SCHOLARSHIP WRAP UP – ROUND 5
Goodness, patience really is a virtue, as it felt like FOREVER since our Taupo round so I was well excited to be heading to Hampton Downs for the NEXEN Tyre BMW E46 series – the penultimate round.
TACCOC had provided the opportunity for the series to run a one day event, and it was busy busy busy! A 10 minute practice session started the day, which was novel, as we usually roll straight into qualifying. I took full advantage of this, getting to the grid nice and early and was first out on track, setting a PB in the session. WOOT! Nothing beats heading out in a race car!
One day events certainly compress the timetable, and it felt like in no time at all I was back out on track for qualifying. I really wanted to improve on my practice time, and set out with the best of intentions. Unfortunately I didn’t look hard enough and pulled into the pits early, without setting a good time as I thought I was going to have a weight issue (turns out the fuel gauge lied to me). I have to admit, when I realised I was starting the first race from P18, I was pretty gutted, and felt like I’d let everyone down. I decided to go and sit with Mum (who was running race control) and get some sympathy…. Should’ve known better! A quick hug, and a reminder to go and iron my passing pants, she sent me off with some work to do.
Race 1 I lined up, determined to sort myself out. My start wasn’t my best but once I launched I got my head down, proverbially pulled up my (nicely ironed) passing pants and got on with it. Weeeeeee – 80 and I made some moves, and started moving forward up the results – I had some really good tussles, made some passes and pushed my way forward on the final lap to finish 11th. All in all, not a bad start – and right on the heels of the top 10 for race 2.
Dropping both the tyre pressures and my expectations for Race 2, I prepared for the race. It was a fun race to be in, slightly fewer passing opportunities and needing to drive smart and patient while I tried to find a way through. In the end, 9th was my finishing spot and I took a little breather to catch some of the other races before we got ready for the final race of our day
Race 3 saw me start in 10th, but as with race two, we were fighting for position in a tight battle pack, swapping passes lap after lap. It was a closely fought race, pushing myself and the car to pass cleanly and race hard – I finished the race in P8.
It’s funny to think that this was my second to last weekend in the Scholarship car, and already I feel like I’ve learned so much race craft, and have improved as a driver. I’m really looking forward to heading to Taupo at the end of March for our final round, and giving it my absolute best effort. I feel very privileged to be the Scholarship driver and I’m loving every minute in the car.
Look forward to seeing you all in Taupo – and maybe hoping for a little rain!
Matt Smith
