RAC Woodcote Trophy (Spa 6hrs) 2011

Our paddock from next F1 building

Jag section

Qualifying:-


Car:- Aston Martin DB2 Le Mans Lightweight 1951 (spec)

Friday 40 min Qualifying 9.30am

Weather Clear and cool, Bright with no wind.

Best Lap: 3.31

Grid Position: 31

Car handled very well but would not rev past about 4,500 in 3rd and would not pull in 4th gear so the two big straights caused major damage to lap times.

Race 1 hour (1 or 2 drivers):-

A long way back 31st on grid of 34.

10.30am warm, bright, no wind.


Best Lap:- 3.24


Finishing Position:- 23rd


Class Position:- 7th

Getting closer again

The car ran very well but a little slow picking up in 3rd gear I did not bother with 4th as the car is not powerful enough.


I over took several cars on the first lap with the intention of catching up with the other Astons as I had a slow qualifying time. By the end of the first lap I was right behind an Aston 2/4 but could not get past. I was faster in the slower windy parts of the track but could not keep up along the straights.


I finally decided to go for it coming into Les Combe but braked too late and missed the corner although I got passed I gave the position back. I continued to press but with no success.


I pitted in lap 10 but when I came out I was about 1500m behind with Aston I had been chasing so over the last 7 or 8 laps I slowly closed in and finally got within about 100m by the chequered flag.

Pit stop Steve asking about lunch

I lost the 12secs in 3 areas a slow in lap by me a fast out lap by the Aston driver and a slower pit stop all of which added up to12 secs and made it hard but enjoyable work to try and catch up.


I pressed the car in the windy parts as much as I could to make up for the lack of power down the straights and this has helped me to understand the car better.

Overall a very enjoyable race with my best lap time in the DB2 Le Mans.

Thanks to all the Wren Sport Team for their race support and encouragement.

Finally I was glad to see that like me Steve also waves to the apex of a corner as it goes by ( video and photographic evidence available by request).

On Track and Pit shots:-

Cooper Monaco 2nd in Class (Masters Race)

Looking for a Apex

Waving good bye.

Pit Crew with Calendar

Eau Rouge

General Paddock Views:-

DB4

XK140

DB2

330 GTO

Cobra

DB3 Class winner

My next car.

Gold Cup Woodcote Trophy Race 2011

Legends Woodcote Trophy Race 2011

DB2 Le Mans

Weather cool, windy and wet with some heavy rain.

50 minute race over the full circuit with 45 sec mandatory pit stop.

Legends Hospitality the only dry place.

Qualifying:- windy and damp.

Best lap         2.22.941

Grid position 19

Not a great position but the car ran well and I was taking it easy.

The Race:-  Fine rain at the start but with a dry track for 10 laps followed by heavy rain.


Best Lap 2.19.752


Classification:  19th

Class position: 6th.

2580cc engine

The car in the race was not quite as lively as I think I may have oiled a plug which took the edge of the performance particularly between 3,000 & 4,500 RPM.

We put extra fuel in the car 85L which was to much and made the car heavy which was a mistake as I could not keep up at the start of the race. As the fuel weight reduced the car was getting quicker and I was making some ground on the cars in front.

During the pit stop I was able to lap frog a few cars and tried to make up lost ground after the pit stop. As I came onto the track after the pit stop the rain started, but I was able to keep up a reasonable pace, until the rain fell very heavily and I slowed dramatically as I could not see.

The track became very wet and was oily and was incredibly slippery and I went off sideways at Druids but managed to regain control going across the grass then through the gravel trap, back onto the grass and finally on to the straight and continued .

Overall a reasonable race and learned more about the cars handling in the wet and also about tyre pressures.

Early video footage of the race before the rain.

Next race Spa

Brands Hatch AMOC Historic Championship

AMOC Pre 60 & Historic Championship


DNS

Weather was warm and sunny.

We did not run the Aston Martin 2/4 MKII at this meeting.

Silverstone Classic 2011 Woodcote Trophy Race

RAC Woodcote Trophy Race 22-24th July 2011

Qualifying 30 minutes.


Weather: Warm, dry cloudy slight breeze.


Grid size 52


Qualifying time: 3.06


Qualifying Position: 50

Qualifying had one issue in that the engine would not rev cleanly to the normal 6000rpm, and would not go higher than about 4,500rpm which with the long straights does not lead to fast times. The problem is being investigated, but is probably a mix of issues.

Air box lid removed to improve air flow.

Aston Martin DB2 after qualifying

The Race Saturday 50 minutes:

Warm, dry, some cloud.

Got past Maserati several times but lost top end over last 4 laps

Race plan was not to come last and try and get going right from the start, which was from the new international wing. The start was rolling which does not help when you are at the back as the cars you are trying to race with rather than being about 50 metres ahead are 800 metres in front as far more difficult to catch.

Final classification:  Position 37

Class position: 6th

Best Lap: 2.55

I think about a 2.51 lap time was possible as I became more familiar with the new track layout and as the fuel load was reducing. But towards the end of the race the top end revs dropped away again over the last 4 laps, which allowed 3 cars I had over taken to re-over take me again.

I had a very enjoyable race against a Maserati, Frazer Nash and XK140 for most of the race and for a brief time until the power dropped off with another DB2.

Pit Stop

Winners of the Woodcote Trophy Race


General Pictures of the Silverstone Classic Meeting