… at the side of a racetrack. To get the full story about why there's a 997 Porsche brake light on my desk, I need to bring you back to August 22nd 2010.
It was a Sunday but not just any Sunday. This Sunday played host to the seventh round of the 2010 British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone. The BTCC always runs with the support of other racing series' and this round was no different as the touring car grid was joined by the Porsche Carrera Cup. The second race of the Carrera Cup was screened just before the final BTCC race of the day. As I watched the action unfold on TV, I flinched as the number 15 car was suddenly travelling backwards towards the wall. I remember the impact being much heavier, but finding this YouTube clip shows it wasn't as bad.
Skip forward a week and Silverstone was playing host to final of the 2010 JDM Allstars Series. As the media made their way to the infield for the morning practice session, I tripped over what I thought was a rock but quickly realised otherwise. Immediately I remembered the crash from the previous week. Somehow, the full lamp (complete with intact bulbs) found itself in the back of my van and made its back to Ireland with me. I often find small souveniers trackside – usually pieces of carbon fibre and once there was a recently ejected conrod – but never anything so complete.
It's looked great on a shelf in my office these last 15 months or so but my overwhelming Irish guilt has won out. So, if you happen to be the driver / owner of #15 and would like your brake light back just let me know.
I was just keeping it safe, honest.
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Paddy McGrath