The Mazda MX-5 Championship finally got off to a start on 1st and 2nd of August at one of my favourite circuits, Cadwell Park. Due to Covid-19, four of the season’s race weekends have been cancelled, meaning that I won’t get to race at Anglesey, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Croft. And the shortened season means that many of the championships are being crammed into the available tracks.
So, fewer races and shorter races for the rest of the season.
A bright start to Cadwell
The packed timetable meant only 15 minutes for qualifying and only two 15 minute races. On a bright, sunny day, qualifying went well. An early hot lap put me in a good position, and a fourth fastest time delivered a decent grid position for the first race. However, it wasn’t the greatest start off the grid and I lost a few places. On a tight track such as Cadwell, there are very few overtaking opportunities. Trapped behind the pack, it was difficult to make up the lost places and I finished in 9th position.
Frustrated by a restart
The second race went far better. Starting on the third row of the grid, I held my position well throughout the race, but was again frustrated by the lack of overtaking opportunities and also by a major incident. One of the drivers didn’t make the bend at Barn, hit the barrier and somehow his car flew over the barrier onto the slope on the other side. Fortunately, he was uninjured, but it meant a red flag, a long wait and a grid restart and a shortened race. I finished in 6th position recording some great lap times, on a par with the race winners.
Overall a frustrating weekend, but a reasonable beginning to my third season in the BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Championship. I just need to work on my grid starts to ensure that my qualifying performance is converted into race positions.
