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THMR works wonders as guest driver Chris Knox, Mini Challenge Champion carves through the field for a spectacular weekend of racing
Chris Knox at the wheel of the THMR Golf
THM Racing team and guest super star Chris Knox staged a spectacular fight back in Race two to finish P15 after guest driver Chris Knox was very unlucky to be caught by Masons spinning Scirocco in Race one. The THMR Golf was again heavily damaged, suffering from a shattered rear window, damaged wing, boot and a split rim. The rear and front bumper were also both torn away as the THMR Golf ploughed into the gravel trap. The weekend started really well, the THMR team eagerly awaiting qualifying, Chris Knox having never sat in the THMR Golf certainly had a challenge on his hands, and his pedigree shone through, after a Knox's brought the THMR Golf drive through the field to qualify P20. A fantastic result given Chris virgin drive and some sever understeer.
As Chris approached the last corner of lap one in Race one , it looked like he had just entered an episode of dancing on ice as not one but two racers span out of control, Chris an experienced Mini Challenge Champion drive by the seat of his pants to avoid the first pirouetting race car only to meet the spinning car of Dehadray, a bitterly disappointed Chris said “ I thought that was it, somehow I managed to drive round him, I thought I was clear, but just at the last second I got caught”
Race 1 - Dancing on Ice as Chris is unluckily caught
The THMR team and guest driver Chris Knox were all geared up for Race one, Chris determined to move up the field from the P20 set in qualifying. Race conditions were dry, BBC weather predicted rain at 6.00pm halfway through the race, so talk was of what happens if … however the rain stayed away. Chris made a good get away snatching five places as they approached the last few turns to lap one, disaster unfolds as Chris narrowly avoids a spinning competitor “I thought that was it“says Chris, “all I could see was the car getting closer and closer and it could have been a massive front on collision, but I managed to get away”. Chris gets away from a sure collision, but yet another spinning car appears directly in front of No 98, but this time. With very little time to react. “ Chris fights hard, mustering all his skill and wrestles the THMR Golf past the pirouetting race car “I thought I was safe” Chris explains “just thought I’d done enough to get by” but in instant The THMR golf and Mini Challenge Champion are clipped by the spinning car, sending Chris himself spinning off into the gravel on the home straight. Chris was shaken but unhurt, a terrifying moment, a first in Chris career. The THMR Golf not so lucky. A split wheel rim, a caved in rear window, most it over Chris, a badly damaged rear bumper and quarter panels, as well as a badly damaged rear boot and considerable damage to the rear suspension, all gave the team something to get their teeth into tonight. By 8.00pm the team, Trevor, David, Ian, Mike, John , Jermaine and Chris (Knox) were all hands on deck, Team juniors Ben and George furrowed away collecting enough gravel to fill a small driveway and every tool in the box was pulled out and the car slowly reformed at the demands of hammers, jacks and grinders.
Guest Driver Chris was a massive help and got stuck to help repair the damaged Golf. It was noted that he was very apt with a dust pan and brush before driving home for a warm bath and a good night’s sleep. The THMR team will be up early to complete the repairs on the Golf, ready for Race two at 16:00 tomorrow. Racing Director, Steve Parkinson said, "we couldn't believe how unlucky Chris was there, he made an outstanding manoeuvre to miss the first spinner, but the second car just jolted out into him as it was rolling the other way. Great drive off of the start and Chris was showing some excellent pace. We've got a long night ahead of us and a long day tomorrow, but as ever the guys are all up for it and we are determined to have the car ready for race 2 tomorrow afternoon". The team sends a big thank you to Slide sports and others for the support and endless supply of whatever they needed to get the job done
Race two – Solid drive result from the back of the Grid. The euphoric THMR team welcomed home its start guest driver Chris Knox. Chris’s tenacity, grit and determination saw Chris taking 7 places within lap one having had a great start off the line from the back of the grid bar one. Day 2 of Chris’s drive in the THMR Golf and the post qualifying set up changes paid dividends with an all-round positive performance from the whole team. The team to make some set up changes with Chris’s a feedback from Qualifying, a key element, detailed, comprehensive engineers debriefs enabled the team to make crucial changes which produced the goods. A happy Steve Parkinson, THMR Racing Director commented “What a great drive by Chris. An excellent start off the line and finishing 15th of 32 is a truly exceptional result for us. The whole team really delivered at Brands this weekend. Our Partners and guests had a great time too and thoroughly enjoyed the racing and the result.” “I would like to specially thank Chris on behalf of the whole team for his hard work and for bringing home a great result; he did an excellent job all weekend.”
