tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27724125400564925212024-03-13T10:47:23.625+00:002019 Caterham 270R Racing BlogDaniel French's third season of Caterham Racing. Competing in the 2019 Motul 270R Championship. This blog shows my full Caterham Journey from the build of the awesome R500 Duratec, the Academy Car in 2017, track day information, videos and race results.Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.comBlogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-84267580652750419122019-09-28T16:00:00.000+01:002019-10-04T14:11:22.489+01:00Round Seven - Brands Hatch Indy - 2019 Caterham 270R Championship<b><u>Round Seven - Brands Hatch Indy - 2019 Caterham 270R Championship</u></b><br />
Round seven (races 13 and 14) of the 2019 Caterham 270R championship was held at <a href="https://www.brandshatch.co.uk/">Brands Hatch Circuit</a> on the Indy configuration on the weekend of 28th and 29th of September 2019.<br />
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Although Brands Hatch is probably my most local circuit, I don't come here that often, but I also seem to go reasonably well here.<br />
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<b><u>Testing</u></b><br />
Most race weekends start with two days of testing on the Thursday and Friday before the weekend (split into 4x 25 minute sessions on each day). A fellow driver / mate offered to give me his spare test slot for the Thursday, which meant I could have double testing time, so I took this opportunity with gratitude.<br />
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The conditions on Thursday can only be described as extreme wet, and as such I wasn't sure if to test or not (until it dried out a little), but as the forecast for the weekend race days looked mixed, I thought it best to get out there and get stuck in. <br />
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Unfortunately I got un-sighted by some spinning cars in front of me which caused a yellow flag, I applied just a fraction too much brake to avoid the possible accident on Paddock Hill, the front tyres locked up and the car turned into a barrier targeted homing missile!<br />
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<b><u>On-board crash footage below:-</u></b><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KNt31zaZca4" width="560"></iframe>
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If you watch the video in full, and turn up the volume, you can hear my post crash thoughts! :-)<br />
This was NOT how I wanted to start the weekend, and as the impact was pretty hefty I thought I'd chassis'd the car - luckily the guys from <a href="http://www.mattblythmotorsport.co.uk/">Matt Blyth Motorsport</a> were on hand and worked on the car solidly from 9:30am until 1:30am the next morning to straighten the car as best they could, and incredibly get me out for testing on the Friday! I really can't thank them enough for what they did.<br />
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Understandably testing on the Friday was a bit more 'cautious' than usual - however, the car felt better than before the crash (which seems bizarre), but the odd vibration I was chasing around at Donington was resolved! The only real issue was the car did feel a touch better on the left than the right handed corners!<br />
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<b><u>Race One:-</u></b><br />
I managed to qualify in P3, which I was happy with. All I needed to do in the race to secure the championship was to finish ahead of my fellow privateer Matt Shepard, and he qualified in P5, so I was in a good position.<br />
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I didn't get the best of starts and dropped to P4, and found that I really struggled down the straights to keep up with the cars around me. I don't know if this was to do with the crash damage, or something else, but some of the other cars were blistering!<br />
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I kept my cool for the race, and stayed ahead (in the most part) of Matt Shepard, which meant that all I needed to do was to finish to secure the title. Ollie Pratt got a run on me on the last lap into Graham Hill bend, and I let him have it, as didn't want to risk a collision.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xEN_AX5PWX4" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Here is a link to the official Hayfisher Media Coverage:-</div>
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So that was it! I crossed the finish line in P6, and became the 2019 Caterham 270R Champion! Due to the way the regulations work, I decided not to race in the 2nd race of the weekend, as if I received a technical infringement penalty or contact penalty, there was a possibility I could've lost points. AND there was a paddock party on the Saturday night, so wanted a couple of 'beverages'</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbP9nAayrDc/XZWuFH9C0yI/AAAAAAAAD_k/xU2jH6LkXSICnZnI0yqRyy1vn7u3Ot-DQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SNPY5450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French - 2019 Caterham 270R Champion!" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbP9nAayrDc/XZWuFH9C0yI/AAAAAAAAD_k/xU2jH6LkXSICnZnI0yqRyy1vn7u3Ot-DQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/SNPY5450.jpg" title="Daniel French - 2019 Caterham 270R Champion!" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French - 2019 Caterham 270R Champion!</td></tr>
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Job done! 🏆🎉</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-27931905143300938442019-09-05T16:22:00.000+01:002019-09-05T18:39:36.001+01:00Round Six - Donington Park GP - 2019 Caterham 270R Championship<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><b style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u>Round Six - Donington Park GP Circuit - 2019 Caterham 270R Championship</u></b><br />Round six (races 11 and 12) of the 2019 Caterham 270R championship was held at <a href="https://www.donington-park.co.uk/">Donington Park Circuit</a> on the GP Layout (including the melbourne loop) on the weeknd of 17th and 18th August 2019.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><b style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u>Testing</u></b><br />There is usually always two days of testing available before a Caterham race weekend, and they get sold out pretty quick at the beginning of the season, so you have to be quick to ensure you get a space on one or both days. Luckily I managed to get onto both days for all available race weekends this year. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">There's a good reason to try and get onto both test days if you can... The weather! I arrived on Wednesday night to sideways rain, which made setting up the awning and so on a touch 'miserable'. The thursday was a lovely day, but I had a bit of car niggles, so the testing was mostly fun, but the Friday was an absolute washout, with puddles everywhere and the car niggle turned into something that felt more serious - a vibration from the front which I spent the entire day trying to iron out.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67YXw-a6jGY/XXDDxR-SOwI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/gjVTQCA9T80RYoa0YO0zyIR_wPZRN-hCQCLcBGAs/s1600/DNNY5739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Friday testing was extreme wet at Donington Park GP Circuit" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67YXw-a6jGY/XXDDxR-SOwI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/gjVTQCA9T80RYoa0YO0zyIR_wPZRN-hCQCLcBGAs/s400/DNNY5739.jpg" title="Friday testing was extreme wet at Donington Park GP Circuit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday testing was extreme wet at Donington Park GP Circuit</td></tr>
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<b style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u>Race One</u></b><br />
As the tow effect is quite strong at Donington Park - worth approx 1.5 secs per lap (if not more), I didn't really get a clean lap in with a good tow, so qualified in sixth position.<br />
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I made a reasonable start, and within two laps was in the lead, and thought myself and James Murphy were going to make a break away. Somehow this didn't happen, I ended up getting swallowed up by the pack, missed a gear coming out of the Melbourne Loop and dropped down to 10th!<br />
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After dropping down to 10th, I clawed my way back up through the field over the remaining six or seven laps to eventually finish 5th.<br />
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<b><u>My Race Onboard Video:-</u></b><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LZtFzA52lHI" width="560"></iframe>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><b><u>Here is the Hayfisher Media Offical Caterham Cars Ltd Coverage of the race:-</u></b></span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_CJfIqqSTRQ" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<b style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u>Race Two</u></b><br />
<span style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Lined up on the grid in 5th place, got a bit of wheel spin on the start of the race. Kept my cool, picked up a couple of places, then got hung out to dry at Goddards, and dropped a couple of places... Got back to P3, then on lap 13, whilst in P4, something happened with the three in front, and I had to take avoiding action - as otherwise would've had a big crash into the back of Greg Monks (23:22) in the video. </span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_B5DegqG77g" width="560"></iframe>
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<span style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Luckily I didn't get beached in the gravel (or harpooned by anyone behind me), but had dropped down to P8! I clawed two places back and eventually managed to finish in P6.</span>
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<b><u>Championship Points Table</u></b><br />
Technically this weekend was a shocker for me, but nevertheless I still scored a decent haul of points, and increased my championship lead which is surprising!<br />
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<b><u>Round Seven - The Finale - Brands Hatch Indy</u></b><br />
The finale of the 2019 Caterham 270R championship is at <a href="https://www.brandshatch.co.uk/">Brands Hatch Circuit</a> in Kent on the 28th / 29th September. We will be racing on the Indy layout, which tight and technical track and I seem to go well at, so am looking forward to the upcoming finale! All being well there is a chance I can secure the championship on the Saturday, which would be a nice achievement indeed.<br />
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Feel free to come and say Hi if you're coming along to watch.</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-25758455838826529262019-07-20T09:47:00.000+01:002019-08-12T13:54:16.502+01:00Round Five - Spa-Francorchamps - 2019 Caterham 270R Championship<b><u>Round Five - Spa Francorchamps - 2019 Caterham 270R Championship</u></b><br />
Round five (races nine and ten) of the 2019 Caterham 270R Championship was held at <a href="http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/en">Spa-Francorchamps</a> Circuit in Belgium on the weekend of 20th and 21st July.<br />
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<b><u>Testing</u></b>It's a fair journey for me to get to Spa, and I'm sure it's equally long for others (if not further), but I wanted to get the maximum track time possible, and found there was a track evening held on the Wednesday night. I managed to get onto the that session which was fun and Thursday was a rest day.</div>
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Friday was a 'normal' test day, which also was great fun, but I just couldn't quite get the car into some corners, and thus my ultimate lap time was never really higher than P5. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w_W2BRIO47s/XUfyqJ85QqI/AAAAAAAAD-0/0QyBY2yLWx81rCBGlzZdl6-eE182IQnNwCLcBGAs/s1600/SPA_1660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French - Caterham 270R - Eau Rouge Corner - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w_W2BRIO47s/XUfyqJ85QqI/AAAAAAAAD-0/0QyBY2yLWx81rCBGlzZdl6-eE182IQnNwCLcBGAs/s400/SPA_1660.jpg" title="Daniel French - Caterham 270R - Eau Rouge Corner - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French - Caterham 270R - Eau Rouge Corner - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium</td></tr>
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<b><u>Race One:-</u></b><br />
I qualified sixth on the gird, which was my 2nd lowest qualifying position of this year, and also of my Caterham Race 'Career'.<br />
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The forecasted conditions for the race were mixed / dry, so I thought it best to be a little cautious and go with a middle tyre in case it rained, but was on a full dry suspension setup (as I think everyone else was).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbPWdeNPxG0/XUfjVqEdELI/AAAAAAAAD-o/pmmWl9RcSUEV3mm2b4xWdTAXjMAf9fI-ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_1083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tyre choice was critical for the first race" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbPWdeNPxG0/XUfjVqEdELI/AAAAAAAAD-o/pmmWl9RcSUEV3mm2b4xWdTAXjMAf9fI-ACLcBGAs/s400/DSC_1083.jpg" title="Tyre choice was critical for the first race" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyre choice was critical for the first race</td></tr>
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The heavens opened whilst gridding up, and we had two laps under safety car conditions, then the race started under green flags - where the video starts. I was a fair bit behind the leaders when the green flag started the race, as I think there was some confusion of others in front of me thinking it would be a standing start, but nevertheless I pushed on and made up four places.<br />
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The weather got worse, minute by minute, until nearly every corner was like a river and the car was aquaplaning everywhere. A few people went off, and the race was eventually red-flagged with myself in 2nd place (after having an off myself at 13:31).<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t5zybn99YxI" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Due to the red flag count back rule, the race was counted back to lap 4 (rather than 5 for some reason) which meant I eventually finished 4th, but Lewis Thompson was disqualified for crashing (after I passed him, but prior to the red flag) and I inherited third.</div>
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<b><u>Race Two:-</u></b></div>
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Starting from third, I got a good start and was into 2nd place by La Source corner, made an attempt to lead the race and then a 30 minute battle ensued with no less than 49 position changes! I hope you enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed the racing!</div>
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I made a challenge on the last lap into the bus stop, but eventually finished in fourth position. My on-board video is below:-</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ul2umYkbUwk" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<b><u>Live-Streamed Video:-</u></b>The race was the first Caterham Race to be live-streamed to the internet, and I think the guys at Hayfisher Media done a great job, covering both the Roadsport and 270R races in real time. The video is now available to view on YouTube here:-</div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SOmCAR26hRE" width="560"></iframe>
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<b><u>Weekend Reflection</u></b><br />
Having not put a foot on the podium this weekend, it was a pretty long drive home. I had a chance to reflect on the weekend, and was still pleased with the result, how I drove, and most of all having been part of a race weekend at Spa! A lifelong dream!</div>
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<b><u>Cracked Wishbone Mount</u></b></div>
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I wasn't overly happy with the handling of the car, especially into Pouhon corner - the car was 'sketchy' into there to say the least... I noticed the front wishbone mount was badly cracked, so had to get this replaced, and this put my mind to rest as to why the car felt so unsettled at Pouhon (very fast downhill left hander). This just goes to emphasise how important it is to do your spanner checks!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSg8YOAnHCU/XUfdvQOFgjI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/hcfU4BRMFXsB3YDoD7qf78nMwcUdhiPcgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cracked Upper Wishbone Mount" border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="960" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSg8YOAnHCU/XUfdvQOFgjI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/hcfU4BRMFXsB3YDoD7qf78nMwcUdhiPcgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2381.JPG" title="Cracked Upper Wishbone Mount" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cracked Upper Wishbone Mount</td></tr>
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<b><u>Championship Points Table</u></b></div>
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Although I didn't put a foot on the podium, I managed to score the 2nd highest amount of points this weekend, and that was only one point less than Matt Sheppard, so I'm happy with how the weekend unfolded for the championship. I'm now in the lead on the points table with 263 points, which is 3 ahead of previous championship leader Justin heap. There's still another four races of the season, so it's all to play for!</div>
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<b><u>Round Six - Donington Park</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.85px;">The next race is at Donington Park this coming weekend. I'm looking forward to this as it's a track I really enjoy racing there, especially on the GP layout.<br /><br />Feel free to come and say Hi if you're coming along to watch.</span></div>
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Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-57932349361243453892019-07-04T10:20:00.002+01:002019-07-08T11:32:14.301+01:00Round Four - Snetterton 300 - 2019 Caterham 270R Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Round Four of the 2019 Motul Caterham 270R Championship</u></div>
Was held at <a href="https://www.snetterton.co.uk/">Snetterton Circuit</a> near Norwich, Norfolk... I'm still the current lap record holder of this track in the Caterham Academy, and although I consider this not to be a technical track, and as such not one of my favourites, I seem to usually have good pace here, and as such was feeling confident for the weekend.<br />
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Thursday testing went well, tried a few different setups, harder, softer, higher, lower and ended up settling on my 'baseline' as the car felt good as it was, and at least I'd tried the other setups to know they definitely didn't work! </div>
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Thursday night is usually beers with the lads night, and we did just that.</div>
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Friday morning, the weather was dry, sun shining and I was in a great mood, looking forward to the day of testing... Until....... I managed to drop my Caterham onto my left index finger (the finger was on top of the axle stand) and crushed the finger!</div>
