Wet or dry

The race was early afternoon after a deal of rain. Thruxton is a very abrasive circuit but the two races before had not dried out the circuit as we had all hoped although there was very little spray. At the last minute Bernard softened up the roll bars a tad but it was just a guess and I was typically indecisive.

Good start – not too many revs and got past a couple off the line. I was chasing Paul Walton and others but the conditions were very demanding. The car was sliding, on occasions viciously – but I was actually enjoying myself. I seemed to staying with Paul and felt I was slightly quicker. Around me was mayhem really - Jon Nash spun in front of me twice, once at Church, which is bloody terrifying because one is never sure where the spinner is going to complete his uncontrolled manoeuvring. All was well though and I had a great time – overtook some people, Jon Davis got past me and I felt I could have hung on to him but my not very brave overtaking of Paul let him get away.

On the final couple of laps Dave Malpas was very close and in an attempt to leave him behind I braked perfectly at the chicane – as late as I had been able to manage. Unfortunately I left the car in neutral through an inability to do two things at once and spun. I kept the engine running and stuck it in first and was away but could I get back past the Malpas? Only two laps left and alongside him at Church (well almost) saw me pull out of a risky pass. On the last lap I was alongside him up to the chicane and this had to be my very last effort. I was on the outside, not the best place, but I was feeling determined when a backmarker hove into view – ON THE INSIDE – where Dave was – what bliss. I simply braked later than Dave could – because of this guy and I was – wait for it - 5th.

More importantly – I was within 0.3 of a second of the fastest lap (3 x spinner Nash!).

So was the weather the leveller here? Was I driving better? Time will tell but I have a sneaking desire to try out a Van Diemen RF81 – just to see………

Next Race Brands Hatch – 27/28 May – and no-one claimed the Cobra beer at this meeting so it is still available for the first person who claims it from me in the paddock at Brands.