other reason all eyes were on the PGTIs this gonfiabili per bambini weekend was that none other than BTCC and British GT ace Tom Onslow-Cole had agreed to take a guest seat in one of the front-running Jabba Sport cars. Quickly up to speed and qualifying 3rd, TOC was on it from the off – resulting in a fastest lap of the meeting for his trouble.
The 8 valve class was a little thin on the ground at this meeting, but there were still a few good cars to have a scrap with throughout the day, with an uneventful qually session seeing me bag 4th in class ready for the first main race.
A great start saw me powering through the field to make up a few places, and with the normally quick Craig Roberts not making it to the finish, I was able to bag the bottom step of the podium! Race 2 saw me take the fight to the quick and well driven 16 valve car of Simon Arthrell for most of the proceedings, resulting in a fairly epic scrap for the whole 15 minutes. While it was great fun, it did mean I couldn’t concentrate on making my way forward in class, netting a 4th overall.
Once again, my new Wolfrace Track Ready rims proved to be more than up to the job of a bit of kerb clattering, taking plenty of hammering on the outside of Paddock Hill as well as on the inside of Graham Hill Bend, as I tried to make up a few precious tenths. Whatever I seem to throw at these rims, they’re happy to take it, and it’s interesting to note that a few other race GTIs are starting to sport them now too. Who knows? Maybe we have started a bit of a trend?!
Our next round is one of my favourite circuits – Oulton Park on the 5th of July.. But before then, there’s a trip to the Nurburgring to be had! Will keep you posted!