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I went straight to the circuit medical centre and Sam from Caterham took me to the A&E of <a href="http://www.nnuh.nhs.uk/">Norwich and Norfolk hospital</a>. The finger got x-rayed, and it was confirmed I'd badly broken the intermediary phalange of my left index finger.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SwwlGiKTg0/XRtHq2T2-HI/AAAAAAAAD8s/_t7llrYrEyI7TtRd3hmvijsbNy_5qEgPgCLcBGAs/s1600/break-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Broken Intermediary Phalange of my left index finger after dropping my Caterham onto the finger" border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1600" height="326" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SwwlGiKTg0/XRtHq2T2-HI/AAAAAAAAD8s/_t7llrYrEyI7TtRd3hmvijsbNy_5qEgPgCLcBGAs/s400/break-collage.jpg" title="Broken Intermediary Phalange of my left index finger after dropping my Caterham onto the finger" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken Intermediary Phalange of my left index finger after dropping my Caterham onto the finger</td></tr>
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The doctors wanted to operate on the day, but that would've left me possibly in a cast / structure that I couldn't race with, so in true 'racing driver' fashion, I delayed the operation so I could at least try to race!</div>
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<b><u>Qualifying</u></b></div>
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A couple of friends I know suggested to move the steering wheel further towards me, so I wouldn't stub my broken finger on the dash. This was a great idea, but not my ideal driving position! I fully strapped y finger up for qualifying, but it wouldn't fit in the glove, so I had to remove most of the strapping, and brave it!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqE_yy_CvM4/XRtODXBiWKI/AAAAAAAAD84/N5MLVryOCzsKkEvmKss02T6BzRg6JPyOgCLcBGAs/s1600/SNET2344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French qualifying P8 with a broken finger for race one of the 2019 Caterham 270R Race at Snetterton" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqE_yy_CvM4/XRtODXBiWKI/AAAAAAAAD84/N5MLVryOCzsKkEvmKss02T6BzRg6JPyOgCLcBGAs/s400/SNET2344.jpg" title="Daniel French qualifying P8 with a broken finger for race one of the 2019 Caterham 270R Race at Snetterton" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French qualifying P8 with a broken finger for race one of the 2019 Caterham 270R Race at Snetterton</td></tr>
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Every gear change hurt, and particularly the slower hairpin corners hurt very much too, but I managed to slightly adjust my gear shifts and also how I rolled the car into the corners, and managed to qualify P8 on the grid, which all things considered was very good!<br />
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<b><u>Race One</u></b></div>
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Lining up on the grid in P8 felt a touch 'unusual' as this was my worst qualifying grid position since I started racing Caterhams...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5hxBSXnUPEw/XRtOOKpW8cI/AAAAAAAAD88/Q0Gf7BbczOwcAnTkjV2VP87Mx0hcR4LcACLcBGAs/s1600/SNET4734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5hxBSXnUPEw/XRtOOKpW8cI/AAAAAAAAD88/Q0Gf7BbczOwcAnTkjV2VP87Mx0hcR4LcACLcBGAs/s400/SNET4734.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I got a reasonable start, and tried to make my way up the field... Miraculously by the end of lap one I was nearly in the lead! The full onboard race video is below:-</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FZnwOemTX4Y" width="560"></iframe>
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Unbelievably, I only went and won the race! The narrowest win of my 'racing career' - by only 0.006 of a second. James Murphy and Matt Sheppard both raced really well, but this is by far my greatest victory of all time. </div>
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<b><u>Here is a link to the official Caterham Hayfisher Media TV Coverage:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KeUOay_3eMU" width="560"></iframe>
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I will never forget the feeling of pure unfiltered joy, having achieved what was considered by many; impossible. It just goes to show if you put your mind to it, almost anything is possible with the right attitude and desire.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JuUlfupmwS8/XRtOU1MLCWI/AAAAAAAAD9E/8zdv516U3uoRkBKTmRMXAUHXknLCrP-ygCLcBGAs/s1600/SNET1673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French in Parc Ferme at Snetterton 300 Circuit in the first Caterham 270R race of the weekend finished - P1" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JuUlfupmwS8/XRtOU1MLCWI/AAAAAAAAD9E/8zdv516U3uoRkBKTmRMXAUHXknLCrP-ygCLcBGAs/s400/SNET1673.jpg" title="Daniel French in Parc Ferme at Snetterton 300 Circuit in the first Caterham 270R race of the weekend finished - P1" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French in Parc Ferme at Snetterton 300 Circuit in the first Caterham 270R race of the weekend finished - P1</td></tr>
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The podium pic:-</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05pabRFm_r8/XRtObBgRmfI/AAAAAAAAD9M/Dm1rZ0dY4FkNNfcofexf7iA6Ou2ToxQHQCLcBGAs/s1600/SNET1931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="l-r James Murphy (P2), ME and my finger (P1), Matt Sheppard (P3)" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05pabRFm_r8/XRtObBgRmfI/AAAAAAAAD9M/Dm1rZ0dY4FkNNfcofexf7iA6Ou2ToxQHQCLcBGAs/s400/SNET1931.jpg" title="l-r James Murphy (P2), ME and my finger (P1), Matt Sheppard (P3)" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">l-r James Murphy (P2), ME and my finger (P1), Matt Sheppard (P3)</td></tr>
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The top eight drivers making fun of my fortune and misfortune!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPEx86SPJdc/XRtOa-YSGOI/AAAAAAAAD9I/82ElgHqbSkIJjScclFfJDoUVfLlHcsfugCLcBGAs/s1600/SNET1879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Top eight drivers giving the one fingered salute! Great cameraderie fellas!" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPEx86SPJdc/XRtOa-YSGOI/AAAAAAAAD9I/82ElgHqbSkIJjScclFfJDoUVfLlHcsfugCLcBGAs/s400/SNET1879.jpg" title="Top eight drivers giving the one fingered salute! Great cameraderie fellas!" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top eight drivers giving the one fingered salute! Great cameraderie fellas!</td></tr>
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After race one finished there was a paddock party (provided by Caterham), which was really good... Great evening, warm weather, having just won the race, a few beers, food and banter - brilliant stuff.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><u>Race Two</u></span></div>
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The finishing position of race one decides your race two grid position, so I was on pole position with James Murphy P2.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIpeDd0N160/XRtO112mDPI/AAAAAAAAD9o/cuVM1PUxoXYr5j66yOX0Yg_dFXCEWNetgCLcBGAs/s1600/SNET5212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French leading the pack round Corum corner at Snetterton Circuit in race two of the 2019 Caterham 270r championship." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIpeDd0N160/XRtO112mDPI/AAAAAAAAD9o/cuVM1PUxoXYr5j66yOX0Yg_dFXCEWNetgCLcBGAs/s400/SNET5212.jpg" title="Daniel French leading the pack round Corum corner at Snetterton Circuit in race two of the 2019 Caterham 270r championship." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French leading the pack round Corum corner at Snetterton Circuit in race two of the 2019 Caterham 270r championship.</td></tr>
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I got an OK start, James Murphy got a better start, so I was down to P2 by the first corner... The race was a long battle of swapping places, tactical positioning, and defending and attacking at the right places so as not to make any mistakes - basically true, raw, fun racing! Onboard race video below:-</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h2MtwYl3DaY" width="560"></iframe>
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I was in P1 onto the final straight, but got out-towed by Justin Heap to the finish line, which meant I finished P2 (by just 0.1 of a second).</div>
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The podium picture:-</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGBBxuL0sS8/XRtO8O9-rSI/AAAAAAAAD9w/PNjSj5M5qm0Chn3Oi_yCS0LLUamIvd7uACLcBGAs/s1600/Race2-podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="l-r me! (P2), Justin Heap (P1), Greg Monks (P3)" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGBBxuL0sS8/XRtO8O9-rSI/AAAAAAAAD9w/PNjSj5M5qm0Chn3Oi_yCS0LLUamIvd7uACLcBGAs/s400/Race2-podium.jpg" title="l-r me! (P2), Justin Heap (P1), Greg Monks (P3)" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">l-r me! (P2), Justin Heap (P1), Greg Monks (P3)</td></tr>
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<b><u>Championship Points Table</u></b></div>
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Given that I was in A&E on the Friday morning of the race weekend, I was thinking of 'damage limitation' and top ten finishes at best, however I managed to score the most amount of points of any 270R driver this weekend - 58 out of maximum 60 (fastest laps aside), which means I've managed to claw back another three points from Justin Heap (current championship leader). </div>
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<b><u>Round Five - Spa Francorchamps</u></b></div>
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I'm currently typing this blog post whilst waiting in hospital for my finger to be pinned back together. It's been agreed with the surgeon that he'll give me hidden pins, which allows me to race in two weeks at Spa (with suitable protection) - which is fantastic news! Fingers crossed ☺</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-32347412886746603942019-06-05T09:57:00.000+01:002019-07-08T11:31:54.353+01:00Round Three - Oulton Park - 2019 Caterham 270R Championship<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><u><b>Round Three of the 2019 Motul Caterham 270R Championship</b></u></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><br />Was held on the weekend of the 1st June 2019 at <a href="https://www.oultonpark.co.uk/">Oulton Park Circuit</a> in Cheshire</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">. Due to noise regulations, the weekend is compacted into one hectic day of qualifying and racing!</span><br />
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<b><u>Qualifying</u></b></div>
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I made a fairly significant setup discovery whilst testing over the Thursday and Friday, so was feeling confident for the day ahead. Qualifying was at 8:30 in the morning, and I think I got pole, but Matt Sheppard's time was 1.3 seconds faster than mine (as his transponder wasn't working), but the circuit is never wrong of course ☺, so we were both delighted to be on the front row!</div>
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<b><u>Race One</u></b></div>
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I got a great start, then made a bit of a break away. This gap was wiped out by a safety car 6:45 (in the video below) due to an accident between four drivers at 7:00 (all drivers ok!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiFMTDWVl5U/XPeD1FJ5CkI/AAAAAAAAD8E/1W7j6w_7_jM8Cj8Yv9VQHwUquHkWLCI3gCLcBGAs/s1600/OULT7487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French starting the first Caterham 270R race of the weekend at Oulton Park Circuit" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiFMTDWVl5U/XPeD1FJ5CkI/AAAAAAAAD8E/1W7j6w_7_jM8Cj8Yv9VQHwUquHkWLCI3gCLcBGAs/s400/OULT7487.jpg" title="Daniel French starting the first Caterham 270R race of the weekend at Oulton Park Circuit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French starting the first Caterham 270R race of the weekend at Oulton Park Circuit</td></tr>
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<b style="font-size: 14.85px;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px; font-weight: 400;">The race was restarted 7:30, and I made a great restart, and broke away from the pack again. Got a good gap, only for my wheel to come loose 16:00 and fly off 16:46 on the penultimate lap! See the video here below:-</span></b><br />
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<b style="font-size: 14.85px;"><u>Race One Onboard Video:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C0CheFdC3dI" style="background-color: transparent;" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Unbelievably, after m</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">y wheel flew off, it's final resting position was right on the racing line. I was furious at myself of however this had happened, and was not going to get out of the car as I probably would've had a massive childish strop at the side of the track, so I got the car back parc ferme (whilst on three wheels), as the race was red flagged. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9lMWvdWcDI/XPeDQtFr_6I/AAAAAAAAD7o/jKCOv5thAx8fNMfWy5sH4oM0Dc6wpqtWQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_3023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="P1 on three wheels??? How on earth was this possible? Someone higher force was certainly looking out for me today!" border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1200" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9lMWvdWcDI/XPeDQtFr_6I/AAAAAAAAD7o/jKCOv5thAx8fNMfWy5sH4oM0Dc6wpqtWQCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_3023.jpg" title="P1 on three wheels??? How on earth was this possible? Someone higher force was certainly looking out for me today!" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P1 on three wheels??? How on earth was this possible? Someone higher force was certainly looking out for me today!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Unbeknownst</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"> to me, due to the red flag count-back rules, and after some confusion I still ended up being declared the winner of the race! After a bit of investigation, that although I torque my wheel nuts up before the race (as I always do), my torque wrench was set incorrectly!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G94sopOPeM8/XPeDV5fMoCI/AAAAAAAAD7s/kels1GOGAzA3TF2Uuw9wOBE7Q8OaOt35wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_3104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="(l-r) Matt Sheppard (p2), Daniel French a.k.a. me! (p1!), Justin Heap (p3)" border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1200" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G94sopOPeM8/XPeDV5fMoCI/AAAAAAAAD7s/kels1GOGAzA3TF2Uuw9wOBE7Q8OaOt35wCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_3104.jpg" title="(l-r) Matt Sheppard (p2), Daniel French a.k.a. me! (p1!), Justin Heap (p3)" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(l-r) Matt Sheppard (p2), Daniel French a.k.a. me! (p1!), Justin Heap (p3).</td></tr>
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<b style="font-size: 14.85px;"><u>Race Two</u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">Starting from pole position, I was excited for the second race of the weekend, and having not crossed the finish line in first place of the previous race and still somehow winning, I wanted to put that right in this race. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qEnrJKDY8M/XPeDhDFLwuI/AAAAAAAAD70/lzXYL8AjyPQU3k0lVc7VFfkRuZOOLyMXACLcBGAs/s1600/OULT1707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French leading the chasing pack in the second Caterham 270R race of the weekend at Oulton Park" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qEnrJKDY8M/XPeDhDFLwuI/AAAAAAAAD70/lzXYL8AjyPQU3k0lVc7VFfkRuZOOLyMXACLcBGAs/s400/OULT1707.jpg" title="Daniel French leading the chasing pack in the second Caterham 270R race of the weekend at Oulton Park" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French leading the chasing pack in the second Caterham 270R race of the weekend at Oulton Park</td></tr>
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<b style="font-size: 14.85px;"><u>Race Two Onboard Video:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WdUjIxUUQbE" width="560"></iframe>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Race two was a great old school battle, James Murphy (and Matt Sheppard) both drove really well with James crossing the finish line in 1st place, but received a 5 second penalty for exceeding track limits. This meant he he was relegated to 4th place, and I inherited the win. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Great to score a double win this weekend - I wonder how many times in racing someone has won two races in one day without crossing the finish line in 1st place on both occasions? A very fortunate weekend, and I'm grateful for the luck and championship points that I've secured.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lw3Q8WhMFU/XPeDk5BvISI/AAAAAAAAD74/nzKuF6LiueQJbpsbfi7ZZqkM6QOdsHxjACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_3958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="(l-r) Matt Sheppard (p2), Daniel French a.k.a. me! (p1!), Greg Monks (p3)" border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1200" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lw3Q8WhMFU/XPeDk5BvISI/AAAAAAAAD74/nzKuF6LiueQJbpsbfi7ZZqkM6QOdsHxjACLcBGAs/s400/DSC_3958.jpg" title="(l-r) Matt Sheppard (p2), Daniel French a.k.a. me! (p1!), Greg Monks (p3)" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(l-r) Matt Sheppard (p2), Daniel French a.k.a. me! (p1!), Greg Monks (p3)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.85px;"><b><u>Here is a link to the Official Caterham 270R Hayfisher Media coverage for the race day:-</u></b></span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1hbBciXGCOs" width="560"></iframe><b style="font-size: 14.85px;"><u>
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<b style="font-size: 14.85px;"><u>Championship Points Table</u></b><span style="font-size: 14.85px;"><br />After picking up the maximum points this weekend (fastest laps aside), I've clawed my position back somewhat to a joint second place with Daniel Halstead, but this is still 13 points behind Justin Heap (due to the crash at <a href="http://www.caterhamr500.co.uk/2019/04/round-one-silverstone-national-2019.html">Silverstone race 2</a>).</span></div>
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<b><u>Round Four - Snetterton 300</u></b></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Round four of the championship is at <a href="https://www.snetterton.co.uk/">Snetterton</a>, a circuit which I'm not a great fan of, but seem to go well at. There's also a paddock party on the Saturday night, so I'm looking forward to the weekend. The qualifying and race one are on Saturday 29th June, with the second race of the weekend the day after on Sunday 30th June.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Feel free to come and say hi if you're coming to spectate.</span>Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-76840398544537903882019-05-06T09:38:00.000+01:002019-05-13T13:13:54.241+01:00Round Two - Croft - 2019 Caterham 270R Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>Round Two of the 2019 Motul Caterham 270R Championship</u></b></div>
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Was held on the weekend of the 4th May 2019 at <a href="http://www.croftcircuit.co.uk/">Croft Circuit</a> in North Yorkshire. As it's quite some distance from where I live it'd never been a circuit I was interested in testing, and as such had never been to the track. I decided it best to book both test days before the race weekend to learn the track and get up to speed.<br />
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<b><u>A quick note on life in the paddock</u></b><br />
