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LATEST NEWS FROM TEAM FRASER INCLUDING RACE REPORTS |
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ROUND
7& 8 @ KNOCKHILL RACING CIRCUIT
24th JUNE
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| Again not a lot to say, my car was misfiring
badly and another oil leak appeared, so I thought my weekend
was done on the Sat, but I spoke to Ian Cowie and hired
his yellow and red car, I shouldn’t have bothered.
Qualifying, Sunday. Soaking wet didn’t like the
feel of the car and qualified well down the field, the
car was sliding everywhere and was getting no traction
anywhere ! Grid 15
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Race 1-
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Got a reasonable start
but only for the now normal big shunt and restart, restart
was clean, made the best of the soaking conditions and
kept it on the black stuff, found it really hard to see
at times because of the spray, finished 13th. 3pts
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Race 2
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Same as race 7 but got
a terrible start, just kept it going and again got 13th,
overall like the season so far- an easily forgettable
weekend ! Flag 13, 3pts
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Due to a lack of funds,
I couldn’t take part in testing, which was a slight
problem as my car developed a fault on the Sunday, but
I was helping the rest of the team who were trying to
get out testing, so it was a good team effort.
Qualifying.
I was last out for qualifying which is extremely unlike
me!!! and struggled to find a gap. I couldn’t
afford new tyres either which I thought might hold
me back but once I had a bit of confidence in the car
I started to push a little harder and only managed
to pip Andrew to the pole on the very last lap of qualifying!!!
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Race 1-
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Starting on pole I was
confident that I could lead into the first corner and
when the lights went out I got a great start and led
the whole way. Behind me others weren’t so fortunate
and a few cars were damaged which caused a restart.
At the restart I got into the lead again and Graham Whitehill
slotted into second which slowed Andrew Winchester down
allowing me to stretch into a 3.5 secoond lead to take
the win in race 1. Flag 1st-26pts
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Race 2,
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| Another good start saw me lead to the hairpin,
then Andrew started to challenge, we had a great dice all
race long but with 2 laps to go my car started playing
up causing me to lose the lead and have to defend heavily
into the last corner from Dave Colville. All in all, a
great weekend, which puts me 1 point in the lead of the
championship!! Flag 2nd-21pts |
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Qualifying- was a shambles!!! The inside of my car totally steamed
up and I couldn’t see a thing! Missed braking points,
apexes and didn’t get one quick lap in. qualified
16th!!!
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Race 1-
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Got a good start an
gradually started to work my way up the field, having
a good wee dice with Stuart Scott and Derek Mcdougall.
By the time I got up to 8th the race was all over but
really enjoyed it!! Flag 8th- 8pts
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| Race 2, |
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| Started in 8th and was in a desperate rush
to better my last race perfprmance, jus a littla too hard
as I spun off after the chicane and managed to beach myself!!
The marshalls rushed to my aid (good on ya lads and girls!!!)
but by the time they managed to push me out the horrlble
wet mud I had fallen well back to last!!! Doh!!!! And unfortunately
even going as fast as I was to catch up didn’t really
make any difference! Not such a great weekend AGAIN!!!!!
When will my bad luck end!! Flag 16th-0pts |
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ROUND
5&6 @ KNOCKHILL RACING CIRCUIT 27th
MAY
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| Qualifying, nothing to shout about car still
not right qualified 12th. |
Race 1-
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Got clean start and
made up 2 places had a bit of a joust with Stuart Wilson
in the middle of the race but eventually got clear, finished
10th. Car feels strange slightly rough and doesn’t
want to rev. Very frustrating.
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Race 2 |
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Started 10th got cracking
start but the gremlins were still there! Got the jump
on Dave Colville but he just drove past as if I was stopped,
middle of lap 1 and Stuart Wilson and Willie Davidson
again drive past me as if was stationary. Later Calum
Dryburgh does the same, this is now getting to me. Lap
4 and I hit the kerb at chicane quite hard, all of a
sudden the car is free revving and pulling well, I then
get past about 3 cars in the next 3 laps! On lap 8, I
think, the car just chucked it would not rev and misfiring
badly, got to chicane and had to pull in beside the marshall’s
hut, bummer another weekend to forget. |
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Testing was all about seeing if the car
was working ok, which it was, and I ended up having a
bit of a carry on with Willie Davidson and Graham Whitehill,
the car was going fine and seeing as I don’t have
a lap timer I just enjoyed myself.
Qualifying
It had been raining in the morning, so Dad and myself
went out on an intermediate setting because the track
was drying. It was a gamble, which paid off as the track
was greasy, especially at Carlube curve, but it allowed
me to get pole by almost half a second to Andrew Winchester.
