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Pembrey - Race 2 Report
Pembrey Race Circuit, South Wales
Race 2 - Sunday 28th July
Qualifying was slightly more challenging for the novices on Sunday due to a damp circuit following an overnight downpour.
I qualified 13th after several competitors spinning in-front of me (and the yellow flag being brought out) whilst I was trying
to set a good time. Very frustrating.
On the 11th lap I had done some great work and was in 8th place. I was pushing car number 11 in-front to it's limits to
try and take 7th place. I had tried a few overtaking manoeuvres but she was standing her ground. I knew I was a faster and
smoother driver so I drove closely behind and waited for car 11 to lose control. It happened at Brooklands corner; they spun
and stopped in the middle of the track. As I negotiated around car 11, unfortunately she put her foot to the floor and drove
straight into my rear right wing. I was uninjured, but the impact broke my rear suspension and I had to retire from the race
immediately. A few inches difference could have meant a few broken bones for me if she had driven into the centre panel of
the car so relief was paramount, along with a lot of anger at her dangerous driving.
The race was red flagged after 12 laps due to car 11 spinning at Honda and hitting the pit wall along Park Straight at
80mph. The driver was not hurt in the accident but the car was very damaged. Ironic that the car that put me out of the race
put herself out of the race 1 lap afterwards (see my photos for crash pictures).
Due to the fact I missed out on the points for 7th place in the second round, I now lie 13th in the championship (out
of 16). This is disappointing to me but it makes me all the more determined to get more points at the next round which is
at Snetterton on the 10th and 11th of August. I accept that motor racing accidents do happen and I was just unlucky at this
Pembrey circuit to have a fellow competitor put me out of the race.
All in all a frustrating and emotional weekend, but a superb start to the 2007 Formula Woman Novice Championship for many
of the drivers (not me though). I hope my car will be fixed in time for Snetterton!
All images and content © Debbie Bennett 2007 unless otherwise stated
Site and content designed and maintained by Debbie Bennett
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