Having taken things probably too seriously in the Academy, 'a little' less seriously in Roadsport, and now 'much' less seriously in 270R - it's great to enjoy the experience, and you quickly get to see what the Caterham paddock is really all about... The highs and lows of motor-racing come and go as quickly as each another, but the true part of race weekends is the hanging out with like minded mates, testing, setup chat, going for beers and just generally having a good time!</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_tYQf1FPZJw/XNKsvIoHETI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/tUTO-_9r2fo3tUEzJnnKOY6D84CBQMpUwCLcBGAs/s1600/CRFT1873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Paddock life - good banter with like minded mates" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_tYQf1FPZJw/XNKsvIoHETI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/tUTO-_9r2fo3tUEzJnnKOY6D84CBQMpUwCLcBGAs/s400/CRFT1873.jpg" title="Paddock life - good banter with like minded mates" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddock life - good banter with like minded mates</td></tr>
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<b><u>Qualifying</u></b></div>
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After two days of testing I was happy with the car setup and it was onto qualifying on the Saturday just after midday. Qualify went as good as it could - I got a great lap in early on in the session which was fast enough for pole... Considering the first time I'd ever driven round croft was only two days prior, I was delighted to get pole position, and was in the best place possible for the start of race one!</div>
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<b><u>Race One</u></b></div>
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I managed to get a good start, led for the first five laps, before being out-towed by Daniel Halstead, so sat in his and Justin Heaps tow for the remainder of the race, then decided to pounce on the last lap...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMAY3PIsA3E/XNKq-OyoRcI/AAAAAAAAD6o/RvN1v6w1soMdMiAoSAsMFnkqwxstuCJLwCLcBGAs/s1600/CRFT0938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel Halstead and Daniel French battling for position in the 2019 Caterham 270R Race one at Croft Circuit" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMAY3PIsA3E/XNKq-OyoRcI/AAAAAAAAD6o/RvN1v6w1soMdMiAoSAsMFnkqwxstuCJLwCLcBGAs/s400/CRFT0938.jpg" title="Daniel Halstead and Daniel French battling for position in the 2019 Caterham 270R Race one at Croft Circuit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel Halstead and Daniel French battling for position in the 2019 Caterham 270R Race one at Croft Circuit</td></tr>
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<b><u>Race One Onboard Video:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cM8_k_DXLpc" width="560"></iframe>
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At 29:59 (in the video above) the last lap begins... I waited patiently throughout the race and then put on some pressure; pounced when Daniel Halstead went wide on Sunny Out... I made the move into first place stick into the complex, and block Dan from coming back through, but he made a lunge into the hairpin which I had to avoid a crash by getting out of the way. Nevertheless I was happy finishing in P2, my first podium of the year, and hopefully the start of more to come!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsMIt1yqotY/XNKq_RlxnbI/AAAAAAAAD60/ywK9pjl5HUECzebEIMyIFM2vEqvrWJ-wACLcBGAs/s1600/CRFT1149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="(l-r) Daniel French (aka me!) P2, Daniel Halstead P1, Justin Heap P3" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsMIt1yqotY/XNKq_RlxnbI/AAAAAAAAD60/ywK9pjl5HUECzebEIMyIFM2vEqvrWJ-wACLcBGAs/s400/CRFT1149.jpg" title="(l-r) Daniel French (aka me!) P2, Daniel Halstead P1, Justin Heap P3" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(l-r) Daniel French (aka me!) P2, Daniel Halstead P1, Justin Heap P3</td></tr>
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In hindsight I think I should've reported Dan's overtake on me into the Hairpin, as I was confident the room wasn't there, and I didn't brake early - looking over the footage he was off the track as well, which is leaving the track and gaining an advantage.... Anyway... A lesson learnt, and in future I will report such an incident, as I'm confident (with team support/backing - see my note below) this would've been reported had the shoe been on the other foot.<br />
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<b><u>Race Two</u></b><br />
The grid for race two is (as always) decided by your finishing position in race one, so I started on the front row again, albeit P2 this time. I got another great start, led for the first few corners, where Dan Halstead and Justin Heap out towed me into tower corner. We moved around position wise for the first 18 minutes or so in the race which was good fun... then....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HO1DwCdDmKw/XNKq_Wfp1FI/AAAAAAAAD6w/AnsJAobS3rwkxqFMdTG5CMroRXP5b5Z8wCLcBGAs/s1600/CRFT4994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French leading the pack in into Clervaux Corner in the second of the 2019 Caterham 270R races at Croft Circuit" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HO1DwCdDmKw/XNKq_Wfp1FI/AAAAAAAAD6w/AnsJAobS3rwkxqFMdTG5CMroRXP5b5Z8wCLcBGAs/s400/CRFT4994.jpg" title="Daniel French leading the pack in into Clervaux Corner in the second of the 2019 Caterham 270R races at Croft Circuit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French leading the pack in into Clervaux Corner in the second of the 2019 Caterham 270R races at Croft Circuit</td></tr>
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<b><u>Race Two Onboard Video:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bT_Mxs1Ne4Q" width="560"></iframe>
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At 19:29 in the video above the dreaded gearbox gremlins struck again! I was leading the race, pulled 4th gear and it was engaged, but a box full of neutrals!!!! arrrggghhh!!! I dropped back to 7th, and clawed my way back up the pack to finished P2... Which I'm happy with after the issue, but slightly annoyed about another missed opportunity.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OOMcaKWR5H8/XNKq_Ug6zTI/AAAAAAAAD6s/OaIhzgNrIjIBQoOH-1ixahky4FJ2vpTkACLcBGAs/s1600/CRFT5676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="(l-r) Daniel French (aka me!) P2, Daniel Halstead P1, Neil Fraser P3" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OOMcaKWR5H8/XNKq_Ug6zTI/AAAAAAAAD6s/OaIhzgNrIjIBQoOH-1ixahky4FJ2vpTkACLcBGAs/s400/CRFT5676.jpg" title="(l-r) Daniel French (aka me!) P2, Daniel Halstead P1, Neil Fraser P3" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(l-r) Daniel French (aka me!) P2, Daniel Halstead P1, Neil Fraser P3</td></tr>
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<b style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u>Championship Points Table</u></b></div>
So as it stands now I'm in third place; a fair few points adrift, but once the (two allowable) dropped scores are taken into account, then things look somewhat better - I'll just explain that it is the best 12 scores out of the 14 races that count towards the final championship position. Having said that, the points shift between places is so minimal in this championship it's hard to claw points back unless other competitors make a mistake / DNF or get penalties, and I won't rely on the misfortune of others.<br />
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<b><u>Team Support</u></b></div>
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Different to Academy and Roadsport - in 270R, 310R and 420R championships you are allowed to be supported by a race team, to make things 'easier' or maybe the best way to describe it would be 'less hassle' - it's known as 'team support'. However, I decided to run as a privateer this year, which means all pre-race prep, transportation, setup, spanner checks and so on are self managed which is interesting, but it is getting tougher to compete 'single handed' against much larger teams with many years of knowledge. I do have an ever growing 'Support Team' though, and Jon at <a href="http://www.snappyracers.com/">Snappyracers</a> took this great pic of my many supporters (well all family!!!) wearing their 'Daniel caps'! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gK5CMAEDbAQ/XNKsq86rviI/AAAAAAAAD7M/6e2VF15F01wu2LElDYVRfD0VUV9Pigk4gCLcBGAs/s1600/CRFT5722-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Daniel 'Support Team' at it's finest." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gK5CMAEDbAQ/XNKsq86rviI/AAAAAAAAD7M/6e2VF15F01wu2LElDYVRfD0VUV9Pigk4gCLcBGAs/s400/CRFT5722-2.jpg" title="The Daniel 'Support Team' at it's finest." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Daniel 'Support Team' at it's finest.</td></tr>
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<b><u>Round Three - Oulton Park</u></b></div>
Round three of the championship is at Oulton Park - I've only tested there back in 2017, but I remember enjoying the track, so am really excited about racing there. Oulton Park is also a strange race weekend, as it's only on the Saturday, so it will be a busy day with qualifying, Race one and Race two all done in a day!<br />
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Feel free to come and say hi if you're coming to spectate.Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-72909213996821636922019-04-09T12:26:00.003+01:002019-07-08T11:31:43.162+01:00Round One - Silverstone National - 2019 Caterham 270R Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a while since my last blog post... Work and other commitments getting in the way, so I'm a bit 'rusty' at this blogging thing...</div>
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...Nevertheless the 2019 Caterham 270R racing season started last weekend at Silverstone National Circuit. As is often the case at Silverstone there was only one test day on the friday before, but there was a great endurance race a few weekends prior which most competitors (myself included) attended.</div>
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<b><u>Qualifying</u></b></div>
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I'll keep this short and sweet - I qualified in 3rd place only half a tenth off pole, which I was happy with.</div>
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We lined up in the assembly area, and this lovely picture was taken by the <a href="http://www.snappyracers.com/">Snappy Racers</a> team:-</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzPhcuGgKM0/XKxU-pv0pUI/AAAAAAAAD50/f95jMOSEroYQwXV4k14JjXAqinReGLyGwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_2314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="l-r (me) Daniel French, Tom Allen, Matt Sheppard, James Murphy, Matthew Creak" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzPhcuGgKM0/XKxU-pv0pUI/AAAAAAAAD50/f95jMOSEroYQwXV4k14JjXAqinReGLyGwCEwYBhgL/s400/DSC_2314.jpg" title="l-r (me) Daniel French, Tom Allen, Matt Sheppard, James Murphy, Matthew Creak" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">l-r (me) Daniel French, Tom Allen, Matt Sheppard, James Murphy, Matthew Creak</td></tr>
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<b><u>Onto Race One</u></b> </div>
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As always I try to make some sort of race plan which usually goes out of the window as soon as the red lights go out! But... the plan was to get a good start, stay out of trouble, make a break away, and bag some decent points. </div>
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It all started out well... I got into P1 and managed to get a couple of opportunities to break away, but just couldn’t quite break the tow (slipstream), and funnily enough Silverstone is classified as being in 'Towcester' which I think I'll rename to 'TowFester' as I think that's quite a good analogy, as this race weekend was a complete Tow Fest..! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rk-jhVVJg0Q/XKxU_dgUejI/AAAAAAAAD5w/MXWQy1ds-tMJSAebodjH2xdREFgAP690QCLcBGAs/s1600/SILV6972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French leading the pack into Luffield Corner - 2019 Caterham 270R Motul Championship Race One" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rk-jhVVJg0Q/XKxU_dgUejI/AAAAAAAAD5w/MXWQy1ds-tMJSAebodjH2xdREFgAP690QCLcBGAs/s400/SILV6972.jpg" title="Daniel French leading the pack into Luffield Corner - 2019 Caterham 270R Motul Championship Race One" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French leading the pack into Luffield Corner - 2019 Caterham 270R Motul Championship Race One</td></tr>
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I dropped down to 10th at one point, fought my way back up to finish 4th one tenth behind the photo finish of Matt Sheppard (P1), Justin Heap (P2) and James Murphy (P3).</div>
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<b><u>Race One - Onboard Footage Below:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZfPLBigfgE0" width="560"></iframe>
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<b><u>Race Two</u></b></div>
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Having finished race one in 4th, this decided my grid position for race two. Like the previous day the race plan was to get a good start, stay out of trouble, and bag some decent points. And once again in the holding area before the race, there was a nice picture taken by the snappy racers team - this time one of the MOTUL guys (the title sponsors of our championship) taking a liking to my 'named mirror'.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auHKZL87E6w/XKxU-0RQhwI/AAAAAAAAD5s/MwO4ZPBD6PopVQDGF9_LGDRIgE4VNbmNwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_3045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Motul Sponsors (being a FRENCH company) took a liking to my mirror!" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auHKZL87E6w/XKxU-0RQhwI/AAAAAAAAD5s/MwO4ZPBD6PopVQDGF9_LGDRIgE4VNbmNwCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_3045.jpg" title="The Motul Sponsors (being a FRENCH company) took a liking to my mirror!" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Motul Sponsors (being a FRENCH company) took a liking to my mirror!</td></tr>
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The race started reasonably well, I grabbed the lead on lap 2, then somehow it all went downhill from there. I slipped down the pack to my lowest position in Caterham racing to date – 14th! I dug deep and fought my way back up to 4th with a great tow on the final lap and an opportunity to grab a decent place on the podium - only to be collected by a crash at Brooklands corner on the very last lap dropping me down to my ‘career worst’ finish of 21st! You can see this at 30mins and 30seconds (in the video below) </div>
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<b><u>Race Two - Onboard Footage Below:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lrg9Y-Y5jP8" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<b><u>Link to Official Caterham 270R Hayfisher Media Coverage:-</u></b><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mLmvfODY2I8" width="560"></iframe><b><u>
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<b><u>Round One Summary:-</u></b><br />
So on a results based summary this was a disappointing weekend. However, my pace was good, I led both races and on a different circuit I think I would've been able to make a break away, so overall I'm pleased. I'm not so pleased that my 2nd race of the season will be a 'drop score' which could make things a little more difficult later on in the championship.<br />
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On a 'fun factor' based summary, an absolute quality weekend, great close racing and spending time with like minded friends!<br />
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<b><u>Round Two:-</u></b><br />
Roll on round two which is at <a href="http://www.croftcircuit.co.uk/">Croft Circuit</a> on 4th and 5th May 2019.<br />
Feel free to come and say hi if you're coming to watch.Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0Silverstone, Towcester NN12 8TL, UK52.0761025 -1.018033000000059552.066342999999996 -1.0382030000000595 52.085862 -0.99786300000005945tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-75419275810707087362018-09-24T20:26:00.000+01:002018-09-24T20:26:33.890+01:00Round Seven - Silverstone - 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Final Round of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship was at Silverstone International Circuit. I arrived on Thursday evening, got setup and ready for one day testing on the Friday before the race weekend.</div>
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<br />Testing went well, I had my setup sorted, an awesome looking set of dry race tyres, a set of brand new tyres (in case it was going to be wet), and I was feeling confident and on top form with a view of clinching the title as it was going to go down to the last race.</div>
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As we went to the holding area for qualifying the rain started to drop, so it was a wet qualifying session. I seem to have a good feel for the car in the wet, so managed to qualify on pole by six tenths from P2 qualifier Daniel Halstead. </div>
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The race was going to be wet, and I went with what I thought was going to be a good setup, red front anti roll bar (medium) and full stiff on the rear (which is pretty much a dry setup). </div>
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<b><u>Race Video below:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qrAZvj7BY4o" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
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I started well and got a good lead, but as the track changed towards the end of the race, my setup didn't work as well, with my lead eroding lap by lap. James Murphy put a late move on me into Vale on the very last lap, which I didn't think would stick but did, so I ended up finishing P2, with James also securing fastest lap (worth one additional point).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBKgtGHvTCg/W6ilZQdoeLI/AAAAAAAAD40/slALiqscjKsMK0HTNwBB0dA3kkRm_mR-gCEwYBhgL/s1600/ETCC6578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2018 Caterham Roadsport Race 13 podium (l-r) Me! P2, James Murphy P1, and Toby Clowes P3." border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBKgtGHvTCg/W6ilZQdoeLI/AAAAAAAAD40/slALiqscjKsMK0HTNwBB0dA3kkRm_mR-gCEwYBhgL/s400/ETCC6578.jpg" title="2018 Caterham Roadsport Race 13 podium (l-r) Me! P2, James Murphy P1, and Toby Clowes P3." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 Caterham Roadsport Race 13 podium (l-r) Me! P2, James Murphy P1, and Toby Clowes P3.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So onto the FINAL Race of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship - race 14... I needed to win this race, and attain fastest lap (which is worth one point) to be crowned 2018 Caterham Roadsport Champion.<br />
<b><u>Race Video below:-</u></b><br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T2pQydAjar4" width="560"></iframe></div>
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I drove the wheels off the car, finishing 26.4 seconds in the lead and held the fastest lap for most of the race (without a tow), so it was great to go out with such a dominant victory. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztAyvKiPH1c/W6ilkxry6_I/AAAAAAAAD5A/QAcsOc-VK684Z6yvei-IGOMB6jdkeVycgCEwYBhgL/s1600/SILV4055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2018 Caterham Roadsport Race 14 podium (l-r) Oli Pratt P2, Me! P1! and Neil Frazer P3." border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztAyvKiPH1c/W6ilkxry6_I/AAAAAAAAD5A/QAcsOc-VK684Z6yvei-IGOMB6jdkeVycgCEwYBhgL/s400/SILV4055.jpg" title="2018 Caterham Roadsport Race 14 podium (l-r) Oli Pratt P2, Me! P1! and Neil Frazer P3." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 Caterham Roadsport Race 14 podium (l-r) Oli Pratt P2, Me! P1! and Neil Frazer P3.</td></tr>
