IMS motorsport

 

We moved up to Snetterton in Norfolk for rounds 7 and 8 of the British GT Championship in the hope of better weather. Prior to the meet the car had undergone more work to the faulty fuel tank and a new differential was fitted. Otherwise all was well and we looked in good shape for the races.

In GT3 two very important omissions were noted in that both the Porsche and the Ascari had been withdrawn for different reasons bother to do with interpretation of rules. However a very significant new car had arrived in the shape of the successful European Ford GT. This turned out to be very fast, very noisy and fantastic looking. In GT4 the Aston Martin had returned and we also saw the Nissan for the first time. The Maserati was present for testing but we await its race debut. The Nissan in future will be co-driven by Maxi Jazz (of Faithless) and it was nice to see him in the pits on Sunday.

Testing on Friday was very wet. We had three sessions and led the first two comfortably and were second fastest in the third. All went well and we looked forward to official practice on Saturday.

The morning saw more hard rain. The track at Snetterton is another of the British airfield circuits. After the end of the Second World War several air force bases were turned into race tracks by enthusiasts who usually formed a circuit from the old perimeter airfield road. Snetterton near Norwich, had been a USAF bomber base and became a very fast race track during the 50s. The track used today is shorter but still based largely on the old airfield roads. The track is fast with two very long straights connected by a variety of medium and fast corners. All in all a popular and exciting venue. But not in the rain!

Our practice session was eventful, with Stewart Linn losing part of the rear bodywork driving through one of many deep puddles forming in the heavy rain. However the session passed off OK and we went into qualifying hoping for better weather. It didn't happen, but our times were excellent with a pole position in the first race (Matt Nicoll Jones) and second in the later race (Stewart). Again we had a tussle with the Rob Austin Ginetta but our main rival was the Aston. It ended up 2nd on the grid for Saturday but for the Sunday race Jamie Smyth claimed a magnificent pole position. The weather and the superior power at a track like Snetterton suited the car well.

The first race later that day started with controversy. The organisers had interpreted the starting procedure rules rather strictly and we along with 4 other teams were caught out and didn't get the car out of the garage and down the pit lane before the pit lane closed. To avoid cars being part way round the track when the rest of the cars start the race from the grid , after a period of time the exit to the pit lane is closed ,thereby preventing cars joining the grid . These cars then start after the main grid has gone. Matt set off in hot pursuit of the pack from this disadvantaged position. From last, Matt quickly made his way up to 3rd and handing the car over to Stewart the position was maintained as he followed the Fulvio Mussi car in second and the leading Rob Austin car. He couldn't close the gap and decided to settle for third, bringing the car in the points and yet another podium.

In the Sunday morning warm up we were comfortably fastest after Matt set a time nearly a second quicker than anyone else. For the race we were greeted with hot sunshine - at last - and the first time this year in GT racing. Stewart started well from second place behind the Aston Martin and briefly took the lead before dropping back to third. Later the Aston left the track after contact with another Ginetta. At the pit stop Matt fought back and closed the gap to the Austin car and the Ginetta being driven by 16 year old new boy and future star Nigel Moore. As the rules for GT racing require a minimum age of 17, special dispensation had to be given to allow him to start. These three cars then proceeded to pull away until Matt and Moore passed the Hunter Abbott (Rob Austin) car. As these two cars came into view around the long, fast Coram curve Nigel Moore was seen to leave the track and Matt took the lead, and our fourth victory. There had been unavoidable contact between the two cars.

Once again the top step of the podium was mounted, and we looked forward to the next round at Thruxton with a clear lead in both the drivers and teams championships.

Peter Smith

IMS Motorsport - Team Principal