Due to having to work on Saturday, I didn't get to the qualifying
session until around 2pm, by which time most people had had
two runs, and were waiting to do their third. Gitts had done
a 2:24, and Tristan a 2:23 (Tristan went onto to lower his time
in qualifying to 2.22). I went out and did a 2:24 on my first,
and a 2:22 on my second and final run. Car worked reasonably
well, except for a bit of a hesitation in one hairpin. Spoke
to Jason King, and he suggested it could be plugs or distributor
rotar.
Got to the track Sunday morning at 8am, and Jason went to
work putting in the new Denso Iridium plugs, and cleaning
the distributor rotar. Gitts went out on his first run against
Noel Edwards in the Charade GTti, and was able to win. (Noel
had a spin early in the race, then pulled off after the bridge)
So Gitts went through to the "winners runs" after
lunch, where he would face Tristan.
My first run was against Mark Hamilton in his MKII Escort
(his qualifying time was 6secs faster than mine), I got beaten
easily, and went back to the pits demoralised. Watched the
remainder of the races, waiting to hear who i would face for
the "also rans" races. Found out that I would face
the winner between Andrew Jones, and Andy Carter. I sat on
the start pad, and watched and Carter cut Jonesies behind
during the race, thinking "great, another ass cutting
for me", then right before my eyes, I saw the light blue
'scort spin mere feet from the finish line, and watched Jones
swoop by and claim victory. I was never so happy to see Jonesy
win a race, not becuase I figured I could beat him, but because
I figured it would be a good close race (he qualified with
a 2:23).
I
drove probably one my best runs ever in the race against Jones,
can't think of any mistakes, and while there were a few spots
i may have been able to take faster, I may have ended up,
causing problems in the next bend. In the end I beat Jones
by 2 seconds, and set a personal best time of 2:19.10, and
finished 4th in group.
I would like to thank my Sponsors Nassco, Toyo Tyres, Denso,
Freezetone, Philips Lighting. I would also like to thank my
cousin Graham Gittens for letting me live my dream of being
able to rally for the past 3 1/2yrs. Finaly, thanks to all
the marshals and fans who expressed their regret at the loss
of the car.
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