Cath Evans Racing

The 4th race meeting and coming up for half way through the championship. Last year I only had 4 race meetings, so its great to know I still have more fun!

Brands Hatch indy circuit is our next outing. We have the 2nd qualfying slot on the Saturday at 9.25 with our race taking place first out after lunch at 1.45 - a 14 lap race. Sunday we’ll be the fifth event on the track with our race taking place at 11.50. Times are approx.

With us at this event are the Caterhams, Max 5 cup, Austin Healey club, MGOC and the classic Formula Ford 1600 & 2000.

Another dry warm day. Pembrey even though a fair journey for most, is somewhere the family seem to come to, as behind the woods which surround the track lies a vast beach with golden sand and not many people on it. Something for all the family!

Our race was 3rd on the track. It was hot, not much shade and we had to await in the assembly area. As we got there, the mini race before us was red flagged - one of the girls had a nasty accident and it took a while to release the car from the barrier. Meanwhile in our assembly area Rich Mallinson had not shown, he was stuck the other side of the barrier - but made it for the start of the race!

Although I was further up the field my position on track was still outside track, but I’d been tipped to move to just inside of my grid position. I thought I had enough, but the strain on my neck and being held back by the Hanns device meant I sill couldn’t see.

Pretty much the same for this race, looking at the back of the same car trying to make my move, when on lap 7 coming onto the Cowles straight at the end I saw a yellow car and smoke from brakes. As I got the end of the straight the yellow car of martin was on its side rested against the tyre wall. The red flag had to come out, and there it was. I finished 19th from 23 and last in class.

A great weekend racing, more experienced gained and things to put right at the next rounds. Exchange safe cath for the welsh devil dragon cath! Thanks to my brother and his work colleague Graham and wife for taking time to come and cheer me on.

Next stop Brands Hatch. So going from my homeland to my home and home track! Another track I love and one i know well.

The good weather was still with us! Coming out of the assembly area onto the grid positions for the green flag lap, it became apparent to me that being this far back the grid I would not be able to see the lights. I was able to see the minute boards go out and just see the green flag waved but that was it. Lining up on the grid, I was now reliant on everyone else to go! I need to get these starts sorted - we all piled down the cowles straight and into hatchets hairpin - I took a wide outside line which I remembered from the caterhams to avoid collisions.

I was behind car 28, and there I stayed for several laps. My only chance to overtake was in the corners, where I was quicker. But memories of a collision with this car at Rockingham and my undamaged side of my car close to him sent me into safety mode each time I tried to make a move and he moved into me. If was so frustrating but my doing, so I had to undo it. Finally on lap 13 I made my pass up the inside at Woodlands a great 5th gear slight kink in the track. I was free and pulled out 2 seconds a lap on him. But it was too late, I could see the next car getting closer but again the chequered flag came out.

I finished 18 from 23, and 7th from 8 in class.

A great race but a frustrating one. I have some footage of it which I will get posted for you to enjoy as well!

The day was ended with a great BBQ provided by the BMWRacing Drivers Club. The warm dry weather meant that we were not all huddled somewhere keeping ourselves to ourselves and keeping warm but actually meeting more of the other competitors! And what diverse jobs we all have, but all have the same love of motorsport. Around the paddock you moved from area to area with different music tastes being played - a little community was brought together for the weekend.

Yesterdays good weather was with us again, but a rather large downpour in the night had left the track damp. We were fourth out and with a drying line appearing. Off to a steady start as when I got off that dry line you knew about it. Managed to get a 1.10.91 which got me 20th from 24 on the grid, and 7th from 8 in class. I need to extract my mind from my head before I get in the car I think to get a better qualifier.

The weather did not show any more signs of rain though, so a dry race was looking on the cards.

With us at this event is the Dunlop Mini challenge. In this event there are about 4 other girls racing - which is great to see and one who had been part of the Formula Woman championship.

I had opted for a half day testing session so arrived at the track mid-day, and a test day in warm sunshine! To get to the inside of the track at Pembrey, you have to wait for a gap in the testing/race sessions, otherwise like us you have to wait about 20 mins if you just get there 1 min too late!

The morning had seen some casualties to a couple of the guys racing with us, a blown engine and a rather nasty coming too with the tyre wall which the tyre wall won. 3 sessions for me to get to know the track and test how the car felt. 1st outing the brakes not feeling too good but the track was as I remember it - I do like it, and the sunshine is rather nice too! The brakes were not giving me any feeling and no confidence that I was going to stop, or they suddenly locked on. A quick change of the balance front to rear and all sorted. 2nd outing brakes much better, bit more confidence and a bit too much of the inside curb and I was sent flying into the tyre wall. Shouting No didn’t seem to make any difference and bang I stopped. Back to the pits - it was driving ok. The guys were wondering why I came in - thankfully the damage was only cosmetic. A cracking lap though was recorded at 1.07.

3rd and final session, pit crew chat was to use all the track! I did just that coming out of Brooklands Hairpin and the uneaveness of the rumbles sent me onto the grass. I kept going, what damage would that of caused? Well the uneaven grass split the front bumper and pushed it into the fan which broke the radiator! Thankfully Garrie had a spare, and we’d taken a new bumper with us. Operation fix it together. The guys did a great job getting it all back together ready to race the next day. Cheers Rich, John and Mark.

Page 33, race report from Pembrey included in sport news.

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