Somewhat appropriately the sun was beginning to set as I drove away from Circuito Internacional Algarve, with my hirecar in convoy between Iain's truck and trailer, Mike Bell's massive rig, and Martin and Josh bringing up the rear in the van - they'd take the best part of 3 days to get home, I was only going to Faro Airport... As the road opened up a bit I gunned that dreadful hirecar, gave everyone a big wave out of the window and cruised ahead ... with mixed feelings ... why?
I've loved this season ... but ... I'm not coming back to do it all again ...
We've far exceeded our expectations when we started out ... but ... we haven't actually 'won' anything, despite leading the championship for most of the season ...
3rd outright is a great result ... but ... the manner of achieving it over the final two weekends was perhaps a tad disappointing, after all, at these two circuits I have been outclassed, and we had to resort to 'playing the long game' in order to guarantee the result we wanted.
What were my favourite moments of the championship ...? Obviously winning the class in Pau was special ... so was turning up at Nurburgring with a restored car, new tyres, and a lighter fitter driver (!) and finding that I'd moved myself up the grid a little bit .. that in turn built my confidence, and I personally reckon I drove well there, and in the race at Goodwood and over the Jerez weekend in particular. I love Dijon both as a circuit to drive, and because the tight paddock there seems to generate a very sociable gathering all weekend - and my brother comes to that meeting, it's always fun to have him along!
Most stressful moments ... Brands Hatch takes the biscuit ... having just two gear ratios in the car and still being in the outside paddock whilst the other guys are lining up on the grid ... yeah, that was stressful! Still can't believe we got out on track, and scored some extremely valuable points ...
The Algarve meeting was stressful too ... trying to ensure the result we wanted, with the mysterious overheating, and then the onset of the dreaded rain!
What a great season though ...
What am I going to do now ...? Family time of course, some lower key racing next season, mostly in the UK I envisage, back on track at the family-friendly rounds of the HSCC's Historic Roadsports Championship with my trusty old TR5! Some FJ racing of course, but what ... not sure ...
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