April 2007 - Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch was uncharacteristically bathed in mid-April sunshine and, after qualifying fifth on the grid, we set off in an optimistic mood for the two-hour three-driver event.

Greg started the race and held station for the first few hectic laps before pushing the 40 horse power car up to the dizzy heights of third. A close battle between the first five cars ensued with good racing until the first pit stop.

Muir took over for the second session and also enjoyed some very close racing coming under pressure from an old karting adversary. The pressure proved just too much and an out-of-character slip in concentration meant the famous Paddock Hill bend was taken wide and the gravel trap beckoned.

After a tow back and laps lost Andrew set about making amends. A hard drive saw him wrestle the car back up to the leading pack and once again the combination proved more than a match for the top competitors, so much so that it took an aggressive push from behind and subsequent revisit to the infield to break his momentum. All in all a competitive outing with a zero points score not reflecting the potential.

Above: the team before the race

Above: the car lined up ready for the race

May 2007 - Snetterton

The 24 hour race in late May is considered the blue riband event of the 2cv calendar attracting 34 cars for the gruelling le Mans style event.

In contrast to the warm dry April weather, the bank holiday in Norfolk was wet with constant rain from the start until the finish of the race.

A first this year saw one of our cars hired out to a rookie team. Steady driving meant both cars found themselves around the top ten mark at the half way point.

The hired car was giving Andrew and Greg a good battle for position until a broken spark plug put them out of action for half an hour knocking them down the tightly packed leader board.

At the chequered flag we finished 9th having only pitted for a broken cooling fan and scheduled fuel/driver changes.

The hired car finished 19th, a very respectable result for first time drivers and they have indicated a strong interest in a return visit next year.

Above: the hired car in for fuel and a driver change

Above: on the grid at Snetterton

Above: it was a wet and windy race

Above: nearing the end and it is still raining!

September 2007 - Mallory Park

September and its off to Mallory park in Leicestershire. Qualifying was marred by a faulty battery leaving Greg stranded on the circuit only one lap in, a quick dash back to the pits for a spare one meant we completed our minimum qualifying laps whilst attracting much negative press from the course officials.

Following some serious apologising in race control we were allowed to start the race, albeit from 14th position on the grid. All this with 3am induced hangover.

Andrew had drawn the straw which meant he was responsible for marrying the 40hp engine to the tarmac via the motorcycle wide 145 tyres. He did this in a sling shot fashion leap-froging us up to 8th place in only two laps. Much slipstreaming followed for the remaining twenty-five laps, bringing the car in for the driver change in 6th place.

An ultra-slick pit stop and efficient use of the despatched safety car meant Greg restarted in 4th place enjoying 10 laps of good racing and in touch with the leader until disaster struck - a broken fan hub caused the engine to overheat and retirement was the only option. Another disappointing finish with a top five result well within reach.

Above: At the front of the following pack at Mallory

Above: A quick driver change

October 2007 - Pembrey

Late October and a normally wet Pembrokeshire coast beckoned the team. After a seven hour journey in half-term traffic Saturday dawned clear and sunny. An early morning walk of the circuit reacquainted us with the flat and fast former WW2 spitfire base.

A great deal of preparation had gone into the build-up and a reliable race should hopefully see a top five finish.

Qualifying was straightforward and a first chance to drive the circuit in the dry. Greg's qualifying time set a third fastest lap before Andrew's session with the more seasoned drivers gave us an overall 6th spot on the grid exactly where we wanted to be.

The two hour race started in fine afternoon sunshine and by lap two Greg had found his way into 3rd with the leading pair in sight but very evenly matched. We diced between 3rd and 4th for the first ten laps before making a break and snatching 2nd and then taking the lead in lap twelve holding on to it until the first pit stop at lap thirty.

Another stop one lap later meant we had completed two of our three compulsory visits to the pit lane, slowed only by a loose safety harness. We rejoined the circuit free from traffic and were able to circulate at race leading pace for a further twenty minutes before our final stop and driver change with Andrew entrusted to bring the car home. When Andrew rejoined the race car 59 was in 14th position, but crucially the only one to have made all three stops. It wasn't until lap 68 that things started to unfold with all the cars in front of us having to pit at least once. We found ourselves back in the lead and at the front of a five car train including the second placed car being piloted by the extremely quick Phil Myatt. Whilst this group put in steady laps Myatt began picking them off one by one. Andrew continued to defend the lead at the head of the pack and absorbed considerable pressure from behind, relenting only when the pressure turned physical and had no choice but to use a considerable amount of grass allowing the pack and Myatt to breeze past taking the lead with him. Finding ourselves in second and having lost momentum Andrew recovered well to hold position crossing the just 13 seconds behind after 2 hours of racing.

An excellent end to the season attracted interest from the technical scruitineers and with fingers crossed the engine was stripped to measure valve dimensions, bore size and piston rings. Thumbs up from the scrutineers meant the celebrations could start in earnest.

Above: hanging on to third place at Pembrey

Above: Andrew takes the long way round

Above: a podium place and interview after the race