The Mallory Park circuit in Kirkby Mallory was the scene for some great racing with the Peter Best Insurance Challenge Championship over the weekend. The most noticeable achievement for Team Neaves racing was that we all finished this time!
Driving up on the Saturday night the weather was looking decidedly iffy; the rain was truly torrential. But it cleared for our arrival to the circuit, which meant we would be able to make our way to the circuit bar in relative comfort. 
As we were taking the cars off some of the BCV8 boys came for a bit of a nosey at our engines and cars, and as we got talking, it turns out they have more BHP than us, with Ian Prior claiming 205hp at the wheels! Having said that, they’ve all spent a lot more than us on their engines…
Come Sunday the qualifying was dry, on a fast track, the time sheets revealed a blistering 54.6 for Simon Cripps (66-C) to take Pole followed by the Wheeler’s (30/31-B) split by Ian Prior on 55 second laps. Blaine and Ollie placed 10th and 12th respectively, with Dan down in 21st after losing touch with Blaine and Ollie in the first few laps. Also its worth mentioning Dan hasn’t had as much seat time as Ollie – can you guess who is writing the article yet…
There was a small incident in the session involving Wheeler Senior that saw Blaine’s session ended early. Coming into the hairpin the two came together as Jonnie tried to brake as late as Blaine on the inside. But he couldn’t stop and ended up reshaping Blaine’s door; proving that the V8 callipers and discs are no match for 4 pot ally callipers and 330mm discs. Unfortunately Blaine got a puncture from the incident and had to pit, meaning also he’d have to use an old set of tyres for the race.
After the remains of several Saxo’s / XR2i’s / Golf GTI’s were swept from the circuit the field lined up for the race. As the lights appeared Ollie was taking no chances this time giving the car plenty of revs, as the lights went out it the car actually went off the line, very well in fact almost ramming old number 7 in the process. Come the first corner Blaine was taking the outside line as did Ollie as there was simply nowhere else to go. Coming up to the lakeside essess Ollie got a good run on Lew and managed to go round the outside of him at the hairpin leaving him the inside line for the devils elbow. He was now behind Blaine and on a mission. On lap 9 Ollie made the big move after getting a good run out of Gerrards. After this it was all out billy big balls as Ollie tried to escape and Blaine was having none of it. Within 2 laps they went from mid 57’s to low 55’s pushing eachother along nicely. Eventually on lap 18 they latched on to the back of Peter Bramble and as Ollie went for a move and failed Blaine took full advantage of the situation and took back the place. Blaine then continued to mug Peter Bramble as he was blocked by a back marker. As Blaine and Ollie got out of their cars in park ferme Blaine’s first line to Ollie was “know your place boy”.
This time Dan managed to go considerably further than the 10 feet of the line he did at Silverstone, unfortunately, the good start he got didn’t translate to positions as there was no-where to go on the run up to the first corner at Gerrards! Things got worse as the more confident cars around him all then, well, drove past round Gerrards. Then the unimaginable happened, the Crazy Yellow Hearse slipped past on the brakes into the Lake Esses. Oh the shame. The Montego’s glory was short-lived however as on the following lap Dan got the place back. Over the next few laps he settled in and started moving up the field, battling with Mr Burchill, John Wreggit, Dave Brown, Simon Tinkler and Alan Brooke, who is very quick round Gerrards, passing round the outside on one lap! Towards the end he was catching Pat Fenn but there wasn’t enough time to get up with him.
At the business end on the race full marks have to go to Simon Cripps, who spun at the hairpin on the first lap, dropping to 6th place. He then mounted a monumental fight back through the field, passing the Wheelers – which didn’t look easy! At one point it looked like it was going to end in tears around Gerrards as Cripps and one of the Wheelers exchanged paint and rubber.
All told Team Neaves had a good outing, with another good race between Ollie and Blaine, and Dan getting a race under his belt. Roll on Cadwell!
You can have a look at the result here…
Team Neaves
A great result all round for Team Neaves, it’s particularly good to see Dan overcome his gremlins and get a first race finish under his belt.
Looks like Blaine might have hs work cut out for the rest of the season!
Thanks Al, hopefully thats the last of the Gremlins now.
We’re taking bets on whether or not one of us will beat Dad before the seasons out, currently at 5/2 for.