Qualifying

With little time to spend testing or improving the car, it was sure to be challenging at the bumpy Castle Combe circuit, but Gary managed a respectable 5th place in qualifying, though still suffering from under steer on the faster sections.

Race 1

After a great start, Gary was into 3rd place after the first corner, tucking in behind the 2 Astra’s of Adrian Churchill and Ryan Bensley, with the 3rd Astra of Alex Ashby just behind. Dan Malone suffered a spin and this slowed the pack up, so Gary was left to fight for the top spot with Churchill and Bensley. This was not to be though as both Astra’s were flying and Gary was still suffering the under steer problems that have plagued him since Pembrey, so he settled for 3rd place and working on trying to learn how to improve the car for race 2.

Race 2

With heavy rain overnight and drizzle all morning, the race was declared wet, even though it was not raining when it started. All the front runners suffered from traction problems on the damp track, but Gary fared worse, dropping from 3rd to 4th after the first corner at Quarry, Alex Ashby making the best start and sliding round the outside of everyone. Gary ran with Alex for a few laps, learning where the grip was offline, but it was difficult to mount a challenge as the offline track was very slippery. Craig Currie in his Nissan 370 was gaining fast though, and after a late brake manoeuvre into Quarry forced Gary wide, Currie slipped past into 4th.

Gary sat on the back of Curries bumper, who in turn was challenging Ashby for 3rd place too, with all 3 drivers pushing too hard at tower Corner, Gary sliding across the grass at Bobbies to avoid both cars in front. Eventually Currie made a move, forcing Ashby wide at Quarry and allowing Gary through too, demoting Ashby to 5th, Gary to 4th and Currie to 3rd. With the rain starting to fall, Currie was struggling with rear grip and Gary was over a second a lap faster. Both cars caught 2nd placed Ryan Bensley and narrowly avoiding hitting him after he suffered a gearbox failure, which promoted Currie to 2nd, with Gary pushing him all the way. As the chequered flag came out, the gap was less than a few tenths and with a lap of 2 more Gary was confident he could have nabbed the 2nd place spot.

Race 3

The reverse grid system saw Gary starting from 3rd place, but with Ryan Bensley unable to compete due to the gearbox failure it actually meant Gary was just behind Alex Ashby on the grid. A dry track allowed Gary to make a textbook perfect start, shooting from 3rd to 1st in to Quarry, with the pack tucking in behind. Gary was getting challenged heavily from Craig Currie in his Nissan again, but the very rapid Astra of Adrian Churchill was soon up to 2nd place, pushing Gary for the lead.

On cold brakes and tyres, Gary braked late into the ultra quick Camp Corner, drifting wide and missing the apex, allowing Churchill to tuck past. Gary was able to stay relatively close to Churchill this time, after some car changes courtesy of Maurice (thanks!), with both front runners gapping the 3rd place car but more than 10 seconds.

Unfortunately Dan Malone went off just before Quarry and rolled his Seat Cupra, forcing a safety car. Dan was fine and the car stood up well to the accident.

With the safely car in, it was a 2 lap sprint to the end, Gary chasing down Churchill but also being chased by Currie in the ever present Nissan 370. Despite Gary’s best efforts he was unable to make a move on Churchill and managed to prevent Currie passing, taking a well fought 2nd place.

So onwards to Brands Hatch, Gary’s local track and one of his favourites where he will be hunting that elusive first win in Sport Maxx – be sure to join us there!