C1 Endurance Series 2024 – Round 1 - Snetterton
The inaugural round of the 2024 Silverlake C1 Endurance Series kicked off with a riveting display of strategy, and endurance at Snetterton Circuit. Among the contenders, RABsport Racing’s Car #432, backed by CTJ Recovery, MPL Motor Factors and PD Extinguishers emerged as a force to be reckoned with, showcasing solid pace and determination.
Drivers Gary Mitchell and James Hitchen would be in the hot seat, both drivers fresh from winter breaks but eager to get some laps down and try again for the coveted silverware they earned at the end of 2023. Engineering and pits as usual would be ran by team manager Richard Barnard this time would be assisted by 2023 RABsport now GT4 driver Arthur Simondet.
With time constraints for all the crew in other racing series, testing was a luxury the team could not quite manage and with an experienced team the decision was made to hit the ground running in qualifying.
In the qualifying session, RABsport Racing Car #432 demonstrated its potential by securing P17 on the grid. The early phase of qualifying was used as a test, the team gathering as much track, and tyre data as possible, then would move onto setting some lap times. Potential was in place for higher in the closing lap, but with light fuel load and a good tow a missed gear unfortunately meant the opportunity was missed. An easy mistake to make in these C1’s with a less than optimal gear setup! With a midfield starting position, the team laid the foundation for a competitive performance in the endurance race ahead, albeit with some work to do.
All important tyre pressures in qualifying
The race would be 3 hours long, and include 3 mandatory pit stops, all of which have no minimum stop time meaning speed is of the essence and drills rehearsed in pit stop practise would be essential.
As the race commenced, RABsport Racing Car #432 wasted no time in asserting its dominance on the track. Rapidly climbing the ranks to sit P7 after 1 hour. Gary Mitchell the start driver, exhibited exceptional consistency and pace navigating through the challenges of traffic with finesse. The race leaders took advantage at the end of an early safety car period to box early, RABsport decided to play the long game.
In front of the pack
A second safety car would cue Mitchell to perform a procedural stop, which the team executed flawlessly, managing a full mock (same driver that gets out gets back in) driver change in 29 seconds. Mitchell then proceeded to put some solid laps in clear track down ready for the main stop.
At the 1.5hr mark, James would be alerted to the imminent full service stop. Mitchell boxed, fuel in, tyres checked, and Hitchen Installed. The crew nailed this, being one of the fastest crews on the grid for a full service stop.
The crew pushback to release the car from the box and back into the race
James Hitchen hit the track hard, and despite limited circuit knowledge on the Norfolk circuit learned fast and was quickly on the pace. With 30 minutes to go, the final procedural pitstop took place, and Hitchen came in. Unfortunately during the driver change the cutoff switch was knocked, meaning there was a small time loss while it was reinserted, but none the less the crew still managed a 35 second stop.
The delay in the stop mean Hitchen exited the pits P9 in front of WRC developments entry, by only 1 second, meaning he had a real fight on his hands for the remaining 30 mins. James valliantly held off the P10 car, that despite best efforts could not manage to get past the flying Hitchen.
At the Chequered flag the team took P9, and were happy to remain in the single digits at what was a hotly contested round 1.
A great start to the season, and lots to take forward to the rest of the series.
Thanks to team partners CTJ Recovery, MPL Motor Factors and PD Extinguishers for their continued support.
Arthur Simondet congratulates James Hitchen at the finish
Next event is the almighty 24hr race, this year being held at Ty Croes Circuit in Anglesey.
Photographs courtesy of Rebbeca Howland Photography.
