Hi, my name’s Vic. I run the Vic Craven Race School. Factory Ascary driver FIAt, Grand Theft Auto 3 professional ARDS licensed race instruction* on track days or full race tuition discounted rates for Fiat Challenge drivers. Why, I am even a fully qualified Police driver. I assure you of personal tuition with my unique bonsai and proven methods of race car driving.

I thought it would be nice to share with you one of my master classes. Lets look at the best way to crack Russell Bend, Snetterton, better known as the chicane. The challenge here is to pull in front of the lead car and make sure there is no way he is getting past. So, welcome aboard and hold on tight for the drive of your life!

Photo 2
You can see how I line up to overtake a car using my skill and judgement, on approach to Russell. For those of you who are unfamiliar with my school of motoring, I am in the blue car. I have got a sneaky sling shot up my sleeve and this is how to do it. Watch and learn race goers!

Photo 3
I have deliberately stayed a few car lengths behind so that the other driver will not be aware that I have tricked him into allowing me through. He’s never going to guess that anybody would overtake at this point. That’s the difference between losers and Victors. The elements we need to use here are skill, surprise and courage. All that is required is a little bit of late braking and to pull into the inside via that gap that I have coaxed the other driver into leaving.

Photo 4
We are through! Simple as that. For those of you who blinked, as we approach the bend, just a slight tap on the brakes and I am past on the offside whilst the other unsuspecting driver can only curse and think “how does that Vic do it?”.

Photo 5
He probably hasn’t even seen me. So just to let him know that he has been Cravened™, and to eliminate any prospect of the other driver trying to get through, I have incorporated the slightest wiggle to the rear of the car just to make it that little bit wider and to see off any counter attack by my opponent. This is an advanced technique that you may take a little while to perfect. Don’t try this at home folks, this is for the professionals only!

Photo 6
Notwithstanding that the other driver, who is clearly quite inexperienced and has allowed his vehicle to encroach on mine (rubbings racing after all and we were all beginners once), I am ready for it, have the car under complete control and already have my exit lined up. Mental note to self, offer the other driver some free lessons on observation!

Photo 7
So it’s off the brakes, and just a sharp tug to the left and my perfect line will be maintained. This also allows me to get the power down early for a rapid departure from a bend that many drivers would be taking at half the speed. That’s what I call proper racing! It can get a bit hot in here so if you can’t stand the heat….

Word to the wise: Note how I give those bollards a wide berth. I have seen the damage they can cause if a door so much as touches them, so keep well away.

Photo 8
OK, so now I’ve tested the limits of the car but as you can see, I’ve kept my foot in, the power is on and we’re heading out of that bend. It is important that at this stage of the manoeuvre, you let the car know who is in charge. No surrender!

Photo 9
Hard on the accelerator as the car has now gained complete composure and there is no time to waste as otherwise you risk losing vital seconds. This is no place for second thoughts, there should only be one thing on your mind; drive it like it’s stolen.

Photo 10
It is important that you retain your composure at all times. Here, there is a small chance that the car could run away from me but I’ve anticipated that and by feeding the steering wheel, I’ve caught it in time and using every available part of the vehicle, to include the wing mirror, we shall soon be back on line. Don’t be tempted to lift and no left foot braking.

Photo 11
Even when it seems that you may be losing the battle, it is essential that you don’t let your concentration drop and you remain fully focused. Note here how I look only where I want to be - on that track.

Photo 12
If you are always on the limit, then you have to expect a little bit of chassis twitch on occasions. Sometimes the quality of the car is not up to that of the driver but you have to drive your way through it. Fortune favours the brave in my book so don’t back off, just hold on and you will come through. That’s the difference between leaders and followers.

Photo 13
Almost there, just need to get the back end round again and the job’s a good’un.

Photo 14
Using my unique “merry go round” spin, (full details of which are disclosed in lesson 5) we will soon be out of this corner and heading away again.

Photo 15
Job done! We have overtaken, we’ve staked our place and nobody is going to be passing that. Just time for a quick de-brief with some of my pupils and on to the next challenge. Well done to the cognoscenti amongst you, who will have spotted that I am checking my watch for those lap times; you are learning fast.

Photo 16
So there you have it, mission accomplished. How to perfect Russell Bend with my compliments. If you want to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact me. Your car or mine. What’s more, we occasionally have race cars for sale, all fully tested and warranted and every one has been given that little bit of Vic magic. Happy racing!

Like what you see? Chances are you have already learnt something and you will appreciate the full benefits of my one-to-one package. Gift vouchers available.

