Stockford Anderson – backed Audi RS3 entered the competitive Invitational Class F, facing formidable opponents such as BMW GTRs, Ginetta G55 Supercups, and V8 Jaguar F Types. However, adverse weather conditions played to the advantage of the front-wheel-drive Audi.
During the qualifying session, the track was treacherously damp and slippery. After navigating some demanding laps, drivers Matthew Stockford and Alyn James secured the car in the 18th overall position, and somewhat surprisingly, claimed the top spot in their class.
Throughout the day, the weather fluctuated dramatically, alternating between brilliant sunshine and ominous rain, with occasional hailstorms. This unpredictable weather kept the team on their toes, forcing them to continuously adapt their setup and race strategies.
Just as Matthew was about to commence the race, the rain intensified, resulting in streams running across the track and challenging conditions on the renowned Craner curves. The race began under safety car conditions, affording Matthew the opportunity to acclimate to the adverse weather conditions and seek the necessary grip for the upcoming race.
Once the two-hour race officially began, Matthew faced slower cars ahead, significant spray from the wet track, and, later in the stint, GT3 cars catching up. This presented a new challenge for Matthew in his rookie racing season, but he handled it with finesse, keeping the Team Dynamics Motorsport Ltd -prepared Audi on track and competitive for a podium finish.
At the one-hour mark, Matthew handed over the driving duties to Alyn James, and the team made the strategic decision to switch to slick tires, hoping that the track would continue to dry and thus eliminate the need for a pit stop later in the race.
This decision proved to be the right one, although the initial laps of Alyn’s stint were a bit turbulent as the track dried and confidence grew. The Audi steadily gained pace towards the end of the race, ultimately securing a highly commendable second place in their class, narrowly trailing behind the V8 Jaguar but comfortably ahead of the third and fourth positions.
The weekend proved to be both enjoyable and challenging for the entire team, as they navigated the ever-changing weather and fierce competition. The final round of the Club Enduro series is scheduled to take place shortly at Silverstone.