Kelly Rogers Racing
The first race of the season was upon us, with a few test sessions under our belt we were happy that we could manage a role reversal from last year and not always being the bridesmaid.
We were put back a few steps when the no.1 engine developed a misfire and further investigation found a problem we couldn't repair in the paddock so an engine change was the only way forward.
Qualifying was at midday on Saturday and the weather was glorious, with 15 minutes to get our self a good grid position the pressure was on. One lap to warm up the tyres and then push to the limit to get a good time. With the Brands Hatch Indy circuit being just 1.2 miles long the average lap time is under a minute so there was just enough time to do 15 fast laps. Kelly was able to do a lap time of 55.551 placing him 4th on the grid for the race.
Late Sunday afternoon was finally here and with the sun still full in the sky the cars rolled onto the grid at 17.10 for the warm up lap and then to start the race. The red lights go on and within 5 seconds they are out and Kelly gets a good start from the outside of the second row to plant himself firmly into 3rd place going into Paddock Hill Bend. All the front cars are evenly matched so the train of mini's was spectacular to watch battling every inch of the way. Lap 2 and the pressure was on. Tim Sims was trying to overtake Kelly at every opportunity whilst he was trying to keep Bill Sollis and Peter Baldwin in his sights. For 14 laps everyone was pushing themselves and their cars to the limit, for them, the chequered flag didn't come soon enough. Crossing the line in 3rd position for the first race of the season was a good result, certainly got some well earned points in the bag, but quite a few visits to the top step of the podium this year is definitely the goal.
Round 1
Brands Hatch
