Topsey turvey Silverstone for Taylor
The penultimate meeting of the 2008 Hi-Q MSA British Touring Car Championship saw a welcome return to the home of british motor racing, Silverstone.
After achieving his first 3 race finishes on one weekend Alan Taylor from Whitley Bay was hoping for the same again at the Northamptonshire circuit.
Free Practice was a nightmare and with a electrical problem Alan was unable to get out for the first session and missed most of the second session. Qualifying fared little better. It was found that the car's engine was running down on power and that was costing Alan massively in the faster sections as a result Alan would qualify 23rd.
Race one was a disaster the car stalled as the lights went out and Alan was pushed off the grid. After 4 laps of trying to get the car started Alan was away and in to the race. Overall the his race pace was good but on lap 13 the halfshaft bot sheared and that put an end to the race.
Race 2 was even worse. As the lights went out the field charged away Alan was left on the line. Again electrical gremlins caused the car to stall.
Race 3 very nearly didnt happen as all the cars left the pit lane to go off on their exploritory lap Again alans car was in the garage refusing to start. With Team Boss Gary Robertshaw, Engineers from Neil Brown (engine builders) and anyone and everyone were trying to get some life into the car. All alan could do was watch and wait. Eventually Alan was able to get ready and after saying a few choice words to the car it fired up. Alan made a good start and slowly started to pick drivers off one by one on his wet tyres. As the race progressed Alan was running well in 15th and having a good scrap with Matt Neal. The race was pretty uneventful for Taylor as he crossed the line in a creditable 16th place and 10th in the independants trophy thus scoring another point. " What a weekend, Thanks to Warren Hughes (former MG Driver) for his help and the team for getting the car out!"
bravenet.com