WMKC18 ROUND 7
23 drivers entered for Round 7 of the WMKC championship. We looked to get a decent result in hot conditions. In practice, we got down to a 45.42 on old tyres, which was a respectable time. Considering how little grip the tyres had, and the fact we were only a few tenths off suggested that we could have a good weekend.
HEAT 1
In the first heat, we started 5th, and had a great start, getting up to 2nd and battling for the lead, which we eventually took after a few laps. However, shortly after taking the lead, a driver overtook me under yellow flags (which unfortunately was not seen by the marshals), and then proceeded to consistently make contact with me every time I tried to overtake (one of these times resulted in my bumper dropping). This completely ruined my race, as the top 3 were well gone by the time I finally got past the driver cleanly, and despite me finishing 4th I had a bumper penalty that dropped me to 12th. This was highly frustrating at the time, but I quickly moved on.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 1 RESULTS
FINISHED: 12TH/ 23 (-7) LAPTIME: 45.60 (10TH, +0.54) PERSONAL SCORE: 6/10
In the first heat, we started 5th, and had a great start, getting up to 2nd and battling for the lead, which we eventually took after a few laps. However, shortly after taking the lead, a driver overtook me under yellow flags (which unfortunately was not seen by the marshals), and then proceeded to consistently make contact with me every time I tried to overtake (one of these times resulted in my bumper dropping). This completely ruined my race, as the top 3 were well gone by the time I finally got past the driver cleanly, and despite me finishing 4th I had a bumper penalty that dropped me to 12th. This was highly frustrating at the time, but I quickly moved on.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 1 RESULTS
FINISHED: 12TH/ 23 (-7) LAPTIME: 45.60 (10TH, +0.54) PERSONAL SCORE: 6/10
HEAT 2
We started 16th for Heat 2, and after an excellent start, we found ourselves in around P7 after the first few laps. However, pace lacked again causing us to drop back and even though I only made slight contact with another driver which did not affect either of us, my bumper dropped down and I was given another unfair penalty, dropping me from my finishing position of 11th to 16th, where I started. These bumper penalties were starting to get suspicious now because I was making minimal contact and still getting penalized.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 2 RESULTS
FINISHED: 16TH /23 (=) LAPTIME: 45.59 (12TH, +0.52) PERSONAL SCORE: 5/10
We started 16th for Heat 2, and after an excellent start, we found ourselves in around P7 after the first few laps. However, pace lacked again causing us to drop back and even though I only made slight contact with another driver which did not affect either of us, my bumper dropped down and I was given another unfair penalty, dropping me from my finishing position of 11th to 16th, where I started. These bumper penalties were starting to get suspicious now because I was making minimal contact and still getting penalized.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 2 RESULTS
FINISHED: 16TH /23 (=) LAPTIME: 45.59 (12TH, +0.52) PERSONAL SCORE: 5/10
HEAT 3
Once again we had a great start, gaining from 13th on the grid to 6th in the 3rd heat. Unfortunately, we still lacked pace, causing us to drop to 9th and finish there. I later discovered that for the 3rd race in a row my bumper had dropped down, which was ridiculous because I hadn't even hit anyone in this race. We found that the bumper clamps had broken, which had ultimately cost us a 4th, 11th and 9th place finish in the heats. In heat 3, I was classified 17th.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 3 RESULTS
FINISHED: 17TH /23 (-4) LAPTIME: 45.75 (8TH, +0.35) PERSONAL SCORE: 5/10
Once again we had a great start, gaining from 13th on the grid to 6th in the 3rd heat. Unfortunately, we still lacked pace, causing us to drop to 9th and finish there. I later discovered that for the 3rd race in a row my bumper had dropped down, which was ridiculous because I hadn't even hit anyone in this race. We found that the bumper clamps had broken, which had ultimately cost us a 4th, 11th and 9th place finish in the heats. In heat 3, I was classified 17th.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 3 RESULTS
FINISHED: 17TH /23 (-4) LAPTIME: 45.75 (8TH, +0.35) PERSONAL SCORE: 5/10
FINAL
Now we had sorted the bumper out, we could try and move forward in the final, although we still had the issue with pace which we were unable to alter at the circuit. We started 17th, and after a race where the issue was at its worst, I could only fight to as high as 15th, but penalties elsewhere pushed me up to 12th.
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FINISHED: 12TH /23 (+5) LAPTIME: 45.93 (14TH, +0.61) PERSONAL SCORE: 6/10
Now we had sorted the bumper out, we could try and move forward in the final, although we still had the issue with pace which we were unable to alter at the circuit. We started 17th, and after a race where the issue was at its worst, I could only fight to as high as 15th, but penalties elsewhere pushed me up to 12th.
CLICK HERE FOR FINAL RESULTS
FINISHED: 12TH /23 (+5) LAPTIME: 45.93 (14TH, +0.61) PERSONAL SCORE: 6/10
It was a shame because if we did have pace and bumper issues, I could've had such a good weekend, because I feel my driving was actual as good as it has been in a very long time (especially my starts). But it was time to once again move on, and believe that opportunities will come to us again. The weekend left me 6th in the championship, which was ok considering the weekend's circumstances, especially as I am feeling very self confident so when we do get everything right, I will be ready to pounce and get some points back. Thanks to AIR Motorsport and my whole family for the help and support.
CLICK HERE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NEXT TIME: WMKC ROUND 8, 26 AUGUST
CLICK HERE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NEXT TIME: WMKC ROUND 8, 26 AUGUST
