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Spa Franchorchamps Ardennes Challenge
The format for this event is a 100 minute race around the famous 4.3 mile Spa circuit, the entry list this year consisting of 57 cars ranging from 7 litre Ram Cobra's and Mustangs, Porsche 911 RS, Ason Martin's, Jaguar D and E types, to Alfa Romeo's, Zakspeed Escorts and Capri's, Mini Coopers and 6 Crossle's.
Mark Hobbs (2009 SRGT Champion) invited Jez Clark to join his Rapid Racking Race Team driving the Crossle 9S once again in an attempt to not only beat last years victors, the Swiss team of Crossles, but also to attempt to beat the hugely powerful and impressive Ram Cobra owned by Cheng Lim with ex TVR racer Phil James co driving.
Friday was set aside for testing which was a ten lap affair with Jez running for 3 laps and Mark for 7 as the two re acquainted themselves with this exciting circuit, qualifying took place later in the day at 4pm, but with an ambient temperature of 35' and a track temperature of 51' it would place considerable strain on the car and driver.
Jez took 4 laps of qualifying, surprising many by setting a pole position time on only his 3rd lap and with the car still relatively heavy on fuel. Mark drove the next 6 or 7 laps not quite managing to match the time set by his co driver. he Ram cobra was 2nd on the grid with 3rd grid spot being taken by Arnie Black (Crossle driver and managing director) and Gwyn Pollard. Many were concerned at the high temperatures being reached by both engines and tyres and so most teams set about working on how to keep their cars cool for tomorrows race.
At 2.45pm and with the race scheduled to start at 4pm, a huge thunderstorm and soaked the waiting competitors and forced many into a panic as they desperately re planned their race strategy with both fuel and the choice of tyres to be re considered.
Team Rapid Racking judged that with such previously high temperatures and the fact that the downpour had ceased, that the circuit would dry very quickly and so decided to stay on dry settings and dry tyres, which may be tricky in the first few laps but would benefit later on.
As it turned out, the circuit did dry very quickly and most competitors switched back to dry settings, before the start of the race.
The rolling start took place at 4pm and Clark held his nerve making sure that the Crossle was in the optimum gear and revs to keep the lead into the first corner, which was successful, but heading out of La Source onto the steep downhill straight the Cobra shot past using all its power heading down into the famous Eau Rouge complex. Jez left his braking as late as possible and was hustling the Crossle through at unabated speed in an effort to put pressure on the Cobra.
Within 3 laps the top three cars (Arnie Black in the 2nd Crossle having joined the fray), came up against the slower cars and started lapping them at very high speed and with little room given.
After 6 laps of extreme pressure (often taking the lead only to be re passed on the straights) Jez could see that the tyres were starting to show signs of overheating on the Cobra, the driver missing the apexes as it started to slide more and more, this was going to plan. Then, out of the blue, as Jeremy crossed the start finish line, this time in front of the Cobra, he spotted a warning board from the gantry showing that he had been given a 'drive through' penalty (it later transpired this was for an alleged overtake under a yellow flag, which none of the other competitors in the top three saw occur).
Feeling sure that this was a mistake but knowing the consequences of not taking the penalty, Jez angrily and disappointingly entered the pitlane to serve the penalty, exiting back on circuit some 75 seconds later due to the nature of the extended pitlane at Spa.
Not wanting to give up and feeling responsible for the team, Jez set off in pursuit of the leaders who were by now far off in the distance.
In his race to get back to the front, Jez set a new fastest lap lap after lap, some 2 seconds quicker than his qualifying time (set with a relatively low fuel load), and took no prisoners, overtaking cars without any hesitation such was his desire to make up for the lost time, this created quite a spectacle as it included overtaking in the middle of Eau Rouge and on the outside of the famous Blanchimont where he eventually caught and passed the second placed car of Arnie Black.
After 20 flat out laps Jez came in for the refuelling and driver change over , which took place with Rapid Racking pit crew Mick Martinadding just 20 litres of fuel to get Mark to the finish.
In all the confusion of so many pit stops it was difficult to know where the team were placed, and so Marks orders from the pit wall were 'GFI' (go for it'), and soon Mark's pace was electric as he scythed through the field in pursuit of the win.
