Zena's Race Reports

End of the Track

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:30:00 +0000

I decided this year to not race in order to get some money behind me and overhaul the car in preparation for a competitive 2013 season. 2012 has been a difficult year for many, myself included and I am very grateful for my sponsors support and patience. A health condition I have been living with for many years has now become chronic and I am currently recovering from my fourth surgery in six years. This in itself would mean I could not compete at the beginning of the season and with more surgery expected I have made a decision to hang up my overalls.

Although my racing career was brief I thoroughly enjoyed it and have been competitive and even won some trophies, all of which I never thought was possible. I have raced at some great circuits, raced with some great people and even made a Fiesta fly! Now it's time to focus on my health and my work and watch from the track side until either I'm cured, win the lottery or both!

So some thanks are in order;

Lee Brett at Meridian Motorsport who made me drive faster and braver and Matt Williams who endlessly scraped my tyres and gave me the encouragement I needed.
Pete Daniels and all at Daniels Motorsport for getting me started and inspiring me in the first place.

Stuart Kenny and Philippa Monger at Bizlinx and Liquid Computing who supported me not only financially but gave me the opportunity to market myself and the beast and reach out to other companies.

Clive and the team at On Time Windows who sponsored me for being a local girl, thanks for always coming along to the hospitality days and your support.

Lloyd Bonson and AJK TV for giving me great TV coverage, even when I wasn't in the race and Richard John Neil for great commentating and regularly calling me a lady!

George at Sign Graphics for great livery and being on my doorstep!

Steff at Pole Position for having the best hospitality suite and for dragging an unsuspecting Mark Blundell in to meet me!

And of course my family and friends for being supportive and coming along to race weekends despite the weather, the hanging around, the tears, the tantrums and mechanical problems.

It's been emotional and exciting and exhilarating and I would encourage anyone to follow their dream and live it, even if just for a little while.

Championship Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:03:00 +0000

The Ford Racing UK Fiesta Championship award dinner was on Saturday night and it was good to catch up with some of the drivers and co-ordinator's old and new. The 2012 season is set to be just as good as the last with the new Fiesta Juniors showing good interest.

The awards for championship winners were handed out and I also received an award for highest placed lady, which was a pleasant surprise.

The Demelza Teddy Bear Ball

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:28:00 +0000

Last night was the Demelza Teddy Bear Ball at the Marriott Hotel in Bexley which is an annual fundraising event and this year was sponsored by Bizlinx. The black tie event had a number of prizes being auctioned off with all proceeds going to Demelza Children's Hospice. Zena Cooper Racing donated a day out at Brands Hatch including the chance to drive the race car and I'm pleased to say this prize was auctioned off for £500. Everyone dug deep in their pockets and money raised easily exceeded £5000 as well as enjoying a great meal and a few drinks......well maybe more than a few!!! So I'm glad for a quiet Sunday watching F1 to nurse the hangover!

40th Formula Ford Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:25:00 +0000

After some disastrous drive shaft issues during yesterday's testing session everything was fixed just in time to get a couple of laps in the free practice session today. Car all fixed and qualifying was a close battle with places changing constantly. Just as I found 1.1 seconds to move up the grid....so did everyone else :-( Not a great qualifying session but with only 3/10's of a second between 5 of us it should be a close first race.

Recovery and networking

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:15:00 +0000

So I'm in my third week of recovery following my operation and I'm healing well. The Wii Fit has been coming in handy and I even went for a walk today. I'm due to return to work on 29th so I'm getting out and about a bit more now in preparation. I'm looking forward to going to the Canterbury Bizlinx networking meeting tomorrow and catching up with sponsors as well as promoting the hospitality event on 16th October. The hospitality event is at Brands Hatch and is your chance to watch non stop Ford racing up close in the At Pole Position suite. It's also my first race back following the operation and the final rounds of the season. Ticket prices are £55 and include entrance, food and drink all day. Spaces are limited so get in touch to reserve your place.

