Stock Cars - Standlake Arena - 12 Feb 12 - Tracey Cotton

Words by Lt Westbrook

Published: 13/02/2012

On a very cold Sunday morning, Logs Tracey Cotton (HMS EXCELLENT) arrived at the Standlake Arena in Oxfordshire for her 3rd race meeting of 2012 on the 12th February. Whilst preparing her 1400cc Vauxhall Corsa Hotrod the evening before, she realised that her water pump was leaking. After some frantic repairs and a slightly late night, things got worse when a suspension ball joint failed first thing on the Sunday morning. That wasn't a pleasant job to replace as the pits were covered in 50mm of snow!

For free practice, Tracey took to the track to check everything was working well. The track was damp in places, dry in others and some parts were still frozen. The Corsa was fitted with wet tyres which proved a sensible decision.

Heat one was quite uneventful. Most of the other hotrods were 2000cc rear wheel drive beasts and they struggled to get the power down and heat into their slick tyres. Tracey's smooth style and good selection of lines allowed her to lead for most of the race. As the track started to dry, the quicker cars were able to capitalise sending her down to 3rd place by the time the chequered flag was waved.

The 2nd heat was always going to be interesting as the track defrosted and some of the other classes had dragged dirt and debris all over the track. Tracey was pleased to get back in her car as it was still very cold whilst she carried out her duties as a marshal and trackside first aider. Once again, Tracey led for most of the race. Despite being one of the smoothest and most consistent drivers on the grid, Tracey could be seen working hard as all the cars were sliding on the ever-changing track conditions. After some fantastic defensive driving to hold off the faster cars, Tracey finished in 4th place.

The light was fading and the temperature was starting to fall as the Hotrod final got underway. Tracey had clearly been studying the track conditions and lines as once again, she led the other hot rods for the first half of the race and for a while it looked like the 2000cc hotrods may not catch her. Tracey again employed some superb defensive driving forcing the quicker cars onto the slower parts of the track. As they started the last lap, Tracey was in 3rd place. Exiting the 1st bend, Tracey had another car just millimetres from her rear bumper. They approached a back marker who was struggling with the slippery track and then spun in front of them. Not at all fazed by the spinning car, Tracey pulled away from the 4th placed car and then took the chequered flag in an impressive 3rd place to the delight of her family and supporters who cheered her on all day from the trackside.

Stockcar racing is fast, frantic, noisy and great fun. It makes for a great day out and is fantastic for spectators. Anyone interested in stockcar racing should contact Logs Tracey Cotton, the new competition secretary for the RNRMMSA, through the contact section of the Motorsport website.