Winter 2015

Having finished in the top 10 of the 2015 PBMW championship the winter was time to look at moving forward in 2016, a podium is still the ultimate aim so fingers crossed.

The man change has been to sell the GAZ gold coilovers which were at least 6 or 7 years old and pretty old technology compared to the latest offerings from the likes of GAZ, AST and Avo. I'd often felt the rear suspension was the weakest link in the car through 2015 with me suffering Wheel spin in some very odd places and still hitting the bump stops more often than I'd like.

The decision was made to go for a used but fully rebuilt set of AST from Mike Tovey's 2013 championship winning car. The car is as I type with the 2015 PBMW champion Gary Feakins having the suspension fitted and a general look over. If nothing else I should have at least 1 less excuse

As well as the change to AST I've gone back to the Performance friction pads which I Personally preferred to the Mintex 1166's pads they replace.

For 2016 the Production BWM's have a choice of running the old Toyo R888's or the new R888r's. General consensus seams to be that the R888R is gong to be the better tyre so a set of those are also in the garage ready to be fitted before the first rounds at the end of March.

Also worthy on a mention is the end of year bash last weekend which took place in Northampton and as ever was a fantastic evening which remind me what a great much of guys make up the Production BMW and Toyo Tires Racing Saloons Paddock. I was chuffed to come away from the evening with a cracking trophy for first in class F of the Toyo Tires Racing Saloons for the second year running

Castle Combe - 10th October 2015 -PBMW rounds 11 &12

The final event of the 2015 Production BMW championship took place at Castle Combe on the 10th October, we'd not been to the circuit in 2014 and the 2013 race was about my worse result of all time. My pervious best time at Combe had been 1:28.599 so that was one goal to aim to beat.

On a more positive note, I'd arrived at the circuit 9th in the overall championship although it looked likely that Ian Russell was going to knock me down to 10th once the dropped rounds and marshalling points had been factored into the championship standings.

Headed out for an early qualifying at it was immediately apparent that the softer suspension setting's I'd used at the last rounds at Donington Park where not going to work. Coming out of the chicanes the rear suspension was bottoming out on the bump stops which made for an entertaining, if slow qualifying session. Unfortunately there was no Toyo Tires Racing Saloons race the day before to iron out these issues.

Ended up qualifying in 27th out off 36, not ideal but not a great surprise given the way the car felt. Qualifying time was 1:25.743 so almost 2 seconds faster than I'd been before.

In order to try and solve the issues with thecae stiffened up the rear suspension for race one which seamed to help, Although it was still just about hitting the bump stops through the chicanes it was clearly an improvement. Managed to get a good start and had a fairly hectic race to finish 24th with my best lap time getting better at 1:24.959

With nothing to loose I stiffened the rear shocks a few more clicks which this time seamed to solve the problems I'd faced in qualifying and race 1. I got a fantastic start form 24th to finish the first lap in 16th went on to have a great race with amongst others Ian Russell and Steve Carter. Very close and contact free which is exactly what 1 want from a race weekend. Finished the race in 12th which was a very welcome change from race 1. Best lap time had also fallen to a 1:24.191 so 4.408 second faster than my pervious visit to Castle Combe.

I think that leaves me 10th over all in the 2015 Production BMW championship which I'm very happy with, As always it's been a great year racing with fantastic people. I've already started to take the car apart to prep it for the 2016 championship.

Bayford Meadows - 4th October 2015 - Practise day

It had been a while since I've been out on a kart so we headed over to Bayford Meadows to try out the Tony Kart Rotax Max I'd bought a few months ago. Headed out on some dubious tyres but they were adequate for  getting out in the kart and trying to remember how to drive one.

Had a fantastic afternoon with a best time dipping into the 51's and running consistently in the 52's, a fair bit off thew pace but hopeful that with a little more practice and some better tyres I can knock a couple of seconds off of that.

Also had the chance to get my partners son back out on his Bambino, it was his third visit to Bayford meadows over the last few months and it's great to see him grow in confidence, already says he needs a faster engine but he's got over a year until he'll be 8 and able to move up to cadets

Nurburgring - Septemebr 2015

Well after all of this years racing it was about time for a holiday, naturally race tracks needed to be involved so we headed off to the Nurburgring. Very lucky to head out there in a 911 GT3 (996) which is the perfect car for the 'ring, just a shame with the minimal run off, insurance implications and the ever increasing value of the car means the laps were relatively leisurely at just under 9 minutes, video link belowhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5bJDNhPELg

The trip did however inspire me to look further into racing on the 'ring, not sure I'll do all that well but it's a life's ambition just to be on the grid, fingers crossed I'll make it to atleast 1 RCN round in 2016

Donington Park - 20th September 2015 - PBMW rounds 9 &10

coming soon

Donington Park - 19th September 2015 - TTRS rounds 11 & 12

Coming soon

Brands Hatch GP - 16th August 2015 - PBMW rounds 7 & 8

After a great day in the BMW compact on saturday, Sunday was time for the 7th and 8th rounds of the Production BMW championship. Saturday had proved to be very worth while in terms of learning the circuit and we headed out to qualifying in a positive mood. The car felt great throughout qualifying with no drama's so I was slightly disappointed to finish 19th out of 37. although the time of 1:54,549 was very close to my previous fastest time around the GP circuit.

Had a fantastic start to race 1 managing to get passed the 2 cars in front before paddock hill and had a terrific race throughout with Gregor Pryor and Ian Shephard , ended up finishing in 15th place with a best lap time of 1:54.083

The start to race 2 didn't go quite as well, I got of the line well but the door was closed to there was no progression, had another close race with Karl Graves and Gregor Pryor . Again finished in 15th place, was annoyed at the lack of penalties handed out to the two drivers in front who both left the track on numerous occasions, I guess that's just the way it goes but if we're going to have rules they should be enforced. Good news came in the form of my best lap time around brands GP in a Production BMW car falling to 1:53.786 and still holding on to 10th in the overall championship.