Race Report Archives - Page 4 of 4

Race Report: Bassett Reflects on Brands Hatch Double

Well, what a week that was! After a last minute test session at Brands Hatch just two days before our comeback race, I am feeling pretty rung out, but, unlike last year, I have reason to smile.
Following the test on Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on the Thursday before Saturday’s action, the Peugeot needed some last minute adjustments – a broken clutch cable and a crack in the oil sump which needed to be welded up. Come Saturday’s qualifying session, the new engine still wasn’t fully run in but to end up qualifying 8th out of 27 cars (3rd in class) was pretty pleasing as it felt as though I wasn’t really pushing that hard – we still need more time in the car to set it up properly.
So, with spirits lifted and finally having some confidence in the car and engine; we were optimistic for a good points-scoring weekend. I made a good start going into Paddock Hill Bend and up to Druids passing three cars and up into 5th before I lost my brakes and pulled over to the side and slowly making my way back to the pits. Team mechanic Tom Burgess had a quick look at the car, but couldn’t find anything wrong so we headed back out onto the circuit. By the time I reached the same corner (Druids) the brakes had gone again; so I slowly made my way back to the pits where it turned out to be a broken brake master cylinder and the end of the race.
The time between races allowed us to fit a new brake master cylinder, but we knew we were in for a tough second race as we would be starting 25th on the grid because of the non-finish in race one. It seems to be a regular occurrence starting from the back of the grid, but it certainly makes it an interesting and entertaining race trying to make our way through the field!
And so it began – trying to make our way through the field and to the finish for the first time this season. By the end of the first lap, I had overtaken six cars. The next lap another two and set off in pursuit of Dominic Ryan and his Ford Fiesta. It was another lap before I was able to close up to the rear bumper of the Fiesta and able to pass Dominc going along Cooper Straight and into Surtees.
We seemed to be slightly down on power (more on that later). I spent the next four laps chasing the battle of Andy Baker (Peugeot 205) and Daniel Adams (Proton Satria). With us now starting to lap back markers, Daniel made a mistake going into Surtees, which slowed him down coming out of Clark and along Brabham Straight. I made my move down the inside under braking going into Paddock Hill Bend and into 7th place overall / 3rd in class behind Baker. The car became slower still along the straights but we began the chase to the other Peugeot 205.
Another lap, but this time going into Surtees the rear seemed ‘loose’ and the off-side wheel seemed to be loose. We limped back to the pits where we found out the problem behind our lack of speed – a broken rear brake caliper, possibly caused by the earlier broken brake master cylinder. The heat caused by the brake caliper being stuck on had caused the spigot ring inside the off-side rear wheel to melt and the wheel nuts to become loose. After some quick work by team mechanic Tom, we went back out on circuit and limped to a finish – we were determined to get our first points of the season, but effectively our race was over from the moment I pulled into the pits.
And so we ended the race weekend with our first points of the season and plenty of optimism going into the next round – a triple header at Brands Hatch on the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of August – again at Brands Hatch.

Bassett Eager to Shine

Following an unexpected break from racing due to engine issues on the Peugeot 205 GTi from the first round, Chris Bassett is back up and running for Brands Hatch on 25th July.
A great deal of work has been going on behind the scenes to find out the problems behind the engine seizure at the season opening earlier this year and the team are now confident that the problems will be a thing of the past and that they can concentrate on getting proper track time to further develop and fine-tune the car – something which just hasn’t been possible with the reliability issues to date.
“We’ve had a lot of heart ache with the car so far, but the most frustrating thing is that when the car is going, it’s competitive,” said Chris. “We know that there is more time to come from the car; which will come once we get laps out on the track. I’m confident that we have finally put the bad times behind us and can concentrate on finishing races and fine-tuning the car.”
Chris has missed the last three rounds while the team have researched and developed the engine even further, which he concedes has been extremely frustrating: “As a competitor, there’s nothing worse than going to the race meeting s you should have been competing in and just watching others race wondering where you would have been finishing. I just can’t wait to get out there again.”
The next rounds are on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 25th July – a home race for Chris who lives just two miles away from the track.
You can follow Chris on Twitter @chris_bassett to keep up-to-date with all his news.

Race Report: Bassett Reflects on Rounds 1 and 2

Race Report: Bassett Reflects on Rounds 1 and 2.

