Ian Megson, the owner of the car 39 I'm racing, also provides track side report to Brian Jordan, car 50. Here's the team prior to the race. Brian Jordan and Marcus Bicknell, standing. Gareth Salter and Ian Megson, the boss, kneeling. What smart cars!

The best part of racing late in the day's programme (we were not on till 5 pm) is watching the other guys' races.

I was studying form at the exit of Lodge when the blue Formula Renault car spins on the rumble strip at the outside (photo left) and slides back into the path of the black car behind him but one.

The black car T-bones the blue car and they both make off to the grass on the other side of the track (photo right) for a cup of tea and some polite discussion about their afternoon (photo below).

I don't know what the marshall under the left end of the black car is doing either. He has not just been hit by the car. Answers on a postcard.
 
 

Race

Lovely weather after a night of rain. 18 on the grid, quite closely packed and I got a good start at the back of the pack. Suddenly Brian Jordan is slowing down a pulling off onto the left hand grass; his drive shaft has sheared at the rear universal, bending rear suspension and immobilising the car. We all manage to avoid him and scream off down to cascades. I'm going quite well and thinking of having a stab at Alan Avery when he goes past Barry Foley. My best lap time of 1'39.68 was slightly better than my practise time. As I get to Barry he's slowing and I can hear his engine misfire. Poor guy, only race for ages and the battery has given up the ghost. The little sports cars do not have alternators, so the battery is charged up before the race to drive the ignition... until it goes flat.

Within seconds, my clutch travel goes long. With the pedal fully depressed the clutch is still partially engaged and I can't get second gear (at the Island hairpin and the chicane). Third gear is difficult to grab too. Then the brake goes long and soggy. My race is effectively over, but I have a nice drive in the Cheshire countryside, keeping it on the road. My lap times are 1'45 or worse There is a place after the Island hairpin where you can look back towards Cascades and see other cars, so I was able to track progress of the leaders who were already visible half way through the race! Peter Clark was flying even if Pete Richings got the better start. I was then able to make a big show of moving over for each of them as they caught me to avoid spoiling their individual races.

So I got home, kept out of the way and got another signature on my license. My mechanical misfortune was less then Brian and Barry's and I had enjoyed myself.

Statistics
 

Circuit	Oulton Park, Island	Fastest test lap	no testing
Fastest qualifying lap	1'40.518 = 84.59 mph	Qualified in position	18
Conditions	Dry and sunny	Number of cars qualified	18
Fastest race lap	1'39.680 =  85.1 mph	Number of cars at start	18
Finishing position	15th and last	Number of cars finished	15
Number of laps behind	1	Average speed	80.41 mph

Paddock chat

Phil Barak, who competed in K Sports last year, turned out in the Sports/Saloon car race in his blue Lotus Elan. Now look at the photo and tell me if this is an ugly car or what? He left those pretty little K Sports car for this? Shoorly shum mishtake. Sorry Phil, it's really beautiful actually. Come back!

We are raising £5000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief. Please sponsor me for £1 per championship point I win. Details on http://www.ndirect.co.uk/mbicknell/racing/3relief.htm . Email me on marcus@bicknell.com to make a commitment.