Cath Evans Racing

Not the start to a season I was looking for, after having invested a lot of money over the winter in getting my car prepped for the 2009 season, and others investing their time.  I didn’t even get to finish the first race. Another car was overtaking me, did not manage it cleanly, hit my car and I was slammed into the concrete pit wall at about 120 mph, on a part of the track with the worst run off area.
Rich was watching from the bottom of the pit wall area, and saw it happen. His immediate reaction, not knowing it was me, was “That’s gonna Hurt!”. Then someone shouted to him it was me and he ran faster than Linford Christie up that pit!
I was not able to move the car and was sat stranded on the track. The race was yellow flagged initially, which meant that the race was still live. The race leaders came around again, and on lookers say they don’t know how they missed me, but thankfully they did. Thankfully I was able to give Rich the thumbs up from the car, so he knew I was fine.
Finally the red flag came out and time to get me out of the car. Due to the impact on the drivers side (lhd), my door would not open. I had marshalls and medics getting in the car from the passenger side, holding my head steady in case of spinal damage. I was fine other than a very painful hand, but procedures had to be followed.
It took the rescue and medical guys and girls 30 mins to cut me out of my car. I came out still in my seat, a weird sensation!
A trip to the medical centre to check out my hand - showed that a chunk of flesh had been slashed, but was still attached.
Off to Nothampton General Hospital for 11 stitches. No broken bones , a few bruises, and a very sore foot. A very lucky end healthwise to what could have been a fatal accident.
I am sure that my decision to have a Hanns device and high sided seat, along with the obligatory harness’ saved the rest of me from any damage.
Thanks to the medics and marshalls for all they did for me, and for those well wishes I have been sent along the way.

What’s next … the car was a write off with very little salvagable on it. So just a question of money now to see whether I can finance another race car.  Watch this space, although I can’t say how big this space will be!!

Sat 21 and 28 March saw the club hold the 2 rolling road power dates - this is the start of the season!
As the championship has a power to weight ratio ruling, all cars entering have to have their cars power tested.  We all do this at the same place - Thor Racing. Power is recorded, the maps from the cars are downloaded, and the engines all sealed by our MSA representative Jeff Nixon.

The minimum weight your car has to be for your chosen race group is then worked out.
If the seals on the engines are broken, then  you have to have your car re-power tested and sealed again. At any point through the championship the club can un seal your ECU and download your map, just to check its the same as you had on the power run.

Since having the engine re-built we have been in a dilema as to which group to go into. The new engine is more powerful than the last. The engine is a group A, and to go into group B would mean carrying the equivalent of another person and a half! Thus upsetting the cars acceleration and also the braking of the car.

The decision has been made - for 2009 I’ll run in group A, 2008 we ran in group B. I hope for a trouble free 2009, and the ability to get through as many rounds as funds will allow, rather than as many rounds as the engine will allow which was the situation I was in last year. I am confident I have a reliable engine, and am looking forward to being in a class where I know I will be racing and battling with cars from both groups, which will bring on my driving and racing skills no end.

First race is this weekend - Silverstone. Testing on Friday 3rd April, Qualify Saturday 4th April 10.45, Race 1 - Sat 4th April - 16.20,
Race 2 - Sun 5th April 12.55. (approx times). If you want to see what its all about, come along and watch!!

Saturday 14th March, saw our second testing day of the year at Brands Hatch. This time a sunny spring day!

We’ve had the hydraulic handbrake fitted since our last outing to see if it could help with our rear brake dominance.

More knobs to tweak with!! But with some technical temperature equipment for the discs we eventually found the perfect setup point for it.

I’d forgotten how knackered just wearing all the protective clothing in the heat was, let alone driving.

I now just need to find a magic potion to get some fitness back - but until then the running shoes are calling!!

Cath Evans Racing Lorry

New addition to the Cath Evans Racing crew is the lorry. A DAF 7.5 tonne, so we can transport the car to the tracks and also have somewhere to stay at the tracks, rather than using B&B’s, and missing the atmosphere of the race circuit at night.

We’ve had the tail lift re-fabricated to accommodate the car. It’s taking a bit of effort to refine the process of loading and off loading the car, but we’re getting there!

Here’s a pictures of it just fitted, and then painted. Smart looking!

At the moment we’re going to live with the inside as it is - and have a large living area, and later decide if we want to split the areas off.

Today was our first test day with the new engine and suspension, and my first outing in the Beemer since the end of July.  It’s been too long!

It was a misty and damp start to the day at Brands Hatch, with the track gradually drying throughout the day right up until the last session.

Gee Sport assisted us with setting up the car in the morning. But I was still not happy with the rear braking.  Eventually by the end of the day we had applied as much braking to the front of the car as we could, it was better, far better than last year, but could it be better still?

We made the decision that a hydraulic handbrake could kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Due to my height I cannot use the handbrake - its too far back - or I’m too far forward.

So I will have a new handbrake to use, and it will also assist with the rear braking.

Our first shake down of the year, and great to be back in the car.

A 7 week summer break since out last outing at Brands Hatch - time to get the repair work to the car finished. Engine head rebuilt, and body work repaired - graphics back on the car was the final finishing touch.

2 weeks prior to the race we were advised that the racing would be cut to 1 day - a very full schedule of events. The European Trucks had pulled out and the racing was now to take place on just the Sunday. The British Trucks, Pick ups, Legends and Ferrarris would be racing with us.

Donington is a track I have watched many times, but only ever driven it once previously. Some really ballsy corners but a track I’m looking forward to racing.