Nick Rice, Club MSV Trackday Organiser entered his first race in the Team Trophy at Donington Park in August. Click Here to read how he got on.
The phrase "burning a hole in your pocket" is one you'll be
familiar with. But rather than a stash of cash I needed to spend (I
wish!), my burning sensation was being caused by a race licence.
Most of the drivers that undertake the ARDS test at our circuits already have
something pencilled in their diaries and a car prepared ready to
go. However with further issues on our Project Porsche 944
(wheels / tyre sizes/fitment and suspension settings) coupled with
it being almost six months since gaining my race licence, I decided
that one of us had to break our racing duck!
With the introduction of the Trackday Trophy
in 2010 and Team Trophy a year later,
providing novice and enthusiastic club racers with a cost effective
way of getting onto the grid; we have naturally set ourselves a
number of deadlines to be racing by. The series' first excursion to
a non MSV circuit this season conveniently coincided with a
milestone birthday for me. So with the Donington Park round set as
my target, a decision was made to temporarily leave the 944 behind
and hire a race ready car.
For those with little mechanical knowledge (or who simply don't
want to get their hands dirty!) hiring a race car is a great
option, particularly for a novice race series such as Trackday
Trophy. I mention specifically for a novice race series as there is
more than enough for even the most composed driver to contend with
without having a last minute flap if the car develops an issue or
needs tinkering with. By using a reputable team on an arrive and
drive basis, not only will the vehicle be prepared ready to go and
repaired if necessary during the event, the team will know how to
get the best from the car on circuit and give you lots of specific
information that will help you whilst on circuit.
Club MSV instructor and Advent Motorsport owner
Andrew Crighton has a wealth of experience of most things in the
tin top race world. After enquiring with Andrew as to how much it
would be to hire a car from him he mentioned that he had already
entered a Proton Coupe into the Team Trophy with Motorsport
News journalist Rob Ladbrook and that there was a space
for a second driver. A couple of frantic phone calls later a deal
had been agreed so that I could join Team Motorsport News/Advent
Motorsport with just a week to go until race day
I was now entered into a race and had one week to prepare but
currently did not own any race wear! Luckily the latter was kindly
covered by two other Club MSV instructors, but the closest I had
been to the Donington Park circuit was walking under the now
removed Dunlop bridge to watch the Stereophonics ten years ago!
However, unlike ten years ago the internet now has lots of
resources, videos and help when learning a circuit. Computer games
are also great for at least knowing which way you turn out of the
pit-lane. However, please be aware that whilst there is endless
in-car footage on YouTube, the right lines, braking points, turn-in
points etc will not be the same for you in your car, at your race
weekend. It was also evident to me that quite a few of the drivers
in these videos could do with some quality Club MSV 1-2-1 tuition
from our instructors!
Whilst I'd spent hours reviewing footage, nothing can replace
first had experience and Andrew had further recommended that it
would be a very good idea to do the trackday on the Friday
proceeding the race weekend so both Rob and I could learn the car
and the circuit as well as having a chance to run through the
things you might forget such as driver changes and seat/control
settings. With an early signing-on and briefing completed I felt I
was on autopilot until I actually walked into the garage and saw
the car for the first time. With all of the other modern track
prepared cars floating about the paddock the mid 90's Proton Coupe
did stick out a bit, but it really appealed to me with its chunky
styling akin to the amazing BTCC racers used in their glory days of
15-20 years ago. It had already been fitted with its Club MSV
Trackday Trophy stickers, visorstrip and a big number "30" on both
doors to celebrate my birthday.
Donington Park is known for having a slippery surface especially
in the wet as a result of East Midlands Airport being right next
door and jet fuel droppingon the track. Initially I couldn't decide
which was more unnerving; being chased down by a race spec Lotus
Exige or having a jumbo looking like it was going to land on your
bonnet. After a couple of sessions on circuit both Rob and I were
more than happy with the way the car was handling so our mechanic
Matt tweeked the suspension to stiffen the car up all round
and changed the brake pads for something with a race compound. As a
novice I was trying to listen and take in as much as I could from
the mechanics and teammate. Rob had raced previously so knew the
order of events when learning a car/circuit, but for me it did feel
a bit like first day at a new school. You have an idea of what it
would be like, but there were still a load of things you didn't
consider or that surprised you; mostly in a good way though.
