| Race report by: Dewi Jones |
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SCHUMACHER BTCC ROUND 1, WREXHAM
Below are three race reports from team drivers Dewi Jones (19T), Andrew Smith (Modified) and Dominic Carter (Modified).
This race report from team driver Dewi Jones highlights the adaptability and resourcefulness of the T2 chassis in all weather conditions! |
| Saturday Practice |
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After finding a base setup that seemed solid last Sunday at the BRCA national at Wrexham, Saturday practice was used to try and find some more power out of the Team Orion motor and battery combination. A variety of gear ratios were tried and we settled upon a setting that was quick but also stay consistent over the 5 minute run. At around 3 pm rained stopped play so I packed up and went home in a confident mood.
Sunday
Round 1
A dry track greeted us for our first qualifying session. I was scheduled to start from my seeded position of 2ND in the second to top heat. However as my pit man put me down at the start of the race the car cut and lost all power. After wasting the first minute unplugging everything and putting it back together the car sprang to life and i decided to start the race just to get some more experience of the track as it had turned green over night. Very disappointed with my first run that put me on pole in the C. With the ever looming threat of rain and snow, this error could cost me dearly if the weather decided to rear its ugly head.
Round 2
Right on cue the weather turned nasty as sleet started to fall . A quick setup change saw the chassis softened using the T2's Multiflex Technology to allow for the wet weather we were now going out in to achieve an A final time on slicks (no wet tyres are allowed in the Schumacher series). All i can say is that the car lived up to its reputation as a time was set that put me 5th in the A final. Lets hope it rains a lot more this summer judging by this pace!
Round 3
The weather had now cleared up so the setup again reverted back to what was on at the start of the day. Just as we were about to go out for the final run a shower deposited its load upon the track even though the track was not soaking it was wet enough to effect the grip level, which meant they were nonexistent. Halfway through the race, though, the track had dried off and provided plenty of grip and times were back to normal. A nonimprovement in this race put paid to any hope of clinching TQ. But the top heat now had a clear track and they made me pay. From 5th at the start of the round i ended up 8th.
A quick talk with fellow team drivers convinced us to change the tyres for the Finals, we would have to see what would happen!
Final 1
The tyre change made all the difference the car shot off the line and by the first corner was up to fourth and by the end of the first lap we were up to second. A close battle followed beetween myself and Sam Smtih (also in a T2). We had a slight coming together as he got sideways and I hit the throttle - this resulted in me being in the lead, were I stayed until the end of the race! First victory of the BTCC season to the T2. |
| Final 2 |
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With only a shock oil change needed to improve the car another diamond start was made and form 8th we moved up to 3rd with ease and then a very nice and tidy move on Sam promoted us to second. The order remained settled with me in second five car lengths off the leader until he made a mistake and spun it. At this point we were promoted to the lead again which we kept until the flag. Final victory number 2 for Team Xray and Orion already in this Seasons BTCC.
Overall our two wins gave us the victory. Below is the top 3.
1st: Dewi Jones (Xray T2)
2nd: Tristian Yeomans
3rd: Lee Price |
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