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Knockhill Race Report - 12th & 13th April

After the carnage at Oulton Park , it was with some trepidation that the Drive Assist RPM team moved onto Knockhill , north of Edinburgh – Knockhill is a tiny 1.3 mile circuit , full of twists , turns, climbs and descents and is very narrow and bumpy.

Phil Bailey and Steve Tandy had never even been to Knockhill before, so a good amount off running in the Friday test session was welcome, and saw their times gradually come down. The track itself , because it is so bumpy and narrow , presents a major challenge to both driver and car.

Saturday dawned cold and bright , and after a successful qualifying session, hopes were high for the first race. Steve Tandy was to start from sixth on the grid , but after a quick spin on the warm up lap (ooops!! ), he had a lot off work to do in the first stint.

A safety car period bunched the pack up, and after releasing the cars again , close racing raged throughout the field.

At the hand-over point , a smooth driver change (Phil Bailey taking over ) ensured that the Drive Assist car moved up to 5th place in the GT4 class. A steady run through to the end ensured some solid points on the board for Phil and Steve.

For the second race on Sunday , Phil Bailey was to start - A good start was compromised by yet another safety car period. But at the restart Phil Bailey really got down to business lapping just one second off the new lap record for GT4`s.

With a lap time off around 55 seconds, the drivers of the GT4 class are constantly having to watch their mirrors for the faster GT3 cars on such a small circuit!!!

At the change over the Drive Assist car was in forth place just behind the Beechdean Aston Martin - Steve Tandy did a great job and kept the pressure on the Aston , until with a little over two minutes of the race left , the Aston made an error and went off the circuit bringing the race to a premature stop with a red flag.

The result was a superb and well earned 3rd place and with it a podium - The result also took the Drive Assist car to an 4th overall in the GT4 championship !!!

So at the end off the weekend the Drive assist car had achieved some excellent results in both races and can now look forward to the fast expanses of Rockingham near Northampton with the anticipation off more good results to come !!!!!!!