Memories

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SILVERSTONE HISTORICS 19 October 1997. Keith Clements, Mike Smailes and Frank Woolley in their Jupiters enjoyed a good day's racing, albeit with some problems. We attended a briefing to explain the new circuit layout. In addition to the changes made last year, they have made Brooklands and Luffield much tighter, so much so that a Jupiter without an anti roll bar spends most of its time on three wheels.

During practice Mike was hit by an Austin 7 Special 750 Racer which came sideways at the Jupiter (the Austin having itself been nudged from behind by another car) spinning Mike off the track at the exit from Luffield. The Jup's strong door pillar bore the brunt. All drivers were brought before the clerk of the course because few had followed the correct procedure of entering the pits when red flagged.

The damage was a bent wheel, broken radius rod, rear wing and door bodywork. Mike's friends welded up the broken rod. Mike borrowed Keith's spare wheel and so was ready for Race 3.

Meanwhile Keith and Frank had taken part in a 20 minute High Speed Trial. You have to complete a set number of laps - but for some reason known only to the handicapper Frank had to do 12 and Keith 13. All went well until Frank ran out of petrol, despite his having checked the level with a dipstick before the race. Keith achieved 12 laps in 19m 33secs, winning a second class award, and a fastest lap of 1:29:49, compared to Franks 1:34:42.

Race 3 saw all three Jupiters in action. The handicapper for some reason put Frank 35 secs behind but one lap up on Mike, equating to about 60secs start. Keith was 5secs behind Mike, who was on pole. Perhaps he thought Frank was on a one petrol stop strategy again.

Keith quickly overtook Mike who was unsure of the handling with one odd tyre. There are so many different cars in a handicap which can upset your line into corners. Keith managed a spectacular spin at Becketts, having had to brake to avoid a car passing on the inside. Luckily he recovered quickly enough to pull out in front of Mike who then overtook. Just before the finish Mike was pushing hard around the exit to Luffield when his rear wheel lifted, the engine started clattering and he pulled off into the pit lane. What a shame! His momentum probably would have taken him to the finish.

The cause was a broken valve spring and retainer soon repaired. Much to the relief of the Jupiter men there were no bad noises when the car was restarted, so the team was ready for the team handicap race.

This time the handicapper gave Frank and Mike 20secs start on Keith. Keith was on the limit and gaining when he was pushed wide with two wheels on the grass at Brooklands. A spin shot him straight across the track between the two faster cars. Another spin on the grass pointed him in the correct direction. This lost some positions but the team still finished fifth out of 10.