Well it all started so well….
Friday was a test day, allowing the team to dial the car into a very slippery track very well rubbered in from the previous weeks BTCC event.
Saturday was scheduled for qually and 2 races:
Qually
Smallwood was out first for qually to try and take advantage of the empty track, but struggled to get the car down to the times he wanted. He was sitting 5th when he came in half way through the 15min session, having had a huge spin at Clearways trying to get on the power to early. Back out, and in the last couple of minutes he managed to get a further half second off, going quicker than Friday practice but still staying in 5th. Commenting Smallwood said he was just unable to get the car turned in at Graham Hill bend resulting in washing out wide and losing loads of time. Later, data review showed that early turn in was the problem ie the guy behind the wheel!
Race 1
Smallwood made a reasonable start getting past one car but being passed by a 996 cup from class 2, leaving him in 4th for the first 2 laps. He could see the leading pack getting away and so made a brave move down the inside into Paddock Hill which paid off as he was away and clear and maintaining the gap to the leading trio. However, about 10mins from the end the tyres starting going off badly, resulting in one of the 997 cup cars catching him and passing at Druids. So it was 5th place for the first race for the Rennsport Racing cup car. Most would have felt happy with that but Smallwood was thoroughly dejected.
Race 2
Race 2 was a different story. Starting from 5th on the grid, Smallwood got a flyer going up the pitwall passing two 997 cup cars and therefore exiting paddock hill bend in 3rd position. Pressure soon arrived in the form of Redline Run Yucel Ozbek who was trying everything to get past. In a late braking effort up the hill into Druids, Smallwood could see he was carrying way to much speed and left him room – he flew past up the inside in a cloud of tyre smoke and was beached in the gravel resulting in a safety car period.
Smallwood caught up with 1st and 2nd but, due to an invitation class in the same race, was behind a previously lapped 968. When the green flag dropped to signal racing again Smallwood had to wait what seemed like an age to get past the 968 meaning he was not hooked onto the lead two cars, however he now had Simon Blanckley behind him. Battle raged for several laps, however it did not end well. With Smallwood in a podium position on the first race weekend for the 997 cup car, he was punted into a spin at Druids by, at best, a very optimistic overtaking manoeuvre resulting in bent rear suspension which had been newly fitted the previous Thursday, as well as a puncture, bent wheel rim and broken rear P.U.
A very, very poor end to a good race. Lets hope its not going to be a contact series going forward!
Summary
The positives – the team worked seamlessly and were fantastic, we were running a strong race pace in race 2 and we seem to be getting quicker in the car which was good for only the third time out in the car.
Areas for improvement – race pace for the 2nd half of the race to avoid getting caught up in mid field mishaps.
6 out of 10, could do better
