(Friday) FP1 – This was Grant’s first time to the Scottish based circuit of Knockhill for over 3 years and with a 30 minute session Grant was looking forward to getting used to the track again. Grant really gelled with the circuit and put in a good time of 54.193 putting him 10th in the session but only .818 off pole. This was very good for Grant as he felt he was very comfortable on the bike and everything was working well.
(Friday Afternoon) Q1 – This would prove to be a very crucial session for Grant & the team as 2nd qualifying was the following day and with the weather predictions as they where it was forecast to be wet. Grant went out into the session on new tyres. Grant got a good feeling with the new tyres and pushed on putting in a time which put him in the top 10. This was good so Grant came in, made a few changes and went back out. Grant could not improve his time as the changes didn’t quite work. Unfortunately he dropped to 15th position by the end of the session. Grant was quite annoyed with himself as he felt he had more pace to give but couldn’t get the lap together.
(Saturday) Q2 – As predicted the 2nd qualifying was wet so whatever happened in this session it would not affected how we would start the race on Sunday. Grant went out on new tyres so gave himself a couple of laps to get a rhythm going. Grant really likes the wet weather and it took him a matter of minutes to put in the fastest time of the session. Grant was watching his pit-board but then again not wanting to do anything silly to impede him and the team for the race. Grant decided with 7minutes of the session to return to the pits as he was happy with how things were going. He ended the session 5th fastest only .461 off the fastest time.
(Sunday) Race – Race day was here and with the weather set to be an all dry day Grant was ready to race! Grant got a good initial jump off the line but straight away had to take avoiding action of a fellow rider as he tangled handlebars and parted company with his bike, lying on the start line. After this Grant found himself still in 15th position. In the first couple of laps Grant made-up places into the last corner and moved up to 12th position. At this time the race got red flagged due to rain falling and also someone had crashed. This situation would have suited Grant to stay out on circuit but race direction chose to put out the red flag out. The race was re-started with a 10 lap race scheduled Grant started from 12th were he finished in the first part of the race. Grant made a good start and straight away reaped the benefits in the first corner as a fellow riders took others wide so Grant got up the inside of them and gained a couple of positions. Grant was up to about 9th. Grant pressed on early in the race and started to gain on the riders in front. He made a couple of solid passes again into the last corner and made them stick. He got up to 8th position then the rider in front of him crashed exiting the 2nd to last corner of which brought the red-flag out. The race was declared a result so Grant finished 7th as the rider in front of him was not included in the result. This was not too bad for Grant as he gained more points and moved up to joint 3rd in the championship which he and the team are very proud of as it shows all their hard work is paying off.
Thank-you to all the people who came to support Grant over the weekend. A special thank-you to Tony & Tracy from www.kneedownuk.com. Grant would like to thank his girlfriend Laura Standen for her continued support & mechanic Sam Black for his 400+ miles journey to get to Knockhill, 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.
The winner of the 79 club is no. 26 New Markets Ltd = 2 VIP tickets available for the whole weekend at Oulton Park 06 – 08 July