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Press Releases by Claire Tippet
September 25, 2005
Claire
Tippet Strong Finishes in Season Finale
Norfolk, UK - Claire Tippet put in a strong pair of
performances in the season finale of the VW Racing Cup held
at Snetterton, Norfolk at the weekend. Confirming the VW Racing
Cup's reputation as one of the most popular national series,
there was no sign of the competitors' interest waning just
because it was the last round with 26 cars turning out.
In her VW Golf GTi, Claire took part in testing on Friday
- her first outing in the car since the previous round at
Brands Hatch when after a superb race one, she was the innocent
victim in a first corner accident in race two. With a new
rear axle and rebuilt fuel tank, the car was feeling good
but Claire reported a slight juddering sound and handling
issue. Closer investigation found a buckled wheel was the
culprit and with this exchanged for the alloy from Claire's
wet set of tyres, the tracking was reset and the issue resolved
though now everyone had to hope it wouldn't rain after the
'cannibalisation' of the wet tyres!
These investigations did impound on Claire's qualifying and
she was disappointed to be 24th on the grid. However, as has
become customary this year, her starting position didn't impede
her race as she put in a storming first race. Avoiding a first
lap, first corner incident, Claire found herself lowering
her best times with every lap and finished in a strong 15th
position.
Race Two was to see Claire in a race long battle with Stuart
Bliss, also in a Golf GTi MkI. With Bliss having a tyre advantage,
it called for late breaking on Claire's behalf into the corners
and full throttle on the straights. Whilst Bliss did get passed
on one occasion, Claire fought back to regain the position
. A number of faster cars which had started at the back of
the grid after failing to finish race one, scythed through
the pack but Claire found them quite useful as she 'hung to
their shirt tails' and despite not having the most powerful
car on track was pleased with her pace in comparison. Claire
finished the race 16th with the chequered flag coming at just
the right time as on crossing the finishing line she ran out
of petrol!
Claire finished the championship 24th overall on 18 points
and is already looking towards 2006.
"This is my final year racing the Golf in the VW Racing
Cup" said Claire afterwards, " and I am already
considering a number of options for next season. Whilst I
may not have been in the most competitive car this season
in terms of the front runners, I have had several very strong
races and I know my race craft has improved immeasurably.
I now hope to take this forward into wherever I race next
season so I can prove myself further. Naturally, my final
choice will be very dependent on being able to realise suitable
backing so I will be continuing to search for partners throughout
the off-season who would like to join us on the race track
in 2006."
"At the end of this VW Racing Cup season I'd especially
like to thank everyone at Allard Turner Motor Racing at Cheltenham
for their invaluable support , Cole Easdon Consultants and
KoGee.co.uk for their backing and of course, my family."
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