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<b><u>How did the championship unfold?</u></b></div>
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Of course there are a number of what if's - as this is motor racing... these are some key points to this championship that I think are relevant:-</div>
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<ul>
<li>An un-diagnosed problem with my gearbox at both races at Snetterton (third was engaged, but box was neutral) - gearbox was replaced.</li>
<li>Another gearbox problem at Brands Hatch (my fault as trying to shift to 1st rather than 3rd!) - gearbox was rebuilt</li>
<li>Penalty points could be reversed by a days marshalling</li>
<li>I incorrectly 'best guessed' the car setup for the wet Silverstone race</li>
<li>Missing out on fastest lap in the last race by 0.028 of a second (without a tow), which was worth the point I needed.</li>
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The season couldn't have been closer and congratulations to James Murphy who has driven brilliantly all year - he is crowned 2018 Caterham Roadsport Champion. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSv-keshbro/W6ilpAKSNKI/AAAAAAAAD5E/lEnM-1QVgK0c8EClqX3UpfaZOW7DmkVswCEwYBhgL/s1600/SILV9356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French and James Murphy P2 and P1 (respectively) of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSv-keshbro/W6ilpAKSNKI/AAAAAAAAD5E/lEnM-1QVgK0c8EClqX3UpfaZOW7DmkVswCEwYBhgL/s400/SILV9356.jpg" title="Daniel French and James Murphy P2 and P1 (respectively) of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French and James Murphy P2 and P1 (respectively) of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship</td></tr>
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<b><u>My take </u></b><b><u>away points from the season:-</u></b></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Overcoming the gearbox "issues" that thwarted me at the start of this season</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Understanding the car setup and how to get the most out of it</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Knowing the difference between a good and a great tire</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Wining the most amount of races this year, some by substantial margins</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Scoring the most amount of overall points, which at 395 is the same as last years Roadsport Champion, Pete Walters</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Considerable improvement in my racing throughout the year </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">What a blast!</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PR79_XhqXtk/W6iltTkB5VI/AAAAAAAAD5I/SE_4u7HUe3MSWQsu7HfTqhQmcXL7Mei5ACEwYBhgL/s1600/SILV1058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French - 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship Runner Up - Silverstone" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PR79_XhqXtk/W6iltTkB5VI/AAAAAAAAD5I/SE_4u7HUe3MSWQsu7HfTqhQmcXL7Mei5ACEwYBhgL/s400/SILV1058.jpg" title="Daniel French - 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship Runner Up - Silverstone" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French - 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship Runner Up - Silverstone</td></tr>
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The car is going to be upgraded to 270R spec over the coming weeks, and I intend to fight for the 270R championship in 2019 which I'm already fired up for, so bring it on. </div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-40141704027264972432018-09-07T15:40:00.001+01:002018-09-07T15:40:52.258+01:00Round Six - Thruxton - 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Round Six of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship was held last weekend (1st and 2nd September) at Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire.</div>
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When Thruxton was released on the calendar last year, there was only one test day and questions were asked by many - why only one test day?!? Well that's because there are only two braking zones!</div>
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So having not been there before I decided to get some testing in earlier on this year.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SqGPu2NG-mI/W46mXuP7JSI/AAAAAAAAD38/nn5EQKuNoywM0FCwQMSGJ0eG4nkTOf_7ACLcBGAs/s1600/THRX4497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Testing earlier on this year at Thruxton in my 2018 Caterham Roadsport" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SqGPu2NG-mI/W46mXuP7JSI/AAAAAAAAD38/nn5EQKuNoywM0FCwQMSGJ0eG4nkTOf_7ACLcBGAs/s400/THRX4497.jpg" title="Testing earlier on this year at Thruxton in my 2018 Caterham Roadsport" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing earlier on this year at Thruxton in my 2018 Caterham Roadsport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Testing went well, with two big eye openers - the enormous tow effect and massive tyre degradation.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">ONTO THE RACE WEEKEND:-</span></b></u><br />
<b><u>Race One Video - PART 1</u></b><br />
I managed to qualify in P3 (after I got caught short of time and arrived at qualifying later than usual).<br />
Race one was split into two parts due to a big crash, but my first start was good and after a massive sideways into club (which surprisingly I saved!) I had the gap I needed to attempt a breakaway, but the race was red flagged.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I0Ndc1a9sSM" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<b><u>Race One Video - PART 2</u></b>So race one was restarted minus a few drivers! A race long tow battle ensued, which ended with a final five or six car tow on the last lap, which I thought I'd timed perfectly, but I got boxed into the crowd and had to yield. I finished P5, but with fastest lap (which is now the Roadsport lap record) equaling a point, this was a net fourth place.</div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bRNa6MNNLMk" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
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<b><u>RACE TWO VIDEO</u></b></div>
My fifth place from the previous days race decided my starting grid position for this race. I made an OK start, then there was a fairly big crash by Neil Fraser on the first lap. I made up a few places, eventually securing third place. Unfortunately the race video didn't record for any further than five minutes, so uploaded the footage anyway.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k5a21NLyznI" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
So it turns out that a lap record and third place was the best I could achieve at Thruxton, which leaves the championship extremely tight at the top!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wO1tkNKgjKc/W46mYiJIroI/AAAAAAAAD4A/mTNkaX4CmZ8MLWltIc9FW16Fq3f04x3ZwCLcBGAs/s1600/THRX4488-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="(l-r) me (p3) James McCall (p1 twice!) and James Murphy (p3)" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wO1tkNKgjKc/W46mYiJIroI/AAAAAAAAD4A/mTNkaX4CmZ8MLWltIc9FW16Fq3f04x3ZwCLcBGAs/s400/THRX4488-2.jpg" title="(l-r) me (p3) James McCall (p1 twice!) and James Murphy (p3)" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(l-r) me (p3) James McCall (p1 twice!) and James Murphy (p3)</td></tr>
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<b><u>2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship Showdown</u></b></div>
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The final two rounds of this season will be held at Silverstone International Circuit on 22nd and 23rd September, with the title more than likely decided on the Sunday (23rd). The only real title contenders are myself (on 337 points) and James Murphy (on 336 points after minus six penalty points he received for a crash at Castle Combe are removed by a days marshalling), so it's all to race for and no doubt will be an utterly thrilling weekend of racing! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUMgBFCr2mc/W46nGgBTfXI/AAAAAAAAD4U/TSTdo_oA5D4FaCCE53TzLgHUMibEnuFGQCLcBGAs/s1600/THRX1973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship Contenders (l-r) Graham Macdonald, Daniel Halstead, James Murphy, Daniel French and Tom Allen)." border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUMgBFCr2mc/W46nGgBTfXI/AAAAAAAAD4U/TSTdo_oA5D4FaCCE53TzLgHUMibEnuFGQCLcBGAs/s400/THRX1973.jpg" title="2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship Contenders (l-r) Graham Macdonald, Daniel Halstead, James Murphy, Daniel French and Tom Allen)." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship Contenders (l-r) Graham Macdonald, Daniel Halstead, James Murphy, Daniel French and Tom Allen).</td></tr>
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Feel free to come and say hello if you've come down to watch the action.Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-48743952594118721252018-08-13T17:16:00.000+01:002018-08-13T17:16:14.118+01:00Round Five - Castle Combe - 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Round five of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship was held at <a href="https://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk/">Castle Combe circuit</a> in Wiltshire. </div>
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Having not been to the circuit since the initial <a href="http://www.caterhamr500.co.uk/2017/04/castle-combe-test-day.html">Academy Test Day</a> back in April 2017, I knew I had my work cut out in terms of getting up to speed for the upcoming race weekend. Fortunately, I managed to get a slot on the Thursday and Friday test days, so set about getting up to speed.</div>
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The conditions on Thursday were good, warm, dry and un-interrupted which was perfect. Friday was a different story! The heavens opened, and the track was soaked - to the point where I had one run in the morning, then decided it wasn't worth risking an accident, and sat out the rest of the morning. The track dried out a bit later on, but due to stoppages in the sessions I only managed probably twenty minutes dry running all day.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33Y4sb1CzSs/W3FCybnp50I/AAAAAAAAD3E/um2kI44GvCobOdDXkW7fN3fpRTexyRm_QCLcBGAs/s1600/COMB0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="It was so wet at Castle Combe there were rivers appearing in the paddock!" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33Y4sb1CzSs/W3FCybnp50I/AAAAAAAAD3E/um2kI44GvCobOdDXkW7fN3fpRTexyRm_QCLcBGAs/s400/COMB0064.jpg" title="It was so wet at Castle Combe there were rivers appearing in the paddock!" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was so wet at Castle Combe there were rivers appearing in the paddock!</td></tr>
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<b><u>Race 9 - 2nd to Win</u></b></div>
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Onto the racing! Qualifying was dry and went 'reasonably' well - I managed p2 which was a good position, but I still think I could've got Pole with a bit of a better positioning / tow, but nevertheless still a front row start.</div>
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Throughout Saturday afternoon the heavens opened, and there was a definite moment of uncertainty about which tyres to choose, but in the end it was monsoon conditions, so wet tyres it was.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XjyRTX88yg0/W3FC3KV6CzI/AAAAAAAAD3I/9zWLRFKpYO4oJUm_i4goOjRx8_WSShLLQCLcBGAs/s1600/COMB9306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2018 Caterham Roadsport Racing at Castle Combe in monsoon conditions" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XjyRTX88yg0/W3FC3KV6CzI/AAAAAAAAD3I/9zWLRFKpYO4oJUm_i4goOjRx8_WSShLLQCLcBGAs/s400/COMB9306.jpg" title="2018 Caterham Roadsport Racing at Castle Combe in monsoon conditions" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 Caterham Roadsport Racing at Castle Combe in monsoon conditions</td></tr>
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I got a good start, got my head down and made a break away of a few seconds within just a handful of laps, but there was a big accident involving Daniel Halstead and Matt Shepard (both drivers are ok!) which red-flagged the race.</div>
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The race got restarted after the cars were removed from the circuit and tyre barriers were fixed. This start wasn't quite as good, but I lead after the first corner (Quarry) and then went onto create a comfortable gap, managed my pace and won!</div>
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<b><u>Onboard Race Video below:-</u></b></div>
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/siHDks6z3b4" width="560"></iframe>
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The result from race one of the weekend (race nine of the championship), Myself in P1, Graham Macdonald in P2 and James Murphy in P3.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R952FG2nyAE/W3FC7Qo4LzI/AAAAAAAAD3M/6X_jQ26XZjconS-w_C1eX_RW-AB2vUziQCLcBGAs/s1600/COMB0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="l-r James Murphy P3, Me in P1!, and Graham Macdonald in P3" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R952FG2nyAE/W3FC7Qo4LzI/AAAAAAAAD3M/6X_jQ26XZjconS-w_C1eX_RW-AB2vUziQCLcBGAs/s400/COMB0021.jpg" title="l-r James Murphy P3, Me in P1!, and Graham Macdonald in P3" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">l-r James Murphy P3, Me in P1!, and Graham Macdonald in P3</td></tr>
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<b><u>Race 10 - Pole and Win</u></b></div>
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Snetterton aside, I've won every Saturday race, but seem to be making a habit of finishing in P3 on Sundays... So it was about time to break that habit!</div>
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I woke up to a thoroughly soaked Castle Combe, and throughout most of the morning the weather was extreme wet... However, closing into midday (the race start time was 12:20) the rain seemed to stop and the circuit started to dry out. I don't think anyone really knew which tyres to chose, so I went with my best guess, and hoped for the best!</div>
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Sitting on the grid, the tarmac looked totally dry, which left me wondering if I'd made the right tyre choice or not, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one thinking that! </div>
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A little bit behind schedule; the race got underway, and I got a good start... I wanted to make a break away, as I really thought I had the wrong tyres on, so put my head down and tried to break away. Unfortunately this didn't happen and Graham Macdonald got a great tow, and passed me on lap three. Graham held the lead for a lap and a half, where I made a move for the lead into tower corner, which I had to defend immediately into Bobbies chicane, but Graham locked up and carried straight on which was enough to give me my chance to break away.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WYUO4O0FRro/W3FC_MmdMCI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/udkNyyBoFmAWmPbH2O9SA23nyTPMCI4LQCLcBGAs/s1600/COMB2740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Leading the pack into Quarry corner on lap one of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Race at Castle Combe circuit" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WYUO4O0FRro/W3FC_MmdMCI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/udkNyyBoFmAWmPbH2O9SA23nyTPMCI4LQCLcBGAs/s400/COMB2740.jpg" title="Leading the pack into Quarry corner on lap one of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Race at Castle Combe circuit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leading the pack into Quarry corner on lap one of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Race at Castle Combe circuit</td></tr>
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<b><u>Onboard Race Video below:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C3X5oDqa758" width="560"></iframe></div>
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Eventually I managed to win by nearly seven seconds, and was only five one-hundredths of a second off the fastest lap of the race, which, considering I didn't have a tow (slipstream) at all on my fastest lap, I was definitely satisfied with my pace. </div>
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The podium was ME! in P1 yay! Tom Allen in P2 and Graham Macdonald in P3 - well done guys!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_bhbzUpjh0/W3FDDA5fh4I/AAAAAAAAD3Y/m6tid1gmsZY906A0f1mQ0VkmtTSljMECACLcBGAs/s1600/COMB3478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="l-r Graham Macdonald P3, Me (again!) P1, Tom Allen P2" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_bhbzUpjh0/W3FDDA5fh4I/AAAAAAAAD3Y/m6tid1gmsZY906A0f1mQ0VkmtTSljMECACLcBGAs/s400/COMB3478.jpg" title="l-r Graham Macdonald P3, Me (again!) P1, Tom Allen P2" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">l-r Graham Macdonald P3, Me (again!) P1, Tom Allen P2</td></tr>
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So I'd done exactly what I'd set out to this weekend - a maximum 60 points (aside from 2 fastest lap points), and I've also taken the championship lead too which is definitely a bonus!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ShnFOv-7N88/W3FDPxQvRCI/AAAAAAAAD3k/_bEq8wJUKV0g81xGI1UhX7jJOxij7rZQwCLcBGAs/s1600/COMB9971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="One thumb-up per win this weekend - my first 'double win' sure was a special feeling" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ShnFOv-7N88/W3FDPxQvRCI/AAAAAAAAD3k/_bEq8wJUKV0g81xGI1UhX7jJOxij7rZQwCLcBGAs/s400/COMB9971.jpg" title="One thumb-up per win this weekend - my first 'double win' sure was a special feeling" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One thumb-up per win this weekend - my first 'double win' sure was a special feeling</td></tr>
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Naturally, I left Castle Combe feeling thoroughly chuffed with my first double win of the season.</div>
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There's still 124 points up for grabs over the next four races, so all to play for! The championship battle is definitely heating up, and I'm relishing the opportunity to race it out wheel to wheel.</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-40020335541900588992018-08-07T16:41:00.001+01:002018-08-07T16:41:01.700+01:00Round Four - Zandvoort - Caterham Roadsport 2018 Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just about to head off to Castle Combe for this weekends' round of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship, and just realised I've not updated my post to include the previous round at Zandvoort! </div>
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So here's a brief version as the memories aren't that 'fresh' anymore! ☺</div>
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<b><u>Race 1:-</u></b></div>
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Started in 4th - not sure what happened in qualifying, but that seems to be my 'Saturday spot'... </div>
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I went on to win the race, with James Murphy in p2 (after Daniel Halstead who actually crossed the line in 2nd place was given a time penalty for abusing track limits).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPRf8pgwGHU/WzyPP9rRynI/AAAAAAAAD1k/3xN6Y0LYeakKuFsTBqp9WjBPL5Q5Rv1cQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_5591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="l-r James Murphy p2, ME! P1! and Tom Allen p3" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPRf8pgwGHU/WzyPP9rRynI/AAAAAAAAD1k/3xN6Y0LYeakKuFsTBqp9WjBPL5Q5Rv1cQCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_5591.jpg" title="l-r James Murphy p2, ME! P1! and Tom Allen p3" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">l-r James Murphy p2, ME! P1! and Tom Allen p3</td></tr>
