Race report - 21 May 2016 at Zwartkops Extreme Festival
Arrived at the track on Friday. Did all my preparation and went out for my first session. Really battled with the car sliding all over the show, but as the session progressed the tyres slowly starting getting better. Was way off the pace at this stage, only managing a 1:20.1, while other guys in my class were running as fast as 1:18's. Went out for the second session, and my times improved a bit to a 1:19.4. I was still off the pace, but as I always say: "You bring what you got, and leave with what you get.". Packed everything up and went off to bed.
Saturday morning we got to the track at 7h00 and got ready for the qualifying session at 8h15. Just started getting going, when I heard this horrible noise on the rear of the car. Sounded like something was disintegrating, and headed into the pits. After checking the car, I found one nut had come loose from the fuel tank's cradle straps. Fixed it up, and got ready for the race.
Race 1
I lined up in my grid slot in 4th position. Looked up and realised I could not see the lights - problem... I got caught out badly with the start, and had a lot of work to do. Managed to work my way through to second, with Tyler disappearing out front in 1st. After a couple of laps I caught up with a slower class B car. We went into turn 8 very slowly and one of my best mates just had nowhere to go and hit me hard on the left rear wheel. I got spun around, but managed to get it pointed in the right direction on the dirt and got back on the track. Tony got through in to second, me running third. In the accident the rear axle got bent, and the alignment on the left rear wheel was way out. This made driving the car rather interesting, with the rear stepping out constantly when turning to the right. There was also the constant whine of the tyre catching on the fender which always play on your mind - you constantly wonder when is this tyre going to call it quits. I soldiered on as best I could, trying to keep a gap on the the guy in 4th position, but eventually Robert caught me and went past. Managed to keep it on track and crossed the line in 4th position.
Got back into the pits and assessed the damage. Took the wheel off, and with a fine adjustment tool (4-pound hammer), sorted out the fender that was catching on the tyre. I pulled the car into Hilton's workshop (Protek Performance), and we had a look at what the situation with the rear alignment was. The left rear wheel was sitting at over 4 degrees negative camber, and pointing over 30 minutes toe-out. Alex was around in a flash to give me a hand, and we set about trying to get a working solution. Time was ticking though - the second race for the bike classes was called off due to the amount of oil on the track, so our next race was being brought forward. We managed to get a working solution about 10 minutes before the next race, with the wheel set at 2.5 degrees negative camber and 10 minutes toe-out.
Race 2
Thanks to the grid reversal, I was starting this race in 2nd position. Had a great start, and was leading my class coming out of turn 1. All hell broke loose in turn 2, where three cars came together right next to me. Thankfully I was on the outside of turn 2, and managed to just go onto the rumble strip and avoid the mayhem. As I exited turn 2 I looked in the mirrors and I had a good gap on the rest of my class. I just kept I head down and went for it. End of lap 1 as I went into turn 8, The rear end let go in a BIG way. I was completely sideways, foot flat in third gear countersteering like a drifting champion and managed to pull it straight... That pit wall was awfully close. This cost me a lot of time, and I could see Tyler made up a lot of time, Tony in tow. Tyler then overtook me on the outside of turn 4 (Epic pass by him there), and a lap or two later Tony passed me going into turn 5. We had a good battle for the rest of the race, but we crossed the line with Tyler 1st, Tony 2nd and me third.
When the combined results were posted, I finished 3rd overall for the day.
Was a tough weekend, but the results were still good.
To my sponsors:
Pro Auto Rubber
4x4 Direct
Protek Performance
JR Panel and Paint
Thank you so very much for your support. Without you guys, all of this would be impossible.
Thanks for reading my race report!
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