From Zero To Hero This weekend Martyn Walsh was facing almost the impossible in a close one make championship, here is the story behind Martyn’s weekend success! As Martyn prepared for qualifying the team were doing the final checks on his car before realising the electrical gremlins had created an unknown issue within the ignition system of the blue MK2 16v GTi. Martyn could only watch in anticipation as the team worked on well in to qualifying to correct the issue. As qualifying ended the team cranked the ignition barrel for one final time, they found life! With the stewards permission Martyn joined the following qualifying session for 3 laps, allowing him to race although his lap times would not count meaning a starting place on the grid of 24th and last on the grid. Everyone was on weather watch this weekend and with hurricane Bertha in full swing the conditions were getting no better before race 1. Martyn had nothing to lose during race 1 but knew it was going to be dangerous with low visibility and the possibility of a spinning car that he couldn’t see would end his weekend. Martyn calmly entered the car, keeping himself to himself focusing on the long challenge ahead. He took early to the holding area to mentally prepare for the challenge ahead. The cars took to the grid and Martyn was battling, avoiding spinning cars all around him and a nasty accident on the main pit straight between Ian Webb and Rory Baptise. The conditions didn’t improve during the race, which mean visibility was only a few meters at best. One driver from the Teekay Production GTi Championship said “I couldn’t even see the car next me it was that bad!” Martyn kept it smooth and steady through out knowing he just had to finish, but he came home in 3rd and with a massive smile on his face. Race 2 and Martyn had some luck, the sun had come out and a dry line was forming around the Northamptonshire circuit. Starting in 3rd Martyn had a good chance to really improve on his race 1 finish and reward the team with a great result. Of the line Martyn remained in 3rd but it wasn’t long before he claimed Christopher Sanders who spun at copse for reasons currently unknown. This allowed Simon Hill and Martyn through – now the battle was on. Simon and Martyn know how each other race, and Simon wasn’t going to make it easy for him to pass. Martyn kept the pressure on throughout looking to go around the outside during a couple of corners but thought better of it. Eventually Martyn’s patience paid off, He managed the over take just before the right-hander in to Luffied and he made it stick. Simon was dropping back ever so slowly but this allowed fellow team mate John Mawdsley to come and play. John now fighting with Simon for 2nd was reeling him faster and faster before he managed to get past and in style too. Because of the battle between Mawdsley and Hill this allowed Martyn to gain a slight lead of his teammate in 2nd by 0.742 seconds. James Howlison also claimed his best finish all season with a 5th place. The chequered flag fell and as his team were on the pit wall to congratulate him on his first win of the season. On returning the pit garages it finally sunk in what had just happened and a very shocked and watery eyed Martyn hugged his wife before celebrating with the team. From 24th to 3rd to 1st, Electrical problems and a hurricane - You could say this weekend was a little bit eventful… Martyn is now sitting 2nd in the Teekay Production GTi Championship and within a fighting chance of the title. Team JabbaRacing are back in action at Silverstone GP later in September. The team would like to thank everyone involved this weekend with the organisation, marshalling and the supporters. Thank you. Martyn Walsh 1st John Mawdsley 2nd James Howlison 5th Words & Pictures: Karl Bowdrey Luke Schlewitz Martyn Walsh Brian Schlewitz John Mawdsley Carole Schlewitz
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 20:14:34 +0000