VF-Racing 2011 Season Review

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26 October 2011, 07:47 PM

VF-Racing

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VF-Racing 2011 Season Review

Well, the noise of screaming engines has subsided and the tyre smoke has cleared which means yet another season of racing has come to an end.

Here is our account of the 2011 season, which was focussed on the BARC’s Classic Thunder Championship, but has included taking part in a couple of other events along the way.

2011 started with the team not knowing what lay ahead, or indeed where they would race. However, one thing for sure, was that following two successful seasons in the Nippon Challenge, Vaughan and the “ScoobyClinic” prepared Impreza would be looking for fresh competition and a new challenge.

With the car rebuilt and tested over the winter of 2010/2011 everything was ready. Following some investigative work, it was decided that the BARC’s “Classic Thunder” Championship looked like the ideal race series for us to join. Pitted against some of the UK’s quickest cars and drivers, it would be a big step up from the Nippon Challenge, but it would provide the competition that Vaughan craved for.

Oulton Park
It was late March when we arrived at Oulton Park for our first outing in “Classic Thunder”. With a drastic change in our competition, we lined up against car’s we had only read about, and whose reputation proceeded them. This wasn’t going to be a walk in the “Park”.

Qualifying in cold conditions, with a greasy track saw the improved Subaru place 1st in class and 5th overall, despite suffering brake and clutch issues. With brake pads changed and fluid bled, it was all that we could do before the race got underway. The clutch would have to be in the lap of the gods.

During the race, Vaughan held his own leading the chasing pack as the power of the leading cars came into play and they showed their superior straight line speed.

Despite issues again with the brakes, leading to a couple of “moments” the pair settled down to complete the race, crossing the line in 6th overall and 1st in class.

Silverstone
With a switch in race series for Silverstone, we joined up with the BRSCC’s “EuroSaloon” Championship for a double header on the “National” circuit. The event was well supported, and there were some seriously quick machines in our class.
With probably the least powerful car in class we would still go out and do our best.

Qualifying 8th in class and 10th overall was far from disappointing considering the company we were keeping, however the high temperatures were taking the edge off the turbo’d engines performance, and causing tyre wear issues.

Race 1 resulted in a hard fought 6th place in class and 9th place overall.

Race 2 started off well, with a push towards the front of the grid. Battling for position against stiff competition saw the water temperature rise to over 107°c. At this level, the car’s ECU has a safety cut out to preserve the engine, and the car switched to “limp” mode to stop any irreversible damage.

With obvious disappointment (the air was blue for a good half an hour!) the car was returned to the paddock as the rest of the field continued to rack up the laps.

Brands Hatch
Early May saw us switch back to “Classic Thunder” and round 4 at Brands Hatch. We were out to try and re-take the A4 class lead that we had lost when we missed Snetterton the month previous. However when we saw that Brands Hatch supremo Rod Birley had joined the grid for the day, we would be playing second fiddle to Rod and his 600 bhp WRC spec Escort Cosworth barring any kind of mechanical issues.

Not one for giving up, the Impreza qualified 2nd in class behind Birley and 4th overall.

Neil Philpotts in his Evo powered Mitsubishi Starion took an early lead over the black Escort of Birley, which left the Subaru to battle with Joss Ronchetti’s Lotus Sunbeam, nicknamed “The Bullet”. The pair switched places twice, ending with the Subaru in 4th place and leading the rest of the pack comfortably.

Finished 2nd in class and 4th overall

The car lapped the Indy circuit in 51.654, which was a new personal best by over 2 seconds, so a great result.

Castle Combe
Castle Combe saw the team make an appearance in the “Nippon Challenge” for a couple of rounds at the end of May.

Torrential rain saw the qualifying session called to an end after only 4 laps, but it was enough to qualify 1st in class and take pole position.

Starting from the grid as apposed to a rolling start, the Subaru struggled for grip despite running full wets.
With those around him struggled to get cleanly away, Vaughan was able to pull out a comfortable lead and brought the pack home unchallenged.

Finished 1st in class and 1st overall

Intermediate tyres were put on the car for race 2, as a dry line forming on track.
With lights out, the Impreza pulled out an unattainable lead from the rest of the field, going on to lap up to 7th place before the chequered flag was waived.