It’s my second consecutive year with the Peugeot 205 GTi and it promises to be exciting, with the introduction of the all-new engine and set-up changes from 2014, a new title sponsor in Complete Weed Control, a completely fresh approach and higher expectations, but with the same familiar and friendly faces.
The opening round of the 2015 BARC Cannons Tin Top Championship took place at Brands Hatch over the weekend (1-2 April), on a circuit that holds fond memories, as the Indy circuit was where I achieved our first ever podium finish in 2014.

Ready to go racing after problems in qualifying.

This year would be tougher because, having only completed a few days of pre-season testing with the car in relatively low temperatures, much of the car’s componentry and geometry had yet to be shaken down.
So, what about the car? An all-new engine, built and developed by Peter Mann and Russell Turner, new wider wheels and tyres, new bodywork and a few other surprises which were all fitted by Tom Burgess, sponsored by Complete Weed Control and Complete Ice Control, as well as my personal sponsors Fusion Media (thanks for your support).
Tom and I were genuinely curious to see what we had underneath us when we finally rolled out for the morning’s first 15-minute qualifying session. It didn’t last too long however, when a faulty union between the oil filter and oil cooler came loose on the last corner of the first lap, causing me to spin along the start/finish line. This meant our qualifying session was effectively over.

Starting 21st and last.

After repairing the car, we had to make sure that it was race-ready which meant three laps had to be completed before race officials were happy, but we were starting from 21st and last place in the first race.
After the final few checks were complete, we got down to the real business. It was going to be hard work starting last, but we thought the top 10 and a decent starting place in race two was achievable if we got settled into a rhythm quickly and picked off cars when we could.
Once the lights went out, I quickly set to work to try and get into the top ten. By the end of the first lap we had already overtaken eight cars and hopes of finishing in the top ten were looking very optimistic.
Lap two saw us move ahead of another three cars and lap three ahead of another two, and into 8th poisition behind the turbo-charged Vauxhall Astra of Peter Osbourne and Len Colley’s BMW 3-series- albeit by this time we were three seconds behind.
Over the next two laps we closed the gap and was tucked right under the rear of the Astra and looking for a way past on the start/finish line before the safety car came out for a stricken Renault Clio at Druids.

Working our way through the field.

Three laps behind the safety car bunched the field up and allowed our tyres to also cool down having opted to fit the soft compound.
Once the safety car peeled in, racing resumed. Braking later going into Paddock Hill Bend gave us a good run up the hill and into Druids where I was able to outbreak the Vauxhall and into seventh.
A lap later and we passed the BMW 3-series on the start/finish line and into Paddock Hill Bend and with it a top six finish was looking like the minimum we would leave race one with.
On the same lap, I was able to out-brake the Ford Fiesta of Dominic Ryan going into Surtees into 5th and by this point finishing on the podium looked a real possibility with 5 laps still to go. While the Honda Civic and MG ZR190 of Terry Searles were visibly quicker on the straight, we seemed better under-braking and through the more twisty parts of the circuit.
This would prove to be the crest of the weekend, as things began to unravel from there. Coming out of Paddock Hill Bend, we started the lose power and the engine note changed. Coming onto Cooper Straight the MG and Honda started to pull away even further and we pulled off at the bottom of the pits entrance, bringing a disappointing end to race one having started last and, at the time, in 5th looking to get into the top three.

A disappointing end to race one.

We got the car back to the pits and set about trying to find out the problem with a view to getting the car out for the second race, but it wasn’t meant to be. The engine had seized which meant an early end to the race weekend.
With so much promise, it was a disappointing end – we know there is more time to come from me and the car once we get some testing under our belts and can spend time setting the car up. The speed is there for all to see and at some point we know we will get it right – it’s just so frustrating for all of us at the moment.
Once we got the car back to the workshop, the investigation work started. It turned out oil starvation caused the seizure to the number two piston and con-rod which also bent the crank.
So, after so much promise in race one we left with no points and only a few scars to show for all of our efforts.
We now are trying to get the car ready for the triple header at Lydden Hill in Kent on 20/21 June.
For more on Chris Bassett’s racing activities, please visit the official www.chrisbassett.co.uk website, ‘like’ his Facebook page or follow @Chris_Bassett on Twitter.
Photography courtesy of Rafal Biniszewski.

