Bigpower

Chris and a new team member, Dave, were at Oulton Park today competing in the last round of the MSV Trackday Trophy. I was at home and watching live timing.

Qualifying got off to a good start. Chris was first out and took the lead from the off!



A couple of laps later and Chris goes quicker again although Hamilton (Class A Clio Cup race car) and Britton (car 24 - Class B M3 Evo) are improving





It got pretty nail biting near the end of qualifying as I saw Britton post a 1:57 with time to spare for another couple of laps. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the end of qualifying to be signalled! But here was the outcome - Little Blue Racing are on pole position for the race later today.

For the race there was very little stagger on the grid and position 2 is where you want to be for the line into the first bend, therefore car 24 took the lead from the off



Chris close behind



And then 2 Clio Cup racers









At a certain point in the first half, Chris overtook car 24 under a yellow flag which he wasn't aware of. No matter, as (to maintain close racing:p) Chris saw that his oil temp was very high so rather than streak off he let off but just kept a good distance between himself and car 24.

Chris then pitted and car 24 carried on with no traffic and rolled out three very hot laps before pitting himself. Chris and Dave got their pit wrong and ended up in the pits for 3 minutes when they only needed to stay in for 2"45'.

Dave came out as car 24 came in then was on it for a couple of laps. As car 24 emerged from the pits he came out just, and I mean just, in front of Dave. Apparently the commentator sounded like he was having babies during this period

Dave is then stuck to the bumper of car 24 for lap after lap when they catch up some back markers. Car 12 (another M3) loses his rear end and makes contact with an S3





Here come car 24 and Dave





Car 24 and Dave have to take evasive action onto the grass. This is where the damage was done to the 328M. Chris says on the video you can see car 24 getting air over the grass!







Dave fell back some distance with smoke coming from the front tyre where the bumper was contacting but kept on it to catch car 24 and push him all the way to the finish line. Just couldn't quite get past him.





At the end of the race the cars were side by side over the finish line!

We got 1st in class A, fastest lap of the race and 2nd overall. Exactly what happened at Snetterton at the beginning of the season.

Video coming soon............

Excellant write up Tommy. Sounds like a really eventful day and another fantastic result, well done to Chris and Dave:thumbs:. Look forward to watching the vids:D

Thanks Pablo. I'll pass on your comments to the drivers.

Here's the full unedited video. The race starts at 10:40 and lasts for 45 minutes. I'll probably edit it later this week and add in lap times on the screen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JLL_L8AFQQ

It really is a corker of a race with close action pretty much throughout.

Great report and coverage. Thanks Tommy

nice write up Tommy iirc isn't car 24 virtually standard or has it been evolved a little since it started.

Hi Jason. Yeah car 24 isn't highly developed and has had a lot of attention all year as it seems too fast for class B. Considering the weight of the car it needs to have 250 bhp at the wheels which is very very low for an M3 Evo. However, it has been tested at the races and always passes.

It also, apparently, has Eibach Pro Street S suspension and a standard diff. I give it to James, he's a very good driver and he makes the absolute most of the car.
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I've edited the video to make it easier to watch,

First half

Chris starts the race and gets a bad start to let James Britton into the lead. Chris follows for a number of laps until a yellow flag which he doesn't see and overtakes Britton. Later a safety car is sent out. When it goes to the pit lane Chris then posts his best lap and fastest of the entire race.

All credit to Britton for keeping his car on the black stuff and making very few mistakes even though under great pressure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5dNqXgqYCs

Second half

Dave takes over and plays the catch up game whilst Britton pits. Due to spending too long in the pit lane (15 seconds over), Britton emerges from the pit lane just in front of Dave. This part of the race is the most thrilling with a number of near misses - watch for the white Integra and the blue M3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UgOnmN_evE

My video editor doesn't like providing full screen videos to youtube so here's the link to the original full length, full screen video too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JLL_L8AFQQ

Not impressed....... You made me burn my curry:D

That was some seriously exciting racing, far more interesting than the WTCC I watched yesterday. You could see that you guys were clearly quicker than number 24 but he did an excellant job of defensive driving when he needed to. I can't believe that both cars came back with door mirrors intact and no paint transfer. A totally fantastic video and a great advert for the series.

Hats off to the drivers and the team in whole:thumbs:

Any plans for entering again next year?

Hey Pablo, sorry about the curry. I hope it wasn't your signature dish, ruined!

Not sure about next year yet. Need to chat with Chris as there's the option of the CSSC Deutsche Marques series.