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The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998 |
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The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998 |
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The last round of the Championship is at Brands Hatch on the 18th-19th November. Sponsors Background: Adrian Flux is the UK's largest specialist motor insurance broker, covering everything from classic and vintage cars, right through to heavily modified sports cars. Their specialist teams offer great rates covering almost every vehicle imaginable with special low rates for classic car insurance, hot hatch insurance, high-performance car insurance, modified car insurance, 4x4 insurance, kit car insurance, grey import car insurance and much more. Paper Mountain - One of the South Coasts Largest independent recycling companies, specialising in reclaimables such as Paper, Cardboard and Plastics from UK industry and a major seller of reclaimed materials back into European markets. Capital Compactors - Specialist in recycling equipment for the recycling industry, major player in this sector with many blue chip clients nationwide. Williams Recycling - Large UK based independent recyclable materials brokers for European and Worldwide Buyers. www.shreddersupermarket.com - Large online e-commerce company specialising in office equipment and shredders.
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mail your news to editorthegrid@yahoo.co.uk EPIC FINISH IN 24HR FOR ADRIAN FLUX BMW
On the Monday before the race, regular drivers Sarah and Jensen were informed by Strata21 that their regular BMW E46 had been sold and that they were to run in a completely new car recently purchased. On the test day, Thursday before the race, the new BMW E46 despite looking stunning with its GTR bodykit and brushed steel livery, wasn't performing well. Overheating problems and a misfire was diagnosed and a new engine was required. A few phone calls later, Jensen and one of the mechanics set-off to collect a new engine and by Friday's midday qualifying session, it was fitted. Scrutineering would not let the car run due to it being 109 decibels as apposed to 102. So day qualifying was missed, the team spent the rest of the afternoon fitting different exhaust systems to reduce the noise and team manager Andy Curtis pleaded with the officials to let the team qualify at night. Finally Friday at 8pm the car rolled out into the pit-lane for all drivers to do their 3 laps in night qualifying. The new engine still not entirely happy, but it was more fuel pick-up than anything serious, and new pumps, were fitted. The results of night-qualifying showed the team were 33 fastest out of 57 starters, and in the warm-up on Saturday morning 18th fastest overall. However since the grid was set from Friday's day qualifying (which was missed) the team were starting the 24hr race at the back of the grid! Jensen took the start of the race, and in the first hour rocketed the team from last (57 starters) to 18th place, in fact before his stint ended Jensen had got the car up into 13th place overall. But as regular driver and fuels stops were made (every 1hr 15mins) or so the team settled into the top 20's as day went into night. Adam Sharpe was driver no 2 and it was at the end of his stint that problems started to occur. He came down the pit lane around 7.30pm with a very broken engine, oil plastered all over the car, inside and out. The boys pounced onto the car to quickly unbolt and remove the hot, sick engine. (closer inspection showed scored piston bores) Into the car went the engine which was taken out Thursday night, remapped, and with uprated fuel pumps this was the teams only hope. A few test laps by Jensen at 9.30, confirmed all was well. Next driver Sarah was sent out for her first stint and first proper drive of the new car, having had a good couple of hours in the pits the car had dropped to 51st place! Through the clear warm night Sarah, Jensen and Adam worked hard putting in good clean drives with no incidents, the car performing well. By day break they were back up into 38th position. When Steve Maher jumped in for his daylight stint, and it wasn't until mid-morning where problems started again. A serious vibration started to occur diagnosed as a broken front ball-joint which had to be changed. With temperatures rising as midday arrived, engine temperatures were going through the roof and had to be monitored closely leaving everyone short shifting to ensure it lasted till the end. The Adrian Flux E46 BMW finally crossed the line at 4.30pm piloted by Jensen after a total 411 laps to an emotional but elated team. Quotes:
Adam commented "Fantastic team effort! No one really knew each other on Thursday - however, the team formed quickly and the passion shown by the mechanics and drivers was fascinating to watch. At no point did any of the mechanics give up or even doubt that the car would cross the line after 24 hours. Another great 24 hours to have finished." Jensen comment "In the face of defeat the team and all the drivers refused to accept what seemed inevitable, following 2 engine changes, fuel pump failures, warped discs, broken wishbones, mapping faults, (the list goes on) no one gave up or had any sleep!…For me taking the flag at the 24hr point was amazing, a feeling which will stay with me for a long time, it was very emotional for all involved, an epic effort from the team, including Butler Motorsport and all my team drivers who never had one single wheel off track. A fantastic race indeed."