Bassett Eager to Show What Team Has Built in Opener

Six months after the curtain came down on the 2014 BARC SE Cannons Tin Top Championship, Chris Bassett is eager to get the new season under-way and “show what the team has built”, as the Peugeot 205 GTi is readied for the first race of the season at Brands Hatch (2-3 May).
A 7-round calendar awaits Bassett and his Cannons Tin Tops counterparts in 2015 and it is the Brands Hatch Indy circuit that has the honour of hosting the highly-anticipated season-opener.
The 1.2 mile fast-flowing circuit, where Bassett achieved a breakthrough podium for his team in 2014, has a unique combination of dips, cambers, fearsome corners and hills meaning it is still one of the world’s favourite racing circuits.
There has been no let-up from for the Kent-based team over the winter months. Countless man-hours have been spent building and developing the all-new Peugeot 205 GTi to the BARC Cannons Tin Tops technical regulations, meticulous attention to detail ensuring Bassett can put the car through its paces at the season opener.
With over 250 career victories in various formulas, Bassett is best placed to develop the car and, having taken a brace of podiums in the concluding part of the 2014 season, the Iconic Complete Weed Control Livery car is expecting more of the same when it takes to the track.
“I am very excited to get the season underway, especially at Brands Hatch, which is my local track and where we had our first major success,” said Chris. “It’s a hugely popular circuit and will pull in huge crowds thanks to the MG Car Club Championship also being part of the meeting, and this adds to the atmosphere and makes it a great way to kick-off the season.
“As I haven’t raced in a while and the Peugeot has changed a lot over the winter, there is a huge amount of anticipation. We haven’t done anywhere near the amount of testing we would have liked to, but what Tom Burgess, Russell Turner and Peter Mann have done in creating a brand new engine and numerous car modifications is remarkable, considering we weren’t able to carry information over from last year. It’s going to a be year of trial and error and we will inevitably make a few errors, but he who makes the fewest mistakes, wins.”
Chris continued: “To put a label on the car at this stage would be unfair, as almost everything on it is brand new. A realistic goal is to finish both races and collect as much data as possible so that we can go away and develop the Peugeot even more before the next race. If I do come away with a strong result, it will be great. I’m excited to get out there, dig deep and show everyone what has been built.”
For more on Chris Bassett’s racing activities, please visit the official www.chrisbassett.co.uk website, ‘like’ his Facebook page or follow @chris_bassett on Twitter.

2014 Season Ends Early for Bassett

With the annual trip to Brands Hatch on the famous Grand Prix circuit; Chris was certainly looking forward to his first outing on the extended track at his home event.
However, after just one lap of qualifying and starting his first flying lap, the engine let go in the biggest possible way, which meant that Chris was unable to compete in rest of the weekend’s races.
When back at the teams garages it actually turned out to be far worse than first feared and the engine failure suffered at the circuit, along with parts for the Peugeot 205 GTi becoming harder to find, was going to mean an end to the 2014.

“I’ve enjoyed the season back racing after almost ten years away,” said Chris. “Although the reliability issues we’ve had this season have been extremely frustrating, it was very encouraging when the car was running.
“The hard work starts now to get the car ready for the 2015 season where I will once again be competing in the BARC Cannon Tin Tops Championship. We’ve already got lots of modifications to the car planned, so I’m relatively optimistic ahead of 2015. I’d like to thank my sponsors Complete Weed Control, Complete Ice Control and Fusion Media for all their help throughout 2014.”
For more information on Chris Bassett’s racing activities, please visit the official www.chrisbassett.co.uk website, ‘like’ his Facebook page or follow @Chris_Bassett on Twitter.

More Podiums and Points for Chris Bassett

Another new track to learn and yet another podium and more points for Chris Bassett as he continues in his first season competing in the BARC Cannons Tin Tops Championship.
The popular Norfolk circuit’s ‘200’ layout is one of the quickest on the Tin Tops Championship racing calendar, and as the qualifying session progressed, and Chris got to know the circuit more, his times began to drop. By the end of the session he managed to better his time by nearly two seconds from he start of the session. Having qualified a respectable 6th on his first visit to the Norfolk track, and as the cars went out on their warming-up lap, yet more distributor problems caused Chris’ car to stall demoting him to last place.

