Free Practice/Qualifying

Free practice and qualifying went as well as could be expected. The car hadn’t been run on track since the engine rebuild so both of the free practice sessions were used to shake the car down and scrub tyres in. The weather was pretty changeable which made getting the car set up tough, but we did our best.

It was completely dry and very warm for qualifying, but we paid the price of lack of running time.  We found it hard to set a quick time and ended up qualifying near the back of the field for both races. It was decided to make a few changes to improve font end grip and we’d see how we went in race 1.

Race 1

Warm and dry again and we felt positive that we could do better than our qualifying position suggested, however our race didn’t go to plan. The first lap provided some exciting moments, too exciting for some. Our race came to an end just after Surtees when we got mixed up with someone else’s accident and damaged our front radiator. With the car limping back to the pits we didn’t know if our weekend was over or not, but we’d do our best to get out for race 2 if we could.

The damage wasn’t as bad as we first expected, replacing the radiator was all that was needed and we had a spare.  We would be out for race 2.

Race 2

This race was much more sensible and we improved our overall speed, eventually being classified in 19th after a few close battles in the middle of the race. Not a great result but after so long out of the car and very little set up time we did OK. We managed to get a reasonable amount of track time to help develop car set up and the engine work has proven a success, which was important.

We’re all looking forward to the next outing and for better results!

During our motor racing sabbatical we’ve been very busy. We’ve moved premises to a more central location, which has been a great success. We can now offer our customers a much improved experience for both sales and servicing of their road cars and the increased room has meant we have been able to take on more technicians and expand all areas of our business.

A key addition to the racing side of our business is Andy, a race engineer with factory team experience up to Le Mans level. Andy, who also has experience in British GT and Carrera Cup, has been with us for over a year now and has settled into the team while bringing a new level of technical know-how to the business.

Having Andy on board is sure to be of benefit our customers who wish to race their own cars and it also means we are now able to offer arrive and drive opportunities in our Porsche 996 GT3 Cup to experienced drivers with a realistic budget. If this interests you please contact Paul to discuss possibilities.

New for this year will be a real time Twitter update from meetings. You can follow us @dorsetsportscar and of course we’ll update the blog when we have news.

One 30 Minute and one 50 Minute Race

Weather: Fri – damp, Sat – Dry, Sun – Wet (very!)

Spa Francorchamps

Our last meeting of the season, and all to play for. The 2008 Porsche Open ‘Driver of the Year’ would, for the first time, be awarded a race in one round of the 2009 Carrera Cup GB, in the Porsche Cars Great Britain run, ProAm2 car.

For Paul to win the prize drive we had to finish both races on this challenging GP circuit. Would we be up to the challenge?

Getting the Car to Spa

Taking the car abroad represents some significant logistical challenges for a small team such as ours, especially as all the support crew are volunteers. The truck was booked onto the ferry for about 6pm so we set off in plenty of time to get to Dover – the rest of the team would follow on as soon as they could. However, we hadn’t counted on serious traffic problems.

We rolled up to the track about midnight in the truck and took a space in a car park to get our heads down, the rest of the guys arrived overnight, some three hours later. We moved the truck into the paddock in the morning and after setting up the rest of the day was our own – we set up camp just outside the circuit and in the evening went out for a meal – looking forward to qualifying on Friday.

Qualifying – Friday (45 minutes)

Both Paul and Tim needed to qualify. The plan was that Paul would race in the first race on Saturday and they would both race in the second on Sunday. The session was dampish but Tim put in a time toward the end of the session that qualified the car in 7th, 2nd in class. Considering the conditions it was a good start to the meeting.

Race 1 – Saturday (30 minutes)

After a reasonable start Paul settled in to putting in some consistent laps and keeping out of trouble. He finished in 5th, 1st in class, so we all felt that it was a job well done – winning the series was within our grasp – only one more race to go. We were all praying for a fine day tommorow.

