Another Class Podium Finish for RP-X-Equipped Team Schnell

“After drying ourselves out from a wet weekend at Oulton Park, round 5 took us to Norfolk on the Snetterton 300 circuit layout – a favourite our ours on the calendar. The weather forecast again looking like it was going to be a total washout.

“Fortunately, the weather for the morning of race day was actually dry, which was a nice surprise! This meant a full dry setup with some aggressive setup options to go and make the best of the conditions and try and get as far up the grid as possible with the inevitable rain due before our race time.

“We utilised our ‘go-to’ option for ultimate retardation and braking power: EBC Brakes Racing’s RP-X pad on an EBC Brakes Ultimax slotted disc up front, and EBC Brakes Bluestuff pads on a plain disc on the rear, all bedded in nicely from the previous round and showing very little in terms of wear and tear upon inspection.

“After initially finding ourselves a nice bit of space and heading straight to the top of the class time sheets, the BMW Z3 of Jamie Jeffries nipped us to the top slot in the dying moments of the session after our mandatory driver change. A solid effort regardless, right in the mix of a lot of higher-class cars and above all the other class contenders.

“After qualifying, we set about getting the car readied for monsoon conditions. This meant a full setup change including geometry, and a quick bleed of the brakes for good measure! As forecast, the rain came down shortly before the race and the track was saturated with standing water, with rivers running across the circuit for drainage. Not ideal conditions, however also a real chance for the lower classed cars to mix it up at the thick end, with the added potential of a big points haul. So, with this in mind, it was full focus on getting a good first lap in and staying out of trouble!”

“As the red lights went out, I managed to get a superb start as I was looking across at the class leading Z3 miss a gear and drop back as if he was in reverse.

“Also taking advantage of lots of slower starting class C cars in the process, and some cars that had made contact causing a bunch-up. Some carefully timed moves off the line on the brakes allowed us to further improve positions on the opening lap taking us from P17 overall to P8, as the leading Class D car! From now, it was going to be a case of head down and stay out of trouble.

“After getting a good lead and creating a bit of a gap with some other class cars between us and P2 in Class D, a safety car period bunched us all back up, allowing the Fiesta of wet weather specialist Ronan Quinn from his P4 starting position to close the gap and eventually into the class lead after a one-lap battle of ins and outs. I dived in to the pits to handed over to Kevin.

“During the pits, another safety car was deployed due to the increasing number of cars going off and getting stuck in barriers at various points on the circuit. Taking so much time to clear, and then releasing lapped cars to re-capture the leader. Once the pack was finally released, this resulted in a one-sprint lap to the finish. Kevin held position perfectly, staying out of trouble and guiding the car home for a P2 in class and P6 overall out of 34 starters, which is a fantastic result for the championship battle going into the last round.

“Upon returning to the paddock, we both commented on how the brake temperature fluctuations during safety car periods didn’t change the feel or bite of the pads once bit. Full confidence at every green flag lap to keep on the limit, and perfect pedal feel and modulation throughout as always. Onto the final round at Kent’s Brands Hatch Indy circuit, where it’s all still to fight for!”