Race Report-Round7 & Round8 Cadwell Park 21st June 2015
Cadwell Park turned out to be a frustrating weekend for Mansbridge Racing. Testing a couple weeks before the event showed reasonable pace for our first time at the circuit, but despite a fairly clear track, Shane couldnt match his testing pace during qualifying. Which could have seen us in the top 15...but instead saw us in 21st of 31 entrants.
Then during the Drivers Briefing a particularly amusing suggestion of limiting overtaking at a particular section of the track annoyed Shane somewhat. Thankfully the series organisers didnt endorse this suggestion and expressed caution, but still expected us to actually race!!
There was also yet another issue with administration groupings, but rather than us making the fuss once again, we left it to others to query, nobody did. This meant we had drivers gaining or losing places on grid lineup, which couldve made huge differences to results, but atleast everyone raced each other!
As for the races itself, the videos will speak for themselves, Shane had some close racing with Alex Knight during race one, although apologised afterwards for cutting off his front end coming into Hall Bends, in the heat of the moment a late turn in to leave a gap wasnt actually as late as intended! Completely Shanes fault...but Alex got the better of him on the start straight anyway. Starting 13th, Shane finished in 9th
For anyone who hasnt come racing, there is a gentlemans agreement between MR2 drivers (NOT CREATED BY US), which Shane sometimes clarrifies on behalf of Patrick at Rogue Motorsport, whereby a bonnet alongside the wingmirror of a competitors door means both drivers can see each other & should give room (not necessarily concede!), many drivers would just plead ignorance, but on this occasion, Shane admitted the error.
As for race two, a huge load of punting in front and a wayward Shaun Traynor allowed Shane to gain a few places in the first few corners, going from 14th to 8th by the end of lap two, however on lap three Shane tried holding a tight line around Coppice, but tagged the back of Paul Cook, sending Shane backwards into the armco barriers. Having slippery handling Shane thought the car and race were done and nearly retired, but after a couple laps wondering if the car was ok or not, Shane realised it was ok and pushed hard once more. Catching Andy Winterton for a couple laps of battling, but having found a gap through at Charlies, Shane went on to take 15th at the finish.
Overall, we were lucky to end with a straight car, just cosmetic damage, but very frustrating weekend. Shane should have had more pace & couldve realised the car was ok sooner after the crash & couldve made up lots more places.
Next track, is either Anglesey or Silverstone. See you there.
Shane #34
Cadwell Park turned out to be a frustrating weekend for Mansbridge Racing. Testing a couple weeks before the event showed reasonable pace for our first time at the circuit, but despite a fairly clear track, Shane couldnt match his testing pace during qualifying. Which could have seen us in the top 15...but instead saw us in 21st of 31 entrants.
Then during the Drivers Briefing a particularly amusing suggestion of limiting overtaking at a particular section of the track annoyed Shane somewhat. Thankfully the series organisers didnt endorse this suggestion and expressed caution, but still expected us to actually race!!
There was also yet another issue with administration groupings, but rather than us making the fuss once again, we left it to others to query, nobody did. This meant we had drivers gaining or losing places on grid lineup, which couldve made huge differences to results, but atleast everyone raced each other!
As for the races itself, the videos will speak for themselves, Shane had some close racing with Alex Knight during race one, although apologised afterwards for cutting off his front end coming into Hall Bends, in the heat of the moment a late turn in to leave a gap wasnt actually as late as intended! Completely Shanes fault...but Alex got the better of him on the start straight anyway. Starting 13th, Shane finished in 9th
For anyone who hasnt come racing, there is a gentlemans agreement between MR2 drivers (NOT CREATED BY US), which Shane sometimes clarrifies on behalf of Patrick at Rogue Motorsport, whereby a bonnet alongside the wingmirror of a competitors door means both drivers can see each other & should give room (not necessarily concede!), many drivers would just plead ignorance, but on this occasion, Shane admitted the error.
As for race two, a huge load of punting in front and a wayward Shaun Traynor allowed Shane to gain a few places in the first few corners, going from 14th to 8th by the end of lap two, however on lap three Shane tried holding a tight line around Coppice, but tagged the back of Paul Cook, sending Shane backwards into the armco barriers. Having slippery handling Shane thought the car and race were done and nearly retired, but after a couple laps wondering if the car was ok or not, Shane realised it was ok and pushed hard once more. Catching Andy Winterton for a couple laps of battling, but having found a gap through at Charlies, Shane went on to take 15th at the finish.
Overall, we were lucky to end with a straight car, just cosmetic damage, but very frustrating weekend. Shane should have had more pace & couldve realised the car was ok sooner after the crash & couldve made up lots more places.
Next track, is either Anglesey or Silverstone. See you there.
Shane #34