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<b><u>Race Two:-</u></b></div>
I started on Pole (having won Saturday's race), and then there was a fair battle in the middle of the race... I had a bit of contact with Tom Allen, which bent my rear anti roll bar, but I managed to drive around the problem and finish third.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hX9JaHfboHk/WzyilmAEF2I/AAAAAAAAD2s/H2tXJ4Jvs5IAp_tGoiffcDPY1WY8QkjVACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_6199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="l-r James Murphy p2, Daniel Halstead p1, and me P3." border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hX9JaHfboHk/WzyilmAEF2I/AAAAAAAAD2s/H2tXJ4Jvs5IAp_tGoiffcDPY1WY8QkjVACLcBGAs/s400/DSC_6199.jpg" title="l-r James Murphy p2, Daniel Halstead p1, and me P3." width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">l-r James Murphy p2, Daniel Halstead p1, and me P3.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">It was an utterly superb weekend, and truly one for the memory books. The championship has become a little closer now, and it's all to play for, so let's see how things pan out at Castle Combe this weekend.</span></div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-5870556178494093352018-06-05T17:45:00.002+01:002018-06-05T17:45:14.627+01:00Round Three - Brands Hatch Indy - Caterham Roadsport 2018 Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Round three of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship was at <a href="http://www.brandshatch.co.uk/">Brands Hatch Circuit</a>, last weekend - running the Indy configuration.</div>
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The usual two day testing got underway on Thursday and Friday. The weather was great and the temperatures climbed day by day... I managed to find a setting that I was very happy with, and was feeling confident for qualifying. </div>
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However, when it came to qualifying (and just like last year) I found myself always tripping over someone at some point, more interested in getting the vital tow than setting a quick lap time, so only managed to qualify in fifth (which I think is my equal worst qualifying spot since I started racing).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8se5yXZK-x0/WxV3I2VWzkI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/Ao-TVH7wVuYoJa9BStv1V9cuBeK3kpn5wCLcBGAs/s1600/BHAT4017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Qualified 5th for the first Caterham Roadsport Race at Brands Hatch Indy in 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8se5yXZK-x0/WxV3I2VWzkI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/Ao-TVH7wVuYoJa9BStv1V9cuBeK3kpn5wCLcBGAs/s400/BHAT4017.jpg" title="Qualified 5th for the first Caterham Roadsport Race at Brands Hatch Indy in 2018" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qualified 5th for the first Caterham Roadsport Race at Brands Hatch Indy in 2018</td></tr>
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<b><u>Race 5 - 5th to Win</u></b><br />
I would've preferred to started further up the grid, but managed to make a good start and clinched the lead on lap two. I held the lead right until the end of the race, where a red flag stopped the race a little prematurely. (Unfortunately my VBOX video footage was completely over-exposed, so I don't have any publishable race footage from this race.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hhj_juvq08I/WxV3PVpoNEI/AAAAAAAAD0c/gpbICMJ_pXkNTRb5l9BHgNiogVOaX7jaQCLcBGAs/s1600/BHAT6475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Leading the field in race five of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hhj_juvq08I/WxV3PVpoNEI/AAAAAAAAD0c/gpbICMJ_pXkNTRb5l9BHgNiogVOaX7jaQCLcBGAs/s400/BHAT6475.jpg" title="Leading the field in race five of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leading the field in race five of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship</td></tr>
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So it was happy days taking my second win of the season and fourth podium out of five races. Congratulations to Daniel Halstead (p2) and James Murphy (p3).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3we_p8EIAY/WxV3P8YDulI/AAAAAAAAD0g/MD3Yh4nqAkwukr6doLlVwxKxaiTn9FM_wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="(l-r) James Murphy (p3) Me! p1! and Daniel Halstead (p2)" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3we_p8EIAY/WxV3P8YDulI/AAAAAAAAD0g/MD3Yh4nqAkwukr6doLlVwxKxaiTn9FM_wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1057.jpg" title="(l-r) James Murphy (p3) Me! p1! and Daniel Halstead (p2)" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(l-r) James Murphy (p3) Me! p1! and Daniel Halstead (p2)</td></tr>
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There was a Caterham organised post race paddock party which started around 7pm, which left just enough time for a quick shower to rinse off the sweat and bubbly! There was a decent spread of food, and FREE alcohol (which is never good on a race weekend!), but I was 'careful' not to have too many and still had a great time.</div>
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<b><u>Race 6 - Pole, dropping to ninth eventually finishing third</u></b></div>
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The second race of the weekend (which is race six of the championship) was on Sunday, with the start scheduled for 12:30. The day was on schedule, and I was starting from Pole position (as the Saturday race result dictates your grid position for the Sunday race).</div>
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I started reasonably well, but Graham Macdonald got a great start and grabbed the lead. I retook the lead on lap two, and held onto the lead for a lap, until my gearbox 'gremlins' appeared again. Firstly with a crunch into druids, then on the same lap another crunch into Clearways - both times shifting down into 2nd gear seemed the only option. </div>
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Driving out of Clearways (corner) trying to shift up to third gear, I found the gearbox was locked in 2nd gear, at which point all hell broke loose! Graham Macdonald hit the back of me, James Murphy hit Graham's wing and I dropped to ninth place whilst trying to literally bash my gearbox out of it's locked position. I'll let you see for yourself what happened, before, during and the recovery drive after by watching the race video below:-</div>
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All I could hope for was to not retire, but I got my head down and made my way back up with order, eventually finishing with a podium - in third place. With one lap to go four of us could've won - it was that close, and eventually the race was decided by a photo finish between James and Graham - top driving guys! The race was described by the commentators as the best race of the weekend, and by many others (who have seen plenty of Caterham races) as the best Caterham race they'd EVER seen. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yH5JMxAYrQU/WxV3KXIGvPI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/NZQ8IlWXZvcI5i7ZvrHVxChlc1NdVCDhACEwYBhgL/s1600/BHAT3466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yH5JMxAYrQU/WxV3KXIGvPI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/NZQ8IlWXZvcI5i7ZvrHVxChlc1NdVCDhACEwYBhgL/s400/BHAT3466.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another podium finish shared with James Murphy (p1) and Graham Macdonald (p2).</td></tr>
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So that was that for the weekend, a double podium consisting of a win and third place. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfituZlwtwY/WxV3KP_jpgI/AAAAAAAAD0U/xCWR9jtaypAztmCw3qK4ozVwslwvujxNQCEwYBhgL/s1600/BHAT3536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A win and a third was my result for the third round of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship at Brands Hatch Indy" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfituZlwtwY/WxV3KP_jpgI/AAAAAAAAD0U/xCWR9jtaypAztmCw3qK4ozVwslwvujxNQCEwYBhgL/s400/BHAT3536.jpg" title="A win and a third was my result for the third round of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship at Brands Hatch Indy" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A win and a third was my result for the third round of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship at Brands Hatch Indy</td></tr>
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A little bit of head scratching is required, as I've dropped a heap of (potential) points this year due to gearbox problems... A few others have experienced gearbox 'issues' but not quite to the degree I am - come the Zandvoort weekend I'll be on the THIRD! gearbox of THIS season! I'm not blaming the gearbox one bit - it's definitely something to do with my driving style, which I absolutely must iron out.</div>
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Mechanical issues aside, racing in a one make championship, with the way the progression ladder has been developed is literally one of the best experiences of my life. The paddock is friendly, we all get along and have a great laugh - the racing is bloody competitive and taken seriously by the racers and organisers, and the life memories will never be forgotten. ABSOLUTELY EPIC STUFF - so a big well done to the team at Caterham, the BRSCC, the MSA, the marshalls and of course all the fellow competitors and drivers from the other championships too.</div>
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<a href="https://www.circuitzandvoort.nl/en/home">Zandvoort</a> is next up at the end of this month, so I best get a move on and organise my next gearbox replacement! ha ha - I just hope I don't bust this one quite so quickly! ☺Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-12892572534056582052018-05-15T16:41:00.000+01:002018-05-15T16:41:46.202+01:00Round Two - Knockhill Reverse - Caterham Roadsport 2018 Championship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The second round of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship was held at <a href="https://www.knockhill.com/">Knockhill Circuit</a> in Scotland... </div>
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...When this years calendar was released I think most of the paddock probably had a thing to say (or two) about heading all the way up to Knockhill for a race weekend - I for one thought it was a long way, but having made the trip up there, I can certainly say it's worth every mile of the 400 mile trip up there (for us).</div>
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Knockhill is the only circuit in the UK with a license to run in reverse (anticlockwise) direction as well as clockwise, and I believe that last weekend was the first time that a national motor racing championship has ever used the reverse direction. It really was a treat! The circuit is epic - I can only relate it to Brands Hatch Indy x10! The video's do not do the undulations justice - the elevation changes, and drop off's are immense, and there were plenty of places to get all four wheels off the ground!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qG3Et9kdm5U/WvrVtI6_TiI/AAAAAAAADzE/P87lHWBPwhs-b0-r8gA00crN8-OyYdheQCLcBGAs/s1600/KNOC0399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French flying through Butcher's bend at Knockhill Circuit in reverse direction" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qG3Et9kdm5U/WvrVtI6_TiI/AAAAAAAADzE/P87lHWBPwhs-b0-r8gA00crN8-OyYdheQCLcBGAs/s400/KNOC0399.jpg" title="Daniel French flying through Butcher's bend at Knockhill Circuit in reverse direction" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French flying through Butcher's bend at Knockhill Circuit in reverse direction</td></tr>
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<b><u>Race 3 - Pole and Win</u></b></div>
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With a brand new gearbox, there was no room for excuses this weekend! Arriving on Tuesday night for a testing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I set about finding a good rhythm and balance in the car. I got to a great setting (perfect) in fact, which enabled me to get a great qualifying session together putting it on Pole Position for the race with a 58.2 second lap, but I could've broken into the 57's had I not had traffic on the last lap.</div>
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With pole bagged, and the car feeling great - I too was feeling confident for the race. I got a good start, broke the tow and led from start to finish - consistently running in the 58'8s (slower than qualifying due to wind direction change).</div>
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<b><u>On-board video of the race:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/klvoM8WjNIU" width="560"></iframe>
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YES, YES, YES! Back on the top step of the podium, leading from start to finish crossing the finish line with a 9.2 second lead. On the podium (l-r) <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/james-murphy">James Murphy</a> (p2), <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/daniel-french">Me - Daniel French</a> (p1), and <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/oli-pratt">Oli Pratt</a> (p3)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vy1Vp0XO0I/WvrVu5TyF4I/AAAAAAAADzI/YGUFh0_BrdMEorUWi6I_CWY-ntmWq9IfACLcBGAs/s1600/KNOC2059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="On the podium (l-r) James Murphy (p2), Me - Daniel French (p1), and Oli Pratt (p3)" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vy1Vp0XO0I/WvrVu5TyF4I/AAAAAAAADzI/YGUFh0_BrdMEorUWi6I_CWY-ntmWq9IfACLcBGAs/s400/KNOC2059.jpg" title="On the podium (l-r) James Murphy (p2), Me - Daniel French (p1), and Oli Pratt (p3)" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the podium (l-r) James Murphy (p2), Me - Daniel French (p1), and Oli Pratt (p3)</td></tr>
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There was a paddock party in the clubhouse that night, so it was definitely a chance to enjoy the moment, (perhaps a bit too much!) and have a few beers with the other racers which was great fun, and all part and parcel of the camaraderie of the paddock.</div>
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<b><u>Race 4 - 3rd Place</u></b></div>
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Sunday morning was wet, but it dried out quite quickly, and the day got steadily warmer and warmer - to a pretty hot late afternoon. With the finishing order of the previous race dictating your grid position for the second race, I started on pole again. I got a reasonable start, and managed to put a few good laps in and build a small gap... But... there was a strong headwind which meant the tow effect was increased and the gap wasn't as big as I'd hoped then on about lap 6 my tyres went off, causing me to get a tank slapper into and after the chicane allowing the pack to catch up.</div>
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A good fun battle ensued, but I made two very costly gear change mistakes (Which I need to stop doing!), and ended up finishing in third place. </div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n3iSDvmpVJY" width="560"></iframe>
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Definitely a race that got away from me, but I'm very close to working out how to get the perfect settings (which I achieved in race 3). So on the podium (from l-r) <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/dan-halstead">Dan Halstead</a> (p2), <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/james-murphy">James Murphy</a> (p1), and <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/daniel-french">Me - Daniel French</a> (p3)</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETTSkLCEguM/WvrVv4Y435I/AAAAAAAADzM/rOcexP81gN0stxfpkKVK904JhAJtwh6sACLcBGAs/s1600/KNOC6189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="on the podium (from l-r) Dan Halstead (p2), James Murphy (p1), and Me - Daniel French (p3)" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETTSkLCEguM/WvrVv4Y435I/AAAAAAAADzM/rOcexP81gN0stxfpkKVK904JhAJtwh6sACLcBGAs/s400/KNOC6189.jpg" title="on the podium (from l-r) Dan Halstead (p2), James Murphy (p1), and Me - Daniel French (p3)" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the podium (from l-r) Dan Halstead (p2), James Murphy (p1), and Me - Daniel French (p3)</td></tr>
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And then... RELAX! Well time to go home, but I had to include the picture below as it is one of my favourites of the weekend - if not since I started racing in the Caterham Championship ladder. Thinking back to just a couple of years ago, I couldn't imagine being 'one of those guys' who races - a lifelong dream come true and the picture epitomises how the Caterham paddock truly is - race cars, mates, banter and good times - an absolutely phenomenal experience. I can't stress enough to anyone who is remotely thinking of entering - just STOP thinking about it and do it - you won't regret it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_yEKfCjayY/WvrVwwnDkKI/AAAAAAAADzQ/wYznSKuhmf4FVtskgVpvifsYGP1ACZLswCLcBGAs/s1600/KNOC9960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Happy days at Knockhill in Sunny Scotland for (l-r) James Murphy, Matt Sheppard and Daniel French" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_yEKfCjayY/WvrVwwnDkKI/AAAAAAAADzQ/wYznSKuhmf4FVtskgVpvifsYGP1ACZLswCLcBGAs/s400/KNOC9960.jpg" title="Happy days at Knockhill in Sunny Scotland for (l-r) James Murphy, Matt Sheppard and Daniel French" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy days at Knockhill in Sunny Scotland for (l-r) James Murphy, Matt Sheppard and Daniel French</td></tr>
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Luckily the only repairs required' from the weekend at Knockhill is to fit a new number plate light! I'll do the usual spanner checks and think I may give the brakes a bleed, but that's about it for a couple of weeks. The next race weekend is at Brands Hatch Indy circuit on the 2nd and 3rd of June, and I'm feeling confident and excited at the prospect of a good fun weekend and hopefully I can get on top of the settings (and my gear changes!) and have a good weekend. Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-29770973337175203372018-04-17T17:27:00.001+01:002018-04-27T09:57:09.807+01:00Round One - Snetterton 300 - Caterham Roadsport 2018 ChampionshipI think we all know it's been a very loooonnnggg winter! Lots of cold, wet testing over the off season with a <a href="http://www.caterhamr500.co.uk/2018/01/first-track-day-of-2018-in-my-roadsport.html">crash</a> too! Nevertheless, last weekend was the start of the 2018 Caterham Motorsport championships at <a href="http://www.snetterton.co.uk/circuit-information.aspx">Snetterton 300</a> circuit in Norfolk.<br />
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I arrived at the circuit on Wednesday evening, got setup and ready for two test days on Thursday and Friday before the race weekend. Testing was predominantly wet, so tyre wear was minimal (which wasn't ideal).<br />
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Qualifying went reasonably well, I qualified fourth on the grid a couple of tenths off the pace, (2nd row was the lowest I wanted), but I messed up a decent lap in qualifying, so knew I had the pace to make up a few places in the race.<br />
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<b><u>Race One - 5th Place:-</u></b><br />