After qualifying it was just a waiting game to see if
it would dry up or rain again, and due to a lack of money
I was using the same tyres that I used at cadwell so
it was a more than a successful qualifying session!!
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Race 1-
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I had a good start off
of pole, led for the first lap but lost the small lead
I had gained through Carlube curve because of a big slide all the way through
the bend. As entertaining as it was it meant I had to defend from Andrew into
the hairpin. We came out at the same speed but Andrews car has just a little
more straight line speed than mine so he was almost in front by the Seat curves
on lap 2, but I went up the inside to keep the lead. The rest of the race turned
into a good battle for the lead, Andrew and myself swapping positions at least
4 times until the hairpin on the last lap where I made a move on Andrew which
allowed me to get alongside when we crossed the line, only to get beaten by
0.007 seconds!!
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Race 2,
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| There was a heavy downpour during the lunch
break, which left us struggling to decide whether or not
to go for wet settings. We took another gamble and went
for wet settings, and due to the race being declared a
wet race I quickly realised on the 2 warm up laps it never
paid off!! The track was all but dry, so I had to improvise.
I got another great start from second to lead by turn one,
then pulled a small lead again on the first lap. Once the
other drivers had some heat in their tyres I then had to
defend as hard as I could to try and hold on to the lead.
Every time I checked my mirrors, the queue behind was growing,
so I started slowing down at the apexes to try an cause
the other drivers to defend them selves and get me some
breathing room. Andrew managed to get the run on the left
hand side up the main straight, getting him into the lead
after about 5 laps. Whilst the track was dry he steadily
pulled away until the last lap when a rain shower reduced
the grip levels allowing me to close the gap. I managed
to go round the outside of Andrew on the brakes into the
hairpin but a locked inside wheel made me run out wide
and another drag race to the flag ensued, this time Andrew
beating me by 0.057 seconds!! Now ill need to figure out
how to go faster up the straights!!! |
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ROUND
3 & 4 @ CADWELL PARK 5th & 6th
MAY
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| Testing Sat 5 May, all went well was learning
the track and the car seemed to be performing well, however
Scott’s car was still acting up and having changed
all the electrics it was decided to put my carb in Scott’s
car. What a transformation Scott’s car was working
well, however I had inherited the problem and although
two carbs were changed and the float levels checked twice
the problem persisted. Qualified 15th. |
Race 1-
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Got a good start only
for a major accident at the first corner, which caused
a restart. On the restart got away well making up two
places only for Charlie Thornton to lock up and take
me off, got back on last and made my way up the field
I had gained 3 places when the fuel starvation reappeared
and I dropped back bit by bit until at the line I was
overtaken by Stewart Elkin, I was last. Felt sorry for
Iain who did not finish, at the time didn’t know
why, later found it was a coming together with Willie
Davidson that bent his steering !!
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Race 2
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Having again changed
the carb and float setting, started off in 15th place
on the grid, got a good start and made up 3 places by
the second corner, the car seemed to working well (but
that was the same in the first race got 4 laps in and
the fuel starvation started!). Got to the ‘mountain’ and
missed 3rd gear, over-revved the engine and that was
that!!! Several bent valves! Pulled in to the pits and
watched Scott get another win.
A great track, really challenging, enjoyed that but as far as everything
else goes a weekend to forget!!!
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Disappointing start to
the weekend, the car wasn’t playing the game in
testing to begin with, an after we had checked everything
that could possibly be wrong, dad was extremely generous
in offering me the use of his carb! The next session
with the new carb in the car was a revelation; it pulled
strongly and even sounded better so testing ended up
a success!!
Qualifying, Went
out quite near the back of the pack behind Iain, and
I knew we had to get track space to get some times
in, so I pushed for a couple of laps but couldn’t
get by Scott Morrison and Derek McDougal so I settled
down for a bit an fell in behind Iain. I was going
for a time one lap at a time, using Iain for a tow
and I would have been happy with qualifying in the
top 3 but to find out I was on pole by a big margin
with a 1.47.6 definitely made my day!!!
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Race 1-
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Made quite a poor start
but that didn’t matter because second placeman
Graham Whitehill had a big accident at the first corner,
hitting the Armco heavily and ending his weekend prematurely.
The second start was just as poor, Colin McKinnon got
the run and I tucked in behind him for the first half
of the lap. When exiting Mansefield, Colin suffered from
bad fuel surge, which allowed me through into first place,
which I never lost. I backed off slightly after 2 laps
but Peter Cruikshank closed the gap relatively quickly
so I pushed hard till the last lap when there was some
carnage behind me, this gave me room to back right off
for my first win of the year and fastest lap of the race!!
