Times from practice were used to determine the grid positions for the start of the race so I had to push quite early on. I had another 8v on track in front of me, he was holding me up in the corners but had the legs on me on the straights (must sort that out!) so I felt I could've qualified higher than I did (7th overall 3rd in class).
In the final minutes of the section I went round the outside of a car through the 2nd part of Charlies, hit a damp patch and went across the grass into the tyre barrier. The sum of the damage was a bent NS wishbone, bent steering rack arm and broken engine mount.
With the help of Ian and Andy who I'd be completely lost without we soon had a new wishbone on the car but couldn't source a rack. Fortunately Woody and PC-185 were on the way up and turned round at Spalding to come home and get one. (THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH CHAPS IT'S GREATLY APPRECIATED!)
Mr Hudson soon whipped the rest of the car together and with the help of Jason Cooper had tracked it up and it was good to go.
It wasn't untill I was strapped in the car and waiting to go into the assembly area that I suddenly felt really nervous. The steering had tight spots in and wouldn't staighten up quickly so I had to wind off the applied lock by hand, which wasn't helping the situation. To make it worse it was now teeming with rain.
I made a good start but backed off and fell into line in the 1st corner as I wasn't sure what the car was going to do. Through the Charlies complex, and Park I relised the car wouldn't turn right I also couldn't cleanly select 2nd gear and had to hold it in.
As the track dried I dropped back to 11th overall but managed to block enough to take 3rd in Class that I am absolutely over the moon with. 1 race 1 trophy and alot of lessons learned!
I'd just like to say thanks again To Grame, Jan & Jason for getting up at 5 to take me, Woody and Chris for the massive diversion home and by no means least Ian and Andy for helping putting me back on my wheels.
A few of the circuit boys were suprised we got it out they really ought to see the cars we've repaired at a few Superstox meetings!
