It was a mixed day at Silverstone National circuit this last weekend for Rounds 13 & 14 of the Carrera Cup GB.
Tyre changes during qualifying at Silverstone
P3 For James Kellett in Race One
Race One – After some mediocre qualifying, the grid positions were P6 for James Kellett and P10 for Rosland Gold Racing teammate Josh Malin. Not the best grid positions, but it was a very tight field with qualifying times on this shorter Silverstone National circuit. On to the race itself, where following a rainy morning all the field lined up in the assembly area on wet tyres. The race preparation and set up was for a wet race, but the touring cars were the previous race and they had almost dried the track – and the rain had stopped – so the track was looking drier as the start approached. But after further thought and consideration, an assembly area last minute tyre change for both cars put onto slick tyres was called. This saw about half the field immediately follow suit. We had started a trend! But, there was some slight regret as with the race just on its formation & green flag laps the rain started again. Yelp! Not what was planned! Thankfully it soon stopped just before or soon after the race started, but with slicks on a now wet track it was difficult, and both cars were down in the pack as those who opted to stay on wet tyres roared on ahead. But after about 1/3rd of the race complete the track was just about dry, so progress through the pack was made by the Rosland Gold duo; with the wet tyre shod cars soon struggling. Both Rosland Gold Cars worked their way through the field and after some excellent driving the Rosland Gold Racing guys managed a P3 & P4 finish. Very good indeed, with James Kellett in P3 and teammate Josh Malin in P4.
The 6 ball was pulled out the hat so the first 6 had reverse grid for Race Two, meaning the Rosland Gold cars started on 3rd and 4th positions but in the reverse order for James & Josh to Race One finish order. The track was dry so a less exciting race was expected, but it was going to be close. A good start saw James’ teammate Josh Malin break into second place and stay there for the duration of the race, whilst James Kellett stayed in 4th place for most of the race, although he did drop a place but soon got it back – and James continued to the end of the race in 4th place. Over the finish line it was P2 (Josh Malin) & P4 (James Kellett) for the Rosland Gold duo, only to find out both cars were to receive a 5-second penalty each for track limit violations, with the rest of the top dozen cars escaping punishment. This put them both quite a lot further down the order as there had been a safety car for 4 laps fairly near the end and the field had closed up. Massive disappointment all round.
We can all only look forward to Brands Hatch in a fortnight – the last meeting of the season – Rounds 15 & 16.
James Kellett