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Race 2,
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| Made a reasonable start, had to defend from
Scott Morrison at the end of the long straight but then
pulled out a gap which never got closed! Win number 2 and
fastest lap number 2!!! Brilliant weekend, brilliant circuit
and knowing my car is running Well im feeling pretty confident
about Knockhill on the 27th of May!! |
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Qualifying- Iit
was a new track for me so had learnt it fairly well during
testing Scott and I went out together but up the straights
I was quicker so it made more sense for me to go ahead
of Scott, did not too bad with qualifying coming away
with 8th but only 8 tenths of a second splitting 3rd
to 9th. Scott even with the slower car was managing to
get a tow off me on some of the long straights and the
wee bugger went nearly a second and a half quicker!!!!
I will know for next time ha!
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Race 1-
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Got a really good start
but was spoiled by a big crash between Graham Whitehill
and Peter Cruikshank, which brought out the red flags.
On the restart I had another good start and was up along
side Willie Davidson we went round first corner side
by side and then on the second corner he made a blatant
attempt to push me off the track and went right into
the side of me, which in turn bent my steering and forced
my retirement from the race!!! Wasn’t a happy chappy!!!
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| Race 2, |
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| Had lots of problems with fuelling before
the second race and unfortunately couldn’t manage
to get out! Great circuit and was very disappointed that
my results couldn’t have been better. |
ROUND
1 & 2 @ KNOCKHILL RACING CIRCUIT
8th APRIL
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| Testing Saturday 7, did not get much, had
bad oil leak from top of the engine, which I could not
diagnose. |
Race Day 1- April8 2007
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Qualifying 0840, got
out late still not knowing if the leak was fixed, and
it wasn’t! Got just 3 laps in, qualified badly
12th, Scott 11th Iain 13th, back to the drawing board!
Fuel pump gasket (cross fingers).
Race 1- .
On the start Scott got off well and went to his usual left hand side of
the track, Jamie Bicket rolls at Seat ,then coming out of Scotsman there’s
Peter Cruickshank careering across the road towards the outside and everyone
in front of me taking evasive action, not 3 corners gone and ‘mayhem,
got through and made up a few places, only for the red flag!
Restart, Scott got another flier and was 3 car lengths ahead by Seat, as
we went down the hill there was
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dust everywhere but
everyone stayed on, Scott was obviously having a problem – by
Carlube I was right with him and on the exit overtook!
Scott got me back at the hairpin and as we started lap
2 he had overtaken Charlie Cope. Charlie had a big moment
at the top of Seat which allowed me a run on him and
I was on his bumper approaching Carlube, on the exit
I had the run and overtook Charlie then closed up on
Scott, who was quickly reeling in Graham Whitehill, at
the hairpin Scott took Graham I was nearly there but
not quite. Up the start-finish straight ,lap 3, the front
runners were well ahead, then Scott, Graham, me and I
could see Iain behind me. By the time we get to the Chicane
Scott has pulled a few lengths on Graham and I am closing,
not close enough but by the hairpin I am right on his
bumper. Lap 4 Scott is ahead of Graham who is about 3
car lengths in front of me, Graham goes wide at Scotsman
and on the exit of the Chicane which allows me to be
on his bumper by Carlube, on the exit of Carlube I have
the momentum and on the approach to the Hairpin I am
closing for the overtake, Graham defends, moving right
to block me so I move to the left which Graham again
defends but as soon as Graham moved left I dove right
braked late and I was past him, I actually got such a
good run I almost took Scott also! Lap 5 at Scotsman
Graham overtook me with a late lunge but he was carrying
so much speed and went wide which allowed me the run
and I got the position back on the exit of Chicane. Was
trying hard to catch Scott but he was too far in front,
exit Hairpin only to see a huge impact on the left as
Ross McColm hit the tyres on the left near the start/finish
line. Started lap 6 continuing to push only to see the
red flag at the Chicane, so race over results declared
for the end of lap 5. Andrew Winchester, Peter Cruickshank,
Willie Davidson, Scott Morrison, Derek McDougal, Scott,
me, Graham Whitehill, Iain and Dave Colville completing
the top ten. No mishaps and the oil leak cured!