Someone had the bright idea that we should cycle round the track that evening. A motley crew of cyclists with a couple of outriders on quad bikes (just in case we needed a tow) took up the challenge. All I can say is; Spa looks a damn site flatter on the TV! I for one was glad to get back to camp and the BBQ.

Spa - In the Rain

Race 2 – Sunday (50 minutes)

Our prayers had gone unanswered – we had some wild weather overnight and it was raining in the morning. Our race was at 12.40 and it was still raining – the track was really wet. Tim was a little apprehensive about the race and it was decided that Paul would take the opening stint and Tim would take the finish line.

The race, in the end, was started under the safety car. A couple of sighting laps so the drivers could see where the standing water was laying and then the safety car came in and we were racing. Paul had to be sensible so it was unlikely that we were going to have an eventful race – however, you can never account for the weather, poor visibility, standing water and back markers having their own problems.

Down the pit straight a 944 had a bit of a moment in front of Paul. While trying to avoid him Paul just glanced is rear quarter. It was a bit of a scary moment for all concerned – but thankfully there was no serious damage and both carried on.

Paul came in to the pits for the driver change over and we noticed just how bad visibility was – but there was little we could do. Some quick body modification was needed after Paul’s troubles but Tim was out quickly, determined to bring the car back in one piece and to lay some demons to rest – Spa hadn’t been good to Tim the previous year.

Tim brought the car home in 6th place, 2nd in class with a huge grin. This meant that Paul had more points than any other driver that year and had won his prize drive.

The weather was still decidedly damp and none of us were looking forward to the trip home. It was a long and tiresome drive but I rolled back into Sturminster Marshal at about 3am which saw us back home by 4.

What a way to end the season.

Two 30 Minute Races

Weather: Fine

This was a big meeting that we had all been looking forward to. Tim was unable to make this meeting as he was on his honeymoon (what sort of excuse is that!) – and the rest of us had been having a particularly heavy work schedule leading up to the event. However, we were set up and ready to go for our early qualifying on Friday, dedicated bunch that we are!

Paul qualified the car in 6th, 2nd in class and considering the opposition he was satisfied with that. With not much to do on the car it was time to relax for a few hours before our afternoon race.

In race 1, Paul brought the car home in 5th, 2nd in class. He also took fastest lap for his class, which is always satisfying. In Saturday’s race 2, Paul finished 5th, 3rd in class while racing some stiff and experienced opposition.

With an eye on winning the series this was a good couple of results for us. Not too eventful on the racing front – but we are in a strong position going into the last meeting at Spa. We packed the truck up and moved it out of the paddock and over to the campsite so we could all settle in to watch the main event of the meeting – the Britcar 24. After a “reasonable” amount of sleep (for a 24hr race) we were all on our way back home on Sunday afternoon.

Two 30 Minute Races

Weather: Fine but overcast

This meeting was to be a 1 hour race with the drive being shared by Paul and Tim but due to reorganisation it ended up as two 1/2 hour races. Paul and Tim decided they would share the car with Paul going out in the first race and Tim taking the second.

We had an early start Saturday morning and none of us were particularly bright after travelling up the night before and a somewhat bizarre evening in a local Indian restaurant (Complete with Elvis impersonator!).

Qualifying for us was the first session of the day and both Paul and Tim had to qualify. Racing on the Indy circuit makes for short lap times and it can be quite hard to find space to put in a quick lap. Paul had quite bit of traffic and cold tyres but Tim took over during a temporary red flag period and qualified the car in 4th so all was well and we were looking forward to the first race.

The first race saw some close racing with Paul having a close battle with a class 1 968 RS Turbo that hadn’t been seen before this season. Towards the end of the race Paul was pushing hard for third place and was unlucky to find himself beached in the gravel on the outside of Clearways. His first DNF this season – but if it was easy everyone would do it! (Wouldn’t they?)

