racing driver in the making...

Just for a change, last weekend I was back down Brands Hatch, for a full three days, friday-sunday. One of the best meetings of the year was on, World Touring Cars, plus support races. I'd never done all three days of a race meet before, neither had I camped at the track either. When the heavens opened at 8am that morning and thunder rumbled around the track, I started to wonder whether there was anything else that I could be doing with my time; of course not!! A marshal loves racing, whatever the weather. Plus, I got a day off work to do this, and standing in the rain was certainly better than a day at work. However, the rain soon stopped, and the racing started. And what an entertaining day friday was.

It is at this point I should remind all potential racers that cars do better on the grey stuff, especially after rain. playing on wet slippery grass and kerbs will not win you any extra points, no matter how many times you spin the car and manage to keep it going afterwards.

I had the pleasure of manning (or is that womaning?) post 6. This is situated just after the first hairpin at the top of the circuit (druids for those of you with a circuit map). I love this corner, you are always guaranteed some sort of action. I had two cars, all day come and say hello. saturday, I had nothing. Sunday...I got my hands on a proper touring car on sunday!! He spun in the straight just after the corner, and I got to it first. I still have a piece of the car sitting next to my computer. No idea what it is, some sort of electrical component, but it came off MY touring car, MINE!!

Camping at the circuit was a lot of fun. I had four marshals put my tent up for me as I had an "urgent" phone call to take, and supervised from the dryness of the car. You can get away with a lot as a female marshal. You get the same amount of respect as the men, but they are a lot nicer to you and feel the need to protect you all the time. You also get a lot of grief as a female marshal, but as long as you give as much as you get its a lot of fun. I just remind them how young I am (very much different to how young I feel!!)

Then, after 3 days of very good racing, on the monday it was my turn to drive round the circuit, and it was so much fun!! First I drove a big BMW M3, then I had a go in a single seater. When you are standing at the side of the track you can see where the fastest line round the circuit is, and frequently remind yourself that you drive better than they could. Now having seen it from the drivers viewpoint, I can see how they get it wrong. you are flying along the track, at ridiculous speed (although my car was limited to 90mph) with your backside about 3 inches from the ground. Its not easy. However, I loved every minute of it!! I really want to race now, single seater or saloon. I felt so happy and comfortable with that crash helmet on, and depsite the fact that during the touring cars the real dangers of motorsport were brought home rather tragically, I would get into a racing car tomorrow.

RIP Henry Surtees, 18 years old...a great talent lost from the sport.