Arrived Saturday morning 05.09.09 around 11.00 would have got there earlier but there was an accident in the roadwork’s on the M25 which was dug up between the M11 and the A127. So had to get my skates on as the Qualifying was 12.30 so got the tent up and everything set up in time. Weather was great clear sky lots of sun so over to the track. Enjoyed the session as the DTM cars are exciting to watch with 470bhp and a strong aero package so they can get round Brands at speed. Good result with Paul di Resta in pole, Gary Paffett in 6th & Jamie Green in 8th so should be a great race tomorrow. Next up is the FF1600 which I was also looking forward to as I was at Brands in May when Josef Newgarden the promising American driver did so well in the FPA races. So time for a wander round and then it's back to the grandstand for the race. What a super race Newgarden wins from pole despite close pursuit from his closest rival James Cole who leads in the championship. Really enjoyed that race and was going to just head back to the campsite as the day’s events had finished when the announcer was saying the F3 Euro race would be continued as it had to be suspended earlier due to an accident and by the time the track had cleared there wasn't enough time as the DTM qualifying was about to start and as it is televised the schedule must be adhered to. So that was a result watch the race as I made circuit of the track enjoyed it but didn't know any of the drivers so it was a bit difficult to be involved. Great race by winner Mika Maki the Finnish driver.
So got back to the campsite had a few beers, listened to the England v Slovenia on the radio, ate my supper and it was time for bed bit early at 21.00 but it was dark and maybe I shouldn't have drank 8 cans of Marston’s Pedigree.
Up at 8.00 and made tea, off to the showers which were even more crap than usual. For some reason the new shower unit is split into 3 showers for men and 3 for ladies well seeing as the campers at a motorsport event are 90% male this seems a bit crazy. However there was no queue as they were so rubbish I think most of the guys gave them a miss.
So packed up a bit, then over to the track to watch the DTM warm up did this as wandered around followed the Lewis Hamilton interview from the video screens. Lewis was doing a PA today and presumably doing sponsorship work with for Mercedes. He was due to do a few laps at the wheel of a DTM car, but begged off as he had never driven one before and didn't want to put it in the gravel. Mercedes had and alternative plan and got Lewis to drive VIP and competition winners round in an AMG road car with DTM livery.
Next up the F3 Euros good race but was really wanting the DTM to start, Brendon Hartley did well to get the win after the reversed grid he was on pole and held it till the end of the race. Alexander Sims & Sam Bird the two English guys can 5th & 6th so quite good result as Brendon Hartley is NZ so almost English. Had an hour to kill so went back to the camp site and had a snack and a cup of tea.
Back to the track for 13.00 and the race start Mercedes' Paul di Resta survived two safety car periods and a final lap sprint to score his first victory of the season at DTM Brands Hatch this afternoon. Di Resta won after dominating in both free practice and qualifying, converting pole position into a commanding lead over the Audi of championship leader Timo Scheider for the majority of the race. Could have been difficult as DTM required two pit stops between laps 24 and 70 with all 4 tyres changing each time. With Gary Paffett finishing in 4th and Oliver Jarvis in 8th that made 3 British drivers in the top 8 good result. In fact DTM has a strong representation of British drivers with 6 out of 20 and the only country with more is Germany with 7.
Next up the FF1600 race couldn't wait for this to start, the grid was set according to drivers fastest lap in the previous race. Good idea to mix things up a bit, as Cole the championship leader was now on pole and Newgarden 2nd. Great race with Newgarden on Coles gear box for the first 12 laps then took Cole at Surtees corner. James Cole very nearly took back the lead but it wasn't to be. Great race and it's 2 in a row for Newgarden, the race commentators were asking if anyone had ever done the hat trick and nobody could remember. The third race was 2 hours later this was OK but with a couple of safety car periods and Newgarden starting in forth it was never on. But it was good days racing the drivers have to use the same tyres over the 3 races so it makes achieving the treble very hard. So James Cole took the winners place and possibly the championship, with only 2 meetings and 4 races it’s his so long as he scores in every race.
Anyway that was it I didn't stay for the Toyo Tyres Racing Saloons as it looked more of a series for the participant than the spectator. But all in all a great weekends racing.