As the cars came round to start the race, Bassett was able to get his car going again with the help of a ‘bump start’ from nearby marshalls. Chris then began his battle through the field and up to fourth. Next up for Chris to pass was Russell Turner in his Ford Escort MK1, which proved to be alot harder than the previous opposition. Turner, who was in turn chasing Vic Hope in a Honda Civic Type R and Cliff Pelin in a Ford Fiesta ST, was able to hold off Chris up until he hit a kerb too hard which forced his gear linkage to come unconnected with the gearbox.
After a quick pit stop to get the gear linkage fixed, Chris came out directly behind Turner but this time one lap behind and in last place, which is wear he finished.
Having learnt the new track by the time that the cars turned out for the second race, Chris was feeling confident of another strong showing as long as the reliability that had so far this season deserted him held out.
Starting from last position, Chris made his way through the field – lap by lap another car being passed and another fastest lap being set, until he was able to close on Turner for yet another battle, but this time Bassett got the better of him and began his pursuit of Hope, who was by this time ten seconds ahead. When leader Barnaby Davies in his turbo charged Toyota Starlet crashed into the barrier Chris moved up to third.
By the time that the cars crossed the finish line; Chris had managed to close the gap to just one second – another one lap and surely he would have passed Hope to finish in second place, but it was not meant to be.
“After yet more disappointing mechanical failures and having made a mistake which might of cost me another podium, we had a great second race,” said Chris. “It certainly makes for a great race having to start at the back, but it’s now becoming frustrating; as when the car is running as it should, it’s competitive.
“I’m getting more time in the car so I’m getting used to it more and more race by race and by the time we get to the next round at Brands Hatch on the famous Grand Prix circuit we will hopefully have yet more developments on the car in an aid to improve our reliability.”
For more information on Chris Bassett’s racing activities, please visit the official www.chrisbassett.co.uk website, ‘like’ his Facebook page or follow @Chris_Bassett on Twitter.

Bitter Sweet for Bassett at Lydden Hill

Chris Bassett propelled himself back up to sixth in the overall BARC Cannons Tin Tops Championship standings with two strong showings in the previous round at Brands Hatch before heading to Lydden Hill, near Dover for the very first time.
After getting to know the circuit in qualifying, which saw him getting quicker and quicker as the session developed, Chris started race one from 8th.

After a quick truck festival demonstration the Tin Top drivers were unleashed into a plume of cement dust and on lap three, the rapidly quickening track surface came into Bassett’s favour.
A storming drive from Chris saw him finish fourth in in first ever race at the track with the feeling that finally the car had the reliability and pace that the early season promised. With further developments on the car promised after this round, hopes were high that both Chris and the car would soon be challenging at the front of the grid on a regular basis.
From a partial reverse grid for race two Chris started 6th, but by the time that the cars exited the first bend, he was leading and enjoying leading from the front for the first time in 2014. However his enjoyment didn’t last for long when a broken distributor forced his retirement and yet more disappointment.
“It had been a fantastic weekend at Lydden at a new track up until our retirement,” said Chris. “We are optimistic that we are heading in the right way with the development of the car – which was seen when we were leading the race. It was a shame that we had yet more reliability issues but I’m already looking forward to another new track when we visit Snetterton next month.”
For more information on Chris Bassett’s racing activities, please visit the official www.chrisbassett.co.uk website, ‘like’ his Facebook page or follow @Chris_Bassett on Twitter.

First Podium of the Season at Brands Hatch For Bassett

Chris Bassett was the toast of Brands Hatch after two incredible drives in rounds 7 and 8 of the BARC Cannons Tin Tops Championship saw him achieve a breakthrough maiden podium in his Peugeot 205 GTI at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit on 26 May.
Everything finally came together for Chris in both races after a poor qualifying session race in wet weather. A poor choice of tyres saw him qualify back in 12th, yet after just three laps he was in the top six.

