ANOTHER OUTING AT THE PRODRIVE CIRCUIT THIS SATURDAY

Mike will be busy at the Kenilworth track this weekend offering driver instruction at PRODRIVE for Driving Experiences Direct. A week after Silverstone, he is looking forward to the next stock Hatch round at Oulton Park on the 6th September.

STOCK HATCH SUCCESS AT SILVERSTONE

Leaving home at 7am, we drove through a terrible storm on the way to the circuit, so it was no suprise that by 11am the circuit was flooded. As the first timed session went out, so did the sun, but the average times for that group were closer to 1.30 than the 1.15 lap record and Mike was a poor 26th out of 36 as he had never driven the 106 in the wet before and guessed the set up.

The second qualifying group had a dry track so were all between 1.20 and 1.14. Mike was therefore placed in the second chance heat, and by driving from 26th to 11th secured a place in the final with the top 30 qualifiers, with Mike lapping at 1.16 for his first visit to the track.
THIS IS A VIEW FROM A CAR ABOUT FOUR CARS BEHIND - MIKE IS THE GREEN 106 JUST KEEPING AHEAD OF THE PACK, BEFORE BREAKING FREE. THANKS TO JBS MOTORSPORT FOR THE IN-CAR ENTERTAINMENT. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR6uMKvXRc0&feature=related THANKS ALSO TO DARREN FOR THIS RINGSIDE VIEW OF MIKE AS HE TRIED TO CATCH HIM ALL RACE. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5CeXT4HAv9M THIS IS THE FIRST PART OF THE HEAT AND STOPS AT A VITAL MOMENT, SO HERE IS PART TWO ;-http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=M_eZmd6WrYs PLENTY OF ACTION TO SEE IF MIKE WINS OUT ON THIS MINI-BATTLE? GREAT IN-CAR CAMERA WORK. WE MUST DO THE SAME AT THE NEXT MEETING, SO WE ALSO GET A FORWARD VIEW.

In the final, Mike started in last in a grid of 30 and quickly made six places before being pushed out wide when attempting another pass and into the gravel. He kept the car going and resumed last, but in the remaining five laps clawed back four places.

The aim for this first Stock Hatch meeting was to get into the main final, hopefully via the heat so he could get two signatures. With a practice session planned before the next round at Oulton, Mike now aims to qualify in the top 30 so he goes directly into the main final.

Much thanks to Matt Wisher for the use of his car and support on the day, and to the band of brave supporters who watched from high up in the main stand.

ELVINGTON WENT WELL IN THE DB9

Another Track day passed with 40 happy customers all enjoying their ride in the DB9 round Elvington Airfield near York. It's a long day having to leave at 6am and not getting back until 8pm, with over 300 miles of driving there and back and almost 300 track miles during the day.

As always it's a micture of people who just want a treat to sit in a Supercar at upto 150 mph for a few laps, while others own similar vehicles and are there to learn how to optimise their skills. My friend Peter Felix was ther in his Audi R8 giving hot laps at £35 a time. Considering he had over 100 customers, his £85,000 purchase price will soon be recouped.

Although Mike was working for Ross Jones from Driving Experiences Direct, he was subcontracted out to Driving Sensations who also provide Porsches, Lambo and Lotus cars to compare with the Aston. Last weel Mike was subcontracted to 6th Gear and has also been offered work at Bruntingthorpe for September & October with Driver Dream Days. As soon as he passes his ARDS exams he will also be working for Everyman Racing.

FRIDAY TESTING AT SILVERSTONE IS FULLY BOOKED

Unfortunately Silverstone is fully booked before Mikes first outing in the Stock Hatch Championship. Fortunately he will be kept busy taking the Aston DB9 round Elvington for the day. The added experience of a track day would have helped, but with the strange weather we are having the conditions on Friday may be totally different to the race conditions on Sunday.

Mike was very pleased with the car at mallory, and all that needs to change is the addition of a second petrol tank, as the races are slighly longer and Mike needs the extra ballast to meet the minimum weight. We have aquired a 4x4 and covered race trailer but it will mean a 6am start Sunday morning. Pictures should follow.

Wednesday night at Gloucester is Kart night!

The SVS kart team are reformed to take on all-comers on Wednesday. So far this year the team are unbeaten with Mike setting the fastest lap in every race. This time the venue has been moved to suit some of the other teams who will now have a home advantage. We believe that the team leader of the main opposition once managed the circuit, so he should know the quickest way round. Pictures will follow.

SIXTH GEAR TRACK DAY WENT WELL

On Saturday Mike spent the day at PRODRIVE in an Aston Martin DB9 all day offering instruction on behalf of sixth gear. This was his first booking with them and as well as the selection of Ferrari, Lambo and Porsche cars, they also have an Ariel Atom and a Caterham to entertain people in. This is now the second time Mike has driven the Aston and while it is a very comfortable carto drive too and from the track in with plenty of grunt, on the track it is too heavy to throw about like a Ferrari 360 or a Diablo. Mike is booked again this Friday at Elvington.

PASSED PRODRIVE INTRUCTORS COURSE

On Tuesday at 12.30 Mike managed to pass the Instructors exams held at the PRODRIVE Circuit near Kenilworth. This now allows him to instruct at any of their events, which includes any Track Days they organise on behalf of manufacturers any bespoke testing for development purposes and the Track day experiences run by Driving Experiences Direct, Sixth Gear or Dream Days. At the moment Mike is managing at least a booking a week there to help fund his car racing.