Rob endured a frustrating weekend at Croft race circuit in North Yorkshire (15/16 June).
On Saturday the 30 minute qualifying session was maddening as every attempt at setting a time was thwarted by red flag after red flag from various on-track incidents. Despite pace that could’ve seen a top-five start, 16th was the final outcome.
As race day dawned the conditions were fair but a week of intense rain conditions proved to be Rob’s undoing. As race one unfolded he was In the middle of a pack of cars jostling for position and dragging mud out onto the racing line from the saturated verges. Unsighted, Rob had a few moments before hitting wet mud on the exit of Sunny corner, instantly losing the rear of the #9 Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing Astra and hitting the bank hard.
An amazing effort saw the hard working PMR crew repair extensive damage to the front, left side and rear of the Astra ahead of Race 2. Starting from the back he drove a superb opening lap going from P30 to P22 in just over 2 miles. By lap 10 he was among the fastest cars on the track, ultimately finishing 19th.
Heavy rain prior to Race 3 was the cause of much debate between drivers and engineers on whether to go out on wets or slicks. In the end, with little to lose, Rob took the gamble on slicks which sadly didn’t pay off.
Rob Collard, Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra #9 said: “We started Saturday morning hopeful, but the weekend just went downhill from there really. We were going well in Race 1, but hitting that mud turned the day into a bit of a disaster. The spirit of the team to repair what was actually some pretty heavy damage was incredible, and they did a sterling job! The gamble to run on slicks in Race 3 could’ve gone either way, but unfortunately didn’t pay off. Fingers crossed our luck changes at Oulton!”