Despite two safety car issues, and nursing seriously worn tyres Mark drove the socks off the car and eventually crossed the finish line a comfortable 33 seconds ahead of the second place Crossle of Gwynn Pollard who had chased hard, with Chen Lim just over 3 seconds behind in third place, the long awaited threat from the professional Swiss Crossle teams failing to materialise as they suffered engine problems.
http://www.sportscardigest.com/spa-summer-classic-2010-report-and-photos/ |
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written by Jeremy - 05.07.2010 - 20:51 |
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see this link for ALL 2010 Porsche Club race reports at 'The Grid' http://www.thegrid.co.uk/Porsche%20Club%202010.htm
Silverstone June 27th
With the budget for this season now finished we were unable to test and it was only with the goodwill of fellow County Classics teamate Peter Ercig that we had some secondhand tyres to fit for qualifying and the two scheduled races.
It was great to see a number of guests visit us this weekend including Doreen Clark, Gilian Creaser, Mike Tibbett, Charles Merrill and ex JCR pit crew Julian Aley, all of whom had a great time experiencing the Porsche Club Hospitality and some cracking racing!
Qualifying
Once again Porsche Club showed just how competitive with the first 7 cars covered by less than 1 second, we were very pleased to qualify 3rd for Race 1 and a stunning 2nd place on the front row of the grid for Race 2.
Race 1
As poleman Peter Morris spun at the first corner, Jez moved up into 2nd place only to lose it on the next straight to Kevin Harrison whose Porsche 911 964 showed excellent straightline speed all weekend. Slipping back to third Jez fought hard but could not hold off a flying Mark McCleer who had made an excellent start from 10th place and was now catching race leader Harrison.
Marcus Carniel had also passed Jez on the backstraight but was now holding up Jez as he tried to pass only to be blocked at each attempt, Jez had images of spending the entire race behind the wide 911, but made up his mind that this would not happen again. A lap or so later Marcus left a small gap and as Jez hauled the Porsche 968 into the gap, Marcus came across to block, but this time Jez stayed where he was and Marcus spun in a cloud of dust and tyre smoke as Jez took evasive action.
Now in 3rd position Jez joined the battle for the lead with Mark and Kevin the trio pulling away from the rest of the field. Kevin now made a mistake at Becketts allowing Jez and Mark through, thinking he now had a hope of victory Jez pushed hard after Mark MaCleer but he soon put in a number of faster laps, and with the secondhand tyres having to be used again for race 2 Jez brought the car home safe in 2nd place.
Race 2
This time Peter Morris made no mistakes, but the mighty rear engined 911's of Kevin Harrison and Marcus Carniel beat both Jez and him to the first corner. With all four cars scrapping for the lead the spectators held their breath for lap after lap, finally, for Jez, on lap 5 the clutch pedal sank to the floor, he lifted it back with his foot, but knew that there was a problem, and as the clutch failed completely gearchanging became a difficult affair. For a couple of laps Jez fought on driving very defensively to retain position but inevitably sinking back through the field until retiring the car fearing expensive gearbox damage would take place if he persisted.
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written by Jeremy - 29.06.2010 - 19:06 |
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Despite clutch problems resulting in limited testing, Jez placed the green County Classics Racing Porsche 968 on the front row of the grid following a very close qualifying session (the top six cars being covered by 1 second).
Race 1
While in 2nd place and pushing for the lead Jez suffered a failure of the Abs leaving him exiting the circuit at high speed in a flurry of tyre smoke. After persevering with the problem and the resulting flat spotted tyres he was forced to retire the car when the bonnet came loose due to vibration.
Race 2
Following a great start Jez slipped down the field as he once again became the victim of brake issues, fighting his way back up to 3rd place at the chequered flag
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written by Jeremy - 14.06.2010 - 20:14 |
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Please select the link below to RACE AND RALLY UK TV for film coverage of both Porsche Club Motorsport races from Brands Hatch including a post race interview with Jez (at the end of Part 1) and panel 'rubbing' with Mark Sumpter (at the end of Pt 3)
http://www.raceandrallyuk.tv/
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written by Jeremy - 02.06.2010 - 20:08 |
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Following much discussion with Porsche GB, they have dictated that Jez's Porsche Carrera Cup GB guest drive will take place at the exciting 2.1 mile Croft Motor Racing circuit (postcode DL2 2PN) on 19th and 20th of June 2010.
This will be quite a challenge for Jez, as he has only raced at this circuit twice before, albeit scoring a very successful 3rd place overall last year in a Class 2 car, against more powerful Class 1 machinery
We appreciate that this decision will disappoint many of Jez's local followers who were planning to come to Snetterton once again to support him,
Of course, both races can be viewed live on ITV4 on Sunday 20th June, coverage starting at 11.30am, however if you wish to travel to Croft to support Jez at the circuit, then please contact us and we shall do our best to provide tickets for your entry
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written by Jeremy - 16.05.2010 - 15:45 |
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