1st Spain Nats

After practice rounds  on Friday, we started qualification rounds with very good feelings on Saturday, the car was very fast and we got a setup very easy to drive.

At Q1 we got the second fastest time behind Robert Battle (he was 3seconds faster than us).

At Q2 we retired because of we lost the screw which links the rear shockstower with the driveshaft . We have resolved it using a longer screw..

At Q3, we got the fifth fastest time, getting a place into the semifinal.

At Q4, we started looking to being TQ and start the semifinal from #1. With one minute to go, we was on  provisional TQ being faster than Borja Hernandez (2nd) and Robert Battle (3rd) at that momment, but my engine stopped after a slippery ceramic corner before a jump. We check the glowplug and it was not in perfect conditions to burn all the fuel, so probably it was the problem.

For semifinals the engine stopped again during the countdown, and after a 10 seconds stop&go penalty because of my mechanics crossed the straight during the countdown, we were able to bump up and getting a place in the main final.

We checked again the fuel tank and changed the glowplug and clutch shoes and springs to be sure everything would be perfect.

For the main final, the engine stopped twice before the countdown and we started the main final in last position. After two minutes we bumped up 8th position and continue being the fastest car on the track, but suddenly the engine stopped without fuel at 6:30 minutes ( we checked on practice more than 8:50 minutes of refilling time). Again we comeback to the race trying to get best possible result, but after 6 minutes the engine stopped again. We checked the fuel tank and it was ok. From that moment until we finished the main final, the refilling time was longer than 8:30!!….. :S

Apart from that, we showed the Serpent Cobra was faster than many drivers could think, getting the second fastest lap of the race and close to being TQ’d.

We were very sad for the final result because we lost a great opprotunity to begin the championship with a better result.

Otherwise, we are very confident for next races because we will have many chances to win any race.

Besides, Jorge Porcar was working very hard all the weekend, working closely with every Serpent driver and helping us to get the best balance of the car,we work all together as a TEAM and I am really happy with the final setup of the car we got.

I attach the setup,   Garcia_Rd1_Spain and this week I will send you a video to watch how the Cobra811 was “flying” at the track.

Alberto Garcia

Team Spain