Finished 1st in class and 1st overall

Mallory Park
Returning to Mallory with “Classic Thunder” we were faced with a damp track, and the possibility of further showers. To have the best chance of a good qualifying slot, we opted to run with the Toyo 888 tyres instead of a full slick.
The car performed well initially until the track began to dry out, and the tyres began to loose traction when pushed through Gerrards and the Esses.

Qualified 1st in class and 5th overall

From the off, Vaughan and the top 4 cars pulled away from the rest of the pack.

Up in 3rd place, Vaughan and his Subaru held a lead over Joss Ronchetti and his Sunbeam at his home circuit. That was until an Alfa Romeo decided to expire directly in front of Vaughan, blocking his line, which helped Joss capitalise and drive around the outside to take the place.

Finished 1st in class and 4th overall

For race 2, the ex-Aussie touring car of Andy Robinson powered ahead when the lights went out, with Whittaker, Ronchetti and Fletcher tucking following.
A nasty incident involving Joss and the Porsche of Brett Winstanley meant the race was stopped, but on the restart we held position and pulled away to run the last few laps in relative comfort.

Finished 1st in class and 3rd overall

A great weekends racing, and a new personal best lap record by well over 3 seconds and a class lap record in “Classic Thunder”.

Pembrey
Trekking to South Wales for rounds 7 & 8 meant a 500 mile round trip for the latest rounds of the championship.

Not really knowing the circuit, it was all about becoming familiar with the layout and the levels of grip available, and we were really pleased to see that we had qualified well with a 1st in class and more impressively a 3rd overall.

From the off, Joss Ronchetti was nipping at our heels, and local supremeo Keith Butcher in his Nissan Primera ST was pulling out a commanding lead, closely followed by Garrie in his BMW M3.

5 laps in and the black and orange Sunbeam got inside Vaughan at “Brooklands Hairpin” and took 3rd place.

From about half distance the tyres were beginning to loose grip, meaning the car was under steering heavily and washing out on the corners due to the lack of grip.

With the last lap board shown, it looked like it would be possible to hold onto 4th, but a massive lock up going into “Hatchets” allowed the Piers Grange in the XR8 to nip through while Vaughan corrected his mistake.

It was then impossible to close back up on the Sierra in such short time, and he held on to 4th.

Finished 1st in class and 5th overall

Race two saw Vaughan capitalise on the mistakes of others and rounded the hairpin on lap 1 in 3rd place.

Already recovering from his spin, Garrie Whittaker was carving his way back through the field and was back up to 2nd by lap 5, dispatching Vaughan and Joss in the process.

Having missed race 1, the Sierra of local legend Martin Davies was also on a charge, and by lap 8 was into 3rd, leaving the Subaru and Sunbeam to battle for 4th place.

Not being able to push hard for fear of an off track excursion, it was a case of driving to get to the finish, rather than for position.

Finished 2nd in class and 5th overall

Thruxton
Having not raced at the circuit before, it would be a big task to become familiar with the daunting circuit and confirm the cars set up in just 15 minutes of qualifying.

With a lap taking around 1 min 26 sec, we’d have around 10 laps to warm up the tyres and record our best time. However with having to take the time to learn the circuit, there wouldn’t be a lot of time left to put in a fast lap.

Qualified 3rd in class and 5th overall

Starting in 5th place on the inside of the grid, we were alongside the Mitsubishi Starion of Neil Philpotts and behind Ilsa *** in her Seat Leon Cupra. Pole man Nick Williamson was alongside the BMW M3 of Garrie Whittaker.

With the lights out, and following a bit of position swapping, Vaughan was back up to 5th place and chasing class rival “Davies” in the Sierra Cosworth.

The Sierra was showing better straight line speed, but through the corners and under braking, Vaughan was able to close the gap significantly. Pushing hard lap after lap, the Sierra was twice shown the driving standards flag for cutting the curbs, but he was still defending well.

Following a puncture as a result of taking too much kerb, meant Davies’s race was run.

In 3rd place, Vaughan was closing fast on “Williamson” who was in 2nd place, and holding 1st place in the 4wd class.

