Bayford Meadows Rotax Endurance Rd4
After the disappointment of the last round we approached this round with renewed optimism. The previous week saw the team successfully complete a component test at rye house and record the life cycle of various parts by simulating a full race distance of 1h 30mins. Brake wear was the number one priority as we tested various pads, discs, calipers, fluids and brake springs. We also tested a variety of different fuels and wheel rims. We felt well prepared on race day and all went to plan during the warm up. As we approached the qualifying session, we bolted on our race tyres only to find the left rear had lost pressure. We only had 20 minutes to solve the issue and qualify. After checking the wheel and tyre, we found a valve core failure and changed the core. By the time we had repaired the problem the qualifying session was over. We qualified last.
As the race started we immediately started to make up positions and capitalised on some errors from other teams. We were now racing in the mid-field and had made up 12 positions. Were were now in 14th position. As we were breaking into the top ten, Chris Davis fell victim to a desperate lunge from the driver behind who spun our kart and left us in the tyre barrier. The kart sustained a bent steering column and needed to be recovered for repair. We decided to repair the kart as best we could to continue the race but we had already lost a great number of laps. John Carydice went out for the final stint and finished the race. Overall we finished 18th/26 and was left ruing what could have been
