VF-Racing @ Cadwell
04 September 2011, 10:29 PM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
VF-Racing @ Cadwell
Vaughan Fletcher No:16 @Cadwell Park 3rd September 2011
Known affectionately as the “mini Nürburgring” due to it’s scenic setting and the circuits twisting layout, it remains a popular circuit with far reaching appeal.
Add the fearsome “Mountain” into the equation, your left with a venue that provides fantastic racing for drivers and fans alike.
Pre Race:
Following the problems encountered at Thruxton, the car had its gearbox removed for inspection and repair.
Upon emptying the gearbox of its oil, the remnants of 5th gear also dropped through the drain plug. Not a good sign.
It looked as though a hub carrier had broken up, and the subsequent debris had become lodged in the 5th gear cluster while doing around 120mph, resulting in all of the teeth being stripped from 5th gear. Thankfully the rest of the gearbox was untouched, with the PPG gear kit looking like it had only just fitted, which is testament to the regular servicing the gear box receives.
Race Day:
A favourite circuit for Vaughan, it welcomed the crew with a dry and sunny outlook. Round 11 would just be a single header event, with a qualifying session run in the morning, followed by one race in the afternoon. As with Thruxton, the “Classic Thunder” Championship would be run alongside the “Boss” Ford Championship.
We checked the suspension and made some minor adjustments to the camber’s to get what we thought would be the best set up. The tyre pressures were also looked at, so that hopefully we would achieve optimum pressure and temperature after a few laps, and not overheat the tyres before the session ended.
The car was given a final going over and was then ready for qualifying.
Given the narrow nature of the circuit and limited overtaking opportunities, getting a good grid position is perhaps more important at Cadwell than any other circuit.
Qualifying:
Class A4 was made up of:
12. Ian Froggatt Subaru Impreza RA
16. Vaughan Fletcher Subaru Impreza RA
32. Martin Davies Sierra Cosworth
Running with “Davies” and “Froggatt” it looked like it would be a close run thing to qualify at the head of our class. It was all to play for when we made our way to the track, and with a big grid turnout, finding the clear track we needed in order to set a quick lap time would be hard to come by.
Joining the track in 5th and just ahead of Joss, we were well placed to get a decent distance around the circuit before the last of the cars exited parc fermé.
With lower tyre pressure taking some getting used to, it wasn’t until 3 or 4 laps had passed that we could start to push on, and start taking the kerbs in anger.
If tyres aren’t allowed to come up to temperature, they are too soft and impacts on kerbs can put stress fractures in shoulder which can then develop into a blow out later in session or the race.
After a few laps the track was becoming more congested, so it was decided to ease up and create some space. With a decent window available it was time to look for the fastest time.
Coming into the “Gooseneck” on a hot lap, Vaughan was a bit late on the brakes and took to the grass, rejoining on the run into “Mansfield’s” and shortly after the chequered flag was put out to signal the end of the session.
When the results came in, they showed that despite the traffic, our fastest lap was before deciding to create some space.
Qualified 1st in class
Qualified 4th overall
Fastest lap: 1.38.277 on lap 3 of 9
Given the competition, we were pleased with our grid position and that we had placed at the head of our class.
Checking the tyre pressures and temperatures indicated there was a little adjustment needed to the suspension, and for the longer race session, we would need to amend the tyre pressures so that they would perform at their best.
Round 11:
With all but 2 of the cars from qualifying on the grid, it was going to be a good race, and if we could keep with Joss through “Coppice” we would have the line for “Charlie’s”. Well, that was the plan, but unfortunately it didn’t come to fruition!
With the M3 safety car peeling off at race control, the grid prepared to let fly just as soon as the lights went out.
Starting in 4th place on the inside of the grid, we were alongside Joss Ronchetti and his Sunbeam, and behind pole man Whittaker and Andy Robinson in his Ford Falcon.
With the lights out it was Robinson who catapulted towards the horizon first, followed by Whittaker, Ronchetti and then the Subaru.
It soon became all to apparent that our plan had just gone out of the window as the leading trio shot off at a great rate, leaving us in a comfortable but lonely 4th place.
As each lap passed we remained sat in 4th place, not making any ground on the leaders, but equally holding and building a lead over 5th place.
All was going well until lap 9 saw the current championship leader “John Edwards-Parton” in his Zetec powered Mk2 Fiesta expire in a ball of smoke at “Hall Bends” leaving the racing line dripping in oil.
Coming up the mountain and past the club house, there were no flags or warnings about what lay ahead, but team members were poised to indicate there was a problem and the appropriate action was taken.
The rest of the race continued without incident, and we finished in 4th place, 18 seconds ahead of 5th placed Andy Robey in his E36 M3.
Finished 1st in class
Finished 4th overall
Fastest lap: 1.37.772 sec on lap 9 of 13 (New Class A4 lap record)
Summary
Our final round will be at Rockingham in 4 weeks time on the 2nd of October, but we will also be entering the “Dunlop Motorsport News” Championship which is being held on the 1st of October at Donington Park, so it will be an actioned packed weekend!
Pictures thanks to Slater O’Brien (slater2101@aol.com)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
The Fixer
Member's Gallery
8
17 July 2004 09:38 PM