Congratulations to andrewc

[Cadwell]

It’s not often I get to see a forum member whizzing round a circuit as opposed to crouching by the side of it clicking away, so I can’t miss this opportunity to document what was (according to the commentator anyway) our very own Andrewc’s first competitive motorsport outing.

Given the momentousness of the occasion, I was surprised not to see more ‘togs. Jeff Bloxham was nowhere to be seen, Ken Grey didn’t travel down from the frozen north, no sign of Jakob Ebrey, Ian Hardy or the Suttons… Even Andy (“despot”) turned up late - but then there’s nothing new in that :p It was left to me and my trusty old box brownie to take some snaps.

Andrew was sharing the car with his brother Tristan so to prevent a family squabble; I’ll include some shots of both.

#1 Tristan and the classic Hailwood’s Hill shot that Dr. Palmer has done so much to ruin

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ukmotorsportpics/andrewc/LJ8J9789.jpg

#2 Similar shot of Andrew

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ukmotorsportpics/andrewc/LJ8J9816.jpg

#3 different angle on the entry to Druids

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ukmotorsportpics/andrewc/LJ8J9814.jpg

#4 Tristan on the run up Hailwood’s Hill (during his first timed run)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ukmotorsportpics/andrewc/LJ8J9917.jpg

#5 Andrew, more or less the same

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ukmotorsportpics/andrewc/LJ8J9931.jpg

#6 Tristan on his second timed run. The car was sounding rather sick at this point hence him being in a rather odd place on the circuit.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ukmotorsportpics/andrewc/LJ8J0019.jpg

#7 and Andrew on his second run after the car made a miraculous recovery…

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ukmotorsportpics/andrewc/LJ8J0037.jpg

So well done to Andrew on keeping the car on the black stuff and pointing in the right direction, even if he did do rather more laps than anyone was expecting. There was no need mate, I know you were thinking “gotta give the photographers another chance” but I got the shot the first time :p ;)

Full gallery of the event is here SEMSEC Brands Hatch 9th September (http://gallery.ukmotorsportpics.com/c1078529_1.html).

[andrewc]

Thanks for the pictures Glenn.

It was actually our second event, the first at Bentwaters airfield where you picked your way through fake corners made up with cones which is quite difficult in a low slung car. It was the first event on a proper circuit.

We were sprinting. Unlike the racers which have a practise session of 15 minutes or so, our practise run was a start from the pit lane exit (slightly uphill) into one of the most challenging corners in the UK on cold tyres. Two and a bit laps is not much time to learn a circuit. We got a full flying lap before pulling into the back of the pits when crossing the finish line which was on the back straight. For my first run, my helmet steamed up exiting the first corner so the rest was almost done blind - I could open the helmet slightly but the wind just snapped it shut.

Some rolled up tape prevented the helmet closing fully for my timed run, but being able to see again and to attack some corners meant me missing the chequered flag so went around again! Whoops. At least they gave me my time.

My brothers second run was aborted as the gear selector shaft came off and he was stuck in first. A quick repair in the pitlane was all thats needed. Thankfully the screw had not bounced under the seat and was easily found, and someone in a pit garage offered up a suitable allen key and a bit of loctite to make sure it sayed put.

In between runs we had to pull off the white tape hiding the 1 on the numbers, adjust seat belt straps, strap me in and away we go. My second run was poor but I'd obviously been going faster somewhere as it was only .25 seconds slower than my first.

Results - brother second fasted time of day, me fourth. Brother won his class, me third.

Roll on the next event, possibly at Lyddon.


The biggest problem is that most track days will not accept a single seater - most other cars with closed wheels can go to one and get lap after lap of practise, learning the car and learning the circuit. We need to take our ARDs test then we can go to circuit test days and do some practising and get to know the car - its limits of braking, its cornering limits and so on.

[gotamintvtr]

well done andrew ice pics too

[Simon Harrison]

Looks like you managed to work around the new fence then Glenn. I like that 3/4 pan in #7 a lot.

Andrewc - glad you had a good run out, and good luck in finding somewhere to let you getting some running under your belt.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Cadwell]

Looks like you managed to work around the new fence then Glenn. I like that 3/4 pan in #7 a lot.


Just about Simon. I doubt you can effectively get through the new fence with much less than 500mm and it robs the images of contrast very badly indeed. It's almost not worth the effort. You'd need a builders ladder or possibly a fire engine to get over the damn thing. It's huge. Palmer is clearly off his head. Not only has it ruined it for photographers but it has ruined it for spectators too. I won't be hurrying back.

[Owain Shaw]

Very well done Andrew, getting to grips with Brands that quickly can't be easy and as you said, you were learning against the clock.

Glenn - I was at Brands on Sunday and that fence did not look friendly at all. There was nobody at the point you know and love where normally a good few people stand. Everyone had migrated to the inside to pan away or just not turned up. I'm just glad it doesn't run all the way around (give it time) so my preferred angle down Graham Hill should still work next time I'm there outside the fences.

[GSH]

What some people will do to get to the other side of the fences :rolleyes: :D

Nice shots as usual Glenn. It's interesting to hear your opinion on Palmer's new fence and it sounds every bit a bad as i've heard from others. I certainly won't be going to Brands again in a hurry. If i was that desperate to play with fences i'd go to Silverstone :lol:

[pswillies]

Well done Andrew. Nice looking car :cool:

Looks like you did well coping with the new fencing Glenn.

I like Brands and it's a shame to see more big fencing go up, but there's lots of other angles available (especially on the GP circuit) even without being trackside.

:)