Power Series: Round one – Groundhog Day

Earlier in the week, I had interviewed Jordan Pepper, and one of the take-outs rang clear. "Having correct equipment should always be the number one priority" Especially in a spec series, it's incredibly unforgiving. The power differential issue could not be solved, making this weekend feel like groundhog day. However, spirits would not be dampened.

Adding to the list of issues was that the car had developed a nasty hop mid-corner into turn 1, which was attended to but, come to the race, reared its ugly face once more. Exit speed would be sacrificed again, adding to the list of woes plaguing the situation. This may sound like another passage from the race car driver's excuse book, but others can verify these issues, so there are no excuses. Just a factual assessment. Scouts honour.

Now let's rewind the clock. At the beginning of the year, we embarked on a number of weight-saving initiatives. Amongst the items were a replacement battery, removing the footplate, a carbon fibre dashboard project, and the driver going for more runs. Unfortunately, two of those rendered results with the dashboard prototype failing (We'll get the next one right). One thing is clear: we would never save our way to a win regardless of how many kilograms we lost.

Prototype carbon Dashboard in the making. This retro modded side project was way too much fun. It’s a pity about the end result but such is the process with Carbon Fibre. The vacuum process created an issue at the clock housing section. The next one we’ll get right.

About the power…A decision was made to increase the motor's compression to extract some potential but, unfortunately, rendered little result. A marginal increase at the top of the power curve but nothing to make any difference. It was now a case of "make the best of a bad situation" having to manage 90kW against cars producing 13kW more (Some perhaps a bit more). We were going into the race weekend once more as a sitting duck, and I had reserved myself to extracting as many lessons as possible. Rose-tinted glasses, right?

Qualifying was a null event, and nothing much to report on besides my apprehension around how much of a destruction derby awaited everyone giving the one light start***. Race one and a harsh reminder of just how rough Tin top racing can be. "High risk/high reward" comes to mind. You've got to go for it, which is precisely how it worked. With the one light start, I had two quicker Class C cars in front of me. The assignment was always going to be difficult. My start was solid, getting off the line and sticking with everyone, pushing to stay on the car's bumper in front. It was by far the most exhilarating start of any race I can remember, and what a moment it was when mid corner, I found space, and both Class C cars to my right compromised. All I needed to do was keep the momentum and exit smoothly. Mission accomplished. It was now to attack turn two when I noticed a gap inside. What was that thing Ayrton Senna said? You know it. Unfortunately, the door closed right at the last moment, but it was too late, causing me to lock up and make contact with another Class B car. The damage to my car...a bent lower control arm causing me to retire from the race. Perhaps losing friends in the process. "This is a race, after all". Racing right?

Exhibit A: Your honour. A lower control arm that isn’t shaped like a banana.

Nursing the sick car back to the garage to inspect the damage. A rearranged radiator and a few dings on the wheel versus a damaged door on the other vehicle. Joking that I'd be giving Jono from Magmaster, a sponsor of mine, a call on Monday to say his paint on the wheel is stronger than everything else broken. A trip to Goldwagen to collect some spares and get the repairs sorted, and we were back in business.

Now I'm no professional, and I don't proclaim to know everything, but if Polo Cup Champion from 2020, Dario Busi, put as quick of a lap time down in my car as I did, then I have to be on the right track but do admit that there is still a lot that I can learn. A lot. This earlier chat with another competitor had propped me up, given that self-doubt can play nasty games and sometimes gets the better of you. Thanks to that chat, along with the risk-taking in race one making up four places by turn two at the time of the incident, had reinforced the self-belief that I could do this.

Race two and another light started something I had suddenly grown fond of. Everyone had gotten away cleanly, but I had the Class C cars breathing down my neck. They can be somewhat unruly on the best days, so it was an exercise of just staying out and not disrupting their race. The power loss issue meant that regardless of how much I was ringing out the car, I would never have been able to stick with the Class B cars. Slotting in behind the three mk1 cars and not affecting their dice, I decided to instead work on my race craft and get some valuable experience learning. For the next six laps just following made the time feel like forever.

Photo Cred: Franky

The day was never going to put me in any contention of contesting for any glory, but valuable lessons were taken out of the day, which is a win in itself. As for what needs to happen now? We'll continue with the weight loss project and source a solution for the motor or perhaps build a new one, and who knows, with the luck of motorsport gods, we can contend. Being 12 seconds off the race pace over the eight laps with subpar equipment gives me hope that we can get closer to the front. But this weekend has reaffirmed the lesson that in the world of motorsport, nothing is ever guaranteed, but having the correct equipment sure puts you in a position to stand a better chance.

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