Race Report: Donington Park

Bright and early on bank holiday Monday, after being woken by the planes above, I decided it would be a good idea to enter another race series on the same day… After only just recovering, that might not have been one of my best ideas.

First up for the day was qualifying for Classic Thunder at 9:10, due to missing the call to head over to the assembly area to get the day started, I was a little bit late getting out on track to set some timed laps. After a couple of installation laps and returning to the pits to set the tyre pressures it didn’t leave a lot of running for the 15 min session and I only managed P8.

After a quick drink, stretch and refuel of the car I was back out to qualify for the second race series of the day, Kumho BMW Championship, at 10:30. This one started well (with me being on time) but unfortunately ended early because of an incident on track. This also saw me starting P8, and hoping it wasn’t a running theme for the day.

Another quick turn around to get back out for Classic Thunder Race 1 at 11:50. The start of this race was a bit interesting due to one of the front runners having issues and causing the rest of the grid to scatter and navigate around him, which cost me a few places and left me with some work to do. There were many close battles during the race which led to one overtake after another and claiming some of those places back, bring the car home in 4th.

Thankfully the lunch break gave me a little more time to prep for Kumho BMW Race 1 at 14:10. Getting a good start from the 4th row of the grid saw me up into 4th position by the first corner. During the race I snuck into P3 due to a retirement and had my work cut out for me keeping hold of that position for the rest of the race. I managed to keep P3 and cross the line, bringing back the first trophy for the season.
Race 2 for Classic Thunder started at 15:45 with me in the finishing position for Race 1. Another great race filled with position swapping throughout and making me work hard to bring back another P3 as I crossed the line. I hope this is just signs of what’s to come, as I’m liking the view from the podium.

Last race of the day at 15:20 was the Kumho BMW Race 2. Starting from the 2nd row of the grid with a clear track ahead I thought my luck is in here, but, got a little carried away with the throttle on the start. I struggled a bit with grip (or maybe I was just tired) during the first half of the race as I dropped down the order to P8. Adapting my driving to make the most of the car I managed to get back up to cross the line in P4.

I also picked up the Driver of the Day award from the Kumho BMW Race 1, some more additions for the trophy cabinet.

A replay of the races can be seen here:

Classic Thunder – Race 1 – https://youtu.be/fRGw5aD-S0o
Classic Thunder – Race 2 – https://youtu.be/jBHV6Gg7xiU
Kumho BMW – Race 1 – https://youtu.be/OIgXUhMQiSw
Kumho BMW – Race 2 – https://youtu.be/IvbVP7n81Yc

See below for a link to some images and the onboard footage from the day (I will add more as the are sent through)
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Au4bRXpUWkmBgT15QMc7G-VZjtqm?e=SUeIPw