This was the first event with the new engine so I was particularly nervous. Also the high workload to get the engine ready meant the rest of the car was under prepared. In particular the suspension and geo needed a check. The engine is still limited to 8000RPM as a precaution, which did compromise gear ratios.
Free Practice:
At this point things were looking good with the car being the quickest non pro entry, and a new PB in the bag. But I was surprised that the pace wasn't quicker - maybe my expectation of an extra 50 BHP was too much, and in hindsight, my tyres were beginning to take a dive .
Qualifying
This didn't go my way, my first two runs were blocked by traffic so last session saw me in an agitated state and not at my best. I got low 58 and 8th place. The surprise was Fee Kindness had found a whole chunk of time and got a 56 - territory beyond me at this stage.
I knew it would be down hill form now on as the Caterham just can't warm the ZZR A60 compound tyres I am using in the 'single lap' format but I was hoping for at least a 58.
The final
I was out on track with Charlie Shaw and Graham Davidson, so feeling a bit nervous about getting in their way, so the tyre warming probably wasn't as thorough as it should have been. The rear was also looser than usual - I now suspect the rear tyres were past their best having been on the car for over a year of hard tracking. Anyway, the lap started well but I shifted up (old habbit) after MacIntyres, a mistake that cost me all the way through to Clarks, but I was releaved to get a 58.6 which put me in 7th overall and 2nd in Class
Good points for round 2. Fourth equal in the championship
Full results here: http://www.mylaps.com/en/events/1005418
