Qualifying was almost like a test session as I only went out for last practice on Thursday to see if the car was working correctly.  By the end of qualifying I was relatively pleased with the car and helped to change the fifth gear which by that time I felt was hitting the rev limiter a bit early on the long straight.

On Saturday as everyone left the pits for race one, it looked like it was going to be a dry race after a few short showers had ampened the track.  We were all to be mistaken and the heavens opened to send the pits into a tyre changing frenzy.    My car was pulled into one of the garages and the tyres were changed as fast as possible.  Thanks to the guys who helped, I am very grateful to them for sure.   Once this was done I headed back out onto the circuit into a total unknown as this was my first time in the wet in the Lola.  I did not know what to expect.   Driving round on the formation lap I tried to feel for the levels of  vailable grip so I would have some idea of what to expect at the first corner.   We had been told in the briefing that there would be red lights changing to green for the start of the race, these were not working, not knowing this I got a sloppy start as I didn’t even see the green flag.   In the first corner I remained in fifth place with Peter Williams tucking in front of me but with a good exit out of the first turn I had passed him again before Eau Rouge.  I felt a bit guilty about that move as Peter had been very helpful with tips and had given experienced words up to that point….sorry Pete!!!!   For a few laps Peter stayed behind me with David Houghton ahead.   A few laps later Peter, with a great move, had got passed me again, I did not feel so sorry then!   The race finished prematurely due to a safety car incident.  At least the car was in one piece and not a bad result given the conditions.

In race 2 on Sunday I was starting fifth once again due to my race one finish and was determined to progress through the field.  At the first corner I passed Peter Williams and moved into fourth position.  A lap later I got passed David Houghton, up the inside, just before Blanchimont, this moved me into third position.   At this point a safety car came out and bunched the pack.  On the restart I got a great drive through Eau Rouge and out-braked Paul Tickner just before entering Les Combes.   I was into second and knew I had a chance of taking the lead.   I pushed hard for the duration of the lap to close the gap to Richard Johnson andafter getting a great run out of turn one I passed him before Eau Rouge to take the lead of the race, maintaining this until there were two laps to go.   At this point I encountered the first few back markers and unfortunately no blue flags were being shown to them.   I caught them on mid bends which allowed Richard to close up right behind me and going through Blanchimont there were more back markers having their own battle, I had to back off for fear of contact because of the closing speed.   This allowed Richard to make a bold move round the outside to take the lead once again but on the next lap going down the straight I tucked into Richard’s slip stream and managed to get passed him once more.  Just after that Richard pulled off a great over take and got the lead once more.   Coming down into the final turn on the final lap I was behind Richard and was contemplating making a move for the lead but there was a Pinto back marker  just in front of us so I decided to stay behind Richard to see if he would make a mistake trying to pass the back marker.  My hunch paid off when he did, braking too late and going wide in the corner, I was ready to capitalise on his mistake, Richard then drove straight across the chicane to take the win.   Overall the weekend was a great learning experience for me; I fully enjoyed the track and generally the good quality racing.   I would like to say thank you to my parents, all at MCR Race Cars for their great help and Barking Mad.