Prime spot for scrutineering was the set-up for Friday and myself, Martin Watts and Rab Lavender followed the usual briefing and flag-waving as a rude delay to evening chill time after a hard work week.
Refreshed and de-stressed, Saturday cracked bright and early ready for qualifying at 9.05. The team brief was take it steady, save rubber and not to crash! The race being more important today.
Off first was Rab to get up to speed. Having set himself 3 out-laps to do it in he soon found good rhythm and made way for me, no pressure with the other two telling me to set a good time! Three laps later I passed the batten to Martin for the rest of the session. He was soon punching some good laps as the chequered flag went down marking the end of session and fuel as Martin trundled into pit-lane a lot quieter than should be!
ARB Racing - Andy Booth - Donington Park May 2016
6 hour Endurance Race: Martin heads down Pit-lane for his sighting lap and Le Mans style start. I’m left holding the baby as Martin readies to make like “Bolt” as the lights flick on and silence rules. Light’s fade and chaos returns as riders sprint and bikes rev into life. Martin has a good start and gains places in to Redgate on his first 30 minute stint. Rab takes hold for the next 30 and I finish the relay in similar style during which someone tries to re-model the esses and we red flag it to the pits. Back out behind the safety car to get warmed up and the Green resumes racing just in time to crack a few laps and hand to Martin. “Splash and dash” lads, is the new motto as Martin follows suit and splutters back from the Melbourne Loop on less than fumes. Fresh fuel and few changes and we’re queued behind the Safety Car again, perfect time for Rab to replace me while I juggle red hot brake calipers and a new mortgage for pads! The relay continues and a solid 6 hours is bettered as the flag waves. An awesome afternoon full of excitement with everyone going home smiling… Mission Accomplished…
ARB Racing - Donington Park May 2016
Thanks to all who came to support, Sam, Jamie, Kat, Korben and Michelle. Thanks to all our sponsors who make it possible to race and No Limits Racing for an excellent event yet again. The biggest thanks of course to the Orange Marshall Army. No racing without them!
ARB Racing - Donington Park May 2016