The first race of the season, started well, swapped places for the lead with <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/james-murphy">James Murphy</a> for the first two thirds of the race, then dropped back after letting <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/matt-sheppard">Matt Sheppard</a> past down the Bentley straight. I tried to stay composed and make a last lap challenge for the podium, only to be thwarted by a gearbox issue (at 20:00mins in the video) which initially surfaced on the second day of testing. I eventually finished fifth and my vbox video was over-exposed, so this footage is the hayfisher media gopro - which has been set at an awesome camera angle, so I will definitely be using my Gopro's set at this angle for future video's.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rgwpVS0lEqY?start=50" width="560"></iframe>
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<b><u>Race Two - 2nd Place:-</u></b><br />
The grid positions for race two of the weekend are decided by your finishing position in race one, which meant I started on row three in fifth. Determined to make up some places and get back into the mix, I got another good start, battled for the lead, dropped back, picked the places back up, but, and on the final lap from second position I had more gearbox problems - which no doubt cost me a shot at the win.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XK2TkIRl-ZE" width="560"></iframe>
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James won both races, and drove impeccably all weekend - top work!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bS4IYCKrjgA/WtSp-3oHwMI/AAAAAAAADyE/YKVoYKqj24wMlOSlFIQQJtEiHKeLJk4nACLcBGAs/s1600/Congratulating-James-Murphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="James Murphy drove impeccably all weekend." border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1206" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bS4IYCKrjgA/WtSp-3oHwMI/AAAAAAAADyE/YKVoYKqj24wMlOSlFIQQJtEiHKeLJk4nACLcBGAs/s400/Congratulating-James-Murphy.jpg" title="James Murphy drove impeccably all weekend." width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">James Murphy drove impeccably all weekend.</td></tr>
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With James winning both races, and myself and Matt picking up 2nd and 3rd places in the second race, that leaves me fourth in the championship hunt, seven points adrift...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f38DmzIiVJc/WtSqH-MQstI/AAAAAAAADyM/OUM8yWBBd_U-dmMMyoWtLRutdGcjDp-nwCLcBGAs/s1600/2nd-race-2nd-place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2nd place was the best I could achieve this weekend" border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f38DmzIiVJc/WtSqH-MQstI/AAAAAAAADyM/OUM8yWBBd_U-dmMMyoWtLRutdGcjDp-nwCLcBGAs/s400/2nd-race-2nd-place.jpg" title="2nd place was the best I could achieve this weekend" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">2nd place was the best I could achieve this weekend</td></tr>
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There was a little damage to my car after a few love taps in race two - all in a days action when racing as closely as we did - so to be expected. The nearside wing is a little broken and can be repaired, but the off-side wing, rear light and fog light all need replacing before Knockhill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5Gagu3FdOY/WuLlagW2gJI/AAAAAAAADy0/QIxrvhuPx34ejBtwvFk2aCx5ophqtYJ4wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Broken near and offside wings, fog light and wing light cluster" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5Gagu3FdOY/WuLlagW2gJI/AAAAAAAADy0/QIxrvhuPx34ejBtwvFk2aCx5ophqtYJ4wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0035.jpg" title="Broken near and offside wings, fog light and wing light cluster" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken near and offside wings, fog light and wing light cluster</td></tr>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/twnCPhKbzMs" style="text-align: center;" width="560"></iframe><br />
As I've mentioned earlier in this post, I've been a little unfortunate with gearbox issues in both races - when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear, towards the end of the races the gear lever is engaged in third, but there is no engagement of the gear and I'm left hitting the limiter with a box of neutrals.<br />
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Video below of three occurrences:-</div>
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<a href="https://www.dpr-motorsport.com/">DPR</a> have taken the car back with them from Snetterton to investigate, and remedy.<br />
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Round two of the season is at Knockhill - Scotland, and is being run anti-clockwise which should make things very interesting indeed! Looking forward to it already!</div>
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Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-74427280958864049062018-03-27T11:09:00.004+01:002018-03-27T11:09:42.846+01:002018 Roadsport Update, Sponsorship Decals and Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With the 2018 season nearly here, the (VERY) long winter is nearly over, with plenty of testing miles under my lap strap.</div>
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A couple of weeks ago (Saturday 10th March) was the Caterham official pre-season test day at Donington Park on the National Circuit layout. The day started off wet, which dried out and then got wet again! It was a great day, not only just the on track fun, but also catching up with last years Academy drivers some of which I hadn't seen since Silverstone last year.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GjDzsVXY_lM/WroGU2xiU8I/AAAAAAAADxU/yLoI6NhTgdwJ5YRIZ_GOXS-9oOMj0ZZDgCLcBGAs/s1600/590878_FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Roadsport fun at Donington Park National Circuit" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GjDzsVXY_lM/WroGU2xiU8I/AAAAAAAADxU/yLoI6NhTgdwJ5YRIZ_GOXS-9oOMj0ZZDgCLcBGAs/s400/590878_FB.jpg" title="Roadsport fun at Donington Park National Circuit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadsport fun at Donington Park National Circuit</td></tr>
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<b style="text-decoration-line: underline;">2018 Sponsorship Decals</b><br />At the pre-season test day, we were supplied with our Sponsorship decals for the upcoming championship.</div>
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As there was for the 2017 academy decals, there is a schematic and positioning guide for where the decals need to be placed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVxUkja5orM/WroLcgBTVnI/AAAAAAAADxw/5rbcP2GJNMwMRUWEeKCc0Bripmn1iup2QCLcBGAs/s1600/2018-caterham-schematic-roadsport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2018 Caterham Roadsport Decal Schematic" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVxUkja5orM/WroLcgBTVnI/AAAAAAAADxw/5rbcP2GJNMwMRUWEeKCc0Bripmn1iup2QCLcBGAs/s400/2018-caterham-schematic-roadsport.jpg" title="2018 Caterham Roadsport Decal Schematic" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 Caterham Roadsport Decal Schematic</td></tr>
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And here's the detailed positioning guide with measurements!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MH0tXubi4lM/WroLcqJYWbI/AAAAAAAADxs/arqZ1r5VuBUpG1RhJ1cdNGdVGIkHUIFbgCLcBGAs/s1600/2018_decal_position_roadsport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Detailed 2018 Caterham roadsport championship sponsor decal positioning guide with measurements too" border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1600" height="207" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MH0tXubi4lM/WroLcqJYWbI/AAAAAAAADxs/arqZ1r5VuBUpG1RhJ1cdNGdVGIkHUIFbgCLcBGAs/s400/2018_decal_position_roadsport.jpg" title="Detailed 2018 Caterham roadsport championship sponsor decal positioning guide with measurements too" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detailed 2018 Caterham roadsport championship sponsor decal positioning guide with measurements too</td></tr>
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<b><u>Some time later... </u></b></div>
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About seven hours in fact! Decal removal is not as straight forward as it may first appear! With a little bit of heat the old decals came off reasonably easily, it's just the left over adhesive that took the majority of the time to remove. I found Autoglym intensive tar remover worked the best at dissolving the residue.</div>
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The main mandatory decal changes for this year are:-</div>
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<ul>
<li>Title Sponsor is now Draper Tools</li>
<li>My race number is 77 (the year I was born - 1977)</li>
<li>Roadsport sticker on nose cone</li>
<li>Revised side decals with new sponsors</li>
<li>Avon decals on front and rear of rear wings</li>
<li>VBOX decals on rear of both front and rear wings</li>
<li><a href="http://www.snappyracers.com/">Snappy Racers</a> logo's on side of car and on rear (non mandatory)</li>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk2M50w95Vs/WroCmlBOCwI/AAAAAAAADw0/H-FLmRar79wrzTiktd5ghoeAxhIUjqu1ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Side picture of my 2018 Caterham Roadsport ready car" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk2M50w95Vs/WroCmlBOCwI/AAAAAAAADw0/H-FLmRar79wrzTiktd5ghoeAxhIUjqu1ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1290.jpg" title="Side picture of my 2018 Caterham Roadsport ready car" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side picture of my 2018 Caterham Roadsport ready car</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4m9a3yzS2lE/WroEMAKmYkI/AAAAAAAADxI/3Ra6j9Cl-u44M4LPsJYOxbu7IvlellHMQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Slight aerial picture of my 2018 Caterham Roadsport challenger" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4m9a3yzS2lE/WroEMAKmYkI/AAAAAAAADxI/3Ra6j9Cl-u44M4LPsJYOxbu7IvlellHMQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1292.jpg" title="Slight aerial picture of my 2018 Caterham Roadsport challenger" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slight aerial picture of my 2018 Caterham Roadsport challenger</td></tr>
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And this is hopefully what my competition will be looking at this year - my rear! ☺ The rear of the car is 'free' of a sponsors logo, so what seemed to go really well with the stripes is the Snappy Racers logo, so I put that there.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAV9oK9URLA/WroCmq03_ZI/AAAAAAAADww/JixCFq44H1YYfkGL19wecqXrzqrgxVzYQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="VBOX, Avon and Snappy Racers decals on the rear of my 2018 Caterham Roadsport championship challenger" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAV9oK9URLA/WroCmq03_ZI/AAAAAAAADww/JixCFq44H1YYfkGL19wecqXrzqrgxVzYQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1293.jpg" title="VBOX, Avon and Snappy Racers decals on the rear of my 2018 Caterham Roadsport championship challenger" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VBOX, Avon and Snappy Racers decals on the rear of my 2018 Caterham Roadsport championship challenger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I'm fitter, more motivated than ever and hope to have another successful campaign this year. I will take each race one at a time, and will be trying my best for that top step of the podium at every opportunity ☺</div>
<br />
<b><u>The race dates are as follows:- </u></b><br />
Snetterton - 14th and 15th April<br />
Knockhill (running backwards!) - 13th and 14th May<br />
Brands Hatch Indy - 2nd and 3rd June<br />
Zandvoort - 30th June and 1st July<br />
Castle Combe - 11th and 12th August<br />
Thruxton - 1st and 2nd September<br />
Silverstone - 22nd and 23rd September<br />
<br />
<b><u>A copy of the 2018 Calendar is below:-</u></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_rXRLebJlo/WroIYAsrZWI/AAAAAAAADxk/1t_P-y-13lsyIXBOOYpO6yiLva29Egj_wCEwYBhgL/s1600/caterham_calendar_2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship event calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1429" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_rXRLebJlo/WroIYAsrZWI/AAAAAAAADxk/1t_P-y-13lsyIXBOOYpO6yiLva29Egj_wCEwYBhgL/s400/caterham_calendar_2018.jpg" title="2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship event calendar" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship event calendar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><u>Caterham Challenge Cup</u></b></div>
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There is also an end of season special event which is the 'Caterham Challenge Cup' at LAGUNA SECA! on 1st and 2nd December, which I've put my name down for, so am hoping there are enough entrants for the event to go ahead.</div>
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If you are coming to watch any of the Caterham racing this year, please feel free to come and say hello.</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-4093400385618937912018-02-04T14:44:00.000+00:002018-03-27T10:10:06.957+01:00BRSCC 2017 Championship Awards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last night was the 2017 BRSCC Championship Awards Dinner, and I was pleasantly surprised to see my car on the front cover of the event programme.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7f_GIS92S4/Wnhtj873K0I/AAAAAAAADwk/F_6ZPnKJZLMNrqtswhRAnvPrlr7b90IZwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="My 2017 Caterham Academy Car on the front cover of the BRSCC Awards Dinner Programme" border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1533" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7f_GIS92S4/Wnhtj873K0I/AAAAAAAADwk/F_6ZPnKJZLMNrqtswhRAnvPrlr7b90IZwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1070.jpg" title="My 2017 Caterham Academy Car on the front cover of the BRSCC Awards Dinner Programme" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 2017 Caterham Academy Car on the front cover of the BRSCC Awards Dinner Programme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As the BRSCC covers many different championships, there was a lot of awards to give away! About half way through the evening, it was my turn and Peter Daly the chairman of the BRSCC presented me with my plaque.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NsLLTN5WMr4/WnhtE57TQ0I/AAAAAAAADwc/5XkDR4BHe0gyTxcSy7eaYyZNzrAG_YnlQCLcBGAs/s1600/_F2R1374DANIEL%2BFRENCH.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Commemorative plaque I received for becoming the 2017 Caterham Academy (green group) champion." border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NsLLTN5WMr4/WnhtE57TQ0I/AAAAAAAADwc/5XkDR4BHe0gyTxcSy7eaYyZNzrAG_YnlQCLcBGAs/s400/_F2R1374DANIEL%2BFRENCH.JPG" title="The Commemorative plaque I received for becoming the 2017 Caterham Academy (green group) champion." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Commemorative plaque I received for becoming the 2017 Caterham Academy (green group) champion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Right, that's enough reminiscing about the past, and time to crack on with plenty of winter testing....Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-60404816094254111552018-02-02T14:57:00.001+00:002018-02-02T15:13:49.271+00:0041st Birthday Today - Bespoke Caterham CakeUnfortunately! It's my 41st Birthday today... Fortunately, one of the guys at my work knows someone who makes bespoke cakes (Karen James), and all the guys at work chipped in and got her to make me this amazing Caterham Birthday Cake as a surprise! <br />
<br />
I'm blown away with the detail and accuracy she achieved with just a few pictures, and clearly a lot of talent! She can make pretty much anything you like, and if you want your own bespoke Caterham cake or something else you can contact her on her mobile 07884 380495 or by emailing her at <a href="mailto:karenjames822@gmail.com">karenjames822@gmail.com</a> for a quote.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hl9nE9OyJTg/WnRDffzNL0I/AAAAAAAADv8/YLov_oZe45YV2PtFu_HPXqmJ2nRzixYKQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="41 today, and delighted with my very own bespoke Caterham Roadsport Birthday Cake" border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="1600" height="397" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hl9nE9OyJTg/WnRDffzNL0I/AAAAAAAADv8/YLov_oZe45YV2PtFu_HPXqmJ2nRzixYKQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1055.jpg" title="41 today, and delighted with my very own bespoke Caterham Roadsport Birthday Cake" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">41 today, and delighted with my very own bespoke Caterham Roadsport Birthday Cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's some close up pics. Front view:-<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijUkLgGUDDI/WnRDfaR3eWI/AAAAAAAADv4/N-jo3ji9gxIzkHSo6EbZgCC60vvLesRLwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Extremely realistic cake version of my 2017 Caterham Academy Car" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijUkLgGUDDI/WnRDfaR3eWI/AAAAAAAADv4/N-jo3ji9gxIzkHSo6EbZgCC60vvLesRLwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1058.jpg" title="Extremely realistic cake version of my 2017 Caterham Academy Car" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extremely realistic cake version of my 2017 Caterham Academy Car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Side View:-<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PR9ijfVyqPs/WnRDfMGjBCI/AAAAAAAADv0/j1SA9kEokSMK1PR0GzNmmqg8wYs0VjgiACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Side view of my Caterham Birthday Cake" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PR9ijfVyqPs/WnRDfMGjBCI/AAAAAAAADv0/j1SA9kEokSMK1PR0GzNmmqg8wYs0VjgiACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1059.jpg" title="Side view of my Caterham Birthday Cake" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of my Caterham Birthday Cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rear View:-<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x9KOF5R8IKM/WnRDfx68zZI/AAAAAAAADwA/m2OTd6Uvzv8C9yvLaPh4yvefl5JOm83QACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rear View of my Caterham Birthday Cake" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x9KOF5R8IKM/WnRDfx68zZI/AAAAAAAADwA/m2OTd6Uvzv8C9yvLaPh4yvefl5JOm83QACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1060.jpg" title="Rear View of my Caterham Birthday Cake" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear View of my Caterham Birthday Cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm not too sure what to do with it, as there's no way I could damage such a masterpiece by cutting it! I think it'll have to live in my garage ☺<br />
<br />
<b><u>2018 Roadsport Entry</u></b><br />
As added birthday bonus, it turns out that our driver profiles have been updated today on the Caterham website to confirm our status as '2018 roadsport drivers' with all of the participants of this years season. link here:- <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/motorsport/roadsport/drivers">http://uk.caterhamcars.com/motorsport/roadsport/drivers</a><br />
<br />
This also means that there are now 56 new names on the Caterham Academy drivers profiles, all of which will be battling out for the title of 2018 Caterham Academy Champion (green and white group). Having been through the amazing experience, I wish all of this years competitors the best of luck and will look forward to meeting the new faces and personalities in the paddock this year.<br />
<br />
<b><u>2018 Roadsport Driver Number 77</u></b><br />
