Phakisa 2 Hour 9th June 2007
Estelle’s Race report:
I was given the great opportunity to go and drive my first official race with “Lola” ( the awesome, white, little Locost car, the car that has a heart of a lion) at Phakisa. Very special thanks to Brad Woolley, who trusted me to drive his car (not going to be his car for very long). Perhaps he saw a spark of potential or maybe he was caught in a moment of pure madness. (I saw him and my husband having a private little conversation about my life insurance). Mmmm…well, anyway, thank you so much Brad, it means the world to me!!
We left early Thursday morning, as you have read from the other reports… Let me tell you about my first sessions on Phakisa, after my co-driver Andre (he is Pinky, this debate is now over…) had a good start. My first lap EVER around Phakisa; went into the back straight, around that heart stopping sweeping bend, when my steering wheel came towards me and “Lola” was very slow to respond to any suggestions I made with the “spoon in soup” steering wheel (I had a miniature heart attack). So, I pulled her into the pits, praying all the way. Turns out, it was a factory fault on the rack and pinion, which was quickly repaired. So, off we went again….
Just went into corner two, when all electrical systems shut down at ONCE…Boing…no go! Since there were NO Marshals, no commentators or spectators… just me, “Lola” and a bunch of Kiewit’s, I had to jog back to the pits to tell my crew that I had “abandoned ship” and to send the tow truck. Back to the pits again and after some minor repairs, we were ready to roll again.
Third time SHOULD HAVE BEEN the charm, but sadly I almost made one lap and spun under ‘mysterious circumstances’ on the exit of “the boot”. “Lola” threw a tantrum (typical woman) and refused to start. There was a strong fuel smell, which prompted me to discontinue the restarting of the engine. Ann (our good luck charm) heard my spin and called the crew. All alone, once again, admiring the fauna & flora, I continued my jog back to the pits. After making it to “Pit Entrance”, I looked back to see the recovery vehicle parked next to “Lola”. Brad started “Lola” and drove her onto the track, she was misfiring and it turns out that she lost her breather system connections in the spin and developed an airlock in the fuel line. She was repaired on the spot and taken back to the pits.
In the pits we were informed that the track was about to close and that we had to wrap things up. We pressured the security officer to allow us some more track time and negotiations concluded at four laps. The sun was low resulting in poor visibility around most of the track. I could not find my turning points or braking points or landmarks to help me remember the track. I was very disappointed. We finished up and booked in at the hotel.. I was stressed!! I hadn’t had a good clean session like Brad and Andre and I still wasn’t sure of the track. Despite everything Brad, Ann, Andre & Vernon were very comforting and positive, but I was still worried…
Friday came…. Official practice. *(play the theme to Jaws)*
What will happen today??
Offered to make some coffee, but Brad wouldn’t let me near the kettle, afraid I may break something. My first taste of the mighty Phakisa, I was out in the pit lane first and the Marshall was on his radio making gestures with his hands. There was a red flag pinned in the gate but the lights were green. I thought he waived me to pass and went out onto the track. Green flags at all corners and we were off, lap two: tyres warm, track open - lets play! Brad waives me back to the pits using a red cloth, turns out that the track was not open yet, I was in big trouble!! The Clark of the Course wanted to see me in person….. Oh, oh, why me? Brad was laughing. He said:” It took me 18 months before I had my first meeting with the COC, Estelle does it on her first day”.
The meeting went well and to allow us more track time we were to be included in the sessions for Super Saloons. The race management team at Phakisa consists of wonderful people, they were very accommodating, friendly and helpful. I apologized and everyone had a good laugh at my expense. By this time, Brad and Andre had done some very competitive lap times and I had not even completed a full practice session. I was feeling very scared and small and the light at the end of the tunnel was fading. No chance of a traffic free practice session for me anymore. During my two remaining sessions things started to change, the lap times came down from 2:37 to 2:08 but not near those posted by my team drivers. I felt disappointed, extremely cold and very tired. We went back to the hotel and never attended the pre- race braai and “Zippy Nippy” contests. I turned in early and slept like a log.
Race Day.
I woke to a sunny, clear skies day. Well rested, we met everyone for breakfast. The discussion quickly centered on the preparation of the cars and the race strategy( and how we needed the coffee machine from the hotel for our service van – this Lo Cost team is coffee crazy: I’ll bet that Brad would race with a cup in his hand if it was allowed). The next topic was how superstitious some teams are. The rabbit foot key ring, where we could find a bunch of ladders to barricade the pit garages or to hire a clairvoyant to stand next to the cars and shake her head in disapproval.