Feel free to click on the thumbnail to download your very own pictorial. Join me on the podium next time out.

Photos courtesy of Clem “Happy Snapper” Palmer and Alan “Instamatic” Jones.

* Application pending.

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The Fiat Racing Challenge Roadshow rolls into Norfolk this weekend with 2 races on Sunday 4 May. Huge crowds are guaranteed, given that we share the venue with the world famous Snetterton Sunday market, so get there early and get on the right queue.

The entry list is now in double figures which means that attendance no longer guarantees points. This explains the non-appearance of yours truly…. “Quit while you’re ahead” as Martin Riman told me, when he was speaking to me that is.

Sadly, it will not be a “booooootiful” weekend for James Levy, whose HGT, as is Andrew Botterill’s, is NFG.

Now fully licenced, Mark Cunnington is one of five drivers who kick start their season this weekend. The others include Paul Mountford (who needs to advise his son on the correct definition of the word “races” as in “my dad races in this series”) and Dale Whiteman, for whom Snetterton is a safer risk than Cadwell. Try telling that to Neil Sellers.

Welcome back also to Simon Edwards in his innovative Uno and welcome along to 2008 Rookie favourite, Richard Puddle, whose CV boasts much karting success. Richard is the latest graduate of the Chris Dymond School of Motoring and “The Special One” will be on hand to offer the same guidance that served Sophie Barton so well last year.

Simon McFie will be looking to build on his championship lead but again, faces stiff competition from Sandro Proietti who is now 7 races since his last win. Snetterton holds no great memories for Sandro whose brakes and title hopes disappeared in the penultimate race last season.

Mark Snelling has finally sorted out his pistons so is back in his Uno engine Punto to resume his battle with Chris McFie, which ended in the kitty litter at Cadwell. 

The come back kid, Shaven Craven, will have fonder memories of Snetterton where he recorded his best ever qualifying second spot on the grid. Odds of this being repeated are substantially higher than those for him selecting reverse on the green light, which was how his finest hour came to an end!

Last but not least (until the race starts anyway) is Lee Melling, whose Punto may face a tougher test on what is regarded as a power circuit but with no HGTs present, it may well be Sandro that takes the honours.

For those of you looking for accommodation, try Lee Melling’s unique good hotel guide. Lee’s tip for Snetterton is the 4* Imperial Hotel, Torquay. With splendid views, 2 restaurants and a health club, this has all the amenities a Fiat driver could possibly want and is just a 9 hour drive from the circuit, so it is ideally located.

Late entries may include Neil “will he won’t he” Sellers and Mark E Smith who will be seeking to secure his first ever finish following a promising debut in 2007. As Norfolk’s very own Delia would say “We need an extra man out here, lets be ‘avin yer”!

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All’s Well At Cadwell!
What should have been a dirty dozen was reduced to pieces of eight come race day as the Customer Services Team at the MSA followed their tag of being the “civil service of motor sport” by shutting down promptly on Friday afternoon having failed to deliver licences to some of our would be drivers!

Still, those that made it (just) were soon busying themselves borrowing all manner of parts in order to ensure that come qualifying, they could do themselves and the series justice! There were no huge surprises with James Levy wearing Michael Ralph’s clothes, driving Helen Woolgrove’s car on Sandro Proietti’s wheels and Jeff Stockton’s petrol, calmly took pole with Simon “fully prepared” McFie also on the front row in his ex Neil Sellers Punto. Proietti, who had picked his Uno up earlier in the week, took third position, whilst Mark Snelling, having taken delivery of Jeff Stockton’s Uno hours earlier, bagged his best ever qualifying in fourth spot. Lee “E-Bookers” Melling was fifth with Chris McFie sixth, having completed a round trip to Wales the previous day to pick up his gearbox. Vic Craven made a welcome return in seventh place; he will no doubt be disappointed that this was all he could manage, despite having no working transponder, given that this was the tactic adopted by both cars on the front row!

It was no huge surprise to see Alan Jones a mere 10 seconds off the pace (actually it was 11.5 but who is counting - certainly not the time keepers, given that this transponder was working) in the all singing, all dancing Max Powered pimp my ride, down with the hood Redline Punto, last seen cruising at Cardiff McDonald’s with its Lexus lights, air conditioning, carpets and electric windows, although it was a huge disappointment to note that the sound system and DVD screens had been removed!  Andrew Botterill’s run of bad luck started in the paddock that morning, continued in qualifying with barely a lap recorded in his HGT.

