Craig's Xe track Nova (pb fixed to page 10)

[Will F]

pfff passed by a shonky Astra Mk4 - you're a disgrace to the Nova community...

Seems to be going really well mate. Remind me next time you're out!!

[8valve-craig]

Ha that's 2015 Saloon Champion Mark Wyatt in what is a very serious Astra! I'll get him one day though.

I'm out for the May bank holiday meeting so if you can make it il send over a ticket or two.

[Benn]

Video is great, very nice driving too.

Looks very hard and like it handles really nicely.

[toymex]

Well done Craig,as you know I think it's only a matter of time before you are pushing that Astra all around the circuit

[nova_niek]

Very enjoyable video of the proceedings at Castle Combe. Looks like you were sitting there all cool and relaxed. Nice.

Sent from my Nokia 6310i using the keypad

[darragh792]

How do you rate the rear anti roll bar?

[8valve-craig]

Cheers everyone. I'm back out next weekend so see how that goes.

The only ARB it has is the standard GTE one inside. The braces are to control flex in the beam. They are doing a great job the car feels really good in the bends.

[BRoadGhost]

So the 205 is an all alloy Mi16? Anything in particular about the astra or just everything? That circuit sure is fast!

[darragh792]

yes I meant the braces in the rear, good to hear. Keep up the good work

[8valve-craig]

Monday 1st May was the second Hot Hatch meeting of the year with Castle Combe Race Club. Qualifying was tricky and I only managed a 3rd, which put me on the 2nd row of a 2x2 grid behind Wyatt and Prebble. We had the last race of the day and although the rain held off it didn't start particularly well, with what I'm told and accept was a false start. I squeezed the little Nova between the two of them and believe most of the grid followed. This led to a race lead which I managed to hold onto for 5 laps, before Prebbles 205 went up the inside into Camp with what was a great move.


Another lap down and Wyatt went through, but this time we all stayed together to within a second or two of each other. As the race progressed the lead would change on lap 13 to see Wyatts Astra then take the top spot. With only a few mins left I couldn't get close enough to the 205 to challenge, so accepted a P3 finish 1.4sec behind the Prebble 205, who in turn was 2.4sec behind the Wyatt astra after the full 20min distance.


A 10sec penalty was accepted at the end of the race for the questionable start, which did not alter the finishing order, but of course my apologies were offered to those involved or affected.

I set a personal best of 1:15.72 which suggests the car is going in the right direction, and somebody caught a great picture out of Esses. No idea who took it but thankyou.