Friday, April 12, 2013

Sea, Sound Systems and Sleepy Drivers, Time Attack Round 4 & 5 Anglesey


When I thought Knockhill was the end of the world, I had never been to the Isle of Anglesey, Trac Mon, right on the edge of Wales, arguably the most beautiful setting for rounds four and five of Time Attack 2012.


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A double header weekend means one thing, maximum points available.

Many of the Time Attack drivers were taking the opportunity of a track day the day before the meet began to get to know the circuit and to get used to driving in the hot and sunny conditions that the Western Coast of the UK was fighting to maintain.

I used the opportunity to have some cheeky passenger laps in Bo's fully fit Astra VXR.

It was the first time I had been out since Bo's initial teething problems had been ironed out with his mighty AET Turbo and on a dry track.

Bo's wife Sarra had already told me she wasn't the biggest fan of being Bo's passenger, and for the first time I could see why someone might think that!

There is a corner on the International Circuit which is a sweeping right hander up the hill towards rocket.

With Bo's foot flat on the floor, we came perilously close to the tyre stack on the left hand side, but as passenger the first time you come around it, it's a hold your breath moment.

So after all that sweaty palm, sweaty back, sweaty everything experience, Bo was delighted to tell me several hours later he hadn't even put the boost on so would I like to go again?

As I had only just recovered from the last time, I politely declined and retired to the sunshine to take some pictures.
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The evening stayed deliciously warm so there was only one thing to do.

We headed to the sea.

This is another exclusive insider to what Time Attack drivers do in their spare time.

Jamie Willson of Club Pro was sharing Bo's garage , so the whole team headed down a rocky path to where we found a secluded beach.

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After spending half an hour trying to get Pete, Jamie Willson's team mate out of the freezing cold water, we headed back to have the obligatory BBQ.

Much to our dismay when we went to bed, our 'competitors only' camp site had been overrun with... well not competitors.

We went to bed listening to booming sound systems, and revving cars, leaving em in fear of being run over in my tiny tent.

It was safe to say that the following morning there were many bleary eyed drivers and teams, drinking very strong cups of coffee, making zero attempt to be quiet and they prepared the cars at 7am for the days excitement.

And oh man it was an exciting day.

For a change, rather than sliding around on a wet track, the cars were having problems with tack temperatures and over heating instead.

There were no such problems for Bo Nielsen who led FWD from the set off, setting an impressive lap time of 1.31, and that was just for starters.

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Things just got better and better for Bo and his Forge Motorsport Astra, as he played his usual tactics of minimal laps to ensure his hot lap was set early enough and fast enough to keep him in that top spot for the final.

I asked him how the car was:

"I'm not even trying yet."

He had saved plenty for the final, and was at the front of the pit lane twenty minutes before the start of the final.

Flying lap done, Bo was back in the pits putting his car away, confident he had done enough to secure his second win of the season.

The Great Dane's quiet confidence was not misplaced, he won Club FWD setting the bar for the rest of the weekend.

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