Brands Hatch November 1st & 2nd

Remembering the weather report from last year it was T shirt weather but unfortunately this year wasn’t going to be the same.

Saturday’s weather saw continuing rain all day, Qualifying got underway at 10.30am and with conditions that suited front wheel drive cars Nick & Cris secured 3rd & 4th on track positions, only beaten by Rod Birleys WRC Escort Cosworth & Ron Kiddells Nissan Skyline.

By the time Race 1 came round the weather had worsened and as the pack of over 30 cars approached the start, the lights went out and Cris made just about 1 car length on Nick, he took 3rd place by the first corner but unfortunately David Ushers Peugeot was on its side in the gravel trap at Paddock Hill bend by the time the first lap was completed and the safety car was deployed. Three or four laps passed before the race started again and Cris and Nick had managed to hold their places. Within two more laps another accident occurred and the safety car procedures applied once again. The race got underway once again but things took a turn for the worst for Cris, it was only a further lap or two into the race when Cris ran wide at Graham Hill bend, running two wheels on to the rumble strip, this unsettled the car and sent him into a spin, Nicks eyes popped out of their sockets as Cris shot across his path, both cars ended up coming into contact in a big way. Car 27 ‘Cris’ ended up smashing into the Armco and sustained extensive damage to the near side of the car. Lots of disappointment for the team as the race finished with only one Westlake car coming home, luckily Nick still managed to return 5th on track and 1st in class.

Nick and the team now needed to make good of car 37 as the damage sustained in the coming together left the car down on power with a damaged intercooler and bodywork flapping, luckily all parts needed for repairs were available from Cris’ car so the transfers were made.

Sundays race became a bit of an anticlimax, as the final race of the year you would have expected something just a little bit special, unfortunately Nick, the only Westlake car running, had a spin early on in the race and ended up fighting through the field only to return a 10th place finish on track.

A disastrous weekend all in all, perhaps the worst of the year, but putting this aside, team Westlake walk away with Nick 1st in Class, 4th overall and Cris 2nd in Class 5th overall and the team at the top of the awards list.

A great first year back on the track and Nick and Cris would like to say a big thanks to all the team, Dave, Mark, Matt, Karl and of course Sue for keeping everyone fed and watered. The sponsors have been a foundation that led to the great success too, so thank you for all their support. The next team outing will be the awards in January. Pictures will be attached.

We finish with this final thought…..Cris’ car was equipped with the onboard camera for the first time – they do say in motorsport that the camera comes with a curse? ? !!