Time Attack - Round 6 - October 12th - Snetterton Circuit

Last Round

Overview

4am at the workshop!
What the hell am I doing here?

It's dark, it's cold... and I really should be in bed!

After fighting our way through the fog, what should have been a hour drive we arrived at Snetterton to set up at about 6:30, half an hour later than planned. Having recently had glorious weather I proceeded to rob everyone of their spare clothing. Everything from hats to coats was gratefully received.
Bob arrived at about 7 - 7:30 looking far too awake and ready to go. He went off for his driver briefing at 8am with the fog still looming.. not looking like it is going to clear any time soon.

Kettle on.. coffee made.. chill time.
Bob and I had our usual chat about the day ahead.
How was he feeling?
Apprehensive.

Interview

Lisa: Why apprehensive?

Bob: When we returned from Brands we pulled the head off the car to find the missing screw.. Oh dear.. Not good!
The screw had been bouncing around in number 4 cylinder causing both piston and bore damage. After a team meeting it was decided to bodge it a scarper!
This decision was made because we had a budget put aside to do a new engine for 2009, we did not want to break into this to repair an engine that only had one round left to do.

L: So what was your plan?

B: I had been praying for rain as this would be a lot kinder to our damaged engine (engine are far less stressed in wet conditions than dry).
So as usual nothing ever goes to plan, we had fog and just my luck the sun came out.

L: How was the first practice session?

B: Spent drinking coffee in the fog... So our engine made it through the first session nicely.

L: What about the second session?

B: We finally managed to get out at around 11:30 after the fog started to lift, and the car managed four laps following the pace car before it started smoking profusely.

L: So was that game over? They were describing the car over the tannoy as Bob Parkers Mobile Smoke Machine!

B: Ummm no.
We cleaned the breathers out, made sure the car was not dumping any oil, topped up the level and this would enable us to do our three laps for qualifying and make it in to the Super Battle.

L: So all in all a poor end to the year?

B: Yes a very poor end, earlier in the year we had great expectations for Snet with lots of friends, family and customers coming along to give us support, so I feel more disappointed for all of them rather than ourselves.
At this point I would like to say thank you to all of our loyal fans and supporters that have followed our progress through out the year and hope they will continue their support with us through 2009 with a new and improved car.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the organisers of the Time Attack series and congratulate Olly Clarke for such a supreme win and the support that he has given to my daughter Megan over this tough year.
The biggest thanks has to go to the dedication of the GBH team, we have had highs, lows, broken bits, hangovers, laughs, tears, blood shed, and too much f*cking sugar!
Without you guys none of this would have been possible.