Donington Park 1000 Kms - August 25-26 Preview The Bruichladdich Radical Team was launched in July and is the result of Tim Greaves’ combination of enterprises - the innovative British road and racecar company and the Islay distillery. Tim has owned one of every car that Radical has ever built, starting in 1998 with chassis number eight, a Clubsport car and this SR9 has kept his record going and takes him towards his goal of racing at Le Mans. The car ran well on its first outing in Germany five weeks ago just days after it was rolled out of the Radical factory. Immediately the car was on the pace and led the class for part of the race and despite a few teething problems crossed the line after six hours finishing fifth in class. Tim’s Donington weekend sees him not only race in the six hour Le Mans Series endurance race, but also in his SR8 in the inaugural race of the Radical World Cup. He will be partnered by Stuart Moseley. Ben Devlin, current Radical Enduro Championship leader, will be competing in the Radical World Cup too, as will rally driving legend and Le Mans racer Colin McRae. Colin has recently bought a road registered Radical SR3 and will be a guest of Team Bruichladdich for the weekend, also racing a Radical SR8 in the Radical World Cup. Tim Greaves, Team Owner and Driver: “This weekend’s going to be brilliant - there’s so much happening! I’m clearly pleased that Colin’s joining us for a run in the Radical World Cup and hope that he enjoys the experience and wants to come back for more next year in either the World Cup or the Le Mans Series The SR9’s been worked on to get rid of those first time out issues and so we’re all set for a good race. Ben joining us will be good too and will be excellent preparation for both of us for Petit Le Mans. In terms of goals I’m looking for a Le Mans Series podium before the end of the season and to do it on home ground would be a real achievement for the team.” Tim
Greaves career highlights: Stuart
Moseley career highlights: Ben
Devlin career highlights:
Qualifying
Today saw a twenty minute qualifying session for tomorrow’s six hour/ 1000km race and Stuart Moseley was charged with setting the time that would determine Team Bruichladdich Radical’s starting position. In Germany five weeks ago the team took a third place in class for the start of its first race. Today brought a better grid slot and a faster pace – just two-tenths of a second from class pole. Stuart led the class for half of the session before being pipped by Tommy Erdos in the MG Lola. Stuart Moseley: “The times were a good stab quicker than this morning. It was a case of finding the limits of the car and pushing. The traffic didn’t cost too much and the car was working well. The game tomorrow is to run a rhythmical race with no hiccups. We’ve shown we’ve got the pace and now we want to be on the podium.” Ben Devlin: “The car’s lovely – I got in and it immediately had a positive feel. It’s solid and well put together and gives good feedback straight away giving you loads of confidence in it. An awesome bit of kit.”
Tim Greaves: “We’ve continued from where we left off at the Nurburgring and it’s just a matter of time before we get all of the elements together and are scoring pole positions and winning races. Obviously we’d like it to happen sooner rather than later and a second here is heading in the right direction. As Stuart says we’re targeting a podium next and if that was to happen tomorrow we’d be more than delighted.”
Race Tim’s double stint went according to plan with no issues at all until ten laps from the end of his stint on the four hour mark. He hit a kerb and the force of the impact sent the car off the track into the gravel and damaged the steering bringing an end to the race for the team. Ben Devlin was waiting in the garage for his spell in the car which wasn’t to be but he only has to wait until Thursday to drive the USA van der Steur Radical SR9 that he’ll be driving at Petit Le Mans. Stuart Moseley: “I didn’t get enough heat into the tyres at the start so got a bit of wheel spin coming out of Goddards that lost me time on the start straight and into Redgate. I gained a couple of places back going into Old Hairpin. After that I ran a short time behind the Lola and just after I overtook him we got the water leak. I could feel the water in the seat so knew we had a problem before I got the call to pit. The guys did a great job fixing it as quickly as they could. Then back out there it was a case of beating my way through the traffic. It was particularly difficult passing the GT1 cars but managed to claw a few places back. Overall the car’s good – the balance especially.” Tim Greaves: “I hit the inside kerb at Coppice too hard and it just sent the car off into the gravel. The impact was pretty hard on the steering so unfortunately that was the end of the race. “Overall I’m pleased with the competitiveness of the car. The only weakness was getting out of the slow corners – we needed a different gear ratio. The car handles superbly so although I’m disappointed about today’s result I’m pleased about that. The early problem with the non-return valve was one of those totally unpredictable failures and once we’d identified it the guys fixed it really quickly. From there we had the long haul of climbing back up the ladder which Stuart did really well to get up to sixth and I think we were fifth when we finished. “Rollcentre Racing Radical did very well again and it was a great shame that they were robbed of victory in the closing stages by a minor technical problem. "I’m very disappointed for Ben but I’m sure he’s looking forward to the test in the USA car on Thursday. I have to say a big thanks to the team. For a group of guys that have only been together for two events they’re excellent – very responsive. They’re growing together very well and we’ll be at Jarama better and stronger.”
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