EXCELLENT CIRCUIT AT OULTON PARK - SHAME ABOUT THE RAIN AND THE DAMAGE IT CAUSED!.

The weather was very wet and on Friday in practice, 3 minutes was a good time! There had been several delays due to cars falling off the track, but Saturday looked more promising. Travelling up from Leicester @ 6am, it only took 2 hours to get within a mile of the circuit, but when the SatNav told us we had arrived, be were stuck down a farm lane! We eventually arrived an hour later just in time for breifing at scrutineering.

With a wet set-up, Mike went well for the warm up lap and then the second lap, passing 6 cars and then at the end of the pit straight changing down, he lost 3rd and to avoid the car in front put w wheel onto the grass - fatal! The car slowly slid into the tyre wall, square on, and took out all the front lights and body panels.

Fortunately the car ran, and we pulled the bodywork straight enough to be able to test it round the paddock. All seemed fine as it went up and down the box, and although Mike only recorded a couple of lap times, he was atleast in a heat in 32nd.

With friends from MotorsTV paying a visit, the heat looked to be some exciting entertainment for them, and it was for 4 laps, as Mike got past 10 cars on his way to a place in the final. Unfortunately the 3 rd gear problem returned and instead of jumping out on deceleration, it refused to stay in gear. Mike was reduced to keeping in 4th and driving on momentum like a Pro-Kart.

In the end Mike dropped back to 24th and missed the final, but with the gearbox now getting worse, he coasted round the last lap and we managed to winch the car onto the trailer, for an early end to the day - 3pm. Matt had the car back at 5pm and it was stripped down that evening.

Sunday was spent taking the gearbox out and stripping it down ready for a rebuild this week. We have some spare lights and panels, so hopefully we can have it running next Sunday and hopefully ready for Snetterton the following week for the last signature before upgrading.

The sad pictures of the little wreck will follow.