For an excellent Cadwell guide from Ten Tenths Motorsport click here.
Well, after the emotional rollercoaster at Brands the other week it's on the the circuit rollercoaster at Cadwell.
Those of you who followed my progress last year will know that Cadwell is not a lucky circuit for me. I've snapped a cam and then had to leave the circuit whilst qualifying on pole due to work commitments. So in reality, I've never finished a race there. Still, my new found luck and number would see to that! Or would it....
Just Hels and I racing at Cadders. Hels loves it (so do I) and has done well here. It's a popular circuit with the Locosters and this showed in the large number of entries necessitating a qualifying 'heat' then race. Anyway, I'll cut to the chase as I've not got a huge amount to say.
We got ourselves organised and to the assembly area early with only the Beckwith cars in front of us. The weather was great - again, and so I was looking forward to getting in some quick laps without falling off at the Gooseneck or Mansfield. We were on the short circuit which was a bit of a shame, but still good fun. We pulled onto the circuit and I tried to get into some sort of rhythm. However, Colin Beckwith had other plans and I once I had caught him (2 laps) I just couldn't get by. I was way quicker than Colin but he must've thought we were in a race as he refused to budge to allow me by safely - WHY????? Not willing to risk both our cars I tried everything I could, but coming up into Charlies I got frustrated, missed a gear and introduced the valves to the piston crowns by over-revving the car. It spluttered on on what felt like 3 cylinders but it was pointless to continue. I was mad as hell. In a race - fair enough - you're in front so block all you want. But in qualifying - I mean, what's the bloody point! Anyway, we whipped the head off and sure enough, at least 3 valves weren't seating properly. A search round the paddock revealed no spares so I had to retire without a race :(
Still, it did give me a chance to watch the action up close. The heat race was marred by some BIG accidents. Tim Grey and Matt Cherrington had a BIG head on impact resulting in 2 written off cars and two trips to the medical center. Fortunately, both were OK if a little stiff and sore from their experience. Come the re-start, Ian Grey (Stuart Taylor motorsport) came a cropper when he lost the back on the exit from the Goosneck putting the wheels onto the grass which sunk in, flipping the car into a 5-time barrel roll :( Again, fortunately Ian was OK but the car was totalled. Ged Sidnell looked as if his front wishbone had broken as he speared into the armco at the Hairpin causing more disruption. Hels managed to steer clear of trouble (Ian was right in front of her) to finish 9th. The main race saw James Grantham and Darryl having their usual ding-dong battle, but Darrly got it wrong into the hairpin and span. James slipped past with Brian Mitcham whilst about 6 cars collected Darryl. Carnage! Fortunately it was at low speed and no-one was hurt.
So there you go. Hopefully better things will come at Pembrey (snapped a cam there too last year!). I hope so as I could do with the points!
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