Cath Evans Racing

The heat was draining and shade was a luxury! But it was not raining and we were racing!

Race 2 was the last race of the day - scheduled to start at 6.10 but we actually got onto the track at 6.50 and with a shortened race distance of 10 laps. The trucks, pick ups and legends had extended the day with red flags. Mind you the trucks were hoofing it around the track a couple of seconds slower than our front runners and these are 8 tonne trucks!(with 1000bhp!)

Thankfully the day was cooling and Rich had a trick to keep me cool as well.Cheers Rich! As the trucks were brought back in we made our way out onto the track. Having learnt my lesson from the first race, I positioned myself a little better - but I still had to use another car as my lights!

5 seconds …. Go… we all made it to Redgate and coming out of it there were a couple of cars who had taken each other out. Another had hit into the barrier and another was hutling at high speed down the grass towards the old hairpin. Thankfully Rodger (on the grass) managed to get back onto the track without collecting anyone on the track!

10 laps to move up the field. I came round Coppice Corner, changed gear and then BANG! I span and was heading towards the concrete barrier just before the Dunlop bridge. I pushed hard on the brakes - I didn’t want to hit that wall as that was going to hurt. Thankfully I stopped.

I got out of the car as quick as my legs could carry me and to safety. The next lap Keith Gent’s car must have caught the oil I’d left and came heading for my car - thankfully for me it snatched back, thankfully for him all the other cars missed him, and off he went!!

Strange to watch the race from the side of the track, but great to see them batling for it. Great to see some of those who had mis-fortunes in Race 1 and had to start at the back of the grid - fight their way through to the front.

Time again to re-assess the engine. The head had gone and also something more fatal. But I was unharmed and still able to tell the tale. Just need to tell the tale to the bank manager!

A great weekend though, just shame about the abrupt ending for my supporters. Thanks for the support over the weekend of Viki and Ant, glad you both got a buzz from the track rides on Saturday. Thanks also to Andy, Emma and Dunc for coming and cheering me on on Sunday. Better the weather hot than a cold wet sit in the stands. Thanks to the family keeping track of my day via the web - shame it only tells part of the story! And final thanks again to Rich for your support and encouragement.

Our assembly area was on the Melbourne loop part of the track. Only a few weeks earlie Rossi and the moto gp boys had been screeming up it on their bikes! What history and what a priviledge.  I elected to reamin in my car - at least there was some shade.

Lining up on the grid, I was not too sure what I was lining up to, and I’m not sure that the marshals knew either! Leaving for the green flag lap I could see the lights - but when i came round for the lights - no where to be seen by my eyes. Lesson from Pembrey, I manouvered my car and kept my eyes on a car several in front. They were now my lights!! When they went I went!

Some bunching on the grid as someone got off very slowly, but we all got through and on our way. 12 laps of racing ahead. I found myself in a battle with 2 others. I may not have been at the front but I was racing and getting stuck in, with my own race. Pressure was building on the front of our race pack, and at the Coppice Corner they span out.

I was now chasing the yellow car! It was great racing and hoping  giving some entertainment to the crowds as well. I tried some passes but not able to make them stick, then coming into Coppice they span, then a second later I span!! Eek!

Then came the chequered flag. I finished 23rd from 29 finishers and 34 starters. The brakes had felt sooooo much better and the engine had made it.

We wake to blue skies and sunshine - can this be short of a miracle. Very welcome, but very hot also! Car got through scruitineering - and brownie points as I was the first to arrive with the correct paperwork for the in car camera! However, I had not been given the correct paperwork for scruitineering - lesson for next time - check that I have my car number on my paperwork!

Some last minute checking of the engine as it was running a little lumpy. Fingers crossed the engine holds.

Lots of traffic out - as this was out biggest field this year for the championship - and for a good few years I think also. Good to see though. Well and eventful qualifier - with 3 spins included. Thankfully I have mastered the art of keeping the car running and getting back on it straight away.

A spin at the old hair pin. A spin coming into Redgate, facing the oncoming traffc of Evelyne, who thankfully avoided me, and the final braking into the chicane. This time I hit the marshal post - however to my relief it was a very soft barrier and no damage caused.

However, a few seconds later Rich Mallinson came hurtling into the chicane not able to stop but managed to find the rear quarter of liam. Ouch Rich’s car didn’t look well. Wheel was at a funny angle - but we had a good few hours until Race 1.

Thankfully I managed to complete the minimum of 3 laps to get a grid position and got 27 from the 34. With my best time so far of the weekend - 1.26.15.

Post qualifying viewing of the video - showed that straight line braking was causing the spining! Too much bias to the rear brakes - bias changed and hopefully this would sort the issue. As not a good feeling - brakes are important!

Whilst not an official test day, which was on the Thursday, using this added track day as my test day seemed a more suitable option. And by the sounds of it more clear runs were available than on the test day due to the mix of open and closed wheel cars!

A fantasticly hot day - would the weather last the whole weekend? We claimed out pitch in the outer paddock ready for race day tomorrow. The car arrived and looking in better shape than when I last saw her. 4 sessions before lunch - and the pace seemed to be good, maybe its because the field was 70% kuhmo drivers!

1st couple of sessions to familarise myself with the track, and the final 2 to pick up speed and braking points. The first 3 sessions the car was fine, although a couple of red flags and having to wait in pit lane did not help. However, the 4th session upon coming back in something was a miss. I thought I’d picked a low gear and the car cut out. Leaving it to cool before starting it again I thought was all it needed.

Alas no. The smoking was not coming from the brakes alone, the engine was heating up and steam was coming from the engine. The head had gone, again! Game over for my testing, again.This is getting boring now! Thankfully another competitor took me out as a passenger in his car, thanks Des. At least I could still see the track and someone else’s lines.

This time our mechanic was prepared with some spare head gasketts - and the task was on again, to repair it, so I could race tomorrow. Lots of input, from lots of people, as to possible causes - but no answers. Yet.