Gravel - Gets everywhere

We cleared the car of gravel ready for Tim to take it out in our next race. Tim has limited time in the car but he did exceptionally well getting a first in class and third overall. Unfortunately he was brought in for weighing at the end of the race so missed his podium, which was a shame. He was pretty satisfied with third anyway and we were all pleased for him too.

All that was left to do was pack up the truck and wait for the end of the meeting so we could get out – having the garages does have its downsides, although I’m sure we would have been grateful if it had been raining as forecast.

Qualifying 25th – 20 Minute Session

Weather: Fine/Warm

Our qualifying session didn’t start until 5.15pm so we had plenty of time to prepare, and unusually for us we were in the “catwalk” assembly area in plenty of time.

The plan was for Paul to go out on old tyres and qualify and then come in and we’d change to new tyres, this would get them scrubbed in for Saturday’s and Sunday’s races.

Our last wheel change in the pits had been at Brands Hatch earlier this season and we weren’t what you would call lightening fast. We decided what we needed was a “PLAN” so Tim came up with a method that should see us complete a change in record time. I was a little sceptical but we needed to do something to improve our time so we’d give it a go…

Paul went out to qualify and after 4 laps came in for the wheel change. A surprise to us all – it went like clockwork and we had him out again very quickly. While I didn’t time it, it was very much quicker than Brands! (I’ll time it next time so we can see just how slick we’ve become. LOL)

On the new tyres Paul was getting some strange feedback and because of this he didn’t have total confidence in the car which resulted in us qualifying 7th (later to be 6th because of a retirement), our worst qualifying position this season.

Clutch Replacement

After a post mortem looking at data off our recently operational data recorder and much scratching of heads, it was decided that the clutch had fried. If we could source one it was decided we’d change the clutch. Sourcing a clutch at 6pm on a Friday for a 996 GT3 Cup car isn’t the easiest thing to do but Paul became Mr Fix-it and got all the parts he could so the guys decided a change was possible.

Overalls on and spanners out.

The guys took just over an hour to remove the old clutch, not bad seeing as its a gearbox out job – in the paddock with no ramps; its no easy task. It was getting dark under the car so they decided an early start in the morning was in order to get the car ready for the 11am race. We all adjourned to the camp-site for a BBQ and a few beers.

Race 1 26th 11.15am

Weather: Fine and V. Hot

Ready to Go

8am saw the team back at the truck and ready to put the car back together. 1st snag of the day – the new clutch isn’t exactly the same as the old clutch and while we were aware of differences last night it only became evident how serious a problem it was when installation started. We didn’t have a great deal of choice so Tim did some paddock engineering and everything was soon in order; the clutch was on its way back in.

Everything was ready by 10.30am so while we didn’t have a great deal of time in hand we had got it done – Paul and the car were ready to race.

Starting from 6th on the grid meant he had work to do but he loves a challenge and we were soon up to 3rd place overall. Two class 1 cars were in front so Paul had little chance to take them, 200BHP is hard to make up for – but we would be happy with a podium and coming 1st in class.

Paul was extremely happy at coming 3rd and the team were pretty happy too – all the hard work was rewarded. Looking forward to Sundays race and a similar result!

Race 2 27th 12.10am

Weather: Fine and V. Hot

Paul had reported a slight problem with the clutch in Saturday’s race, he felt it was dragging a bit. General consensus was that there was probably air in the system after yesterdays rebuild so they guys tried to get it sorted. Unfortunately there wasn’t any air in the system and we didn’t have time to look into it further, Paul would just have to do his best.

After looking at the TV footage we can see that Paul had great difficulty getting off the line but still fought his way through the field and still finished 4th overall and 1st in class. An outstanding result seeing he was having real difficulty changing gears throughout the race. It also meant he found himself fighting with cars that are normally slower that us so it made for some close exciting racing.

This was a fantastic meeting with our results being the icing on the cake for us. Some great cars were seen racing from very early Formula 1 cars to the latest Porsches in our series. Highlight on the track, apart from our own races, was probably the awesome Group C cars. We are all looking forward to returning next year!