Having had both engines rebuilt, both were now in need of some pre race mileage but being the month of June it is also one of the wettest of the winter season. As mother nature would have it, the Friday was rained out most of the day and we both were unable to get down to put any decent mileage on but were offered a last minute grace after the last practice of the day to put in all of 3 laps to at least ensure that everything was OK. That was the total sum of for both cars and would have to make do for qualification the next morning at 09h00. Another very unusually tradition was broken as we decided that the weather was simply not conducive to tanning meat in the rain and as such postponed such for the first time that we can remember. (I'm sure some of the bad luck we both encountered the next day was as a result thereof.)
As we were only out to qualify at 09h00 we lay in until 06h45. got out of bed rather hesitantly and started making our way down to the track via the 'Montana-gue' workshop as we still had to find a spare temperature sender unit for the Datti. From there we hit the track and leisurely performed our usual routine before qualifying. This also entailed that both cars would be on full wet tyres as rain was far from letting up as yet. With quite a few car withdrawing for different reasons the field was a little thin but what the heck, this was weather for ducks anyway. The rain let up slightly and we managed our qualifying in the wet and slippery at 09h45 with the 140Z being place on pole and the Datti down in 5th with a 1:48.9. Soon after qualifying it started to rain some more. So we left the cars on the full wets and passed our time waiting for race 1 which was due off at 11h30 but due to all the delays eventually only got underway at 12h45. With just minutes to spare before the first race, 'Mr Datsun' suddenly decided at the very last minute to go onto full slicks which we managed to somehow do but with no time left we left the Datti on full wets which would turn out to be the wrong decision. Too late, snooze you lose as they say.
Race 1:
Due to all the lengthy delays, the rain had held up and a dry line had started forming around most of the track and by the time we had done our 2 lap warm up it was inevitable that the full wets were now useless to say the least. What the heck, I would give it my best even if it meant I would destroy a set of tyre in the process. At lights out the 140Z felt strong yet the Cosworth powered Pinto had the legs going into T1 with the 140Z hot in pursuit. Further back the Datti did its best to just hold on to getting into T1 with the rest already hunting down the Datti like a pack of ravenous wolves. By lap 3 I was dead meat and even the class D cars were passing me. Meanwhile up front the 140Z was in a duel of serious note and had his hands full in keeping up with the Escort, that of Neil Hawkins. 'Mr Datsun' played a waiting game sussing each move out and on lap 5 tried to make his move on lap 5 but was too hot going into T3 which left him with no option but to back off. This mistake resulted in that the back end of the car getting light and unsettled the car too much putting him into a 360 spin coming out of T3. That put paid to any chance of a win and the 140Z had to settle for 2nd place some 5.02 seconds behind the 16 valve Escort.
Race 2:
With the weather having cleared of rain for now it was safe to assume the use of slicks yet again but the clouds were once again threatening from the south. We managed to get underway at 15h20 some 1 hour later than scheduled but hey there was no rain and that was OK with us. This time the 140Z would start from 2nd while the Datti (now on slicks) would start from 10th place. At lights out the Datti was off the mark like a scolded robbers dog and by the time I hit the start finish line I had already made up 2 places with T1 still to come. The 140Z meanwhile was again out-dragged going into T1 but this time there would be no mercy shown. They were tucked up nose to tail looking like a convoy with the Datsun now being severely held up in T2, T3 and T4. The Datti again found another 2 places coming out of T1 and by T2 was already up into 6th place. The chase was on to try and make up some time but catching the Alfa and Zakspeed Escort up front was one thing, passing them would be something else. Lo and behold on lap 4 with a slowing Zakspeed going into T5 and the Alfa following his race line I dived low and passed the Alfa out of T5 and then passed the Zakspeed down the main straight leading both into T1 again. I managed to hold on until lap 6 when somehow they eventually both passed me yet again and I was relegated to finish 3rd in class B for the day. Meanwhile the 140Z now on lap 2 had decide were the weak point was and closed in on the back of the Escort going into T1. Almost touching they both headed towards T2 where the Datsun made his move to the outside and out braked the Escort into T2passing him on the outside. Through the kink the both drifted and by T3 the Datsun was already pulling a gap. By T4 it opened some more and the chase was now in full reverse. This endued for another 2 laps when suddenly the gear lever on the Escort snapped off and that was game,set and match no tie breakers.
And so ended a weekend of drama, uncertainty, jubilation and chilly weather with both Datsuns still in one piece and which will live to race another day. A huge thanks to my 'boet' for making all the effort and sacrifices to ensure that both cars could make the grid and most of all that we managed to have fun while putting on some enjoyment for those die hards who came out and supported the days racing.
Thanks 'Boet'
