Feb 2020
Event: Interclub Supersprint Rnd 1
Location: SMP South
Notes: First event in a while and I was psyched. It was as hot day with temperatures sitting around 32-33 most of the day and high humidity.
Getting ready for our first run and sitting on the dummy grid, we have a great outlook over T1, only to see a WRX get sideways. The driver stayed on the throttle, trying to power out of the slide, but ended up too far around and went nose first into the tyre barrier. He walked out ok, but it meant a bit of a wait in a hot car. It also served as a reminder to ramp up, not go out thinking I know it all.
First run, it was all about getting a feel for the circuit again. Over the Christmas break we’d tidied up the bonnet and tinted the headlights, so a new livery. Running a 108.3 before I caught back markers and had to throttle back. Car temps were normal, but we are still suffering from a long brake pedal. This has been an ongoing thing now and getting old. I’m having to double pump or break check before use – otherwise we’re into the corners too hot and having trouble hitting the apex’s.
Session 2 was better, managing a 107.514 but we were red flagged after three laps.
The day was getting hotter. There had been several incidents causing delays, not to mention two drivers briefings (WTF!) so I elected to make Session 3 my last. Weather was expected later in the afternoon anyway. A number of folk had already left due to heat, fatigue or other reasons so the organisers started to combine groups. This is common at these events later in the afternoons. It makes up numbers and give everyone more bang for buck, as you get more opportunities to run. Unfortunately after four laps the car started to stall with anything less than full throttle. Due to an earlier oil down in T1 there was no time improvement to be made so after seven laps I pulled in and was done for the day.
All in all I was happy. The throttle issue cleared itself after a complete Power-off / Power-on (must be a windows ECU). Unfortunately no PB today. But the car was great, I think the new livery looks good and I was buzzing from being out on the track again (How could you not be!).