2005
Kelly Rogers Racing
Crois en ternoix a small but friendly circuit an hours drive from Calais, the mini 7 clubs first outing to this new circuit. This 2 day meeting in France for the club was very exciting as 99% of the drivers had not been to this circuit before. Also there were a couple of test sessions on Friday which most of the drivers took up on just to learn the circuit and set up there cars.
There was 2 test sessions on Friday so Kelly had left the UK late Thursday afternoon to travel to the circuit. Friday morning was very overcast and the skies were threatening rain, with all the cars lined up to try out this new circuit the heavens opened and the rain lashed down. Most people were on slick tyres so back to the awnings to change to wet weather tyres. Kelly is always at home in the rain, he has earned the nick-name "The Rain master" from many people in the paddock due to his excellent ability to drive very fast in the wet. The weather forecast had threatened light showers but this was definitely not light rain! Buy late afternoon the skies had become brighter so the second session was in dry conditions, so Kelly was trying out some minor alterations to the car to knock that all important tenth of a second off each lap. Things were going well and with our clever technology system we were able to tell that in the rain we were 3 seconds faster than our closest rival and at least 2 tenths in the dry.
Saturday and the weather had not got any better, the qualifying session for the Mini Miglia's was midday. The wind had slightly picked up and rain was always in the air, Kelly wanted the session to be wet but as the time approached to the start of qualifying the rain had ceased and the track was drying quickly. Kelly needed to put all that testing from yesterday to good use, as the session started traffic would be the major issue as the twisty slow corners could get you held up. Kelly was always in the top 2 of the leader board for qualifying but he wanted pole position so he held back with approx 3 laps to go to get a clear lap. With all stops pulled out and a few small tyre lock ups Kelly was able to push that little bit harder to secure that pole time. With the day finished for the Miglia's the team decided for a little relaxation at a local restaurant before the two races tomorrow.
Well Sunday morning was a change for the weather as the sun was shining brightly at 7am as Kelly made is way to the circuit. The first race was scheduled for approximately 9.30 so he needed time to make sure the car was totally ready for the races ahead. The start of the first race was delayed for a short while as the French circuit doctor was late getting there. All lined up on the grid as the seconds ticked by, the lights went on and the sound of 17 mini engines roared across the circuit grounds as the lights went out. Kelly wanted a good start but Baldwin had out dragged him to the first corner, Sollis and the remaining pack all closely behind. Kelly had to try and push hard to keep on the boot lid of Baldwin for the first 3 laps, then the red lights came on all over the circuit, an incident had stopped the race. The race would be restarted but only 13 laps this time, another chance for Kelly to try and get into the first corner first! All lined up again, lights on, lights off and still Baldwin is able to muscle his way to the front of the pack. 13 laps of this tight twisty circuit would be gruelling for all the drivers, lap after lap Kelly pushed hard but Baldwin was that car length ahead. Kelly trying with every corner to inch closer to try and make a pass. The race seemed so long with so many slow but demanding corners, with only one lap to go Kelly knew that he would have to settle for second, but with race 2 only a few hours away hopefully the tide could be turned.
With a few hours to spare the team gave the car a spanner check and were getting feedback from Kelly on how to possibly improve the car for race 2. Kelly was totally happy with the car and the pace of race one was not too demanding, the issue is to get a good start and then you can predict the race pace.
Over the PA system the Miglia's were called up to the assembly area for the 2nd race, Kelly had relaxed for a few hours and mulled over a few things in his head to try and stop Baldwin winning the second race. The cars rolled onto the circuit for the green flag lap, the brakes were totally stretched for the first race so Kelly was trying to go easy on the pedal to make them last longer in race 2. Kelly lined up on pole position, Lights go on and off very fast as the cars race up to the first corner. The start had been better for Kelly than race one but Baldwin still got into the first corner before him. Lap 2 and Baldwin was pulling away, Sollis was stuck to Kelly's boot lid and the brake pedal felt odd. Kelly was able to keep Sollis for another lap then a late lunge saw Sollis pull pass at the first corner. The car felt different to Kelly but now in 3rd position he had to push to keep up with the front two. The brake pedal had all but gone by lap 7 and Kelly was fighting with the car, still holding 3rd position comfortably Kelly was in two minds. He couldn't slow down as Sims would catch him but with no brakes and some grey matter telling him something was wrong. Two more laps had passed and Kelly had to pull into the pits as the car felt un-safe. As Kelly rolled along the pits the team came rushing up to see if they could fix the problem quickly, then a nut was seen rolling from Kelly's car. Further inspection revealed the split pin had sheared and the hub nut had also stripped its thread and was making its way off the car! The race was finally won by Baldwin, 2nd Sollis and 3rd Sims.
Kelly was disappointed about his DNF but there is always another battle to be fought, Brands Hatch is the next round so check back to see how Kelly gets on.
Round 1
Silverstone
Round 4/5
Crois-en-ternoix
Round 7
Thruxton
Non
Championship
Silverstone -
19-03-2005
Silverstone
-
23 / 24-07-2005
