Legend 114 - Oval Track Legend Racing › Ipswich July 2008

Saturday 19th July 2008 saw the Legends descend on Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich, Damian's "home" ground, and the title being contested this time being "British Championship". Damian came 3rd in this event last year, was he destined to go any better this time round?

Heat 1 was OK, Damian finished 5th after starting mid-grid, and was then bumped up to 4th when the race winner was disqualified for an in-correct wheelbase measurement. The Legend series is based on identical cars, with almost every aspect subject to tolerances that ensure the only distinguishing feature between drivers is skill, not how much money they can throw at the car or how "creative" they can be in the pits. The car has to be 100% setup correctly or they're out!

There was only a 2nd heat to decide final placement, not enough cars to warrant a 3rd, so Damian just needed a good finish in this to bag himself a decent grid position for the final, but unfortunately it wasn't to be. He bumped another car in mid-race, lost his front bumper and was disqualified (those rules again!).

So the final, and Damian's first heat finish was enough to get him to 12th on the grid, but it was always going to be an uphill struggle with some very quick drivers in front. However as always Damian put on a spirited performance, with a couple of spin-outs in front of him (how he missed being taken out in the one of them God only knows, watch the video for the Final and tell me how car #64 flying across the track in mid-air in front of him managed to miss him!) he managed to bag himself a respectable 4th. Not enough for a trophy, but not bad considering the disaster in heat #2. With a decent grid position he could've been a real contender for this race.

All in all though, another great night's racing, Damian perhaps feeling the pressure a little as so many family and friends were there to cheer him on, but a solid performance on the night, we just need a break now, and some consistant heat results to get in with a shot at winning something.