Graham Walsh

Results
2008 | Results| Statistics| Fastest Laps| Driver Reports|
2007 | Results| Statistics| Fastest Laps| Driver Reports|

Driver Reports/S1R5

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Contents

Here is my report from the back of the grid.

Race Prep/Testing

Again, due to work, I was unable to attend the test day on the Friday. I was planning on doing the Monday evening track session to learn the circuit, but again, work got in the way. In the end I decided to drive the car on Thursday over to Ipswich and then head straight to Silverstone. Quickly packed the car in the morning, hoping I had everything for the weekend. Arriving at Silverstone, I thought I would fill up for the weekend. A full tank should see me through the races and get me home :)


I arrived at the circuit to see a few of the others for the last ½ hour of testing. There was a right mix of cars out there, was good to see Neil McKean and Andrew Walsh mixing with some faster cars and sheds. Tom Chatterway and Tony Verrier were also testing to get used to their new cars. After speaking with them and discovering their lap times, I knew I had a difficult weekend ahead. They were in the 1m 09 and from speaking with Hans Baumhardt, his times were about 1m 10s previously. Matt Bartlett and Martin Roberts were also test and were going well despite the changing conditions as it was wet earlier in the day.


It was then time to head to the hotel for a few fruity beverages and some healthy steak and chips. The only problem about the Green Man is that they chuck you out at 11pm. Maybe that is a good thing.

Saturday Qualifying

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Well as usual, I had nothing to do to the car apart from empty of my tools etc. It was off to scruitineering which is a scary process, not sure why. Every time I hope the car will pass. The car was ok when he checked everything, but he seemed concerned about the stone chips on my helmet. He obviously didn’t look at the front of my car. Anyway it was back to the paddock and I helped out David Skeggs and Robin Iddon bleed his brakes as he had none. Dave did a sterling job in getting his car repaired in a week.


Our time came to go our and qualify. The marshalls mentioned to us that the track was slippy, but they were unsure where and what it was. Oh great, when do we get to find out. Out I went and discovered that it was Maggots that was still damp. Built up speed and I then noticed that my lap timer was not working. Oh great, I haven’t a clue what sort of times I am doing. At this point I lost interest in qualifying, not sure why. I carried on learning the circuit and was hoping to keep my target up – not to be last on the grid. The results came out and I was 36th on the grid with only Ian Smith behind me in his very first race. It then turned out that Jeremy Braker (who was a reserve) was unable able to qualify due to his car playing up. It was arranged that he would do his 3 laps on Sunday morning but would start on the back of the grid. Woo hoo, another place gained. We also had 41 entries, so at least I made the grid. It was 10/10 for consistency for me then.


As there was nothing else to do, we were waiting for the BMW racing to see some friend’s race in that. About 4pm it was chucking it down so bad that Walsh called me to see if I wanted a lift back to the hotel/bar. The night continued as the previous with plenty of laughter etc. Thrown out at 11pm again.

Sunday - Race Day – Race One

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Again there was nothing to do to the car so it was wondering around the paddock chatting to everyone. I used Jez’s car to run some tickets to the gate and to give it a little run for him. He was on the way back from a stag do. Luckily the circuit was drying out from the previous downpour on the Saturday afternoon and evening. It was time to line up in the assembly area and we could watch some of the other racing. We got the call to get ready; I made the decision to take the roof off at the last minute as it was getting warmer. What a wise move.


Lined up on the grid and I couldn’t even see the lights. I knew I had to get a good start and try and get past a few cars. I was listening for the cars ahead revving their engines as to know when to set off. And we’re off. Up into Copse to find no carnage which is a good thing, round into Maggots and after a few laps I am trying to get past Sarah Crowder. I manage to out break her into Brooklands and then set my sights on Paul Quinn. I learnt my lesson from Brands Hatch that I can’t over take on the straights, has to be in the corners. After a few laps, I managed to sneak past him on the back straight. The safety car then come out for Andrew Kell who’s rear wheel was hanging off. Luckily no one else was involved, apart from Andrew’s track record of finishing all the races so far and on the same tyres. However, he had to change the rears after qualifying. I am not sure how many others are on the same tyres since the start of the season :) For some reason Nick Kaye didn’t keep up with catching the back of the safety car tail, so once he had caught up, he decided to get his position back, undertaking on the yellows – tut tut. The car came in and it was back to racing, I knew that Paul Golding has more grunt on the straights than me, so I couldn’t get him off the restart. Evening with Paul taking some extreme lines into Maggots I still could get past and then the red flag came out for Hans Baumhardt car which turned out to be the same problem as Andrews. The race finished in the pit lane.

Back into the paddock for a healthy bit banter and usual talk of crap.


Sunday - Race Day – Race Two

After hearing that one race was brought forward, we were wondering if the same would happen to us. It did, mad panic in our paddock area to get everyone ready. As there was some changes made at the last minute to the handicap race, it was decided to put me up a drop as I was down as 20 seconds behind Golding. However, I was lapping ½ second quicker than him, so it was decided that I would be 10 seconds behind. I didn’t mind where I was as its all part of the fun. I didn’t think I could make up 10 seconds, especially with the traffic etc. We were put into order in the assembly area and then headed out to the track. The marshall didn’t have the correct handicap sheet and I was lined up alongside Braker. He could touch my wing mirror. This was not even a grid slot. The green flag came and when I came back round there was a marshall with the correct sheet to put me back into the correct position.


Again, I knew I needed a good start but being the only class A car, I would have the track to myself and I had to catch Sarah from the group ahead. Unfortunately for her, she span at Brooklands and I nipped past. The next thing I know I can see Golding ahead of me. Wow, I’ve managed 10 seconds. After a few laps, I keep trying to get past without any luck. He runs wide again on Maggots and I am along side him bouncing the car like you do in karting but he out drags me. However, coming up to Copse, I had a good run out of last corner and I’m on the inside line and manage to hold position and get past. I keep ahead until the end of the race.


After finishing the weekend, I came away thinking that this was best ever weekend of racing. I’ve not pushed the car that much and there are probably loads more potential in the car, I’m just not man enough to use it yet. Roll on Castle Combe where I might even get to test the track before.

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