The mood was set, we were happy, laughing and in high spirits when we reached the track. Other teams were rushing around to finalize race preparations while we were joking and drinking coffee. Then all at once “Lola” was leaking oil, “De La Rey” (Brad’s Laser) had too much play on the right front wheel bearing and qualifying was upon us. The team handled everything in our stride and I found myself at pit exit for qualifying. I never had time to panic or even think about what was happening.
I was nervous, I knew that we needed a good grid position and to bring “Lola” safely back home. Off we went… Hieeeeee-ha!! Once on the track I forgot about everything… It was just me and “Lola”. And what an AWESOME, WONDERFUL, JOYOUS, ECSTATICALLY, AWESOME experience it was. I couldn’t stop smiling, even laughing. Phakisa is a great track and “Lola” is a SUPERB, STUNNING and BREATHTAKING car. I was in 7th heaven, having the time of my life, things that other people only dream about. I was having so much fun, that I became a bit over ambitious and spun out, ending up very close to a barrier, but “Lola” just kicked her heels in the ground and we were off again. We qualified 17th on the grid, like Andre (Pinky) said: slap dash in the middle. My times were decreasing: qualified with a 2:05. I was very happy; but honestly I was happy just surviving qualifying.
Forty minutes passed before the race started. To me it felt like a lifetime. I was anticipating the rolling start, which I have never done before, and I really felt unsure and nervous. Can you imagine 26 cars all going for gold in one corner? There is bound to be some kind of mishap. Yip, and there was!!! Like Brad said, cars spun out in corner one, I was right next to Brad, whom in the process of avoiding other cars, almost took me out, I avoided Brad, almost hitting a car on my left hand side who was passing me on the outside line. Can you imagine how thrilled Brad would have been crashing into me? And how happy Andre would have been??? I just don’t think so.. Somehow I made it through in one piece. And the cars started to normalize their respective paces…
If you think I had fun in qualifying, this was even better!!!! These “little” Locost cars are just magnificent!! Nothing tops the feeling of passing a Class A racing car with a 2000cc motor, using only a 1600 Rocam engine. The way the car handles around the corners, is out of this world, and nobody will have an idea what I am talking about, until they have experienced it themselves. And “Lola” was having a ball!! She was just beautiful to drive!! No tantrums, no sulking, just pure ecstasy!! I settled into my pace and just enjoyed every second of the race. For me it was a good clean race, without incident. Fifty minutes felt like 20!! When they called me in with a little pink scarf, I thought I still had half an hour to drive. In the race my times went down again to 2:03.
Yes Andre, I stopped over the tools laying on the ground during the pit stop. The crew could not reach their tools. I then drove completely over the tools and cut the engine so that they could re-fuel, got out and handed “Lola” over to Pinky to continue the legacy…
Then, I ran for my bottle of Amarula!!!!!!!
A MIGHTY CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Brad Woolley, (who is not only a fabulous person, but one hell of a driver) – who came first in his class, and second on index overall !!
Andre du Plessis – for breaking the 2 min barrier and putting up with me
Gavin Spiller- for breaking the 2 min barrier and giving the guys constant grief on the track – you are a superb driver.
YOU GUYS WERE ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!!
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Ann Woolley: who was a constant rock to lean on. Her friendliness and warm nature and for worrying about all of us. The mom of Locost racing!! I will be lost without you!
Scott : For being so helpful and reliable. I am so proud of you!! You are a star!
Our crew: Vernon (Chief Main Technical Engineer Mechanic Fuel Advisor): For looking after the cars, and making sure we all came home in one piece!! Without you there wouldn’t have been a race!
Warren: Fuel Boy. Couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for your support & encouragement. It is truly appreciated!
Andre du Plessis: My co- driver and friend. Thank you for all the laughs and advice. Can’t wait for the next one!! (No, don’t run away.. come back here…. )
The whole Locost family: What a joy !!! What an honour!
Comments made by other teams, spectators and drivers:
Super Hatch driver: “That car sticks to corners like *@#$ on Velcro”!
Another race team : “Your cars don’t need any preparation, every time we see you, you’re chatting, joking and laughing; all we do is work”.
Spectator: “This car is so simple, judging by the way it goes – I expected turbo’s”!
Race driver: “I’m going to sell my car and buy me one of these”!
Various drivers: “You guys are courteous, respectful and safe when out on the track – well done”!
Race driver: “That car corners like a go-kart”!
Spectator and son: “Look dad, even blonds can drive this car”!