2013-12-09 09:17:19.2
It was another fairly mixed weekend for Eddie as his Endurance team finished 6th on the road and were promoted to 4th after two more teams were disqualified. The sprint race on Sunday was not as impressive as Eddie yet again struggled in qualifying and would finish only 10th in the final after an impressive comeback drive through the field.
Saturday
Chris Bell made his first appearance for Target Racing, replacing Lee Kemp for the next few races.
After a minor adjustment to the fuel mixture in practice, Bell went out and qualified 12th out of the 33 teams in the wet conditions. He also started the race and moved the team into the top 6 during his double stint.
Eddie was also double stinted for the middle phase of the race as the track started to dry, establishing the team well in the top 5.
Laukam went out for the final stage just as the rain came down again and did a fantastic job to hold off the flying Pete O’Connor for 6th. This became 4th after winners Just So Racing and fourth placed Essex TT were both disqualified for being underweight.
Eddie was happy with the result after the race.
“This was a great result, obviously made even better because of the disqualifications. Obviously it is a shame for those guys but we had the same happen to us at Buckmore after finishing fifth so I suppose it evens things out a bit.
“I think the team did a fantastic job. Both Marc and Chris drove brilliantly and we certainly sorted our gremlins from Buckmore out. For me, to finish so high up on a circuit I hate makes me even more confident for the rest of the season. I’m really looking forward to Whilton Mill now. We really have a good chance there.”
Sunday
Eddie was cagey about his chances going into this race, despite having finished runner up at round 2 last year.
His day started well when he won the first heat of the day from pole position. His day started to go down hill from there, however, as he was again punted off at the first hairpin but recovered well to finish 13th. An 11th from the back of the grid in his final heat put Eddie 19th on the grid for the A final – which included a 2 place grid penalty for apparently overtaking under a yellow flag during his second heat.
Making a cautious start, Eddie avoided trouble and started rapidly carving his way through the field to eventually finish 10th and set the fastest lap of the race. Despite his disappointment, Eddie was relieved to have even qualified again.
“Obviously tenth is a bit disappointing. Given my speed I think I would have been right up there at the front had it not been for that first hairpin again. I really don’t know what it is about that corner. I seem to get taken out or involved in someone else’s accident every time I come here. Still, I’m now 6th in the championship which isn’t bad considering. I’ve just got to hope for better things at Whilton.”
