SPORTS RACING WORLD CUP

MBR972 running in SR2 Lights

with Richard Fores and Simon Harris driving

SPA 19th to 21st May 2000 

Richard last drove for MBR at Donington last year when he was the unfortunate participator in an incident which ended up writing off one of the MBR972 chassis'.  A last minute pull out by another driver left the MBR Team searching for a team mate for Richard, and both Team and driver pooled their resources in a search for a replacement just 2 days before leaving for Spa.  Simon Harris was drafted in on the Tuesday just before the Team were due to leave, he has vast experience in TVR Tuscans and Caterhams, and good knowledge of driving around the Spa circuit, but had never seen a Sports Lights car before arriving at the circuit, let alone sat in one before. Richard knew of Simon from his Caterham days and knew that he would make a very competent partner at MBR, so the decision was made .............

The untimed practise sessions enabled Richard more time in the car again, after his previous test session held at Brands Hatch, but the outings did little to assist Simon in adapting to his new mode of racing - it seemed that every time he sat in the car the rain decided to fall at the Belgium circuit.

QUALIFYING - Richard went out first on new tyres but on his flying laps was held up by a yellow flag and a slower car, which prevented him from qualifying higher up the grid. Simon was second to go out, but as soon as he sat in the car it poured down, and on wet tyres he was never going to better Richard's lap times.

THE RACE - Richard started the race for the MBR Team, but due to very bad weather conditions it was started for 2 laps behind the pace car. When the race did eventually get going Richard made a flying start and was up to 5th place (from 11th) by the third lap, but was hit in all the bedlam of a hectic start and as a result ended up spinning out at the 'bus stop' chicane during the third lap. This stranded the car until Richard got the car back to the pits to be looked at, which meant that the car would be down by 2½ laps when it got back out again. He kept the car going around the track but was suffering with bad under steer as a result of the earlier hit and he decided to pit early in an attempt to cure the problem. Team manager Mark Bailey then made the decision to change drivers and tyres, and Simon went out on a still wet track and proceeded to work back up the field again to 7th position. He pitted later on in the race for a last fuel stop, but unfortunately was caught speeding in the pit lane and had to return to the pits again for a 10 second stop/ go penalty. Simon then rejoined the race on a drying track, and could have put slick tyres on the car, but with only 10 laps left it was decided that the extra time delay would have been of even less of a benefit and he was left out on wet tyres. Even so he still managed to overtake other SR2 cars in the closing laps and got back up to 7th place again, setting the 3rd fastest lap time of the lights class.

The team were philosophical after the race, and pleased to have finished the race in such atrocious conditions, and in 10th place overall . On contemplating the lost laps, it left MBR thinking of a lost podium finish, but glad to get the car back in good condition .......... and the drivers!! After they had both performed well in very bad weather around the Spa circuit.