I really enjoyed the enduro. Was really
good fun. And it made a nice change from sprint racing, I was very
impressed with the cleanness of the racing.
The PRD we had wasn't running right so we couldn't compete until it rained
a bit and power didn't matter. But considering we only got the engine on
Wednesday, and had to work out how to mount all the lead on the chassis
and seat on Friday night (we had 20kg on the chassis!!) and with no real
testing, other than yes the wheels turn and it runs, I think 12th out of
17 was a good result.I'm sure if
we do another enduro (which is likely) we will get everything setup and
challenge the front runners.
First thing I noticed was there was less
arrogance amongst the drivers when walking around the pits, it seemed like
everyone talked to everyone, rather than at a sprint where some people
never talk to certain competitors.
It felt more relaxed, but yet it still ran dead on time, which was very
impressive.
Where we were standing we couldn't see the start, but it must have been
well behaved as everyone seemed to make it down the hill. and I noticed
there was NO bumping into the slower corners in the first few laps.
(Obviously you cant see the whole track, so I'm just commenting on what I
saw).
Obviously we were off the pace due to the engine, so we tried to keep out
the way as much as possible pointing people though etc, but I was quite
surprised that no one gave us a few nudges up or down the fast sections to
push us wide out the way. It showed good discipline.
I think it must be because its a 3 hour race and there's less of a rush to
make moves and get past people.
The pace was flat out from start to finish. So if you're up the front the
pit stops REALLY count, so it gets everyone in the team involved
throughout the whole race with strategy, and driver changes, which is
good.
The enduro made a nice change. VERY good for the fitness, and will help
keep you fresh and focused when sprinting.
Cost - very cost effective racing. For the price, you get a lot of seat
time, and you will always have someone to race against who is of a similar
pace to you.
Also damage seems to be less: for the first time this year our driver
Steve has come away with a CLEAN front pod, that's not split and beaten
up!
The tyres lasted what would be 5 sprint meetings, and didn't seem to go
off, though I found they cooled very fast and took about 5 laps to come
on. But I can't see a VEGA S7 lasting the equivalent of 5 meetings!
Trackside also seem to be listening to what the drivers want, which is
good and are very much supportive of the TAG class idea.
Great event, great racers, great organisers.
Banzai Boy from HSK
Developments
Team No 35 running a
PRD engine at round 12 of Stiddard Trackside Premier Endurance Series on
August 14th.
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