Saturday 9 June 2012

60th Monza Coppa InterEuropa Storica June 2012

Pre 63 GT    60 minute Race.

The whole meeting took place over three days from Friday to Sunday.


We had free practice on Friday Morning and Qualifying on Friday afternoon. The 1hr race was on the Sunday.

Paddock 1

Main Entrance

Road down to inner paddock

Tunnel to infield and paddock 1.


Free Practice Session 1 & 2.

Weather :- Very warm with slight breeze.

Julian took practice session 1 and I had the second session so we could get familiar with the Monza track which neither of us had race on before. It was also Julian's first try out in the car and a practice before Le Mans Classic.

The car ran well but with some vibration from the rear at high speed mainly in 4th gear, but this problem was sorted out with the rear wheels being balanced.

Julian leaving the pit lane


Qualifying Session 30 mins:-

Julian was really starting to get to grips with the car and his lap times kept coming down each lap which would keep us in a god position for the race on Sunday.

Best Lap Time :- 2.47.710.

This put us in 12th position on the grid which was a very pleasing result for the oldest car in the race.

There were four other Aston Martin race cars in qualifying and they took the first 4 places on the grid.




Paddock layout still quite on Thursday night.
THE RACE 1 Hour:-




Weather:- A little cooler than Friday and Saturday but still very warm and humid.

Overall Position :- 10th

Class position :- 2nd

Best Lap time:- 2.42.797

Total Race Time :- 62.45.871






Julian took the first session and kept us in touch with all our main competitors and continued to reduce his lap times throughout the first part of the race, which put us in a very good position for the latter half of the race.


Julian seeing of a Jag (well possibly)



The Aston only had a 2580cc engine so is very sensitive to weight and as the fuel reduces the car is easier to handle and becomes quicker over the last few laps.

We managed to real in the Alfa's and the MGA's towards the end of the race and manged to get a top TEN finish which was  great result for us.

I had a great time chasing the Alfa's and MGA and over took in the twisty part of the track after the second chicane. 



All 5 Aston Martin's were in the top TEN and the fast more modern 1960's cars i.e. DB4 's and DP212 took the first four positions.


Post Race Pictures of DB2 Lightweight LeMans 1951




Glynn & Julian with DB2 LeMans and 2nd in class trophy Pre 63 GT.

Darren (Wren Sport) working on car in the paddock






Paddock Photos:-

There was a very good paddock layout and it was busy on Friday and Saturday although Sunday was a little quieter on Sunday due to the Popes visit to Milan on that day.
















Travel Photos To and from Monza















Results sheets and video to follow.

Results:-

Videos:-


NEXT RACE MEETING CLASSIC LEMANS JULY.