Colourful Paul Ricard

8th place for Ryan & Derrick at Europe's Brightest Track!

28 April 2009

The second round of the 2009 VdeV Championship meant a trip to the HTTT circuit, Paul Ricard. HTTT stands for High Tech Test Track and the circuit boasts some of the most innovative new features of modern tracks certainly the most eye catching being the blue and red run off strips. The strips create an abrasive surface run off zone, as opposed to the more usual gravel ‘kitty litter’ beds.

So with a new track the first laps of the circuit were man powered with a walk round for Ryan and Derrick the evening before practice. And being 5.8km long it was quite a stroll.

Once behind the wheel of the Norma, Ryan was impressed and surprised with the circuit.

“It’s an awesome circuit” said Ryan afterwards. “Very fast and with some great technical corners. In fact some of the corners were a lot more challenging than you imagined from the walk round recce and for that reason it becomes a great track to drive on as it keeps your attention the whole lap.”

Once again, the VdeV attracted a healthy grid with 35 entries and Ryan and Derrick were pleased to qualify 11th. The plan, as with the first round in Jarama was for Ryan to start and finish the race whilst Derrick would battle the middle stint.

Oddly, the pit lane appeared to close early stopping several cars including Ryan in the #33 Norma from taking their spot on the grid so there was no warm up lap and a start at the back for Ryan. Not that this phased him as within the first 10 laps he was up to 10th – nothing like over taking a swathe of cars at the start of a 4 Hour race to get the blood pumping!

It was a quick rethink of handover strategy when at 1hr 15mins the safety car came put and today the safety car lottery of luck fell to Ryan and Co. as they came into the handover in a genuine 3rd with 4th towards the head of the train following the safety car.

It was a faultless changeover to Derrick who rejoined the race under the safety car which was soon pulled in and the green flag was waved. Derrick was showing more evidence of his ever improving speed but lady luck was just going to run out as he came upon two slower cars having their own scrap in a tight chicane, the nose of the Norma paying the price. The speedy work of the Norma team had him back out having lost just 3 laps and Derrick was soon back on the pass and picking off places in a super run back to handover to Ryan in 11th for the final run to the flag.

Ryan kept the pace with the top three and as one of the quickest cars on the track was able to lift the car further to an 8th place finish for another top ten for the team.

“That’s been a very positive Paul Ricard debut for us” Ryan commented afterwards. “Again, the car has proven that straight out of the box it’s quick which means Derrick and I can just look ahead to a good. Competitive season of racing.”

Their next VdeV race will take place on 30-31 May at Val De Vienne, France.

Visit our VdeV Rd 2 Paul Ricard Gallery

For media inquiries please contact rebecca.hobbs@ryanhooker-racing.co.uk