After getting a last minute offer I could not refuse, I headed down to London to pick up the 2-11 and drive out to Spa.
There was a trackday on the Thursday and part of my deal was to help out and take first timers out and give them pointers. I really enjoyed my day and I even had time to take the 2-11 out for a couple of sessions. This is the first time I have driven Spa in the dry (this was my 5th day) and it was amazing. I still never got En-rouge right even with 20 + attempts, Pouhon at 120mph does give you neck a work out
) Friday practice and qually. It was damp but I thought I was in with a chance. I decided not to bother putting on new tyres as the track was drying out, but 2 minutes before Qually it started to rain. DOH!! I was using a old set of tyres, rears were down to the wear indicators (tightfistedaberdonianthatiam) The track was really slippy and just about every corner had a different level of grip, but I had thought I had done a decent time in the conditions. The thing about Spa is the length of lap in 20 minutes you only get in 6-7 laps. I normally go out get a banker in then have a cool down lap get the head in gear, find a gap and have another go. I got my banker, I knew I wasn’t as quick as Jamie as I really struggled to keep up with him (we went out together at the back and held back first lap) This was to prove a wrong decision with only 7 laps I should have tried every lap. My best lap was my last lap and I think I lost a couple of seconds getting held up behind a back marker. 7th WTF and Michael in the other 2-11 was second. Oh well let’s hope it pisses down.
Sat race was early and the track was damp and there was a bit of drizzle, I had put on a different set of tyres (still not new), but they had only done 40 minutes of dry use. I was really focused and was well up of it. I knew I would be quicker than the Modified boys as I had all the toys ;o). Rolling start, The guy in 5th (who I can’t pass until the lights go out) was a bit slow coming out the bus stop and we are already good 30-40m back from the cars in front but I get a good run up to the first corner and the front lot are being very cautious ;o) I manage to get passed Michael who was on the outside of everyone, I then manage to sneak up the inside of Chris Hedlem and head up to En-rouge in 4th. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSKKLSErfM0 I then start picking of Ben and then Sean, I am up to second by the end of the first lap, by then Jamie has managed to pick off a big lead out front. It has stopped raining and finding grip levels was really hard. I wasn’t using the abs or the t’/c too much (I find out later how to use it properly) I was just trying to be super smooth. This is when my in experience really comes into play. My mind starts to wonder, there is a lot of cars off round the track and I’m thinking about the drivers, hoping there alright. Thierry’s car was in a right mess and he was nowhere to be seen. I then get about 4 laps on my own. I’m not making any progress on Jamie but I can see Michael and Ben closing on me. Michaels car has a lot more poke then mine and as we come out the first corner he has enough power to drive round the outside down towards en-rouge. I could have dived up the inside going into en-rouge but I decide to get in his slipstream and get a tow up the Kemmel straight. Michael almost looses it going up en-rouge and I have to back off and even change down a gear. Going up the straight he just pulls away. I manage to catch him under braking and follow him in traffic. I now also have Ben giving me a hard time and I have to block him as well. I loose it round the back and I’m very slow coming onto the back straight that leads up to Blachimont. Ben just drives round me like I’m not moving and gain on him a blachimont but we both outbreak ourselves going into the bus stop. Come round the corner and the chequered flag comes out (F**K, F**K, F**K, F**K, F**K) I was totally pi55ed off with myself for not being more focused when I was in second. Not only did I loose the class win, I don’t get to go and stand on the podium at Spa.
Race 2 to follow.
Perhaps not as sophisticated as the chat you'll get from proper sports psych but a lot cheaper (if you discount the bar bill 
