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.