Silverstone was the first round of the season, we reported to you we had a great start (even though that was testing for us).

 

We knew we had changes to make with brake bias and the wheel alignment was not needed to benefit the car most. . Changes did not start straight away with Jon suffering from a mild unexplained stroke (TIA), which could have been the shock that the car, that Jon built and designed, did exceptionally well and the car had so much more to give. Please join us in wishing Jon a speedy recovery and a return to the tools.

 

Snetterton was our next round this time visiting a circuit that Jon once competed at in the summer months of 2012 in the Time Attack with a very different machine build to what we have today. 90 horsepower short and 200kg heavier, unlike the 2023 build. 2 minutes 26 seconds with arid and warm conditions was the benchmark to beat from 2012. This time the weather was so temperamental and temperatures struggled to peak 10 degrees, not sure what the wind speed was, it did stop us from putting up the race gazebo.

 

With some fantastic machinery in our class, the weekend was looking to be challenging for both the team and the car as Silverstone had been. Silverstone was cold but at least it had been dry. New for this race: the race support bus finished and looked spectacular. AJ RACING has never looked so professional (and with the wind, it was well-needed and well-used by the end of the day).

This time we also managed to have a special guest veteran. We are proud to have met, you and honoured that you chose to come and visit. Hearing their story further instils the values that the team was created for. We had a long day ahead of us with qualifying being mid-morning and our race was not until 17:45 hrs we thought we had a lot of downtime. 5 hours to be exact.

How wrong could we be? Qualifying meant an early pit from Terry who advised us of a gear selector issue, luckily it was a quick fix and Terry went out again getting to grips with the Focus and warming the tyres up for Lawrence (seems rock certainly beats scissors this time AGAIN!). Driver changes over midway through qualifying, with pitstop practice time taken for the race, and Lawerance was out. Terry reported that the alignment needed to be looked at again but wanted to wait to confer with Lawerance before we tackled it.

We already knew the brake bias needed review, it was not until both were in that we could discuss what it needed. The brake bias was too far rearwards and needed some adjustment. 4th was secured by the end of qualifying, leaving us all thinking something is not correct. We should have been further up the field. Both drivers now report the same unwanted handling characteristic that was not at Silverstone, so what has changed? Back to the pit area and up the car went and settings were vigorously checked over which highlighted an error on the rear camber. With the camber rectified, the break bias was next on the list ticked that off. NEXT! ah yes, the driver's position needed a slight adjustment which - as of now - we have a long-term solution for all of our three drivers of various sizes. 6ft 7” versus 5ft 6”. Hmmmmmm.

A check of the gear linkage while the front wheels are off the ground with a run-up of the engine and all looked good to send it for the race. The team was calm and looking forward to seeing the changes made to both the alignment and braking and really seeing both Terry and Lawrence showing what the Focus can really do. It definitely did not disappoint, The sun was low and setting fast, the track was damp which played a part in the code 60 flag and there were plenty of spins on the track. Terry was out the blocks and on it dropping 2 seconds a lap then 4 seconds, we gained 3rd place before the pit window opened and the car eating into 2nd place time (Alison was screaming the times across the pit straight at this point). This was brilliant and watching from the pit wall you could see the pace through coram with the car thundering past. The next lap brought a spin from Terry into murrays, (Don’t ask Jon what he said). Terry gathered it up keeping 3rd place, and closer to 2nd.

 

Time to put up the pit board, Lawrence at the ready and bouncing on his toes, the team poised prepared for action, Terry comes in engine off, belts off, Terry evicted, Lawrence belted in, the engine on and safely released. 1 minute 35 seconds, yes we have nailed the pit stops. Terry was debriefing Jon, Terry’s body language saying it all with substantial excited smiles and hugs, this could only mean one thing we are going in the right direction. Brilliant! Terry took us to 3rd place and hunted down 2nd to within 2 laps at his current pace if Lawerance could maintain that momentum. 1 minute and 15 seconds passed and no sight of Lawrence but then over tannoy came to a mention of the Focus not being on pace as it was before then it was sighted heading into the pits.

A chat with Lawerance and gear selection was becoming more brutal, a decision was made to send it out with a quick adjustment under the bonnet but that was not to be. Lawerance had no choice but to park the car safely so as not to impede the other competitors battling for positions.

 

The disappointment was short-lived (our chief mechanic was downcast) with the drivers’ debrief as the car was really showing its pace with more to come from it which excited the team.

The pit stops indeed showed the team's professionalism and readiness to work under pressure in this new racing environment. Thruxton on the 6th of May will see Matthew Potter behind the wheel in 2 races with Lawrence and Terry being the second driver of each race. The gloves are off.

Who's coming to join us?