Come race time, tactics took precedence with a heavy downpour causing consternation amongst drivers who had only managed to borrow slicks for the weekend, but in fact by the time the Fiats got out, the track was bone dry and those that had opted for wets were looking worried. At this stage, it should be pointed out that the reason Jones was looking worried was not solely because of the wets but also due to the fact that he had remembered that he hadn’t raced for 5 years and wasn’t particularly good then! The reason the others were looking worried was because Jones was amongst them and he hadn’t raced for 5 years and he wasn’t particularly good then!

Having carried out the car inspection and signed the collision damage waiver, we were away and Levy was soon being hassled by Snelling to the point that he reacted in the only way he knows possible, which was to open up a huge gap. Sadly, the gap he chose was in the tyre wall with the result that it was “game over” after one lap. This also allowed Sandro Proietti (nice race suit, shame about the gearbox) to park his car and contemplate why he had bothered picking it up in the first place, having only completed one lap as well. Still, the oil that he deposited on the track at least allowed some wet patches for those of us on the wrong tyres!

Come the re-start, it was the Mark 1 Puntos that set the pace whilst the HGT of Andrew Botterill failed to make the grid. Thereafter, although there are only 1.5 seconds on best lap times between first place Simon and fifth place Vic, the race did become a little processional with Simon taking the honours and the first ever Punto win in the history of the series. A fine return to Cadwell for the Punto that was last seen bouncing across the start line as witnessed by several hundred YouTube viewers. Despite running on wets, both Lee Melling (2nd) and Mark Snelling (3rd) secured their best ever results, albeit some distance behind Simon. Chris McFie and Vic Craven were next, whilst Alan Jones would still be out there now shredding rubber from his wets but for the fact that there were other races to be run!

Back in the paddock, Andrew Botterill decided to call it quits, at least his big end did and disappeared into the sunset, whilst James Levy ably assisted by anybody who walked within 25 yards of the car, carried out urgent body work repairs. Sandro Proietti, now running under guidance of Redline’s Chas Greatrex, watched as Chas removed a defunct gearbox and replaced it with one that didn’t have a hole in it the size of your fist!

Having kept out of trouble on the track, Jones continued to show his undoubted skills by driving into a post “that really shouldn’t have been there.” Once again, this was down to a poor tyre choice and in no way reflected limited driver ability.

Race 2 was an altogether different affair with Proietti and Levy now starting from the back of the grid and determined to make up places urgently. With all cars now on slicks, Levy and Proietti found it a little more difficult than they anticipated getting past the tail enders initially, but thereafter 2 groups developed with Proietti and Levy joining McFie and Melling in the first quartet and half a lap behind but keeping the crowd equally entertained, was a battle involving Snelling, Chris Mcfie, Vic Craven and Alan Jones in the HGT, who was now only 5 seconds off the pace.

Proietti and Levy took control of the front, although not without an ongoing battle which drew praise as the best race of the day whilst McFie was always there or there abouts as was Melling, no doubt both hoping that Levy would once again demonstrate the skills exhibited in the first race. Despite his best efforts, Levy managed to keep the car on the track this time around and Proietti maintained a 11 lap challenge but was never going to haul him in.

The Puntos therefore ended up third and fourth of the first four and after a dignified pause, attention was drawn to the second quartet, which to everyone’s surprise, not least Chas Greatrex’s, was now being headed by Jones in the HGT. Quite what had happened to put him ahead of McFie, Snelling and Craven remains one of life’s great mysteries. Using lines that suggested that he was still on wets and going at speeds that supported that theory, Jones managed to hold up the other 3 who at times were all over him like a rash but were unable to pass as the HGT got wider lap after lap. In frustration, McFie and Snellng ended up on the grass and failed to return and likewise, Craven nearly did the same before admitting defeat whilst Jones did his best to keep the vehicle under control whilst grappling with the one touch electric windows and hazard warning lights which seemed to develop a mind of their own mid-race.

Despite the lack of numbers, a good race was had by all and there are encouraging signs for the rest of the season with the Mark 1 Puntos finally showing that they are now a match for the Unos.

* Fastest Lap

Photos courtesy of Timon Pratt.

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Due to popular demand, we have a new feature on the website, which we hope will be a one-off! 

Welcome to the Fiat Racing Challenge Spot The Difference Competition!

All you have to do is highlight the differences between the two photographs!  Answers on a “post” card … ha ‘effing ha! … :0)

Just in case there is more than one correct answer, in not more than 50 words, explain why on earth Jonathan Palmer needs to put lots of wooden poles in the paddock area!

Best answer receives a can of T-Cut and a rag!

For more information on the weekend’s events, see our post race/race post report which will follow shortly!

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