RACE REPORT
Milltek Sport Civic Cup - Rounds 1 & 2
Snetterton - 8th & 9th April
The Matrix Motorsport team’s season didn’t get off to the start they had hoped for when the Honda Civic driven by Jeff Alden suffered a significant engine issue during the Qualifying session ahead of Easter weekend’s two Milltek Sport Civic Cup races at Snetterton. However, thanks to the supreme efforts of the team, another engine was sourced, collected and fitted in time for race two on Sunday morning that enabled Matrix Motorsport to notch-up its first finish of the season.
This year sees team principal Jeff Alden embark on a full season in the Milltek Sport Civic Cup, a 17-round championship for controlled specification Honda Civics manufactured between 2001 and 2011, with the team campaigning the same FN2 Type R model they used to great effect in last year’s series.
Further issues during the journey to the circuit on Friday meant there was no chance of pre-event testing. Consequently, the team were looking to make the most of the Free Practice and Qualifying sessions on Saturday morning, not only for grid position but to enable Jeff to shake-down the car ahead of the two 15-minute races. Therefore, when a major mechanical failure intervened when flat out on the back straight, the resulting clouds of smoke emitting from the back of the car signalled the end of the road for the engine.
“With no chance of rectifying the situation for Saturday afternoon’s race, the challenge was on to find a new engine, collect and fit it in time for Sunday morning’s race”, explains Jeff.
The team did a fantastic job of swapping the engine and we have to thank all those who helped us get the car ready. Because we didn’t post a time in qualifying, it meant we had to start at the back of the grid and with no opportunity to test the car, it was always going to be a case of getting to the finish, which I’m pleased to say we achieved with no further issues.
“Whatever happens and with some testing in between, I’m sure our luck will improve for rounds three and four that take place at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on 6th and 7th May.”
Matrix Motorsport’s 2023 programme is supported by Matrix Group Services, HVAC FM Recruitment, SEE Services, Gemstones Consultancy, MML Maintenance Management and RPM Promotions.
ENDS
Photos taken by Jakob Ebrey Photography