Summary - Prescott - the penultimate British meeting

The Edwards Hospitality www.edwards-hospitality.co.uk team still has its sights set on 2nd and we're a step closer despite a pretty difficult weekend.   Roger and in particular Scott Moran had great weekends with both beating even Martin Groves on the day (Martin and Paul had some difficulties with minor repairs and electrical problems interfering with their enjoyment).

We had some repair work of our own to do after a minor off, by Martin Elsmore for once, but it didn't have an impact on our weekend.   For me personally it was another difficult weekend's work towards second place in the championship with a car that didn't quite feel there - but I did keep myself JUST in control of the situation (have a look at some of the pictures on www.2t4t.co.uk) - it was very close on occasion.   Anyway Roger outscored me well on the day (two 2^nd places compared to my 6^th and 4^th) but had to drop some points as he's scoring in too many rounds now and still has to outscore me by 14 points at Doune if my calculations are correct.   Mike Dean had a nightmare weekend with a rare failure after he had some gear selection problems and then a 5th place just behind me.    He now needs to outscore me by 19 points according to my maths to beat me at Doune (in two weeks).  

Scott Moran won the class as well as both runoffs and naturally also had the best time of day and man of the meeting - now secures 5^th but can't reach 4^th so that's his number next year.    Very disappointing result for the rest of us as he'll now be full of beans all winter and hit the ground running next year.....    Honestly though I'm so very pleased for him - his approach has been absolutely rock solid and really quite cautious in how he finds the limit of the car which means he needs a bit of time to find where the limit is but when he finds it he doesn't throw the car away as I often have.    Great result.    Good meeting for Simon Durling who edges ahead of Paul Ranson in the battle over 6^th and for Chris Merrick who is laminating his name on the No. 8 spot.   My team mate Rob Turnbull scored (ahead of me) in the first runoff to effectively ensure he keeps a top 10 number but had a problem and spun in second qualifying.   Karl Davison scored points too to level in 10^th with Paul Haimes who was sidelined without a car.

The Moran family remain the main contenders hoping (and probably expecting) to remove my, now more tenuous, lead in the Avon BMTR top ten challenge (the Midland equivalent of the top 12 runoff).   I will need some fantastic results in Shelsley and luck at Prescott or a new setup tweak or two if I'm to hang on to that one!   These new lightweight cars do get up and go don't they!    We're going to have to put that Pilbeam of mine on a diet!!

Results already on www.top12runoff.co.uk but the total points scored and the championship positions don't line up as only the best 28 scores count for the top 12.   If I'm third on the list ignore it because, trust me, I'm 2^nd.

Next event is at Shelsley www.shelsley-walsh.co.uk next weekend for the Midland Championship and then Doune www.dounehillclimb.com the weekend after for the big finale of the Nicholson McLaren British Hillclimb Championship - www.nicholsonmclaren.com

The Details - Prescott  Sept 4, 2005

(followed by runoff times and places, championship positions )

Pictures from the event (already) and then a copy of this report should appear soon on www.2t4t.co.uk and other pictures and results should appear on www.top12runoff.co.uk soon if they're not already there.

Rear end instability and low speed understeer were the orders of the weekend and we improved things but didn't solve the problem.   Unlike other hills I really don't know how to change the setup or drive differently to match the pace of the new cars - we'll need to have a good think and we're really going to have to remove some mass from the car.

I have a busy week with a trip for work to prepare for so I'll have to keep this one short......    Sorry to you enthusiasts.

Massive thanks again to Bill, Steve, Dave and Lloyd (weekend work) as well as to Colin and Tony for pre-event preparation.

All the best to you all

Willem

Willem Toet 
Senior Aerodynamicist 
B·A·R Honda
F1 Team Operations Centre
Brackley
Northants
NN13 7BD
United Kingdom

Tel:   +44 (0)1280 844358
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