The little dayglo yellow and blue Saxo VTS of Adrian Dunne has graced these pages a couple of times in the last few months. As the car was developed Adrian also progressed and has gone from track days to Time Attack and has now made the leap to circuit racing. Here's his account of his very first race!
So my first race event at Mondello Park national circuit layout was, to say the least eventful! I had taken part in Time Attack, rally sprints and some track days at Mondello in 2015 but this racing thing was a new experience for me. My day started with the usual banter in the paddock, meeting new people, getting scrutiny and sign on sorted. After this was all done it was time to set up the BBQ and add some ballast to the jockey to help us stay above the barrier time for the qualifying session at 10:40 a.m! This did not go to plan as I broke the barrier time and landed myself 18th on the starting grid for the race. I have to say when I got out there for my qualifying session I soon got a feel for how race pace was going to be and I really liked it. With qualifying out of the way the BBQ was hopping again for more ballast and with our race not until 2:20 p.m. there was plenty of time to watch the other races which didn't fail to entertain with some great racing from the ITCC lads. Lunch break over, it was now time for the big MicksGarage Future Classics race and there was an overwhelming feeling of excitement and nerves, which I'm told is a good thing!
Starting at the back of the grid the lights went out and we were away! This was all new to me but I got a great start and gained a lot of ground fast. There was an off at turn one but nothing too bad. I was going flat out and was big time in the zone and loving every second of it. A yellow flag came out coming into the last corner and the safety car was called out, unfortunately I didn't see the it (or the safety car, being at the back end of the group) until I started flying past everyone on the main straight then it struck me, I had made an error! I knew cars would have to get past me again to get their places back but only two or three came through so after the safety car went in I was roughly 9 or 10 cars from the front and away we went again flat out. The next 10 to 12 mins were up there with the most exciting I've ever had, with every lap bringing a new challenge. I managed to work my way through the traffic with the little Saxo flying down the straights and it seemed to have the legs on some of my opponents. The Saxo was stopping really well too so I could leave breaking very late.
By the end of the race i'd worked my way all the way up to 3rd place, right behind MicksGarage driver Marty Moore in his Civic. His experience and skill held off any attempt by me to overtake. I was running out of laps but was more than happy to settle with 3rd place.
This would be short lived as after the race I also got my first trip up to the tower to be handed a four place penalty and three penalty points on my shiny new licence for my yellow flag infringement! Another new experience! but one I hope not to be repeating. This setback didn't take away from any enjoyment of my day. I learnt so much more from this event than I ever thought I could and I'm sure it will stand to me going forward. So wrapping up now to say I'm delighted with 7th place from 18th on grid including the four place penalty- I think it sounds more impressive ;) It's 9 championship points and they all add up. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season and hope to be able to make all the races to give myself the best possible chance for a good showing in the class championship. Big thanks to all the Future Classics lads for welcoming me into the class this year. I got chatting to most of the drivers and they have all been incredibly approachable and sound.
Thanks also to Rob and MicksGarage crew, they are putting so much effort into this class and it can only have a positive effect on growth going forward for Future Classics, both for new drivers and spectators.Last but not least there has been a few lads that have been very helpful to me along the way with the development of this Saxo, Declan Carey, Ray Sheeran, Paul Cunningham and Darren O'Hara. I appreciate all their help and I wouldn't be on the grid racing this year without these lads. I look forward to sharing the ups and downs of 2016 with you all.