Also confirmed is my new driver number of 77 - as I've swapped from 30 (from my Academy season) to 77. Why? Well I was born in 1977 (hence being 41 today!), and also for Caterham Seven (but 7 isn't allowed, so the next best was 77), and Seven is considered a lucky number, so I hope to have double helpings of luck this year ☺Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-64583138519295359162018-01-22T11:42:00.001+00:002018-01-22T11:42:33.552+00:00First Track Day of 2018 in my Roadsport Spec CarMy first outing of 2018 in my Roadsport spec car was at Snetterton 300 circuit, last weekend (20th Jan) as this is where our first race of the season is (weekend of 13th / 14th April).<br />
<br />
The weather forecast was good all week, and then it started to show signs of a bit of drizzle. Well, on the day the drizzle turned into extreme wet conditions and I think the day after got cancelled due to ice too, so I was lucky to at least get some running, albeit in miserable conditions.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WWBLh3c37sU/WmXFeGDSWbI/AAAAAAAADvU/QqmzwS1508gl5PtdUW_DD6Dw5iAUYudRgCLcBGAs/s1600/Daniel_French_2018-Caterham-Roadsport-Snetterton-Wet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Extreme Wet Conditions at Snetterton 300 circuit in my 2018 Caterham Roadsport" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WWBLh3c37sU/WmXFeGDSWbI/AAAAAAAADvU/QqmzwS1508gl5PtdUW_DD6Dw5iAUYudRgCLcBGAs/s400/Daniel_French_2018-Caterham-Roadsport-Snetterton-Wet.jpg" title="Extreme Wet Conditions at Snetterton 300 circuit in my 2018 Caterham Roadsport" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extreme Wet Conditions at Snetterton 300 circuit in my 2018 Caterham Roadsport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Talking of luck, mine ran out... The <b><i><u>very</u></i></b> last lap of the day, and the 2nd to last corner I went a bit wide, hit a puddle, then the grass, then the tyre barrier!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RHta9qWMvFA" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I got the car home, assessed the damage, and decided that rather than fix it myself I'd to take it to <a href="https://www.dpr-motorsport.com/">DPR Motorsport</a> to get them to fix it. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SfCaRzBNBY/WmXLHSnKABI/AAAAAAAADvk/RufVNE1WEW8YdPL8qWInmXdQzqvlMzdnQCLcBGAs/s1600/front-end-smashed-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="My 2018 Caterham Roadsport car looking a bit sorry for itself" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SfCaRzBNBY/WmXLHSnKABI/AAAAAAAADvk/RufVNE1WEW8YdPL8qWInmXdQzqvlMzdnQCLcBGAs/s400/front-end-smashed-up.jpg" title="My 2018 Caterham Roadsport car looking a bit sorry for itself" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 2018 Caterham Roadsport car looking a bit sorry for itself</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dave and the boys at DPR will get it fixed this week, and then it'll be back out next weekend! I just hope it'll be dry this time ☺</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-82661731690946485672018-01-04T14:09:00.001+00:002018-01-04T14:09:48.561+00:002017 Academy to 2018 Roadsport Upgrade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So with the 2017 season (and year) well and truly over, it's time to crack on with my plans for 2018 - which is to challenge for the title of the 2018 Caterham Roadsport Championship.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first thing to do was to upgrade the car, I could've done this myself, but decided to get <a href="https://www.dpr-motorsport.com/">DPR Motorsport</a> to do the upgrades on my behalf.</div>
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The upgrades are as follows in order of (in my opinion):-</div>
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<b><u>1. Tyres</u></b></div>
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I think this must be the most eagerly anticipated upgrade from by every Caterham Academy driver... Some decent tyres! The Academy Avon CR322's are replaced with AVON ZZS tyres, and the due to the decreased height of the sidewalls the wing-stays are lowered too. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-cHbCLsv7U/Wfmj7d4zJFI/AAAAAAAADr8/8wPrBFf6y08SQITIgFR7fm0F5JpNIAuYQCLcBGAs/s1600/New%2BZZS%2BTyres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tyres upgraded to AVON ZZS" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-cHbCLsv7U/Wfmj7d4zJFI/AAAAAAAADr8/8wPrBFf6y08SQITIgFR7fm0F5JpNIAuYQCLcBGAs/s400/New%2BZZS%2BTyres.jpg" title="Tyres upgraded to AVON ZZS" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyres upgraded to AVON ZZS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>2. Brake Master Cylinder</u></b></div>
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The 2nd most 'wanted' upgrade as an Academy driver is a better brake master cylinder. Made by AP Racing, the upgraded master cylinder means less air gets into the system, meaning less time bleeding brakes!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DWdLIRauCk/Wfmj77Z4ALI/AAAAAAAADsA/m7fvdM6JiTY3ZvslBRjTV8m0LxcQBlw_QCLcBGAs/s1600/Uprated%2BMaster%2BCylinder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The upgraded A.P. Racing brake master cylinder" border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1458" height="306" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DWdLIRauCk/Wfmj77Z4ALI/AAAAAAAADsA/m7fvdM6JiTY3ZvslBRjTV8m0LxcQBlw_QCLcBGAs/s400/Uprated%2BMaster%2BCylinder.jpg" title="The upgraded A.P. Racing brake master cylinder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upgraded A.P. Racing brake master cylinder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>3. Brake Pads and Bias Valve</u></b><br />
The brake pad material is 'free' in terms of the Roadsport regulations, so you can fit whatever spec front and rear compounds you like. There is also an option to fit a brake bias valve too to adjust the brake balance front / rear.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm8k8Y3qm7I/Wfmj7avReWI/AAAAAAAADr0/5Ypz1MA-qIoGFfsWfzspB2XuuniEsXAGgCLcBGAs/s1600/Brake%2BBias%2BAdjuster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Newly fitted A.P. Racing Brake Bias Valve" border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm8k8Y3qm7I/Wfmj7avReWI/AAAAAAAADr0/5Ypz1MA-qIoGFfsWfzspB2XuuniEsXAGgCLcBGAs/s400/Brake%2BBias%2BAdjuster.jpg" title="Newly fitted A.P. Racing Brake Bias Valve" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly fitted A.P. Racing Brake Bias Valve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>4. Rear Anti-Roll Bar</u></b><br />
In Roadsport spec you are also allowed to use a rear anti-roll bar too!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wG2w3nnoh0Y/Wfmj7zKIGkI/AAAAAAAADsE/u_Cf7AZpGxYEhp5SBILc3kw6NGFSY9bZwCLcBGAs/s1600/Rear%2BAnti%2BRoll%2BBar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rear anti roll bar fitted to my 2018 Caterham Roadsport car" border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wG2w3nnoh0Y/Wfmj7zKIGkI/AAAAAAAADsE/u_Cf7AZpGxYEhp5SBILc3kw6NGFSY9bZwCLcBGAs/s400/Rear%2BAnti%2BRoll%2BBar.jpg" title="Rear anti roll bar fitted to my 2018 Caterham Roadsport car" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear anti roll bar fitted to my 2018 Caterham Roadsport car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>5. Setup Check</u></b>After fitting a number of geometry adjusting parts, it's also worth getting the alignment checked so this was done, and the car was delivered back to me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-Jxjf35hgo/Wfmj7c1XzuI/AAAAAAAADr4/4vv0RyLK0uIZElcByVqsUZ9v0QE2mYx1wCLcBGAs/s1600/Alignment%2BCheck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2018 Caterham Roadsport having the setup checked" border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-Jxjf35hgo/Wfmj7c1XzuI/AAAAAAAADr4/4vv0RyLK0uIZElcByVqsUZ9v0QE2mYx1wCLcBGAs/s400/Alignment%2BCheck.jpg" title="2018 Caterham Roadsport having the setup checked" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 Caterham Roadsport having the setup checked</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>A bit of fun:-</u></b><br />
A few track day pics of the Roadsport spec car below, instantly you can see it looks much more aggressive and a lot lower / stiffer too. First driving impressions are increased grip, stability and cornering speed and I LOVE it! It's like a different car, and can be driven with inch precision accuracy which really helps with getting consistent clean laps in and that all important lap time down!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xn0oIAMcGCM/Wk4CYPIkG0I/AAAAAAAADtc/sUHOY6TQPM4S3aT-akP46dtdraeCrZYUACLcBGAs/s1600/Daniel_French_Caterham_Roadsport_Donington_Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="me (Daniel French) driving my 2018 Caterham Roadsport at Donington Park" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xn0oIAMcGCM/Wk4CYPIkG0I/AAAAAAAADtc/sUHOY6TQPM4S3aT-akP46dtdraeCrZYUACLcBGAs/s400/Daniel_French_Caterham_Roadsport_Donington_Park.jpg" title="me (Daniel French) driving my 2018 Caterham Roadsport at Donington Park" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">me (Daniel French) driving my </span>2018 Caterham Roadsport at Donington Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckce6jnmQrc/Wk4CkCZVmEI/AAAAAAAADtg/7WCLqjv8qSsLWc9zzJyV4SNnpQ_2HAdlwCLcBGAs/s1600/Daniel_French_Caterham_Roadsport_Brands_Hatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="me (Daniel French) driving my 2018 Caterham Roadsport at Brands Hatch" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckce6jnmQrc/Wk4CkCZVmEI/AAAAAAAADtg/7WCLqjv8qSsLWc9zzJyV4SNnpQ_2HAdlwCLcBGAs/s400/Daniel_French_Caterham_Roadsport_Brands_Hatch.jpg" title="me (Daniel French) driving my 2018 Caterham Roadsport at Brands Hatch" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">me (Daniel French) driving my </span>2018 Caterham Roadsport at Brands Hatch</td></tr>
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It seems as though I've picked up some sort of leak in my radiator, so will fit a new one over the next few days and then start back with the testing middle of Jan.Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-27652551045407921962017-12-02T21:00:00.000+00:002017-12-07T16:40:06.684+00:002017 Caterham Motorsport AwardsThis evening was the 2017 Caterham Motorsport Awards where all the podium finishers (of every championship) received their season trophies.<br />
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It was a great venue, the food was fantastic and there were hundreds of drivers all having a good time. No doubt there were plenty of sore heads in the morning!<br />
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Here's a video Charlotte (my girlfriend) took of me collecting the winners trophy, and of course I had to give her a mention when I was on the top step ☺<br />
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<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z8MBTeKHnrM" width="560"></iframe></div>
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Joining me on the podium was James Murphy (who finished p2) and Toby Clowes (who finished p3).</div>
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I'm already looking forward to xmas, then getting back onto the testing scene early next year, with the race season kicking off at Snetteron 300 on 14th April 2018.</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-69999379375491851112017-10-16T09:07:00.000+01:002017-11-01T09:53:32.228+00:00Silverstone International - Round Seven - 4th Place and Trophy Race - 2nd PlaceHaving finished in first place at <a href="http://www.caterhamr500.co.uk/2017/09/rockingham-issc-round-six-1st-place-and.html">Rockingham</a> at the previous round, I was in a fortunate position which meant that utilising drop scores, I had already won the 'Green Group 2017 Caterham Academy Championship'. <br />
<br />
What I didn't realise is that the if I had an collision at Silverstone that was deemed my fault, I could be awarded a penalty and you cannot 'drop' a penalised round (you are allowed to drop one round out of the seven races), which could potentially mean I'd lose the Championship! So with this in mind, I could either sit out of the race, or race (which I did); but I had to drive in a different manner and back out of situations I usually wouldn't. To make matters worse there wasn't a last lap board, so didn't defend on the hangar straight handing second place to Neil Fraser, and then into Vale and Club - handing another place, and the final podium position to Toby Clowes - oh well, another lesson to learn. I eventually finished fourth which was my worst circuit race result of the year. <br />
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<b><u>Video below:-</u></b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0CclfiObF1o" width="560"></iframe>
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There was a paddock party hosted by Caterham on the Saturday night, and myself and Andy Morgan (who won the White Group) certainly 'enjoyed ourselves' with all the food and drinks that were on offer! </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u>The Caterham Academy Autumn Trophy Race</u></b></div>
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The Trophy Race had been over-subscribed which meant the grid was too large for everyone to race, so instead of qualifying in the morning and the race in the afternoon, the grids were based on all odd placed championship finishers in race one and all even placed championship winners in race two (in the afternoon!). This meant Andy and I lined up at 10am on the front row of the grid, with hangovers from hell!</div>
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Was a great race, and I could race more like I normally would (without the thought of a penalty ruining my championship), so led for three (or so) laps, got mugged down the hangar straight due to the massive tow effect, slipped to around eight place, then clawed it all back, and nearly snatching the lead at Stowe corner on the final lap, but I went in a bit too deep, so had to settle for second place.</div>
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<b><u>Video here:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pdBCKCjfVME" width="560"></iframe><br />
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So that's it - the 2017 Caterham Academy Season is finished! What an utterly fantastic thing to do - there were ups and downs (fortunately more ups for me, than downs) but wow - what a year. If anyone is remotely considering entering, don't waste another minute - just sign up as it'll be well up there with one of the best things you'll ever do.</div>
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<b><u>What's next?</u></b> </div>
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Well of course with something as addictive as racing cars, the only thing to do is another season - the 2018 Roadsport Championship! So with that in mind, my car was booked in for the Roadsport upgrades and collected after Silverstone weekend. More to follow.</div>
</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-76444438723786244352017-09-21T15:33:00.000+01:002017-09-22T12:21:43.702+01:00Rockingham ISSC - Round Six - 1st Place and Championship Win!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last weekend was 'potentially' the big one for me and Andy Morgan (who's leading the white group). Andy and I have been friends for quite a few years, and we both signed up for the 2017 Caterham Academy together, but didn't want to race each other in the first year, so decided to do our thing in separate groups.</div>
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<b><u>Qualifying:-</u></b></div>
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Qualifying was late in the afternoon Saturday (16th September 2017), with my race the next day on Sunday (17th September) at 14:50. The heavens opened before qualifying which meant that it was in pretty much torrential rain conditions (which I'm a big fan of) and I managed to qualify on pole with a time of 2.09.256 which was 4.3 seconds faster than Matt Sheppard in 2nd place.</div>
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Having dried off, Sunday was a case of waiting around until the time came to race!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFhdFD1gdDE/Wb_KrcYEVxI/AAAAAAAADqo/RkK70eiM-8k14bwnAHqxF7EMnxGrmNPsgCLcBGAs/s1600/Rockingham%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Waiting around in the paddock" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFhdFD1gdDE/Wb_KrcYEVxI/AAAAAAAADqo/RkK70eiM-8k14bwnAHqxF7EMnxGrmNPsgCLcBGAs/s400/Rockingham%2B%25287%2529.jpg" title="Waiting around in the paddock" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting around in the paddock</td></tr>
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Unfortunately for Andy Morgan, some of the waiting around involved watching his race, where he went off at the first hairpin corner into the tyre barrier - ending his race. This shook me up a bit, as I didn't want to do the same!<br />
<br />
<b><u>Onto the Race:-</u></b><br />
Luckily I got a decent start and defended well into the first corner with no mistakes, but the pack was close!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t2eyUH0w-Vw/Wb_KBZJkSwI/AAAAAAAADqc/Vkl4vxy2w3YDPRnTT7EBcJW5fqm58y1yACLcBGAs/s1600/first%2Bcorner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Start of the race after the first hairpin - the pack was close" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t2eyUH0w-Vw/Wb_KBZJkSwI/AAAAAAAADqc/Vkl4vxy2w3YDPRnTT7EBcJW5fqm58y1yACLcBGAs/s400/first%2Bcorner.jpg" title="Start of the race after the first hairpin - the pack was close" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the race after the first hairpin - the pack was close</td></tr>
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I managed to build a bit of a gap over the first two laps, but with the tow being so strong (7mph down the straight). James Murphy closed the gap, and we swapped places for the lead a few times - then half way through the race and during the battle, Graham Macdonald clipped my rear corner (7 minutes 40 secs in the video below) which caused an instant handling problem (massive over-steer into left handed corners and under-steer into right's)... I really struggled to keep up with James with the balance problem, but using the tow to my advantage, I managed to keep him close enough to have a shot at the win towards the end of the race.</div>
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<b><u>Here's the on-board race video:-</u></b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a4smM7ulD_8" width="560"></iframe>
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And I did it! yyyyeeaaaahhhh!!! on the last lap, I forced James into an error and nipped up the inside at Yentwood corner. James defended extremely well, and came back at me into Kirby, and we had a very small contact, but that was just good close racing. The win means that I've secured the (green group) 2017 Caterham Academy Championship, with a race in hand, so I was naturally delighted!</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvUX2ZixyCs/Wb_KBefZMyI/AAAAAAAADqg/u6T1kA_s9esHCfdoBN4-6C5jgR_MTpfWQCLcBGAs/s1600/victory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French after winning the 2017 Caterham Academy Championship (green group)" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvUX2ZixyCs/Wb_KBefZMyI/AAAAAAAADqg/u6T1kA_s9esHCfdoBN4-6C5jgR_MTpfWQCLcBGAs/s400/victory.jpg" title="Daniel French after winning the 2017 Caterham Academy Championship (green group)" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French after winning the 2017 Caterham Academy Championship (green group)</td></tr>
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After the race the top three finishers (on televised events) get interviewed, which is a bit nerve wracking making sure you say the right thing! The race is televised on sky channel 447 Motors TV this Saturday (23rd September) at 20:00.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_L5Jn3pkTg/Wb_KAyonAAI/AAAAAAAADqU/2Daoi1WiqzA1-UpVAlsSDUStoixGxyUQgCLcBGAs/s1600/Rockingham%2B%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Getting interviewed for the TV coverage on Motors TV" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_L5Jn3pkTg/Wb_KAyonAAI/AAAAAAAADqU/2Daoi1WiqzA1-UpVAlsSDUStoixGxyUQgCLcBGAs/s400/Rockingham%2B%252810%2529.jpg" title="Getting interviewed for the TV coverage on Motors TV" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting interviewed for the TV coverage on Motors TV</td></tr>
