Bittersweet Brands Hatch for Nicole

Nicole travelled to Brands Hatch in Kent last weekend to make her debut in the one make Focus Cup series. 

Friday’s test session was held on the shorter Indy circuit, which meant that Nicole’s first ever laps of the famous Grand Prix layout would be in qualifying- not ideal as she was also driving the Focus Cup car for the first time too. Despite this, Nicole’s name was soon at the top of the timesheets as she claimed provisional pole position, ahead of all the class regulars.

 

 The joy was short lived though, as that lap, and two others, were disallowed due to track limits being exceeded. This relegated Nicole to fifth on the grid for the fifteen minute race. Unfortuantely, all but three laps of the race were run behind the safety car, giving Nicole no chance to move forward and she crossed the line fifth, and first in the Pro Am category. She did, however, post notice of her intentions by setting the second fastest lap of the race on her final lap, also setting the fastest middle sector of the weekend.

 

Lining up on the front row of race two, Nicole was quietly confident of a result. Half way round the warm up lap though, it became clear that something was wrong and as Nicole returned to her starting position, there was a trail of fluid behind the car, a legacy of a broken fuel tank strap. nothing could be done and the car was pushed off the grid, with Nicole having to watch from the sidelines.

So once again, cruel luck for the Irish driver but despite this she continues to show race winning pace, regardless of car or class.