RELIABILITY TESTED | SNETTERTON & BRANDS HATCH HISTORIC RACING
Historic racing is back, and the calendar is already looking full with a pent-up demand to get on track meaning full grids and busy test days. Traditionally the early part in the season going for back to back meetings would be a challenge but given the foreshortened season, DM Historics were keen to maximise track time and begin to understand the cars better for a full attack in the 2021 season.
With this in mind, DM Historics took the plunge, running both their FIA Lotus Cortina and FIA Mini Cooper. Their first appearances with both cars was at Snetterton with the CSCC, before moving on to Brands Hatch at the fantastic Grand Prix circuit with the Masters Historic.
Following a major overhaul on the rear axle for the Cortina, it took a while for it to get up to full speed into the changeable qualifying session. Despite working its way into the session, the Cortina still managed to qualify 3rd in class, within a second of 2nd in class.
During the race and after a strong start, the Cortina quickly progressed through the field into 2nd in class, managing to hold that position as the race continued despite a spin towards the end of the race due to the heavy downpour.
Snetterton was a first for DM Historics running its FIA Mini Cooper in race trim and the wet conditions proved to be a blessing in disguise. The Mini out-qualified a number of quicker and more experienced cars to place itself in mid-pack and 4th in class.
At the beginning of the race the Mini began to struggle against some of the cars with more grunt, as their superior power reigned supreme in the dry conditions. That being said, the race began to change the minute the rain started to fall, with the Mini’s superior handling in the wet allowing it to steadily rise through the field to finish in the top third of starters.
It was a great sight for DM Historics seeing both cars cross the chequered flag and loaded back on the trailer in one piece, ready to begin preparation for the ever-competitive Masters Historic Festival at Brands Hatch. Once back at the DM workshop a list of required remedial work was drawn up to ensure that both cars were in the best possible condition for their next race.
Brands Hatch was always going to be a much tougher event with competitors such as former British Touring Car Champions, Steve Soper, and Andrew Jordan and Goodwood regular, Nick Swift, part of the impressive field.
The weather proved to be less of a threat to lap times than it was at Snetterton, although the imminent threat of rain made it difficult to get a clear run throughout the qualifying session.
That being said, both the Lotus Cortina and Mini qualified respectably, taking advantage of a few clear laps and dry weather conditions to record personal best qualifying times.
With the weather holding out into day two, both cars continued to improve session upon session, picking up the pace on the Grand Prix circuit to finish in an improved position across both races.
Perhaps more important than the finishing positions, both cars were subjected to over two hours of running across the race weekend without recording any major issues, paying testament to the quality of preparation and reliability.
Next on the historic racing circuit calendar for DM Historics is a trip back to Donington, where Dominic and Marcus will be hoping to build on their previous performance to continue their positive start to the delayed historic racing season.
To stay up to date with DM Historics progress on the Historic Racing Circuit, keep an eye on our racing blog.
