Well, that is for everyone else that raced. Friday was a limited day for 'classics' and due to the schedule, and understandably so. We were only afforded 1 practice round at 16h00 with a qualifying round scheduled for 17h15. As per usual, every nut an bolt was again checked from front to back, the front disc pads were replaced and oil levels top up where required prior to the car even getting to the track. The motor was ever so sweet and little was done or required in this department. My (our) race strategy was really quite simple, just go out there and finish a race even it's just the one heat. We had already done enough going into the last race to secure the class win for the season. So off I went at 16h00 to just see that all the noises were being made in the right places etc. Well on lap 2, I had lost 3rd gear and by the time I got back to the pits, I'd lost 2nd gear as well. Not phased, I went and collected the stored 2nd hand gearbox from the workshop and returned leisurely to the track. Qualifying was also subsequently cancelled due to some oil spills which had to be cleaned up properly before sunset.
To cut a very long story short, after the 4th time of having to remove and fit the replacement box we finally had it in at 22h00. All seemed OK however it was evident this was not the best race box you could lay hands on. While you could get all the gears, changing from 3rd to 4th and back was very tricky as the selector gates were obviously damaged. So we settled for 2nd best and enjoyed a few well deserved liquid refreshments and and a well earned braai. We left at approximately 01h00 for some rest and returned bright and breezy the next morning at 07h30.
Saturday, race day and it turned out to be a beautiful summers day and perfect for racing. The crowds were huge and the outfields were packed to capacity for this last major calendar event of the season. Our race was only scheduled for 11h00 and plenty time was therefore available to do the pre race checks and refuelling etc. A rolling start was again the order of the day and by all standards it was a good and fast start for a change. Everything seemed great until I just before T2 where for the love of me I could not get 3rd gear. Man it sounded like those early day gear boxes without syncromesh gears just grinding away like a cheap old coffee grinder. I eventually got 3rd, hit the gas peddle and off I went towards T3 trying to hook 4th the just before the kink. Again the coffee grinder was on full song, eventually slipping in just before I had to now change back to 3rd for T3. It was inevitable, this race was not going to be a very competitive one. The rest of the race was very much a procession of grinding and vibrating my way to the finish line eventually finishing a low 4th in my class D, Jaco, Arnold and Derek all having past me while I happily ground my way to the finish. Well, that was not the end just yet, as the Datti had in the interim also vibrated so much so, that the starter motor broke both mounting brackets clean off against the bell housing. Having made it now through T1 I coasted towards T2 but by the time I'd reached T2 the car had now died on me as well with smoke starting to pour into the car. I could immediately smell it was electrical. I managed to stop on the oval track section out of harms way and waited for a tow back to the pit. Ya well no fine. Almost an hour and a half later only then was I towed to where I laid the Datti to rest. A quick check by Martin and it was evident that that starter motor had broken free from the housing and shorted against the cross member thereby causing the electrics to say 'hoesit'. In the meantime while I was stuck out on track waiting for a tow back to the pits, the lovely CAR girls were eager to get their hands onto me and stood waiting in anticipation for my appearance. Of course it never happened and in my absence Martin took good care of all that devoted attention.
Looking back, it was sufficient that I had just completed the race which if my maths is correct I would have earned just 2 points for a start and finish and 3 points for finishing 4th in the race. That therefore makes it my worst race of the season which according to rule 8.3 means this is the race which I will now drop and re-instate my previously dropped 13 well deserved points taking my total tally for the year to 101.
This season must go down as being one of my best years in my life where I had originally only set out to merely compete in 'classic cars' and be a part of my brothers much loved sport. Half way through the season my 'boet' said to me, "you're looking good so far, I want you to just win class D for me for the year, and I know you can do it". I thought this would be the least I could do to somehow repay my boet a favour for all his dedicated efforts and preparation put into my race car during the year. Well, as it now turns out I not only won the class, but also the silver cup and last but not least, the overall 'classic car' championship in my very first FULL year of racing. While I'm immensely chuffed with my achievements for the season, I have to admit and pay credit where credit is due, that without Martin's help and race guidance throughout the season, this would never have occurred and for that I am immensely grateful and proud to be a brother of such a devoted and determined race hero.
Thanks again 'boet' for all that you have done during this memorable season and we will both celebrate our success achieved at an appropriate time and venue later this month.
Thanks my 'Champ'
