Race Result: DNS & 1st

A challenging weekend ensued for Mike Gardiner and Phil Keen at the private Ascari race resort in Southern Spain. All went well in the initial practice until the engine was started for the final practice session and an unusual noise indicated trouble ahead. A precautionary engine change was initiated by the team as it was unlikely the high revving Powertec V8 would last. This meant that the drivers had to sit by as spectators for qualifying and the first race.

The Sunday morning started brightly, but with storms forecast for later. The team ventured out in the first session to validate the engine installation. All went well, with Phil Keen quickly posting the fastest lap of the weekend. Unfortunately when the car returned to the pits a petrol leak was detected. For the second time of the weekend the car was rapidly stripped down and rebuilt. A single installation lap was possible before the second race of the weekend. Mike started cautiously at the back of the grid on unscrubbed tyres and avoided the first lap chaos as two cars left the track in sympathy with each other.

Mike climbed up through the field carefully to 3rd place before the pit stops, as the pit window opened he handed the car over to Phil who finished the job. Steadily overtaking the two cars in front when they were pressurised into mistakes, before establishing a commanding lead at the finish. A good result after the trials of the weekend.