This weekend at the Norfolk based circuit was another achievement for the Forster Motorsport team. Both drivers feeling positive after the test day started their weekend with laps in FP1 working towards the 1.15’s. Martin Depper with his outstanding result under his belt at Croft, set his goal to obtain a lap or place in the top ten. Free practice 2 saw Arthurs car late for the session when the wheel nut locked on his front wheel, the team working at speed got the car out with 20 minutes to go. These new BTCC drivers got into the 1.114’s, a great achievement close to their fellow BMW drivers.
Qualifying saw all the teams and drivers in a tyre dilemma when with 5 minutes to go, the heavens opened. The rain having not fallen heavy enough made the teams make a decision for slick tyres. 3 laps in each team include Forster Motorsport had pitted to tyre change but having set up these first class BMW car’s to dry settings made it a struggle for rear grip pushing Arthur & Martin back places into P18 & P19.
Race 1 – Sunday morning race day showed an array of sunshine to brighten up this BTCC pit lane, with spectators from all over the East the races at this circuit was not to be missed. Martin & Arthur having made slight progression in qualifying sat on the grid ready for action. An unfortunate late start saw a grid position in front of Arthur spare giving him a good run into a brillant start. With Martin not so far behind, this became the Forster motorsport race. Lap after lap Martin showed some quicker times but was not able to pass his fellow team mate. Until a spin from Arthur at Corum gave him the front position which over excited saw him follow in fashion and spin at Russell Bend, Arthur said ‘tell martin it was nice of him to wait’!! This race finished with both battling for positions in line with the AMD car of Shaun Hollamby. The pair split by the Golf saw Martin Depper in P15 & Arthur Forster in P17.
Race 2 – Having a great battle in Race 1 the Forster boys were seen alongside each other on the grid once again this year. A start of damage chaos saw cars all over the track before Riches Corner, this resulted in 3 laps under the safety car. Arthur having adjusted his settings made a heroic decision after the car handling was unbearable & dangerous to retire from Race 2. But Martin was on a storm a great start and avoidance of the carnage he placed himself up to 11 positions from 15th on the grid. The team with high excitement and enthusiasm, encouraged Martin lap after lap until lack of pace due to set up saw him take the chequered flag in 16th place.
Race 3 – Martin Depper and Arthur Forster started in P16 & P18 on the grid for the start of Race 3. Arthur reverting back to his settings was looking forward to some great racing and a good result, with Martin full of drive & ambition from his achievements in Race 2, he was a ‘man on a mission’. Martin took a flyer of a start passing his fellow BTCC drivers Alex Macdowell, Lea Woods & Shaun Hollamby, he was on the pace. Arthur ready for the off when his car jumped out of first gear giving him a false start settling into 14th place until the end of the race, where his team mate Martin had to retire after his superb start on lap 7 due to a alternator failure.
Both drivers struggled this weekend for rear grip, it was a frustrating weekend as each time the cars were sent out, new set ups were tried , which didn’t solve the problem. The drivers managed great starts but because of the lack of grip couldn’t keep pace and therefore dropped back.
The team are working hard and expect to put right for Silverstone !
