Ben is 5th in Champion of Brands
Ben recorded his best result of the season, and best ever Formula Vee finish in the Formula Vee Champion of Brands on Saturday:
Following the same pattern as Castle Combe, qualifying was dry and I posted the 7th fastest time, my best qualifying to date in Formula Vee. However as at Castle Combe, the race was run in the pouring rain with the track absolutely drenched. I made a good start, not suffering from wheelspin as at Combe and was challenging the cars in front into Paddock. On the run up to Druids I found myself boxed in and forced to hold position. This proved fortunate as the car in front spun on the exit and I narrowly avoided him on the exit of the corner.
The remainder of the race was a test of both stamina and endurance as conditions fluctuated, providing extremely limited visibility through the Grand Prix loop. When Paul Smith crashed out of 3rd I inherited 5th place and briefly diced with Mike Jenvey for 4th before dropping back following a mistake at Surtees.
From then on I worked to consolidate my position, do nothing stupid and bring the car home in one piece. Setting a very consistent pace at 2:00 per lap I pulled out a massive advantage over 6th place. This was just as well as I spun at Surtees on the penultimate lap. Following an awkward manoeuvre to turn the car around, including a bit of rallycross, I rejoined 30s later still in 5th place! Obviously the lap and a half to the finish were taken very cautiously!
5th place was a great result given the conditions and some of the luck we’ve had this season. I’d like to thank Paul Curran for all his help in getting me on track on Saturday.
Hopefully next time out at Cadwell it will be dry and I can show my true pace
