Weather :- Warm, Sunny, Windy.
Race Number:- 21
Qualifying: 30 minutes
Grid: 32 cars
Best Lap: 1min 38.9sec
Qualifying Position: 28th Row 14 on grid.
Car was handling better than normal with the rear end more controlled due to changes in the tyre pressures.
Had one small off at the old hairpin when I hit a patch of oil and went off backwards but got the car back under control and managed to avoid the gravel. Completed one more lap and came in as the track was slippery with oil and it was unlikely I was going to get any quicker.
Race:- 60 minutes.
Results:- DNF 4 laps
The car was heavily fueled to to see how it handled with 85L of fuel as a test run before Lemans. The car was moving about more at the rear with a pendulum effect going down to the old hairpin. So I planned to take it easy for 10 laps to get rid of some of the weight then pick up speed.
I was running 21st when the car broke its half shaft.
Half shaft broke off left rear wheel going into Redgate. Wheel went under car damaged some of the under side body work, brakes, hubs etc. Car came to rest side on mid way round Redgate corner. Not the best place to end up but I got out quickly and the race went under the safety car until my car as removed which only took a few minutes.
A Series of Photographs showing the the rear wheel coming away going into Redgate.
All Photographs by John Retter.
The car should be OK for the Le Mans Legends Race on the 11th June which precedes the 24hrs race.
