Single seater racing

Just spent the morning racing single seaters around Silverstone’s Stow circuit. Sandy managed to find a half price late deal and there was no way I was going to miss out on it. Downside of this deal was that we had the early morning session.

It was a damp and cold day which began with a briefing. Our instructor liked to remind us how long he’d been in racing and tried putting the fear into us to stop us messing about. I gave up listening when he said Button’s better then Hamilton! Next we went to the track and were assigned our car. We set off following a pace car to learn the track. After a 20 minute sting we were let free for the free lapping.

I thought I was king of the circuit, as you do, until I span on the third lap. Into the pits to be told what I knew I’d done wrong – too much accelerator Took it easy then as I saw others spinning too. Gradually I built up the pace and was loving it. Trying not to lock the wheels as I braked later and later for corners. I got hairy sometimes as my knee stopped me getting third occasionally.

After 10 or so laps I was catching and overtaking people and felt great. Then a red flag. Someone had parked it on the grass. A few minutes later we were off again. I couldn’t get back to how I felt before and was bunched up behind others. Its pretty hair raising braking late 10ft from the car in front.

Later found out it was one of our group that had gone for the picnic on the grass. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. I’d like to do it in the dry to see what the corners are like at speed but the damp made for great drifting.

Liked this post?

• Subscribe in a reader
• Bookmark & share post

Suggested further reading

• More posts from the category Random Sports
• Previous post: The dream ends (well at least for this year)
• Next post: Boarding