CUMBRIAN CRUISE

Another 4 hour cruise from the Midlands to Cumbria was the last 'practice meeting' before then next Stars round in two weeks. In good weather the circuit is a gem to visit and drive, but it has it's own weather system and by Sunday it was overcast. The track is up and down, with a couple of hairpins, so keeping momentum is critical. Mike knows from experience that you need to drive an agressive line through the flat sections, but be very smooth on the inclines. Mike said " It took Ash a while to adjust to the lines I was suggesting, but he improved as the meeting progressed." In the first heat As started in 9th and ended up in 10th, which was OK, but Ash had initially made good progress but then sadly got passed by his main rivals as they worked their way up, but good points for the final.

In the second heat Ash started in 3rd, and quickly made 2nd and then followed his team mate Matt Parry over the line for some good points for the final grid. The lap times were reasonable and Ash seemed to be getting to gripos with the track.

In the third heat, a top 10 finish would secure a good grid position for the final. Ash started in 17th, but ended up in last after the first lap. With most of the quick drivers already at the front, it would have been a struggle to get a podium, but to finish in 20th was a disappointing result, leaving Ash in the middle of the pack for the final.

The lap chart would indicate that in the final Ash was the 9th quickest, in a group which included Matt Parry. all 4/10th's off the quickest. The pace is there, but starting mid-pack Mike was concerned about the first lap carnage which might develop.

As you can see from the final graphic Ash started 8th. A better result in the final heat could have put him onto the second row. The graphic says it all, with most of the top 10 dropping well down the field from the start. Matt Parry survived and Ash initially jumped into 4th, but a number of drivers from the back took advantage of the mayhem at the front and made ground. Ash dropped to 15th and stayed there.

A weekend off and then back to Rowrah again to make full use of this weeks practice. The aim has to be a top 10 finish and hope that Ash will raise his seeded position from 14th. To conclude, Mike said "Provided Ash keep listening to my advice he will get smoother and therefore quicker. Only experience and track time will ensure that he misses incidents that can wreck his race or even his season. Ash has to realise that it won't happen overnight as most of his competitors have the advantage of 4 years more in the seat. We are making up ground on them, but still have a way to go before I can see Ash collecting a Stars trophy."