Disaster at Pembrey
Three weeks on from the Pembrey meeting I’m still struggling to think of anything positive to say about the weekend. Two DNF’s, two self inflicted spins and an unnecessary first lap accident on Sunday afternoon pretty much sum up the races.
Friday’s test day was broadly positive as I was running in an engine and four new tyres so it was good the day passed without incident and I managed to set some fast times.
Saturday’s qualifying was rubbish, I was driving badly and ended up 17th right down in the midfield, 5th on the grid for the heat. I made a dreadful start to be 10th into the first turn. I began to work my way through the field before spinning at the Paddock Crossing and having to do it all over again. However I had a very enjoyable dice with Steve Ough for 7th and it was shame when he and William Burnett were disqualified for a ride height infringement at the finish. In the final i made a great start and made up 9 positions in the early laps before spinning again at Paddock Crossing and decided to park it before i damaged the car or myself
Sunday was a new day and the heat went well and I finished 3rd after a very enjoyable dice with Graham Kiddy. I was hopeful therefore for the final, but unfortunately it lasted for one corner before I collided with Ian Buxton coming out of the hairpin. I won’t go into blaming anyone but the incident was totally unnecessary and caused by a number of drivers being unaware of the traffic around them.
So that was it, weekend over with two no scores but still 8th in the Championship although only by one point.
However my real criticism from the weekend comes for the circuit staff and facilities at Pembrey. The circuit itself is thoroughly unenjoyable to drive and furthermore tends to produce spread out processional racing. I would also question the safety at the track as the tyre walls seemed very solid and easily hittable at speed. A good testing venue yes, a race circuit up to standard in the modern era? probably not
Then the circuit staff were a special case. This is not a criticism of either the 750mc staff or the marshalls who did their usual stunning job, but rather the actual track staff at Pembrey. Checking tickets on the way into Friday testing? Policing the paddock like it was North Korea? All this left a rather savoury taste in the mouth and detracted from my enjoyment of the weekend. If circuits that are genuinely near urban areas like Brands Hatch can be run in a professional and calm way then so should Pembrey which is quite frankly in the middle of nowhere. Given the number of great circuits in this country it seems a waste of race weekend to go to Pembrey. I for one would prefer a return to Mallory Park or a second weekend at Brands Hatch over a trip to Pembrey.
Anyway I can’t wait for Silverstone and Oulton where I’m aiming to claim my maiden podium and confirm 8th in the Championship