In front of a packed crowd who also cam to see the Masters historic festival, the Brit charged through the field, focused on making his way up to the front of the field in his blue Peugeot 205 GTi which also featured new sponsor Complete Ice Control.
With just two laps to go, the former karting Champion was up to second before being held up by a back-marker which allowed a charging Terry Searles in his MG ZR through. Searles was then able to fend off Bassett until the chequred flag.
Although disappointment and frustration could clearly be seen on his face, a first podium of the year was well deserved.
Race two saw Chris actually start in his highest of the season so far in third, before a race-long battle with Russell Turner in his Ford Escort MK1.
Both drivers, while moving away from the chasing 5-9 placed cars, were visibly slowing each other in their pursuit of Searles and Vic Hope in the leading Honda Civic Type R, and were swapping places each and every lap until they made contact with only 4 laps remaining. While both drivers were able to rejoin the track and finish 3rd and 4th, they finished the race almost 20 seconds being Searles and Hope.
“I am so happy to get our first podium here at my local track at Brands Hatch,” said Chris. “A lot of improvements went into the car, fantastic team work and we were much more competitive with good reliability. The crowd really got into it all, and to be able to do this for the guys on the team really means a lot.
“I am very optimistic for the remaining races of the season, and the visit to Lyyden Hill for the next round, which may play to our strengths.”
For more information on Chris Bassett’s racing activities, please visit the officialwww.chrisbassett.co.uk website, ‘like’ his Facebook page or follow @Chris_Bassett on Twitter.

Bassett leaves Brands Hatch with Little Reward

The statistics will show two DNF’s for Chris Bassett in Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2014 BARC Cannons Tin Tops Championship at Brands Hatch on (Sunday 4 May), but the reality is that huge promise of speed was shown before a broken water hose in race one and a high oil pressure problem caused the retirements.
Bassett was mixing it with the more experienced drivers for the third time in as many rounds, putting his Peugeot 205 GTi in places it didn’t belong and racing on par with the proven MG ZR or Terry Searles and Championship hopeful Vic Hope in his Honda Civic Type R.

This in itself demonstrates that progress has was being made within the Peugeot camp, although it remains behind its T3 rivals in terms of outright pace and proven reliability.
Having run to form in qualifying, Chris found himself in 5th place for race one before being demoted to last place and starting from the pitlane having missed the final pit lane call. Chris battled up to 6th place before the water hose split and forced his retirement.
In race two, Chris again started from last place due to his retirement in race one and after successfully moving his way through the field ran tight with the leading pack and held station in the thick of a T3 freight train, which stretched from fourth to 12th.
Again, Chris was forced to retire half way through the race due to a problem of high oil pressure which later turned out to be a faulty oil pump.
On a positive note, Chris lapped within a second of Chris Whiteman’s all-conquering Honda Civic Type R before retirement.
“That was a hard weekend, but I am pleased, of course,with the progress being made,” said Chris. “We always knew that 2014 would be a development year, but already we are showing signs of the Peugeot being a reasonably competitive car. If we can sort out the reliability issues, it could be a good first year back racing.”
The Brands Hatch Indy circuit hosts Rounds 5 and 6 of the 2014 BARC Cannons Tin Tops Championship in two weeks (26 May).
For more information on Chris Bassett’s racing activities, please visit the official www.chrisbassett.co.uk website, ‘like’ his Facebook page or follow @Chris_Bassett on Twitter.

Excitement at Season Opener as Chris Takes Driver of Day

The 2014 season opening at the famous Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent on 12/13 April brought mixed fortunes for Chris with a DNF in race one before a great comeback drive in race two.

An 18-car Tin Tops entry fully justified their exclusive race in the first half of the weekend programme which saw Chris qualify a respectable 6th on his first comeback race.

The race itself broke into two groups, with the faster turbo charged cars ahead of the next group which included Chris – with the cars changing places on pretty much every lap.

Half way through the race the BMW of Colley spun out on his own oil, which also caught out Chris who couldn’t restart because of a loose wire on the alternator.

That said, Chris had much to be encouraged about following an impressive performance by the Peugeot in his first competitive race in over ten years in the first round of the 2014 season.
Race two saw Chris start from the back of the grid having not finished the first race and after a great first lap he was up to 6th overall. Over the rest of the race he battled up to third before a back-marker caught him out; allowing his step-father and team mate through to finish on the podium on the last lap.
Overall, the car showed signs of pace while also battling new-car teething troubles and saw Chris clinch the very first Mark Fish driver of the day award.
Chris said: “I think underneath all the problems we may just have a decent car here. The balance and power seems strong and we appear to be capable of mixing it with the front-running MG and Honda’s when the car is running so, with some development and reliability, we should achieve some good results. One thing is certain – the team and I will be going flat out to do the best job we can and I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel to continue the good work we have done so far.”
For more information on Chris Bassett’s racing activities, please visit the official www.chrisbassett.co.uk website, ‘like’ his Facebook page or follow @Chris_Bassett on Twitter.