Upon rounding “Village” whilst attacking the gap to the Escort Cosworth of Williamson there was an almighty bang, and all drive in 5th gear was lost.

Although the other 4 gears were intact, without 5th gear, the racers that Vaughan had driven so well to leave behind soon began to fill his mirrors, and drop him down the running order.

Finished 2nd in class and 7th overall

The second race at Thruxton had to be missed due to the damage caused to the gearbox.

Cadwell
A favourite circuit for Vaughan, it was hoped that we would have a good outing for round 11 in the “Classic Thunder” Championship.

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.

With a big turnout, finding the clear track we needed in order to set a quick lap time would be hard to come by.

Qualified 1st in class and 4th overall

Starting in 4th place on the inside of the grid, we were alongside Joss Ronchetti and his Sunbeam, and behind pole man Whittaker.

With the lights out it was Robinson who took an early lead, then followed by Whittaker, Ronchetti and Vaughan.

The leading trio shot off at a great rate into the distance, leaving Vaughan in a comfortable but lonely 4th place.

For the remainder of the race we remained in 4th place, not making any ground on the leaders, but equally holding a lead over 5th place.

Finished 1st in class and 4th overall
(Set a new class lap record and was awarded “Driver of the Day”)

Rockingham
Having never raced at Rockingham before, it would be a fresh challenge to set the car up and for Vaughan to get accustomed to the circuit. With the challenges of the high speed banking, along with the tricky infield section, qualifying would be a hard fought task.

5 laps from the end of qualifying and we began to have issues with the brakes. Pumping them to get some resistance meant we were able to finish the session.

A fluid drain and bleed of the system would hopefully resolve the issue.

Qualified 1st in class and 6th overall

On the outside of the circuit, and alongside Joss Ronchetti in the “Bullet”, we knew it’d be a hard task to go around him.

Andy Robinson in his Australian Falcon touring car used all of the V8’s torque to slingshot himself into the lead.

With everyone safely onto the infield, Vaughan looked to pass Joss for 5th place. Despite being alongside the Sunbeam, the Bullet was just a nose in front, which meant Vaughan chose to ease off instead of turning in on Joss and risk making contact.

The Sierra Cosworth of Graham Wait, and fellow Subaru driver Ian Froggatt both looked to challenge Vaughan for position, but both retired through mechanical issues, leaving a comfortable gap back to 7th place.

For the remainder of the race, Vaughan cut through traffic to close up to the 5th place Alfa of Adrian Hawkings and Keith Butcher who was marginally ahead in 4th place.

Finished 1st in class and 6th overall

Summary

The season has been a mix of highs and lows, but on the whole it has been a fantastic year, with great results and new friendships formed along the way.

The partnership of Vaughan and his Subaru scooped a class victory for the 4wd class, and finished the 2011 championship in 3rd place overall. A fantastic achievement.

With the 2012 season only a matter of months away, plans are in place to return with an improved car, as the new entrants due to race next year promise to be stiff competition.

2011 Statistics

1st in class

2 race wins

2 pole positions

2 lap records

3rd place overall in Championship

5 fastest laps

8 circuits

8 class wins

10 races

82 points

280 litres of fuel used

500+ miles travelled on track

2127 miles travelled to/from circuits

Thanks go out to everyone who has helped support the team this year, be they friends, family or followers of motorsport in general.

To all our sponsors, a huge gratitude of thanks goes out to all of you, for the help you have given us, allowing us to compete.

Kukko

Vigor

Goodridge

Revolution Wheels

Japspeed

Racing Logic

BJR

Supertech

Alan Dart

Opie Oils

Big Boolies

Total Impreza

SIDC

Wingerworth Tyres

Demon Tweeks

Of course the biggest thanks of all goes to “ScoobyClinic” who have prepared and maintained the car during this season, and the previous two. They have worked hard and tirelessly to keep Vaughan on the track, and delivered the goods when things seem impossible.

Hat’s off to you guys!

See you all in 2012!

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01 November 2011, 05:10 PM

Ed@Japspeed

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Hey Guys!

Its been a great season for you and we have been proud to support you along the way! well done on taking 1st place in the 4wd class and 3rd overall!

Great result for a great hard working team!!!