As of Wednesday the team were not going to be attending the BritCar 500 and had entered Cassey and LR1a at Snetterton in the MGCC meeting. However an 11th hour deal saw the team with 3 new drivers for the event joining Cassey to complete the entry to the teams biggest race so far.
So the driver lineup is:-
Cassey Watson
Rob Hedley
Peter Fairbairn
Paul McLean.
Qualifying 1 saw Rob take to track first and complete 4 laps taking 2 steady to check the new gearbox then setting a 2.25.896, then Cassey went out only completing a couple laps, she set a 2:28.173 after having the gear knob come off in her hand. Third up was Paul McLean he only completed 1 flying lap before being tapped by a BMW and coming in for checks however he set the fastest lap of the day with 2:24.415 lastly Peter had four laps managing 2:29.553.
The afternoon was spent installing spot lights and illuminating race numbers for the night qualifying session. Although Cassey and Eddie were discussing the gearbox as seems the new gearing may be the wrong ratios and costing quite a lot of time.
The excitement was really noticeable with everyone as the evening session began, as for the first time for anyone the car took to the track in the dark. Peter went first this time completing seven laps with a best of 2:38.090, then Rob with eight laps for a 2:28.297, third up was Paul who after five laps had set a best of 2:25.893 but as he passed the start/finish for the sixth time LR1a was billowing smoke from the back looking extremely sick. Paul limped the car in with the team extremely concerned and fearing the worst for the gearbox. However no one more concerned than Cassey who not having completed 3 laps in the dark was facing exclusion from the race.
The students immediately piled in and quickly diagnosed the problem, the power steering return hose had touched the exhaust and burnt a hole. In a race against time they set about repairing the hose and bleeding the system completing the job from pit entry to exit in an incredible 20 minutes with Cassey taking to the track with 9 minutes left in the session and while the team nervously considered whether she had enough time Cassey was her usual calm but chatty self on the radio to Eddie, firstly reporting that the power steering was working, then expressing that "this racing in the dark lark is tricky" as she completed her first flying lap. Her second lap was a 2:25.825, Then she crossed the line for lap 3 in 2:25.980 just before the chequered flag so Eddie gave her the instruction to do one more lap. Now safely qualified she could push a little harder and incredibly considering she didn't know the track so had no idea of braking points, Cassey then set a 2:22.944 setting the cars best lap of the day in the dark!! This was a fantastic high on which to end the day and the smiles on the faces of every team member showed how much they were enjoying the experience.
The atmosphere at a night session was incredible and everyone had a great time.
Pics:
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