Rough time at the Rock for Taylor
The second meeting for Alan Taylor took place at Rocking Motor Speedway in northamptonshire. The track, layout using part of the oval the infield road course plus is the only anti-clockwise circuit the BTCC visits.
Free practice was a nightmare with Taylor plauged with gearbox issues. First it was stuck in 6th then after the linkage was freed it was not selecting so this ruled Alan out for all of the first session and only managed 7 laps in the second. "I'm really Annoyed with the gearbox!" said Taylor "I need miles in the car and because of this issue I can't but we will get it sorted for Qualifying later on this afternoon."
After the team had taken to gearbox to bits during the course of the morning the problem was fixed and Alan headed in to Qualifying confident of setting a good time. The car was running fine and things were looking good when Alan ran as high as 17th with only a few minutes to go. With the track drying after a light shower all the times got faster and Alan dropped down to 22nd which was dissapointing but at least there was no repeat of the gearbox problem that befell the Whitley Bay driver in the morning.
Before the first race all the Drivers, Teams, Fans and Officials were asked to make as much noise as possible to remember David Leslie and Richard Lloyd who were tragically killed in a plane crash 2 weeks before. In a moving tribute by circuit commentator by Alan Hyde there was hardly a dry eye on grid. After the tribute the circuit erupted in a round of applause, feet stamping and cheering for 1 minute to celebrate the huge success the 2 drivers had in the BTCC "The tribute was very moving" said Alan "it's so nice that the BTCC Community come togther as one to celebrate 2 great people that will be sorley missed."
Race 1 got under way with alan making a good start holding his position as the field charged round turn 1 and on towards the Deene Hairpin. Underbraking for the hairpin Alan lost his place to fellow North-Eastern driver Stuart Oliver in his Lexus. At the front of the field Jason Plato got sideways going into Yentwood and with duston the track this caused Alan to have a wobble and loose time on the pack in front. Further round the lap there was more dramas for Taylor as he approached the hairpin at Tarzan. With the rear tyres not up to working temperature Alan had a half spin and that was preety much race over as he would be spending the rest of it playing catch up but to no avail, He would eventually finish down 21st place.
Race 2 saw Alan blast off the line like a man possesed in what was the best start of his career instantly jumping to 17th place and right behind John George in his Honda. After the first lap the Safety Car was deployed after the Lexus of Stuart Oliver slid off at Gracelands in to the Gravel. After 2 laps behind the Safety Car the race was back on and Alan was looking good in 17th with team mate Harry Vaulkhard in his Chevrolet and the recovering Jason Plato in his SEAT just behind. Lap 5 and Alan and Plato were battling going in to Gracelands. Plato tried to go round the outside and contact was made and this tipped the Robertshaw Racing Integra sideways which Alan beutifully caught but this dropped him 5 places down the order. As the race entered the closing stages Alan had managed to pass Micky Doyle and with team mate Matt Allison forced to retire Alan finished the race in 19th place.
Race 3 never happend for Alan as the weather took a sudden turn for the worse and this played havoc with the electrics on Alans car and he was forced to pull off as the field ended the warm up lap.
"The weekend has been really frustrating." Alan Cmmented, "Race 1 the car was dreadful to drive and I was flying off everywhere. Race 2 was going well till I had contact with Jason and race 3 never happend. Oh well roll on Donington in 3 weeks."
Rounds 7,8 and 9 take place at Donington Parkon the 3/4 May
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