2010...........................
2009 Mini Challenge.
2008 Winter series.
Tricky conditions were in store for qualifying and Race 1 and made for some interesting decisions to be made.
Qualifying didn't go too well with House putting in times good enough for 5th place in both races.
Race One
With the track slowly drying before the race the whole of the Clio Cup paddock were unsure about which tyre selection to go with. Current Track conditions, guaging the speed of the clouds were all taken into account when making the decision. The decision was made to send House out with slicks on the front and wets on the rears. It was interesting that when the cars lined up in the pitlane that half the grid had done the same and the other half were running with full wets.
Start of the race and House didn't get a great start and last one place before the first corner. On the second lap House fainted to pull a move and this caused the 5th placed driver to make an error and allow House through. House then set after a queue of cars who had lined up behind R. McDowall, who had been penialised for a false start with a drive through penalty but had yet to take it. This allow McDowall Junior to extend his lead. House got past Newsham and set about after series leafer A. Smith. When R. McDowall decided to take his penalty A.Smith was slowed down allowing House to catch and put a move on Smith and taking second place. House was now over 8 seconds behind McDowall Junior and it looked like the game was over. However with 3 laps to go House had cut the different to 6 seconds and a lap further to 4.5 seconds, McDowall Junior was clearly struggling with the wet tyres. On the Penultimate lap McDowall ran wide allowing House through and as McDowall struggled to cope with the loss of traction Smith nipped through as well as Newsham. House crossed the line for his first ever win in a Clio Cup race and moved closer to series leader Smith with one race to go.
Race Two
House lined up 5th for the championship decider which was really only between House and Smith for the title. Off the line and House managed to stay in 5th place heading towards the first hairpin. Smith ran wide and slide on the grass, just managing to stop before the tyres. Was this the opportunity House needed to take the title? Smith fortunately managed to be facing the right way and got back on the power and came on the track right behind House. The battle was on for the title. Unfortunately at the very next corner Smith caught the rear bumper of House nudging House wide and allowing Smith through. But more damage had been done than initially looked the case. The rear bumper had been pushed onto the read tyre and under load caused the bumper to rub on the tyre. House battle on for a few laps before being unable to brake and running wide. This dropped House to the back of the field and House entered the pit lane. The tyre was removed and the bumper knocked back and House was sent out of the pits. If Smith didn't finish then House could still be champion. As it was Smith did finish and House crossed the line in 8th place, 2 laps down. It was a disappointing end to the Winter Series, but House had still managed to rack up enough points to finish runner-up in the 2008 Winter Series.