New circuit, new questions, same answers. How do I stay on the black bit and if I go off which is the most entertaining bit. Television coverage will be there so do I sacrifice my integrity for some exciting disaster or do I tell my sponsors that maturity and responsibility draw bigger audiences!
Watch this space but not for too long or your eyes will go funny.

Disaster in Anglesey.

Well- decided to go up on Thursday for testing on Friday. A good chance to try the new circuit before racing. Left home at 12.30 and headed north on the M1 and soon had a phone call from Auriel who had gone on ahead. A major accident at the M1/M6 junction meant delays. Still it wasn't too bad and after the delays last year I had decided that the A5 was the way to go.Chugged out of England into Wales for some fun in the mountains. The motorhome is 23 ft long and so with the trailer on the back the total length is 40ft. Exciting driving on the smaller roads. Another phone call confirmed that Auriel had reached Betws-y-Coed and was heavily engaged in retail therapy. I shouldn't complain though with slicks at ?160 each!
She also found and commandeered the electrical supply in the paddock so made things easier for me. While I manouvered the car and trailer Auriel went out and ran 2 laps of the circuit. She thought it looked easy-peasy and there was plenty of green grassy bits to try out. Plugged the cables in and joined Mr and Mrs Pongo for cocktails. Next morning Mr Pongo didn't like the bright light and seemed bleary eyed. Fortunately he had taken Pong for walkies around the circuit on Thursday and so I hurtled out into the rain without them. Up and down, round and round looking for the lines that Mr Pongo had recommended. I found them reasonably well and came in satisfied. The plan was to do two sessions and then fit new pads and bed them in. Given the horrendous conditions there were several delays and then an early lunch was taken. Eventually the rain eased enough for us to go out again although there was an awful lot of standing water. A few laps into the session and into the hairpin and I couldn't get a gear. Slithered to a halt stuck in fifth gear and spent a while using the starter and gear lever to find neutral. Started the engine again and tried for first gear with a loud noise! Stalled the engine and decided the only way was brute force. Started again and selected first with about 4000 revs on and got it. I crept back to the pits and listened to the clattering with the engine running. The most likely thing was the demise of the clutch plate and given possible other damage and no workshop the weekend races were not to be.
Super circuit though and I look forward to racing there one day!!
Spent race day on Saturday being very jealous of other drivers who were racing but I did also manage to take a few snaps.
Interesting shots of Tim dancing on the pit straight, Dave and Matt doing 'now you see me-now you don't', and Mal incorporating a little drifting routine into circuit racing.Lots of cars appearing to be going in opposite directions. It was good to see the assembly area crammed full and very few championships could have competitors still exiting onto the circuit while the front cars were over the top of Rocket. Sorry I couldn't stop for Sunday and take more pics but I hope you enjoy these. Particularly the photo of your championship leader doing his version of 'The Invisible Man'.