Top Twelve finish for Jensen and Sarah at Snetterton Britcar race
The duo were up at Snetterton testing on the Friday to ensure the gremlins which caused a DNF at Castle Combe had been sorted out. Testing went well and the car ran without cutting out, although both drivers were complaining of the BMW being down on power and sure enough the data showed that the a temperature sensor problem was to blame for the reduced output. Saturdays qualifying was dry and Sarah took the first stint, she put in a 2.05 which at half time placed the pairing 3rd in class. Jensen then followed, managing to put in a faster time of 2.03 which left the duo qualified fifth in class and starting 19th out of 33 runners. It was essential to score points this weekend to keep in with a chance of the Championship, and both Jensen and Sarah were keen to get a good result. They both felt the car was going better than Friday but perhaps not as lively as it usually was! Sunday's two hour race started at 12.25 and Sarah took the start, dropping a couple of places at the first few hair-pins as the pack sorted it-self out. Sarah's first stint was broken up with various safety car periods preventing her from working her way back up the pack, but she kept her competitors in sight and picked up the places she lost before handing the car back over to Jensen at half time. A tidy pit stop, by the Strata21 team and Jensen also had a clean drive in his stint making up many places to finally finish in 12th position overall and fifth in class. Sarah commented "I think both Jensen and I are both a little disappointed, we have both been driving our socks off this weekend, but for some unknown reason we were not as competitive as we normally are, either we have lost some power or everyone else in our class has stepped up their game, I don't think either of us could have done anything more – it was a faultless drive, we have both been pushing hard all weekend and both stayed out of trouble and on the track. What more can I say, its a shame we couldn't do any more."
Troubles at Castle Combe for Sarah and Jensen in Britcar Production
Due to all the problems, Jensen started the race from the pit lane, dead last and a few laps down. But with the bit between his teeth Jensen drove a stunning first session to hand the car over to Sarah, in P25 (out of 30 runners) 1 hour in. It looked (for a while) like the BMW was going to make the finish but it wasn't to be, the vibration must have caused other issues as the car cut-out on Sarah, she coasted to a halt and tried to restart, but it wouldn't fire up. Forced to abandon the car at the side of the circuit just 20 mins to the end of the race. The pair are still lying 2nd in class in the overall Championship, but now have 8 points to catch up to the leading Lotus Elise of Simon Phillips and Chris Randall. Taking no chances for their next round at Snetterton in just 2 weeks time, the pairing are out testing at Snetterton this week, ahead of the race on the 13th/14th August. "A disappointing weekend, Castle Combe served us well in terms of fab weather, everyone is so friendly, but the car didn't want to play ball this weekend, just when we think we have all the problems sorted it throws something else our way. But then that’s the nature of the beast! I am looking forward to Snetterton very much indeed." saID Sarah.
Torrential rain stops play in Britcar Thruxton round but the Strata21 Team cleans up
Sarah's comment "Congratulations to the team for sorting the cars, and well done to both drivers for keeping them on the black stuff, I was dissappointed not to get out to race, but having seen the in-car footage it looked pretty dire!" Jensens comment: "Wow!, what a race, both Callum and I managed to keep our cars out of trouble, cut through the field and secured both fastest laps and wins in our respective classes, excellent result for the team following a tuff lead up to this weekend, a big thanks to team boss Paul White, Steve and all the guys, excellent job and I am so pleased to have been able to repay them for all their hard work" Calum commented: “The weather was foul for the start, but the car felt absolutely stunning in the wet, it was very wet with big puddles and it was really tricky; I went sideways off the startline and the spray was intense and I was being careful and not taking big risks. I was due in the pits five laps later, but I think it was the right decision to stop the race, It was so much fun; I love those conditions and I had a whale of a time!” With Sarah and Paul White not getting a chance to drive at Thruxton in the race, both drivers will be looking to take the start at this weekends Britcar round at Spa Francorchamps as the team head for Belgium later this week where Sarah Bennett-Baggs and Jensen Lunn will be contesting their BMW E46 round the 4.2 mile epic alpine circuit, and Paul and Calum will contest their Mosler in the 100 minute race.
