2013-12-09 09:17:19.2
Eddie was in action at the Clay Pigeon circuit in Dorset yesterday, making his first appearance in a round of the Open Endurance Championship. He was competing with Stephen and Seth Deuchar for IMSD Racing. Despite a number of setbacks during the race, Eddie impressed by qualifying on the front row of the grid, leading for much of his first stint and setting fastest lap of the race.
After two kart changes in practice, Eddie qualified second on the grid. He held pole position for much of qualifying but was pipped by championship leaders, Team Banzai, right at the end of the session.
Making a good start from the outside line, Eddie followed the leaders round the first lap before diving down the inside at the bottom of the hill on lap two. Running slightly wide at the exit allowed Team Banzai to nip back up the inside and also the fast starting Jordan Hill from Ministry of Speed from sixth on the grid.
Eddie and Jordan then enjoyed a terrific battle, exchanging places almost every lap. Team Banzai pitted promoting Eddie into the lead. Being one of the last teams to pit, he extended his lead before handing over to Stephen for his first stint.
Unfortunately, Stephen spun early on in his stint and then received a black flag for overtaking under yellow flags. This dropped the team off the lead lap and out of contention for the win. Seth also had similar problems, also spinning off and receiving two black flags.
After three spins and three black flags from the Deuchar boys, Eddie went out for a final 15 minute sprint to the flag but also received a black flag for overtaking under yellow flags. Eddie explained:
“Well Steve told me I had to do something wrong because I was making him and Seth look bad! Seriously though, it was one of those ‘grey area’ things. I got a run out of the double right hander onto the pit-straight and was already ahead of the other guy as we came past the waved yellows. I thought about waving him through but thought I would be OK because I was already ahead. It’s no excuse really because with my experience I should have known better so it was totally my fault. By that stage, of course it didn’t really matter anyway.”
Despite the number of incidents during the race, the team recovered well to finish 9th with Eddie nipping past his current 3Cubed team-mate’s team on the last lap.
Despite being disappointed with the end result, Eddie was still in good spirits after the event.
”Obviously where we finished wasn’t representative of where we were on pace. I think without the cock-ups we would have easily been on the podium and probably fighting for the win. It’s no big deal really because this was just a one-off appearance for us and we were using it partially as practice for Le Mans and also to fill the gap created due to the loss of Spa-Francorchamps. It was also a good bit of fun. I certainly enjoyed myself.”
He also admitted to being impressed with the championship.
”Obviously this series isn’t as well known, or ‘prestigious’ if you like, as the main Club100 run events but I thought it was quite a good format. I was definitely impressed with the driving standards. Most of the back-markers gave me plenty of room and waved me through when I came past, which is unusual these days. I’d probably do more races in the future.”
