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2004 © Kelly Rogers |
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Round 12 |
Brands Hatch (GP
Circuit) (F3 & GT) |
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Date |
28th September 2003 |
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Race day, with the team all meeting at the awning at 8 am to
check over the car and do the final jobs before the start of the race.
The early morning mist was heavy over the circuit but the sun was trying
to break through. 9.30 am and the cars were all called to the assembly
area for the start of the race. The track was dry in places but out the
back of the circuit there were some treacherous damp patches. Kelly was
caught out on the sighting lap trying to warm up the rear tyres when
weaving left to right he spun on a damp patch.
Collecting himself back together he raced through the pack to take his
2nd place on the grid.
The lights went out and Kelly got a flyer, leading the whole pack into
Paddock Hill bend with a five car advantage. Slowly Kelly was pulling
away from the chasing pack when one by one the top runners were dropping
like flies. Lap 6 out of 10 saw Kelly with a 5 second lead from Chandler
and Wager. Lap 7, disaster Kelly's car went down on power, the
rear near side silencer had broken off and Kelly was losing time to the
chasing pack. Kelly was pulling out all the stops with his driving
experience to hold onto the lead. Coming over the start/finish line at
the end of lap 7 he was shown a Black and Orange flag which meant
technical problem, come into the pits. With only 2 laps remaining Kelly
knew if he stopped now his race would be over, Kelly's understanding of
the rules was that you had 3 laps to comply with the flag. With some
superb driving and extremely late breaking Kelly was able to take the
chequered the flag.
Then after the podium celebrations etc, Kelly was called to the
Clark of the Course, where he was stripped of the first place and
disqualified from the whole race. Kelly tried to explain his case but to
no avail.
The rules on this area are very sketchy and on the day the final word
goes to the Clark.
Kelly was unhappy with the result but in his mind he had Won the race
with a horsepower disadvantage, so roll on next year. |
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