(Friday) FP1 – Grant went out into the session with used tyres on and a different setting to what he used last time. Grant found the bike very hard to control and turn as he wanted to, so he come into the pits to change a couple of things and went back out. Grant finished the session in 19th position.
(Friday Afternoon) Q1 – This was in the afternoon and with the weather absolutely lovely and very very hot, it was proving to be very tough out on track. Everyone was having a couple of issues; Grant’s was still not solved as he was still finding it hard to turn mid corner. The gearing was better which improved Grants lap time slightly but he still was not happy and ended the session in a very disappointing 21st.
(Saturday) Q2 – Before Grant went out he changed the bike a lot from the previous day to try make the front end feel a little better. Grants 2nd flying lap of the 2nd qualifying session was immediately the fastest he had done all weekend which was great and showed his pit crew (Sam, Laura & Tony) that the bike was working well and Grant was feeling comfortable and confident. Grant jumped up to 11th position then came in with 7minutes left. He went back out but could not string a lap together so dropped down to end the session 15th. This was a massive improvement and gave Grant a lot of confidence going into the following day’s race.
(Sunday) Race – It was race day, with a very hot day forecast it was going to be a very long and intense 12 lap race. Grant got a wicked start, getting into the first corner in about 8th position. Grant lost a couple of positions on the first lap. He managed to get settled down in the race and was keeping a good race pace. Unfortunately Grant lost touch with the front bunch as he could see the group in front. He was keeping the gap in front the same but come half race distance he made a couple of mistakes. Mine while Grant was keeping an eye on his pit board then he began to gain on 7th position with the last couple of laps remaining. Unfortunately Grant ran out of laps and could not get close and make the pass. Grant finished the race in 8th position. This was good for Grant as he had not had much track-time at a fast pace so he didn’t know how well or not his bike would perform. Grant moved to 4th in the championship which is great for him and the team.
Thank-you to all the people who came to support Grant over the weekend. A special thank-you to Tony from www.kneedownuk.com. Grant would like to thank his girlfriend Laura Standen & mechanic Sam Black for their continued support and assistance throughout the weekend, always give 110%. Grant would like to once again thank all the loyal members of the 79 club.
Please feel free to make enquires to me regarding how our sponsor’s services may be of assistance to you. We would be happy to have you on board the #79 club.
Any help is greatly appreciated, so if you are in the position to help in any way, then please contact the team and see how Grant Whitaker Racing can benefit you and your business.