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Race 2
I start in 7th Scott in row in front 6th, Iain row behind 9th, at the start
I get away well and am catching Scott but he can’t see me, or
at that’s what he says, and he is squeezing me towards the infield,
discretion being the better part of valour, I back off and Graham Whitehill
and Iain overtake, bummer! The rest of this lap is a convoy led by
Peter Cruickshank, the Fraser order being Scott, Iain then me. However
at the hairpin I overtake both Iain and Scott. Lap 2, I am 5 car lengths
off Graham but just stick to my lines and slowly reel Graham in, until
as I approach the hairpin I am right on his bumper, not quite got the
pace to take him but I am right with him as we start lap3, not much
more than a coat of paint between us, on the entrance to Carlube he
runs wide ,I try for the gap, he defends,we touch but I have the place,
Scott is right behind me trying for the position also. Lap 4 ,I am
about 4 car lengths in front of Graham who is trying to fend off Scott
which is allowing me to concentrate on the lead group, they are passing
pit entrance when I am in the Hairpin. Lap 5, got a few lengths on
Scott who has got past Graham, I am keeping pace with the lead group
of 5 but not catching, I am trying though. Lap 6 have quite a big moment
at Scotsman, I collect it up but costs me time, wont catch lead group
so finished the remaining laps with no drama coming in 6th, with Scott
7th and Iain 8th, Peter won- well done to Peter. I tried to get the
boys to run through Seat and Scotsman 3 abreast but Scott didn’t
get what I was wanting to do.
Quite happy with the result but feel for Scott as his car is just not going
well, but that’s not going to stop me rubbing their noses in it!
Iain’s car is ok in his opinion but needs a better set up, oh well
we will see at Cadwell, that’s the next round in early May.
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Testing was all about
giving the car a shakedown, first session running the
car in, second session I was pushing a little harder.
All seemed ok apart from a bad stutter from the car out
of the chicane, which I remember the car has always had.
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Qualifying, got out late,
a wee bit of a habit for me ha, then tried to get some
times in. Looking behind me, Charlie Thornton was proving
to be a bit of a nuisance to get away from but I pulled
away once I started concentrating. I knew I wasn’t
in the top 6 but to find out I was 11th was quite a reality
check!!
Race 1, removed the
rev limiter/shift light thinking that was part of the
problem. Also found out I was to be carrying the official
camera which added to the pressure of my poor qualifying
session!!! I got off to a reasonable start, tried my
usual trick of going round the outside of a few folk
at the first corner, but then struggled to turn a good
start into a few gained places because the car wasn’t
pulling.
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The usual start of season
XR2 chaos ensued which caused a restart, where after
some dicing with my Old Man, settled into 6th and finished
the race happy with the knowledge that I could try and
challenge for at least a podium in the second race.
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Race 2,
after finding nothing obvious wrong with the car, i lined
up on the grid just a little distracted…. This
being no excuse for what I did next… and proceeded
to try and start in 2nd gear!!!! Never have I felt like
such an amateur!! Knowing my run was all but gone, I
moved over to the right thinking it was clear to defend,
then tried to figure out how the rest of the team started.
I could see Iain in my left wing mirror an couldn’t
see dad so I held my defensive line into the first corner
only to see dad shooting over to the left of the road
to stop me putting him on the grass!!!(another moment
I would rather forget!!) the rest of the race was quite
uneventful, had contact with Graham Whitehill, then sulked
my way to the line. A weekend to forget!!!!
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After an eventful end
to last season with a huge accident, this was my first
outing in my newly re-built car. Testing was uneventful
car felt ok but it was a shakedown so not many fast laps.
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Qualifying was a bit
of a disaster couldn’t get a clear run and only
managed to qualify 13th, the car wasn’t handling
either so I was struggling to carry corner speed.
Race 1- went ok big carnage at 1st
corner with Jamie Bicket rolling. The race was then
restarted and I managed to get a good start. Dave Colville
was sitting right on my bumper for most of the race
mounting great pressure on me every where I looked.
Around lap 5 I noticed a loud banging coming from the
engine bay and my car wasn’t pulling so well.
Managed to keep the car in one piece and hold off Dave
Colville so in the end up I finished 9th. A pretty
poor result and not expected from a new car!
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Race 2- managed to come
to the conclusion of the banging noise from my engine
bay, an engine mount had completely separated so it was
allowing the engine to move like mad! Got a good start
but it all bunched up a bit at 1st corner, I soon found
Colville right on my bumper again with Colin Mckinnon
not too far behind. I was too busy defending to do anything
about trying to catch up with my old man and Scott. Round
about lap 6 Mckinnon passed colville and launched a major
attack on me in to mcintyres he got passed but ran wide
an I managed to hold him off going up to the chicane.
The places stayed the same until the flag but I finished
8th. Not a great weekend so i've got better hopes for
cadwell in the next meeting!
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