Firstly, many thanks must go to the Morgan Sports Car Club and the Northern Sport Car Club for a great day at Mallory who assisted Mike in gaining his first two signatures towards his National A licence. Secondly a big thanks to the marshalls and team at the circuit for a well organised event. Then many thanks to Matt Wisher and Adam from Everyman Racing for their input and support and finally thanks to Rich for the use of the transporter and Phil for his mechanical expertise at the end of the day.
Having enjoyed a successful practice on Wednesday morning, the aim was to crack the 57 second lap. According to Marque Cars Formula Ford boss Don Hardman, the track was running about a second slower than normal for his driver, parly due to the damp conditions, and partly because it was getting very uneven in places.
Mike had difficulty in setting the correct tyre pressures, initially running in the low 20's and in one heat at 36psi all round. Practice was very damp for both sessions, so in his 1600cc 8 valve Pug running on road tyres, Mike was able to keep up and pass the likes of a 944 Porsche, D type Jag several hot hatches, plus Morgans etc.
Mike was up against a former BTCC Civic an M3 and a variety of Caterham and Westfields. He was never going to win a race, but mid-grid in both races gave him a chance. Unfortunately in the afternoon the sun came out and several more powerful cars on slick tyres soon got the better of him.
In the first race Mike managed to beat a couple of front running stock hatch competitors, and in the second race had a good dice with a 944 and the D type. In both races he finished in the top 10 and learnt a lot of good race craft with much faster cars lapping him in the 15 minute races. Overall, Mike managed to hit regular time in the low 58 seconds, which in better conditions would have been lap record pace.
To conclude, there is a lot to be gained from the car, as the tyres were over a year old and rock hard and the damper settings were wrong to start with and eventually about right. Mike agrees that once he is in the Stock Hatch pack, he will have the chance to copy the lines of the front runners and push the car a bit harder. Today the car needed to get back undamaged to secure the two signatures fron the Clerk of the Course.
Silverstone is next on the 24th August. Hopefully some images will follow.
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