Race day came quickly (and thankfully it was dry!) and whilst
the car and circuit were the same, the atmosphere was very
different to the non-competitive trackday we took part in. Rob
completed the first run in the 30 minute qualifying session setting
an impressive 1:32.527 with my own offering being 0.6 seconds off
of his time. Having done my fair share of track driving at various
circuits I am fairly confident when out on circuit in a
non-competitive environment. But nothing can prepare you for the
first time a fast car comes past you into a corner, or you find
yourself three abreast through the Craner Curves. For the initial
laps I was glued to my mirrors, but all of the drivers out there
were very courteous especially to the complete novices and gave us
enough time and space to make our own decisions to either take the
racing or let them through. After a few laps you remember that the
stopwatch is running and once a bit of clear circuit appears,
reacclimatise yourself with everything and focus on the job in
hand. We qualified 24th out of 26 cars and to add to the
growing paddock banter we were right next to my boss Ian Berry in
the Bubble and Kick Racing MINI!
Ian's an experienced racer and told me repeatedly over the next
three hours before the race that he would move over on me off the
grid to make sure he was on the inside for Redgate. Was he serious
or was it mind games? I don't know. All I do know is that when the
10 second board goes out it's possible to check that your car is in
first gear at least six times! I did, but wouldn't recommend to
anyone as once is probably sufficient. Lights on, engine revs up to
4500rpm, lights out and were off. Ian probably did move over on me,
but I couldn't see anything for the amount of tyre smoke I created
off the grid. One thing Ian did say to me that I found useful was
that after the first corner you should take stock of where you are
and plan where you are going to attack. Having spun so much off the
line, I lost out to the two MX5's behind me leaving us dead last.
Not ideal, but I was in one piece and should be able to hold onto
the pack. By the time we reached the Old Hairpin I was on the
bumper of the first MX5 and moving out of Coppice heading towards
The Esses I'm through.
Class "D" was comprised of six cars with our Proton being the
second least powerful. Andrew had already worked out that we
probably wouldn't get close to first or second place in class, but
third was a possibility. With us fifth in class on lap two I
pressed on. The second MX5 was dropping back from the MINI and as I
was getting closer and closer and thought it was definitely
passable within a couple of laps. Using the section between McLeans
and Coppice as my run up to his bumper, I moved out along the back
straight only to arrive at the Esses side by side. What now?
Whilst this was a race, neither John Freeman in the expertly
driven Carpe Diem MX5 nor I were going to compromise each other's
safety, so initially, I let him have the corner. We had a great
battle for the next three laps with me sticking to his bumper but
not quite being able to get past as he positioned himself cleverly
to hinder my progression. By lap six the leaders were now upon us
and with blue flags waved on most corners our back marker fight was
put on hold. It was now that I was kicking myself as I should have
just passed him and righted my wrongs at the start. With my
favourite passing section coming up, and Jamie McHugh in the MQ
Motorsport 944 approaching quickly I saw my opportunity. Blue flags
waved the red 944 past us both, but rather than hanging back I
followed the rear of the Porsche past the MX5, through the Esses
and onto the start/finish straight. With clear track ahead of me I
tried to press on, but with the excitement of now passing two cars,
I almost lost the back end at the Craner Curves. I will learn how
to go through the second section flat at some point!
The B+K MINI was now at least 15 seconds ahead
and with the pit window opening shortly I put in my quickest laps
of the race on what at times felt like an empty circuit. Our pit
board went out and I made sure I brought it back in one piece for
Rob. Getting out of the car the adrenalin was still pumping, but
rather than having to concentrate on hitting the next apex, you
start gibbering to other drivers (and anyone else who will listen)
about how amazing it was and your overtaking exploits.
The MINI pitted on the same lap as us but Rob still had an
uphill struggle to get to the back of it, let alone getting past. I
didn't want any lap times or information on other cars when I was
out there as I wanted to concentrate on driving, but Rob was keep
informed of the distance between us and MINI. I can say that this
was a great call on his part as lap after lap our mechanic Matt was
applying smaller and smaller numbers to the pit board as the gap
came down until almost by surprise the Proton flew down the main
straight with the MINI a few seconds behind. We were now third in
class. It was now that I felt my most nervous during the whole
weekend. Rob was putting in some great lap times and even got under
the 1:30 mark. We were just hoping he kept it sensible and brought
it home which of course he did to rapturous applause from the pit
wall.
We were undoubtedly over the moon about Robs fight back against
the MINI and rightly so as it looked like they were long gone. Ian
and co-driver Hugh Chambers congratulated us on our race as did the
other competitors and team crews. I think maybe it was simply the
fact that a member of Club MSV had actually got out and finally
raced.
Project Porsche will
be finished very soon ready for its first race outing in the hands
of Alex Baker and Mike Groves. All I can say is that for the sheer
enjoyment and roller-coaster ride racing puts you on, I hope for
them its sooner rather than later, although I have now set the
benchmark. One race, one podium - no pressure lads!
Nick Rice
Club MSV Trackday Organiser
For more information on Trackday Trophy visit www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk
For more information on Team Trophy visit www.team-trophy.co.uk
