Croft National Rounds 18, 19 & 20
11th September 2018
Reports a little late, but another solid weekend in the British Nationals last month at Croft Circuit!
Two podiums and also came away with the ‘Tourist Trophy’ Title. 🏆 This is for the highest National points scorer of Knockhill (Scotland), Kirkistown (Ireland) & Croft (England).
Qualifying - After two good days of testing in varied conditions we knew we had good pace going into the session. The track was dry, but it started to spit just as we left the grid. With the rain expected to worsen, I knew I had to be quick straight out the box. A couple of laps in and it nearly all went wrong at turn 1, I was caught out by the damp conditions when I arrived at the braking zone, I locked a wheel and took a brief tour through the gravel, fortunately emerging out the other side. I slipped down to 8th in the process. I would bang in a lap good enough for 2nd a lap later, just before the red flag was brought out. We sat in the pit lane waiting for the session to restart, but the rain continued and it was clear no one would go any quicker.
Race 1 - I bogged off the line and fell to 5th. I would make up the ground I lost almost immediately though. I got back to 3rd by the end of lap 1. I then took 2nd back in lap 2 and set about chasing the leader. We did close in at one point to within a second, but I came under attack in a late charge from the car in 3rd place. Unfortunately I lost out on the last lap, but still, another podium.
Race 2 - A close race which saw the top five of us all finish under two seconds. We swapped positions throughout the race but would eventually take another 3rd place finish.
Race 3 - As per usual the top 8 finishers were reversed on the grid, meaning we would start 6th. A bad start put us down in 9th. Worse still I tried a late braking move around the outside of someone later in the lap, they tried to go as late as me and locked up, I had nowhere to go but off circuit to avoid contact. Now down in 16th place I felt I had nothing to lose but to go all out. We drove an amazing 6 laps to finish in 5th. A great recovery and a result which would award us the Tourist Trophy!
A big thank you to the Kevin Mills Racing Team, a ton of work goes into these weekends, so pleased we could wrap up at least one championship this year! 😁
As always a massive thank you to my parents, friends and family for you’re support. Great to see you at the track Ali & Bri, appreciate you both coming to visit, really glad you enjoyed the weekend. Hope to see you both at an event again soon!
The final National Rounds are at Donington Park next month, can’t wait to get stuck in! 😎
