|
All
Press Releases by Claire Tippet
June 26, 2005
Claire
Tippet at Brands Hatch: Dashing in Race One, Dashed in Race
Two
Brands Hatch, UK - Claire Tippet competed in the ninth
and tenth rounds of the VW Racing Cup at Brands Hatch at the
weekend. Racing on the Indy circuit, the weekend was a celebration
of Motorsport News's 50th Anniversary with a race card packed
with a wide and varied program of races.
The VW Racing Cup was to be one of the most dramatic series
of the weekend with an amazing 31 cars lining up on the starting
grid. Claire put in a steady qualifying session to start 24th
but was adamant she would be able to better her starting position,
a promise she lived up to.
Claire made a strong start in race one and was part of a
race long battle. Claire scythed through the opposition to
make up eleven places, finishing 13th overall.
"I was battling hard for every second of the race"
said Claire afterwards, "there was never a moments let
up. I was able to get passed many cars and for much of the
race was in a very close battle with Wyhinny in the Caddy,
Quartermaine in the Vento and Bliss in the Beetle. It was
an excellent race. I felt very comfortable and confident throughout
so was looking forward to race two."
Her placing in Race One determined her grid slot for Race
Two, 13th, and with high hopes for a top ten finish in the
second race Claire elected to play her joker.
However, Claire was set to become an innocent victim of a
first corner pile up. As the pack approached Druids Craig
Inskip went into the back of Wyhinny's Caddy which was forced
into Claire's Golf. The heavy impact left Claire dazed and
winded, as the rear of the driver's side took the brunt of
the force. Unbeknown to Claire her car was seeping petrol
as the fuel tank was ruptured in the crash. A momentarily
confused Claire made her way to safety as the marshals removed
her stricken car. We are pleased to say despite a sore neck,
headache and general stiffness, Claire is otherwise okay.
Perhaps the largest bruise is that to the hopes she had for
Race Two.
"To be taken out at any time is bad enough" said
Claire, "but it was extra disappointing and annoying
when it came at a time when our hopes were so high. It can't
take away from the achievement and promise of the first race
but it will be chalked down in my memory as a big 'what if?'
|
