[Ross Nicol]

Wrap up for the weekend
------------------------
Friday practice was pretty uneventful apart from being hit by what else? yes a Porsche, it was another one of those incidents where I didn't see the other car and thought I'd just 'lost it'. Of course pit checks showed the full story and 2 cracks in the wheel rim.Luckily Sandown is only 20mins from the factory so we dashed back to get a spare wheel.The Dunlop guys at the track swapped tyres straight away but I missed 1 session. car felt good and grip level high.Only problem brake light switch still playing up.

Saturday morning and schedule was for- 15min practice, 15 minute qualifying and afternoon 6 lap race. I don't know why but we were led out for a warm up lap by the safety car which made the practice and qualifying feel like a race. I was pretty determined to set a fast qualifying time and I was pretty happy when the time sheets showed my fastest time ever at Sandown. On to race 1 and as my start procedure is well organised now I got off to a blinder and displaced quite a few cars including the 360 Ferrari,into turn 1 and all hell breaks loose, a spinner on my left and 2 going off the track on my right, oh well I'm ok press on. During the race i had a front end lock up and lost time. I had reverted to my old slow times and got passed by a few opponents because of it. Finished 11th and annoyed with myself. Think the brakes may have been dragging a bit too due to zealous adjustment of the brake light switch.

Sunday morning and race schedule 8 lap morning race 2, 8 lap afternoon race 3. Race 2 and really good start again but came into turn 1 a bit hot and front end locked up and very lucky not to hit anybody. I think I was in 4th spot but during the race the Ferrari got back past and 1 Porsche Cup car. I was really trying and the flow was on my side, finished in 6th just behind the Ferrari.

Sunday afternoon race 3 - 10 laps another good start my nemisis blue MGBV8 got past me, we had a really good dice swapping positions but I ended the race behind him although I had a slightly faster time.Finished in 7th due to a fast Porsche who started at rear of grid coming through.

The car is improving and although I crunched through a few gears, very happy and the driver's confidence is rising. Next installment Phillip Island 10th and 11th June the car's improved handling will really show there.
Bye for now Ross