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Sunday, 03 May 2009

Wet, Wet, Wet

My car spent a while in the panel shop (Cape Motor Repairs) and was restored to it previously looking shape and colour. Magnificent job I must admit. More amazingly was the time in which it was accomplished and then finally being returned to Martin's Auto Repairs on the Tuesday evening before the race. Martin rolled up his sleeves on the Wednesday (voting day) and put all the bits and pieces back (man-alone I might add) which included the engine, gearbox, exhaust, gauges, seat etc. By Wednesday night it was finished and was fired up. Thursday morning at 06h30 the sign writers delivered the decals and all the previous signage was returned to their original looks.

I'm almost lost for words for the efforts made to get the Datti back up and running given all those holidays in between. A big, big thank you to Gunter from G & A Promotions, Selwyn Moodley from Cape Motor Repairs and Martin from Martin's Auto Repairs.



All the signs were there but some locals were in denial saying it would not rain. Ironically it did hold off for the Thursday and Friday during the day but came Saturday at 08h00 precisely, the rain made its presence and never once let up. My qualifying was at 08h00 and with a light drizzle attempted it on slicks. I managed to only post a 1:52.4 putting me 14th on the grid and 3rd in my class. As the morning wore on, so the rain became more and slightly heavier. Our first race was off at at about 10h15 due to some hold ups from earlier collisions and biker offs. It was 'full wets' weather and luckily I had mine on.

Conditions in race 1 were atrocious and in some places somewhat dangerous but I managed to truddle around putting in a best time of 1:50.8 some 17 seconds off normal pace. Having the advantage of using the full wet tyres I made up 7 places and finished 7th overall and 2nd in my class having been beaten fairly by Peter vd Poel in the front wheel drive Renault R12.

Race 2 saw the withdrawal of many entrants, especially all the V8's and the class A guys due to dangerous driving conditions and reduced the field to only 15. By now conditions had further worsened and only the mad and the brave tempted to race. On the 1st lap Mike Napoli (still on slicks) cried 'enough' and withdrew leaving 14 to risk it all. It is absolutely no pleasure for me to drive in such wet conditions but in lieu of my previous 'race rolling' escapade I had to push on and bag whatever points were up for grabs. This time around I only managed a pathetic best time of 1:54.9 on wets which to some degree says it all as for the deteriorating weather conditions and still I however managed to finish 5th overall having once again been beaten by Peter in the Renault.

The plus side was the Datti finished in one piece and afforded me 2nd place in class D for the day while only a few minor mechanical issues where picked up which will require some attention for the next race. Again I must give thanks to my 'boet' for preparing a 'great finisher' given the weather conditions beyond any one's control.

Thanks 'Boet'