First Podium of the Season for Sarah and Jensen in Britcar Production and a double podium for Strata 21 at Donington
After mechanical troubles hampered their race result in round 2 at Rockingham a few weeks ago, testing on Friday at Donington appeared to go well with all the issues resolved. Qualifying on Saturday was a wet but drying track and slicks were the choice of the day, Sarah went to qualify first followed by Jensen, both drivers struggling for grip and locking up, causing the pair to finally park the car due to tyre flat spots. Leaving the BMW standing in 6th position out of 9 in class, 29th out of a mixed Britcar grid of 39 runners. The Sunday race was dry and sunny and Sarah took the start losing a couple of places after getting backed up into Redgate. She managed to claw back the places over the first few laps, to enjoy a trouble free first hour, climbing up into 3rd in class. A faultless pit stop change to send out Jensen at half time, all helped to secure their result, Jensen kept it clean to pop it into 2nd in class and overall and take it to the flag. The Mosler of Paul White and Calum Lockie also secured a 2nd overall in the main Britcar GT race giving Strata21 a double team podium result of the weekend. "A great result for Strata21 to get double 2nd's in both the Britcar GTN and GT races, they thoroughly deserved it, everyone has worked very hard in preparing the cars, thanks to all our back-up especially our new radio man Andy Curtis and of course my superstar co-driver Jensen for keeping it all clean. We still have some time to come out of the car, so we are looking ahead now to see what we can achieve for the rest of the season." Sarah - "It was a strong weekend for the team and engineers, a reshuffle of personnel has really helped the team gel this weekend and the 2 podiums is a testament to that, a big thanks to Dunlop for their support and of course to all in the team for their hard work, especially team owner Paul White for putting a strong team around the cars / drivers. The race was a strong performance for us in which we again showed what we can do when we get it all together, Sarah had a strong drive all weekend and handed the car to me in 3rd place which was a good platform for me to take over for the 2nd half, securing second place and closing on the lead car at over 1.3s per lap in the closing stages, now looking forward to Thruxton and the next phase of car upgrades planned". Jensen
Pic: Mick Herring
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Regular
Britcar runners Sarah Bennett-Baggs and Jensen Lunn were joined by Adam
Sharpe and Steve Maher as they headed for the Britcar 24hr race at
Silverstone last weekend in what became an incredible story of
perseverance by the team to get the Adrian Flux BMW to the finish. 
Sarah
commented" I have never seen such a amazing sense of camaraderie as I
have this weekend, we have had some seriously talented people on this
car, everyone has worked relentlessly to keep getting this car out
despite all the problems. No-one wanted to give up and park it. A finish
is as good as a win for us, I think we are all surprised from Thursday's
start how it ended it has indeed been epic!" 
Snetterton
was the venue for last weekends penultimate round of the Britcar GTN
Championship where Sarah Bennett-Baggs and Team mate Jensen Lunn were
contesting the Adrian Flux sponsored no.57 BMW E46 M3. 
Sarah
Bennett-Baggs was back out with Jensen Lunn in her Adrian Flux sponsored
BMW E46 M3 at a sunny Castle Combe last weekend, testing out their brand
new freshly rebuilt engine. With the car running well the duo had high
hopes of scoring a top step result, but it wasn't to be. Jensen got
pushed off the circuit during warm-up losing the front splitter, closely
followed by Sarah having a blow-out at Camp, resulting is a dramatic
sideways slide, narrowly missing the pit wall. The team set about
building a new splitter and the car was back out in time for Qualifying
but a prop shaft vibration curbed their performance and it was decided
to park the car after just 3 laps each. They still qualified 2nd in
class (7 in class). After qualifying the team set about a nationwide
search to find the vital part causing the vibration. Frantic Ebay
searches, parts departments and breakers yards were called, even a
request out to the Pistonheads forum all proved to no avail and on
Sunday at 1pm, Jensen and Sarah had to take to the track with the broken
parts still in place and hope for the best! 
Thruxton
played host to the 4th round of the Britcar Championship last weekend,
and it was a fraught weekend for many, not least the Strata21 team. New
engine and delivery issues for their BMW meant a frantic Friday - and
when the new engine wouldn't start the mechanics worked through the
night to sort it. With spanners flying back at the workshop, and with
both the Mosler and BMW on the same truck, neither cars made it out for
Saturday’s warm-up or qualifying sessions.
Sarah
Bennett-Baggs and Jensen Lunn were back out in their Adrian Flux
sponsored BMW E46 M3 at Donington on the weekend where the duo managed
to score their first podium of the season coming 2nd overall in the 3rd
round of the Britcar Production Championship.