We arrived at Goodwood, and if I'm honest, I was feeling properly rough. We met up with Rich and Kelly, and made our way around the paddock trying to say hello to everyone there. It's awesome going to a trackday where you know just about everyone, because even if you're not driving, it's a great social.
It was pretty apparent to everyone that I wasn't feeling 100%, and it became a bit of a joke how many people assumed it was self (alcohol) inflicted
I'm starting to wonder if I've got a bit of a reputation I didn't know about
I had to explain it was most probably food poisoning, and declined several offers of passenger laps on the grounds that I didn't have my cleaning gear with me to clean anyone elses interior afterwards.
A few hours passed, and I still felt crap. Oakie (one of the organisers) came over to me and said someone had told him I wanted to drive, and offered me a good price for a few sessions.
''No chance Nick, I feel ill enough stood still, but thanks for he offer''
Another half an hour passed, and we watched others lapping away:
I bumped into Oakie again. He asked again if I wanted to drive, I declined, again.
''What's the worst that could happen?''
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
A deal was done, and I decided I'd bumble round for a lap or two just to stretch the cars legs, at least I'd feel I'd tried.
I sat through a very quick briefing, and got my wrist band, whilst Jamie set tyre pressures and sound tested the car for me (90dB, very happy with that)
Queing up to go on track I was still feeling crap, and I wasn't able to do the lap belts up too tight as it made me feel worse. It was also pretty hot in the car, which didn't help....
And then the light went green, and suddenly, somehow, all of that disappeared, it was just me, on track, having fun, and it felt great!
It usually takes a good 3-4 sessions on a trackday before you really start feeling properly up to speed, so heading out on track at 16:15 for the first time, on a day that ended at 17:00, I wasn't expecting miracles, but it was a fantastic chance to see how the changes I'd made to the car this year have worked, and get a feel for the new aero additions, and it really did not disappoint at all!
In previous years, I've felt very skeptical about Goodwood, despite having always loved the social side of the ACE days, I've never previously gel'd with the track at all, and considered it to be one I'd never get on with, yet yesterday, even in that first session, after 9 months away from the track, it all felt pretty good. I was very happy.
My lines still need a good bit of work around Goodwood, and an onboard from someone else's car shows that my line through St. Marys was fairly laughable on at least one occasion, but regardless of pace or laptimes, I felt far more comfortable with the track, and the car on it than I have done in previous years at Goodwood.
After the first session with Jamie,
@Rich196 jumped in for the second session. Having known Rich for near on 5 years now I feel pretty guilty to say that this was the first time things had aligned and he was able to come out in the car. I hope I didn't disappoint too much
It was good to get opinions and suggestions on lines from someone else who's done a fair few different tracks and passengered in all sorts of interesting things too. I'm really glad I was finally able to take you out in the car Rich! Thanks for being patient!
This is about the only picture I have of the car on track, as I was so late in the day I think everyone had given up on photos!
So, all in all, a fabulous day in the end. Despite feeling utterly rotten both before, and immediately after driving, all that vanished when it mattered, and I was able to get my fix. We turned up without a single tool in the car or spare part, dressed in chinos and shirts, not expecting to get anywhere near the track, and ended up having 2 brilliant sessions during which the car was 100% flawless.
The new aero stuff feels fantastic, approaching a speedo indicated 140 down the Lavant straight it felt more stable than ever, and on the fast entry into St Marys where I'd felt very unsure before, it felt solid as a rock. Top speed down the lavant straight was marginally down in last year, but that is as likely to be down to the horrific 10.2:1 AFR as it is the added drag of the new wing, who knows? I was also pleasantly surprised at how much grip the A048's had to offer, having gotten used to the grip of slicks over the last 2 years, the Semis still felt really good.
With garage works taking up my parking options, the car has gone away to live indoors somewhere else for a while:
I still feel absolutely rotten now, but I've had an amazing afternoon at Goodwood, and my garage has taken a big step forward, an entire year after it was started, so all in all, things are pretty good