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The podium - (l-r) Graham Macdonald (p3), yours truly (p1), and James Murphy (p2).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iG0MVu_vaX8/Wb_KAycK84I/AAAAAAAADqQ/kxSQ74wH-dw1oXL5IEUfo5uu0XlIFslxwCLcBGAs/s1600/Podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The podium - (l-r) Graham Macdonald (p3), yours truly (p1), and James Murphy (p2)." border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iG0MVu_vaX8/Wb_KAycK84I/AAAAAAAADqQ/kxSQ74wH-dw1oXL5IEUfo5uu0XlIFslxwCLcBGAs/s400/Podium.jpg" title="The podium - (l-r) Graham Macdonald (p3), yours truly (p1), and James Murphy (p2)." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The podium - (l-r) Graham Macdonald (p3), yours truly (p1), and James Murphy (p2).</td></tr>
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And then time to thank my girlfriend (Charlotte) and my family (all sporting Daniel caps I may add ☺) for coming and supporting me through my life-long dream of participating in motorsport.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WCtGs9g877E/Wb_LeYBoJCI/AAAAAAAADqw/fjRCsKmCuEYw8F7HP-K0iWYntMZsED3vgCLcBGAs/s1600/Rockingham%2B%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hugs and kisses to Charlotte and the family :-)" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WCtGs9g877E/Wb_LeYBoJCI/AAAAAAAADqw/fjRCsKmCuEYw8F7HP-K0iWYntMZsED3vgCLcBGAs/s400/Rockingham%2B%252814%2529.jpg" title="Hugs and kisses to Charlotte and the family :-)" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugs and kisses to Charlotte and the family :-)</td></tr>
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<b><u>Assessing the Damage:-</u></b></div>
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After the contact with Graham MacDonald (7 minutes 40 secs in the video), I could feel immediately there was an imbalance with the car... So after the race, I inspected the damage (broken rear wing), but couldn't really see anything else. (the rear wing on the near-side of the car has some rubber on it too from James Murphy's 'love tap' on the last lap, but no real damage). I'll get the wing patched up for the final race(s) of the season with some 'race tape', and then over to Dave at <a href="http://www.daytonacoachworx.co.uk/">Daytona Coachworx</a> to repair over the off-season, and I may add a yellow stripe to them too ☺</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxCm2hqxR4o/WcN-oUVkOoI/AAAAAAAADrM/S8XuS2VDp5c49k-ggWnwznFY8IWRZTlGQCLcBGAs/s1600/Rear-Wing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cracked rear wing on my Caterham Academy Car" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxCm2hqxR4o/WcN-oUVkOoI/AAAAAAAADrM/S8XuS2VDp5c49k-ggWnwznFY8IWRZTlGQCLcBGAs/s400/Rear-Wing.jpg" title="Cracked rear wing on my Caterham Academy Car" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cracked rear wing on my Caterham Academy Car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
David and the guys at <a href="http://www.dpr-motorsport.com/academy/">DPR Motorsport</a> inspected the car, and found that the De-Dion tube was badly cracked, which is the cause of the handling issue I experienced and should've been replaced (at the time of writing). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vupdAmXRDhg/WcN56OaN0lI/AAAAAAAADrA/ahNhWxnBcY8DK0C_wFz2P4KcdvrijM-jgCLcBGAs/s1600/De-Dion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cracked De-Dion Tube on my Caterham Academy Car" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vupdAmXRDhg/WcN56OaN0lI/AAAAAAAADrA/ahNhWxnBcY8DK0C_wFz2P4KcdvrijM-jgCLcBGAs/s400/De-Dion.jpg" title="Cracked De-Dion Tube on my Caterham Academy Car" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cracked De-Dion Tube on my Caterham Academy Car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So all being well, the car will be back with me tomorrow, and I'll just need to count the days until the final race of the season at <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/motorsport/academy/events">Silverstone</a> on Saturday 14th October 2017. I'll naturally be driving to the best of my ability, and will be going for another win, but with the championship pressure off - most importantly; I'll be enjoying it!<br />
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There's also the 'trophy race' at Silverstone on the Sunday (15th October 2017), where the Green and White group merge into one large grid and race each other for the first time (test sessions aside!). That's a race I'm very much looking forward to!Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-67019363425263398672017-08-06T12:55:00.002+01:002017-08-07T10:13:17.894+01:00Snetterton 300 - Round Five - 1st Place and Lap RecordAll 'racing drivers' seem to have a good list of excuses, and I managed to find one for what happened at <a href="http://www.caterhamr500.co.uk/2017/07/donington-park-gp-round-four-2nd-place.html">Donington</a> - I'll leave it up to your discretion if you think it's an excuse or not... but, it turns out the gearbox had pretty much imploded on itself, so the car was collected after Donington engine removed, gearbox removed and with the gearbox being sent off for rebuild, car checked over andthen returned back to me all (just!) in time for this weekend. Thanks to David Rowe and all the boys at <a href="http://www.dpr-motorsport.com/academy/">DPR Motorsport</a> for getting this all sorted for me.<br />
<br />
So with all mechanical excuses (hopefully) unavailable to me, it was time to get back on it and have a good weekend. I had a good couple of track and test days before the event, and set a pretty respectable time on the Friday test session, so was feeling confident.<br />
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Qualifying was 'interesting' and fun too, as there is SUCH an advantage of getting a tow down the two long straights there was a fair amount of tactics involved, but I managed to qualify 2nd on the grid alongside <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/matt-sheppard">Matt Sheppard</a>.<br />
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I got a great start, and led into the first corner...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESWyIv92EMI/WYb9BEDJmbI/AAAAAAAADpQ/k15CtquA4EAb8ROeMU_xA0c3CDPfePicQCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BStart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Round Five of the 2017 Caterham Academy championship at Snetterton - the start" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESWyIv92EMI/WYb9BEDJmbI/AAAAAAAADpQ/k15CtquA4EAb8ROeMU_xA0c3CDPfePicQCLcBGAs/s400/The%2BStart.jpg" title="Round Five of the 2017 Caterham Academy championship at Snetterton - the start" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round Five of the 2017 Caterham Academy championship at Snetterton - the start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/matthew-creak">Matthew Creak</a> had a superb start from sixth? on the grid, and made an attempt for the lead at Wilson's hairpin, which I held off and then he made a bit of a mistake at Palmer corner which enabled <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/james-murphy">James Murphy</a> to take second place. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FtWG6xX2Yx8/WYb-mqeMSNI/AAAAAAAADpc/jyolX5cJeqkXn4e2dY0WD8iu0wq3FBGIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Cornering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="On three wheels at Murrays corner at Snetterton 300 circuit" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FtWG6xX2Yx8/WYb-mqeMSNI/AAAAAAAADpc/jyolX5cJeqkXn4e2dY0WD8iu0wq3FBGIwCLcBGAs/s400/Cornering.jpg" title="On three wheels at Murrays corner at Snetterton 300 circuit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On three wheels at Murrays corner at Snetterton 300 circuit</td></tr>
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In the meantime I'd managed to build a small gap, which I really needed to capitalise on (as with a tow off me, James would easily catch me as it's worth up to 1.5 seconds here!), but I put some mega laps in and broke the tow... <br />
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Here's the onboard video of the race:-<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BWKsaVapRpA" width="560"></iframe>
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And WON! yyyeeeaahhhh!!!! I managed to win by over twelve seconds, (which I was told was unheard of here at Snetterton in the Caterham Academy) AND set a new lap record of 2:17.593 (without a tow!) on my way to victory.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQ5BzCCHjb8/WYb_kbavGtI/AAAAAAAADpo/9Y6QVcn1Mjwnc7vMNmu5ZFcEJxOpC_sWgCLcBGAs/s1600/Winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daniel French winning the Green Group of the Caterham Academy race at Snetterton 300 circuit in 2017" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQ5BzCCHjb8/WYb_kbavGtI/AAAAAAAADpo/9Y6QVcn1Mjwnc7vMNmu5ZFcEJxOpC_sWgCLcBGAs/s400/Winner.jpg" title="Daniel French winning the Green Group of the Caterham Academy race at Snetterton 300 circuit in 2017" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel French winning the Green Group of the Caterham Academy race at Snetterton 300 circuit in 2017</td></tr>
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Time for some bubbly - the podium celebrations! Well done the James Murphy p2, and <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/users/neil-fraser-0">Neil Fraser</a> p3!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AjSQwYm1bRM/WYcBKjsjhpI/AAAAAAAADp0/2a_y-hDG5J4-MACjhL4ak7vQLsIDS4UjwCLcBGAs/s1600/Champagne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Time for some bubbly - the podium celebrations! Well done the James Murpy p2, and Neil Fraser p3!" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AjSQwYm1bRM/WYcBKjsjhpI/AAAAAAAADp0/2a_y-hDG5J4-MACjhL4ak7vQLsIDS4UjwCLcBGAs/s400/Champagne.jpg" title="Time for some bubbly - the podium celebrations! Well done the James Murpy p2, and Neil Fraser p3!" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for some bubbly - the podium celebrations! Well done the James Murpy p2, and Neil Fraser p3!</td></tr>
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Charlotte, my girlfriend / partner thought it'd be highly amusing to get some baseball caps embroidered with my name on (I used to have a cap just the same when I raced remote control cars as a child, many, MANY! years ago!)... They are pretty embarrassing, but I like them really! ☺</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fCrBZNCE6gw/WYcB3AVH3HI/AAAAAAAADp8/qPdYu1qGaJ8MnCAlx09MrCiXhwzWstGnQCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BFanclub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Team Daniel caps out in full force - definitely gave me a boost!" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fCrBZNCE6gw/WYcB3AVH3HI/AAAAAAAADp8/qPdYu1qGaJ8MnCAlx09MrCiXhwzWstGnQCLcBGAs/s400/The%2BFanclub.jpg" title="Team Daniel caps out in full force - definitely gave me a boost!" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Daniel caps out in full force - definitely gave me a boost!</td></tr>
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So I think (points adjusted) I've got a nine or ten point lead in the <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/motorsport/academy/standings">championship</a>, which is really, really good at this stage, and Andy Morgan has a similar lead in his group too. In true 'racer' style, I'm still not thinking about the championship, so will take the next two races as they come and try and do my best at those too.</div>
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Next up, <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/motorsport/academy/events">Rockingham ISSC</a> on 16th and 17th September, and without seeing the timetable, I guess the qualifying is on the Saturday with the race on the Sunday. </div>
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Feel free to come and say hi if you're around on that weekend, but you may have to wear a 'certain' baseball cap!</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-4119003619404953532017-07-10T19:06:00.001+01:002017-07-10T19:06:14.156+01:00Donington Park GP - Round Four - 2nd PlaceRound four of this years' Caterham Academy championship was at Donington Park GP circuit, which is certainly one of my favourites...<br />
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...I arrived on Wednesday night, setup 'camp' for the next few days and got ready for two days testing, and then 'a bit' of hanging around. Testing was great (especially the Thursday), having set some good times which I was very happy with. Friday was a bit more 'red flaggy' so I couldn't really get into a good rhythm in any of the sessions.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sz5rL-U_lM/WWO8kl91LgI/AAAAAAAADpA/9nXL7zJK1KYmnWJl3iYXgK1nHKsimT_SACLcBGAs/s1600/19944520_10155028569162690_3717474573941128578_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shoulda, woulda, coulda" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sz5rL-U_lM/WWO8kl91LgI/AAAAAAAADpA/9nXL7zJK1KYmnWJl3iYXgK1nHKsimT_SACLcBGAs/s400/19944520_10155028569162690_3717474573941128578_o.jpg" title="Shoulda, woulda, coulda" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoulda, woulda, coulda</td></tr>
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Qualifying was on Saturday evening (18:30!) so there was a fair bit of hanging around from Friday afternoon, but I again found myself at the back of the pack, so tried my best which (again) was only good enough for 4th place on the grid, as the advantage from a tow is quite large here (which I didn't get).<br />
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With qualifying over - Caterham hosted a paddock party, with a band, free booze and food, (as it was their 60th anniversary) and that was a really good night - I was 'careful' not to get too wasted, but still had a great time.</div>
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Onto the race... I got a great start, and before I knew it I was into first place... I held onto the lead from an eager Toby Clowes practically the entire race... I tried to gap him, but with a tow he could keep reeling me back in on the straights. The final lap board came out, and there was a bit of a margin, and although I thought I had enough in the bag, I managed to get my only 'tank slapper' (of the whole weekend) into the Esses, lost some momentum and Toby got a decent drive out and then defending my position into the Melbourne Loop I outbraked myself and Toby got through! arrrgghhh what a c0ck up, and then to make matters worse I shifted from second into first (rather than third) so that was that. </div>
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Here's the onboard video (sorry about the default VBOX scene as there is a problem with my custom scene since I upgraded the firmware on the VBOX):-</div>
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Second is good for the <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/motorsport/academy/standings">Championship</a> (which I'm still leading at present) and I won't make a mistake like that again - I'll come back with that lesson learnt and will come back fighting (as always) at <a href="http://uk.caterhamcars.com/motorsport/academy/events">Snetterton in four weeks time</a>.</div>
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The race and qualifying are likely to be on the Saturday morning (5th August), but the timetable is still 'TBC' at this stage.</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772412540056492521.post-1406210245115928822017-06-06T13:11:00.000+01:002017-06-08T10:42:44.797+01:00Brands Hatch Indy - Round Three - First Place!Having been bitterly dissapointed with my <a href="http://www.caterhamr500.co.uk/2017/05/curborough-sprint-5th-place.html">result at Curborough</a> a couple of weeks ago,it was certainly time to have a good result this weekend at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.<br />
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I arrived on Wednesday night as had booked two test days (for the Thursday and the Friday) and then some marshalling for the Saturday, with quali and the race on Sunday. Unlike quite a few others, I came out of the two test days with my car intact. Marshalling on the Saturday was a bit drawn out, but really gives you an appreciation for them as they are all volunteers and without them we could not race (the same goes vice-versa, but even so!).<br />
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Onto quali... I headed up to the holding area and luckily got the first slot out so could have a few clean laps to get some decent times in - well that was the plan; until the session was immediately red flagged by someone ending up in the gravel after Paddock Hill bend, which somehow meant I lined up last with 27 cars ahead of me! Battling through the traffic I managed a time which was enough to get me 4th on the grid, which I wasn't overly happy with, but still would give me a chance for a podium finish.<br />
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Anyway, onto the race, here's the video:-<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m2GV9Vb6f3s" width="560"></iframe>
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yyyeeaaahhhhhh - I won! ☺ What a rush! One of the most incredible feelings of emotion in my whole life, and a moment I will relish for a long time to come. Well done to Graham Macdonald (p2) and James Murphy (p3).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lu3-pOxQLQw/WTaaRz0s1FI/AAAAAAAADos/T-ttLRPoGK4njEkYRB3I8eKYtwkqSK_SgCLcB/s1600/Top%2BStep%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPodium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Top step of the podium was an absolutely perfect result to my first race" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lu3-pOxQLQw/WTaaRz0s1FI/AAAAAAAADos/T-ttLRPoGK4njEkYRB3I8eKYtwkqSK_SgCLcB/s400/Top%2BStep%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPodium.jpg" title="Top step of the podium was an absolutely perfect result to my first race" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top step of the podium was an absolutely perfect result to my first race</td></tr>
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With some interviews out of the way, it was time to spray the champagne (well Prosecco)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gP15Xcx34Kk/WTaaqwWRErI/AAAAAAAADow/M__FaX750WMEKbkaK-x2AwjYnqQxEEbkQCLcB/s1600/Srapying%2Bthe%2BProsecco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Podium celebrations were fun" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gP15Xcx34Kk/WTaaqwWRErI/AAAAAAAADow/M__FaX750WMEKbkaK-x2AwjYnqQxEEbkQCLcB/s400/Srapying%2Bthe%2BProsecco.jpg" title="Podium celebrations were fun" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Podium celebrations were fun</td></tr>
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I think I'm now leading the championship again, and with four races to go it's very close indeed! The race highlights will be on TV this weekend - Saturday 10th June 2017 at 15:45, on Motorsport.tv (Sky Channel 447).<br />
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I'm going to take a bit of a break from the car for a bit and get some of my life back for a bit, so I think the next time I'll go out will be for the next event at Donington Park for the 60th Anniversary of the Seven festival over the weekend of 8th and 9th July.</div>
Daniel Frenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00100901014267012758noreply@blogger.com1