Formula Vee Round 8 - with Max Hart
Testing on Friday was challenging to say the least, with the amount of water that decided to fall from the sky! The track was flooded, pools of water everywhere....I was thinking that speedos might be more appropriate than my fireproofs! It was good to get some wet weather practice though and it added to the fun of driving, as the car was dancing all over the track. We managed to give it our best shot though and managed to learn a few things, despite the conditions. Getting back to brass tacks after the summer break was both enduring and satisfying.
After a quiet night, qualifying was at 11.30, so not too early a start for a change. Not that I could enjoy a lie in! Unfortunately my positioning after qualifying was poor, as I only managed to complete 5 laps due to a few niggles. One of the valve springs had cried enough around the super-fast Kirkistown!
A fine tune by the Leastone crew and the no. 26 JH004 was ready to rock. I was looking forward to coming up through the field but a full grid for the race meant that I would have to pull out all the stops to gain a decent result. F1 race winner Eddie Irvine was floating around the paddock and during the break, I managed to get a snap with him and a few tips on both driving and girls!
Starting from the back of the grid, I knew that a good start was needed, and determined to make that happen I gripped the wheel and was ready for the start. As soon as the lights went out I had a good launch and charged forward to try begin my ascent up the pecking order. I gained three positions by Colonial, losing out on a position due to a spinner resulting in me taking some evasive action in order to keep my Leastone intact!
I continued on and was happy with a few nifty overtakes, which allowed me to get ahead of my fellow competitors in the Finol Star of Tomorrow Championship. In doing so I had some great racing, overtaking, being overtaken and regaining the position, as I know now, this is typical Kirkistown stuff! I managed a personal best of 6th position overall by the last lap, along with another maximum score in the Finol Star of Tomorrow Championship.
I’m looking forward to getting back to Mondello in mid-September, I’m gaining confidence with each lap and really enjoying the competitive racing that Formula Vee provides. Thanks a million to everyone who has helped make this happen for me, my sponsors Selco Hygiene Ireland & my team Leastone Racing. Also a big thanks to Finol Oils for sponsoring the Championship putting up such a fantastic prize. Hopefully I can bring the championship win home!