Lydden Hill

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:34:00 +0000

Due to the need for an operation I have had to miss this weekends Lydden Hill rounds, which is a real shame as it's my local track. It's also the debut of Junior Fiesta and the new Class D model Fiesta, so an exciting weekend. I'm off work for a month and aim to be back in the race car for the final rounds at the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch in October. So once I'm up and about the rehab begins....a gentle start with some walking and Wii Fit. Track time WILL be booked for the begining of October and I'll be on form ready for the last races of the season.

Testing at Snetterton

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:25:00 +0000

Well a successful days testing at Snetterton, although I did manage to get through two wheel bearings!! Really enjoying the circuit but not quite sure what I'm supposed to do at the new style Coram though, tricky corner! Some familiar faces from BTCC were also testing today for the Britcar race which has some awesome cars including a Mosler and Ferrari's. There are also Smart cars racing this weekend so an interesting mix of race cars. There is a great turn out of Fiesta SI's and Zetec's. If you're anywhere near Norfolk then come along and watch some great racing!

Snetterton

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:34:00 +0000

I'm at Snetterton race circuit in Norfolk preparing for rounds 13 & 14 of the Ford Fiesta Championship. Today I'm testing and learning the new infield section of the circuit, which is pretty awesome, ready for tomorrows qualifying session. Sunday is race day and I'm looking forward to having friends and family watching. More updates to follow........

Motors TV

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Rounds 9 and 10 of the Competition Car Insurance Ford Fiesta Championship at Rockingham will be aired on Motors TV Wednesday 27th at 6.55pm. Class A and B first, followed by Class C. Hoping for some good footage and possibly an interview!!! If you miss it on Wednesday you can catch it again Thursday 28th at 10.05am.

Charity Car Show

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:19:00 +0000

I'll be at The Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel in Canterbury tomorrow (Sunday 24th July) with my car helping to raise money for two local charities. The event is free and starts at 11am, anyone can come along and if you're not interested in cars then you could always browse the boutique and jewellery stalls inside this beautiful hotel. There will be a variety of cars from classics to sports to race so come along and find out more, talk to the owners and admire the cars.

Trophies at Rockingham

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:02:00 +0000

Rockingham turned out to be a marmite track for me! This mornings race was declared wet after we were assembled on the track so a quick tyre change and we went back out. The first 4 laps were fine but then it stopped raining & I really struggled with the greasy track sliding at what seemed like every corner. On the plus side I finished the race unscathed but it was less than enjoyable! Race 2 turned out to be dry despite the looming black clouds, I got a great start and worked hard to finish 3rd in class and was awarded driver of the day!
The engine is almost at full capacity but fifth gear synchro has gone so where one problem is solved another appears....that's motor racing!

Testing at Rockingham

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:15:00 +0000

A mixed day of testing at a dry and warm Rockingham today. This track seems to be harsh on gears and brakes and I've manged to get through both!!! Not a whole gear box but the synchro for fifth gear has gone which is costing me a lot of speed along the banked section of the track. I also got through a set of break pads and discs and my slicks have seen better days!! Looks like the rain is going to be around for the free practice and qualifying sessions tomorrow so the wet tyres are at the ready....about time I used them really!!!
You can read a preview of this weekends racing at brscc latest news

Rockingham

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:55:00 +0000

After an easy drive up to Rockingham me and my brother have checked into the Holiday Inn, had dinner and are now ready for a relaxing early night. Tomorrow is testing day and I'm hoping to get the car running to full capacity for this fast circuit. It's my first time racing at Rockingham and I'm looking forward to learning the circuit and trying out the banked corner!

Modified Live at Brands Hatch 25 & 26 June

noreply@blogger.com (Zena) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:53:00 +0000

A scorching weekend at Brands Hatch for the Modified Live Summertime Special weather wise but problems with the car meant performance was less than scorching! The newly built engine gave us more problems than anticipated which meant I didn't get out for testing on the Friday. I took the car out on track Saturday morning for the first time but it was obvious that we were down on power. The new engine had no time to be run in so all we could hope for this weekend was to finish and get some points. I managed to qualify 14th overall and 5th in class but at least 3 seconds slower than my usual lap times. In Race 1 I gained a place and had a good battle with James Appleby and in Race 2 I regained a position after loosing 2 at the start of the race. It was a frustrating weekend for me but I did gain some great defensive driving skills and valuable points.