23 June 2006 - Circuit Test,
Snetterton
After our last visit to the Wellingborough factory, we
spent some time discussing the plan ahead in the comfort of "The
Loco", Jedi's local. It was here, over a pint of Fosters that we
got onto the subject of Snetterton, and the first circuit test of the
car, in traffic. The loose aim of test day was to get up a decent pace,
get used to having cars around and hit a target time of 1:20, some seven
seconds off the long-standing lap record there.
Fast forward to a hot June morning and having completed
the 160 mile jaunt up to Norfolk, I'm signed on and ready to go.
Due
to some shifting around of sessions necessitated by an overpopulation
of fast Formula Renaults, I have three sessions, each around 35-40 minutes.
The first session in the car is something of a reacquintance session
and a chance to finally drive the car on a proper circuit. I've been
to Snetterton dozens of times, but there's still some learning of where
it actually goes to be done.
The Jedi is such a joy to drive, that I'm quickly getting
on with business and building some speed, then it's in to the pits to
chat with Frazer and Gary from Jedi about what's what. Next time out,
it's time to get some times in, and Frazer's doing the honours with
the pitboard. The first laps show around 1:21, and I'm soon down to
the target 1:20.
There are a few other Jedis on track, and the odd Formula
Ford, so I'm having to make use of my mirrors and be well aware of the
faster 1000s and front-running 600s trying to pass, the circuit's long
Revett and Senna straights providing them plenty of opportunity.
A few more laps and the 1:19s are coming consistently,
but I don't seem able to get below that. Another stop in the pits gives
a chance to reflect on where I could be going faster, where I might
be losing time. The key corners on this track are Russell Bend and Sear
Corner, leading onto the two long straights, and these are areas where
I can make up those missing seconds.
The car is running well and the sunny Norfolk weather
is ensuring I have plenty of grip around the few twisties that Snetterton
presents, so I set out on the final session of the day. Immediately,
I'm back up to pace and down into the 1:18s, a later turn into Sear
and a tidier pasage through Russell making the laps feel much smoother.
Finally, the pit board shows 1:17 . The stopwatch time of 1:17.4 is
my best lap of the day and one of the last before the session ends.
Pushing hard in this session, I have a small 'off' at Sear, running
over the grass at the inside of the corner, but there's no damage to
the car so it's all systems go for tomorrow's racing.
Once the final session of the day is cleared and the circuit
closed, we take the opportunity to walk the track, looking at the kerbs
and getting a feel for the areas of track you can't see too well at
100mph+. Time for a swift beer, and a reflection on the day's activity.
If the weather holds out, tomorrow should be a hoot...
