One Hand On The Trophy May 27th 2007 (Baskerville)

Round 3 of the Tas Super Series was an interesting affair. Nice weather, good crowd (thanks to those who come to watch!!)and some spirited racing. Usually Targa B and C run together, this time it was A and B. I hadn't done any practice since the Symmons race and we had changed spark plugs to try and combat the overheating problems. Basically, the car felt like crap. It felt sluggish and down on power in Qualifying and Race 1. The best I could manage was a 65.0sec and not much better in Qualifying. Race 1. Started 10th (7th in class), made a good start, others didn't. Mark Perry had a moment and gave me a nudge (which he apologised for later)as we raced into turn 1. I soon lost contact with the leading bunch and it was down to Ross Marsen and I to resume the battle from Symmons. My car was so off that he soon got past and I couldn't keep up. It was only when he ditched it in the sand (what's going on mate!!) on the last lap that I was able to take the spot back. Finished 10th on the road (5th in class)
I'm only pointing out both finishing positions so that if anyone looks at the results and doesn't understand the classes they wont think I'm fibbing!!

If you head over to http://johnbriggs.davidclifford.com.au/ you can check out some fantastic shots. I should have some video up here soon.

Race 2. We changed spark plugs back to the old ones before Race 2. (I'm sorry if those people looking on wanted to talk, I hope you understand)
Talk about a different beast. It was like someone had attached a rocket to the car.
I think I was up to 3rd(in class)on the first lap. I wasn't able to stay there, but I was able to hang on the the leaders almost all race. I did 62.7, which was a new lap record for me. In fact I did two and the slowest lap was a 63.3!! The only other change was that I hadn't run at Baskerville with the bigger inter cooler and I reset the computer. It was so much fun (when you go well it always is) I actually had trouble keeping the car on the black stuff. I was giving the Drifters a lesson!!
I ended up 5th, but a much closer 5th than race 1.

Race 3. cant remember this race for some reason. I was slightly slower than R2 but very consistent, 63.8, 64.1, 63.3, 63.3,63.3,63.4. Finished 4th.

Race 4. The Final. Who wrote the script for this one Ill never know. I started 8th on the grid. I had been getting good starts all day, others hadn't. I managed to go round the outside of a couple into the esses and was in 3rd going up the hill. Then I found myself in 2nd when Shane Bond dropped out( I though I was leading but I mis counted. A TB car was mixed up with the TA cars). That didnt last long (about half the length of the back straight)or so I thought. I was 2nd. I managed to stay 2nd till about lap 5, then it all went wrong. Scott Waters and I had been swapping positions for a lap he drew past me round the sweeper, but I kept to the inside to see if I could get him into Turn 1 again. I did get him, right in the rear wheel and turned him and myself around. We got going again (gonna have to name Turn 1 after me, Ive spun there every meeting so far!!) and I felt real bad about it (more at the end of this) I started to see if I could catch Marsden and Tina in similar Skylines. I did and tried to use every piece of road I could to get past. Finally got Marsden, then couldn't get Tina, Marsden got back past me, by then Waters had caught back up, across the finish line to start the last lap, Marsden and Tina side by side, Waters and Briggs side by side. I followed Marsden past Tina, Waters followed me, then past me up the hill, past Marsden down the back straight, I came flying down the outside of Marsden (who by now was desperate to finish in front of me) I got better traction off the corner and swept round the outside of the sweeper (pretty apt) and finished just in front for another 4th.
I followed Waters back to his garage and apologised for knocking him off. He was pissed off (as I would of been) but accepted my apology with a pat on the shoulder.
Now let me get one thing clear. This is not the kind of thing I like to see or be involved in. Since the stewards didn't talk to me, they must of felt it was a racing incident. I suppose these things happen (there was quite a few cars dented across the classes) but I pride myself on being a hard but clean racer. Maybe Scott felt he was far enough ahead of me, I probably though I could get up the inside. Its something that can happen with close racing. So again I'd like to say sorry to Scott. Luckily we finish where we would have and without major damage.

So to sum up an up and down weekend, I finished 3rd for the round. My second 3rd place in 5 rounds and a new personal lap record of 62.7. The down side being we have some panel damage to fix (not much)and I wasn't awarded the 3rd place getter's trophy as there has to be 10 cars entered and there was, you guessed it,9. I have been promised a certificate, so at least Ill have something to show for it.
So till the next round at Symmons Plains on July 1st. Hope to see you there (budget permitting)