FORMULA LIBRE - WESTERN PROVINCE Where racing is still serious fun
27 March 2010
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27 March 2010 Although a few cars did not made it to the track for the second race of the year there were still 10 cars on the grid. Numbers were drawn from a hat to determine the starting positions for each class. There are still mixed feelings on the feasibility etc of this method. Alvin Smithdorf started his first race ( in a Formula Vee) and had a close dice with Mike Adendorff. Alvin won the first heat by 1.33 seconds. It was really nice to see how the new blood enjoy the sport. The Class A cars had a 'normal' race with Helder in the Reinard beating Reg Andersen in the Swift by 14 seconds. Reg complained about his car's performance and changed the gear ratios before the second heat.
Positions were drawn from the hat again for the second heat. A light drizzle started as we lined up for the second heat. Everybody was tense as the Class A cars were on slicks and both Alvin and Mike never raced in wet conditions. A race-cam was mounted on Mike's car for future analysis of the rookies first wet race. The drizzle stopped while the cars were on the starting grid. Let the fun and games begin. A few of the Class A cars spun off with various amounts of damage. Everyone except Helder could recover. Didier had some damage to his nose cone but completed the race with the 'padskraper' (grader). Reg won the race with more than 26 seconds. The gear ratio change as well as a light right foot kept him on the track. The rookies again entertained the crowds with close racing. Alvin and Mike changed position more than 4 times. Mike finally won by 0.033 sec. It just shows that it could be fun at the back as well.
After the race we all looked at the footage of the race-cam. What a thrill. Unfortunately my laptop with the race-cam and other pictures of the day were stolen later the weekend. (we will appreciate it if anyone who took pictures could send us a few for the web page.)
Where are the new cars? It seems as if the economic climate crept up to a few of them. Hopefully the other cars will be repaired before the next race. We will see who will be ready on 8th May for the third race.
Lastly. John Beekman had a mild heart attack the Monday after the race. It seems as if all is ok for now. He need to change diet and go for more tests or something. He is hopefull to get back in the Renault soon.
Positions were drawn from the hat again for the second heat. A light drizzle started as we lined up for the second heat. Everybody was tense as the Class A cars were on slicks and both Alvin and Mike never raced in wet conditions. A race-cam was mounted on Mike's car for future analysis of the rookies first wet race. The drizzle stopped while the cars were on the starting grid. Let the fun and games begin. A few of the Class A cars spun off with various amounts of damage. Everyone except Helder could recover. Didier had some damage to his nose cone but completed the race with the 'padskraper' (grader). Reg won the race with more than 26 seconds. The gear ratio change as well as a light right foot kept him on the track. The rookies again entertained the crowds with close racing. Alvin and Mike changed position more than 4 times. Mike finally won by 0.033 sec. It just shows that it could be fun at the back as well.
After the race we all looked at the footage of the race-cam. What a thrill. Unfortunately my laptop with the race-cam and other pictures of the day were stolen later the weekend. (we will appreciate it if anyone who took pictures could send us a few for the web page.)
Where are the new cars? It seems as if the economic climate crept up to a few of them. Hopefully the other cars will be repaired before the next race. We will see who will be ready on 8th May for the third race.
Lastly. John Beekman had a mild heart attack the Monday after the race. It seems as if all is ok for now. He need to change diet and go for more tests or something. He is hopefull to get back in the Renault soon.