It has become almost a tradition for Pete to join Connell Racing for the final
race of the FunCup season at Oulton Park. "I grew up close to this circuit
and I still think it is one of the best tracks in the UK," Pete explained.
Pete was on test duty with Richard Connell, setting the car up for the event, and finding that some substantial improvements had been achieved by the team since the last event. "We were able to lap much faster than last year, but it was necessary to make some adjustments to our driving style to take full advantage of the car."
Marc Connell joined the driver line up for the race, with Ian Connell on this occasion acting as "Chef d'Equipe" for the Cuisine de France car. The weather for the race was predicted to be dry and with a reasonable grid position of ninth (the grid is drawn randomly), it was determined that Pete would take the first stint.
As the start lights changed, Pete made his customary good getaway, cutting down the inside into Old Hall corner, the #190 car emerging in sixth place just behind the sister Abbey Motorsport car. This he was able to pass into Shell Oils hairpin, setting the team's fastest lap (2:04.710, a second quicker than last year) before setting about the remaining cars ahead. "I was really enjoying myself, passing cars into Lodge, Druids and Hislops to take the lead around eight laps in. Then it began to rain!"
This was no downpour, but a light rain that coated the track with a greasy layer, and being out in front, Pete had the unenviable task of assessing just how much grip there was. "It was very treacherous, with folk going of everywhere, so I backed off and let a couple of cars through. Following somebody in those conditions is a much safer option than leading, but even so, we all had a few excursions across the grass!"
As the rain intensified, Pete was able to pressurise the cars ahead, and briefly led the pack again before coming in for a rapid replacement of a broken splitter by ace pit-crew Will and Marvin, and handing over to Richard for the second stint. Richard did a great job to maintain the pace in the very tricky conditions, holding fifth place before Marc took the wheel. Unfortunately for Marc, much of his stint was under safety car, as the rain had resulted in many "offs", with cars to be recovered around the circuit.
With the driver order unchanged for the second stints, Pete and Richard duly returned to the fray, taking advantage of the dangerous but stable conditions to find grip in unusual points on the circuit. "The car was really tricky, with understeer and power oversteer combined, a real knife-edge. I don't think it was much better for the other cars, but I haven't had to work the wheel that hard for a while!"
Pete managed to pick up a few places towards the end of his stint, even passing the eventual winner (Honeywell) into Old Hall, but a puncture caused by an errant car unnecessarily swerving into the #190 car on the run over Hill Top lost some critical time right at the end of his stint.
As Richard entered the closing stages of his second stint, it was decided that Pete should take the last stint, as Marc had had so little time at race pace to get used to the conditions, and with the team running in seventh place, a good result was on the cards.
"I for sure didn't mind stepping in again," said Pete. "It was getting dark and the track was very slippery, so it was a wise choice from Marc". With energetic arm-waves of encouragement from Mike and Ian on the pit wall, Pete pushed hard to make up ground. A dry line began to emerge as the rain stopped, but it was getting increasingly difficult to see it as the light faded. Nevertheless, the lap times were coming down, and the Cuisine de France car was up to fourth place with just fifteen minutes to go, and with the lead cars scrapping, there was every chance of a podium finish.
"I was pushing hard, no doubt, and as the line dried, the speeds through the corners increased. I found through Island Bend that the car was on the rev limit in fourth and so I decided to take fifth gear next time around which is normal for dry conditions. This was a mistake and as I took the corner, it didn't have the guts in fifth to hold the line. It ran slightly wide onto the wet and from that point I was in damage limitation mode, trying to keep the car out of the barriers."
Pete managed to keep the car from running straight on into the wall, but in doing so, he could not prevent the car from spinning, despite attempting to steer the car back onto the track as it travelled backwards at speed along the grass, the rear end just caught the barrier and damaged the right rear suspension. Although Pete was able to bring the car back to the pit, it was too late to consider any repairs and ultimately, the chance of an excellent result was lost.
"I was absolutely gutted to say the least. Although I've had my fair share of altercations over the years, I haven't lost a car on my own like this since I first started racing. What is even more galling is that I was trying to preserve the car by using fifth through that corner, and ultimately that cost me and the team. Ian has been really good about it, but that doesn't change the fact that I've shunted his car! I am very grateful for the chance to drive with Connell Racing this year, and I hope I'll get the chance to make amends next year, particularly now that we have found a different set up direction which seems to be very competitive".
