Round 11 at Silverstone, Sunday, September 9th, 2001
As preparation for his 2002 BTC championship challenge, Peter Cate took the opportunity to race a Clio prepared by Mark Fish Motorsport at Silverstone today, joining a twenty-six car field in one of the most closely fought and exciting races of the day. The Clio series is in its second year as a BTC support championship and is contested by a variety of experienced drivers.
Driving the car properly for the first time on the Thursday test session, Peter took the opportunity to familiarise himself with his number 9 car, although much of the test was taken up with bedding-in brakes and brake-discs for the weekend. He completed a series of flying laps which were good enough to place him ninth fastest in the session but was struggling with a wayward car.
"I drove one of Mark's Clios last year here and was quickest every time we went out, but this one feels completely different," he commented. "I think the fact that I've been out of a drive for three months is part of the problem!"
Saturday qualifying was dry if somewhat blustery and given his lack of time in the car, Peter decided to treat at least half the session as an extension of the test day, to improve the set up and maximise the effect of the new tyres put on for the last ten minutes.
"I wanted to keep the two new tyres for the race so I knew I would only have one lap to do the business" he said. Unfortunately, after driving a great lap, Peter came across a slowing Clio in the critical Priory corner, and was forced to back off before diving up the inside into Brooklands, costing him a certain top ten grid position. "It's frustrating to know we should be higher up; we're only thirteenth but at least I'm starting to get to grips with the car!"
After a lengthy debrief with Peter, the Mark Fish Motorsport team made some small but significant changes to the set up of the car. "The car was generally well balanced but there were some critical places on the circuit where it wasn't working so we've done what we can to try to fix that."
On Sunday the Clio race was due to start at one o'clock, directly after the Touring Car sprint race. "It is a little strange watching my old BTCC Honda from the collecting area, but the Clio is my focus for the next three races and it's a challenge in itself" he smiled before strapping himself in and driving to the grid.
Having never had the opportunity to practice a start in the Clio, Peter lost a couple of places as the lights changed to green but quickly made them back up again as the field rounded Copse corner. "I guess I listened to the wrong advice about the start", he grinned "but I was just concentrating on getting through the first lap cleanly - these guys are crazy!".
Drawing level with David Gibson into Becketts, Peter was forced to take avoiding action as a car in front spun right across the track. Almost immediately, he was hit violently from behind and punted off the circuit, narrowly missing the gravel trap as he regained control on the grass. Several cars were involved in the fracas, but Peter was fortunately able to rejoin the track, albeit in a lowly nineteenth place.
"It's a good thing the Clios don't carry car-to-pit radio", he said afterwards. "I think I may have had something to say at that point..!". The car was only lightly damaged, and Peter was soon in pursuit of the group in front, passing four cars in the Priory / Brooklands complex at the end of lap one. This was going to be something to watch!
Whilst the race lead was hotly contested amongst championship leaders Daniel Buxton, Martin Byford and Tim Mullen, the number 9 car was steadily moving through the field, passing several more cars into Becketts and Abbey before closing in on Vince Martin. After forcing Martin to take a tight defensive line at Abbey hairpin, Peter was able to make a faster exit and pull alongside into the flat out fifth gear Bridge corner. However, Martin was not about to give way! "Vince just pulled to the right and tried to close the door halfway through the corner, leaving me with nowhere to go. We both half spun and I managed to catch the car before we ran out of track. Vince ended up on the gravel but he could have avoided it if he'd left me racing room".
The only damage from this incident was a bent wing mirror, but in dealing with the lurid slide, Peter lost momentum and had to work doubly hard to catch the pack again. He slipped past Martin Johnson at Priory with just a lap to go but there was no chance to make up any more places before the chequered flag came out. "I did what I could from nineteenth on the first lap, but these Clio races just ain't long enough!" he smiled. "Obviously I didn't come here to finish eleventh but given the circumstances I'm just glad to finish. Donington will be a different story..!"
The next round of the Clio championship will be at Donington Park International circuit (near Derby) on 23rd September.
