Next year and a new Sprint virgin

[dopdog]

Just got in from the garage with no knuckle damage but new 1/2 inch bolts fitted all round.
got a track day at stowe in a couple of weeks to give the car a shakedown for the new season.

[dopdog]

Just got home from my first sprint today, North Weald. A bit cold and windy but the rain stayed away until we had all packed up ready to go home. I was in the sport libre class with a Mitsubishi Evo (full on rally car) and a similar spec MKII Escort.

Missed the first practice run as I failed the sound test 106db . A helping hand in the pits soon fixed this and I was ready for the second practice. I did an 80.53 lap which I was quite happy with. Then cam the first timed run "pressure" messed up the first corner (missed it and had to turn back ) and put in an 83 sec run with the evo at 82 sec. Second run did an 80.62 but the evo did a 80.01. the escort also put in an 80 sec run.

We had 3 runs so had to make this one count as we were all very close. The other 2 guys put in another 80 sec run and I did a 77 sec

I made first in class and 7th overall. Well chuffed with my first outing, definitely have the bug for more. Already looking forward to the next one.

[jeffw]

I'm at North Weald on the 1st April....

Sounds like you had a good day. Why where you in Sports Libre?

[dopdog]

Hi Jeff, - am in this class as I do not register my car for the road, also it will give Rob some one else to beat
. I think I will stay here this year and maybe move over to road next season. I like the idea of anything goes and always interested to see how you do against other types of cars

[jeffw]

Good result anyway. Which course did you run? Gerry Fincham is normally the guy to beat in sports libre in his race R400.

[sylva3735]

If you are interested The British Sprint Championship starts this Saturday at Castle Combe. I shall be competing in the Striker. Be there from 7.30am till 5pm approx. Practice in the morning Timed runs pm 1 and 3/4 laps of Combe 3 miles and a bit. Wont have much time to talk but you will see what is involved. Mike S

[dopdog]

Thanks Mike will see if I can get down.

Jeff, it was the revised course were you start on the runway then turn right down the thin road around at the end and then back up the same way and straight over left and left back onto the run way and turn right to the finish line.

Gerry was in C12 all on his own this weekend (under 1800) I did have a good chat with him and Stephen Laing (R500) I am not sure what time Gerry put in but he span on 2 out of 3 runs. Stephen came second in A8 after Paul Bowden with I think a time of .5 ahead of me. If I had been in this group I would have been third, Paul did a 74 sec run very impressive.

[jeffw]

Yeap, Paul is the one I chase. I can normally (in the past) pip Stephen. Hopefully I'll be closer to Paul this year, although he is a North Weald specialist really.

[RobMsport]

Well done Simon , great first result. It's certainly a ' drug ' aye See you on the 28th at Goodwood --- get a tow bar fitted then I can hang on to something

[dopdog]

Thanks Rob, will be there lets hope its dry. I think I will bring a tow bar for you so I can hang on, as said already looking forward to it.