21-11-2021, 10:12 PM
Had my booster Covid vaccination yesterday (having been almost eight months since my second dose). I'm nauseated, feeling hot and cold at the same time, achy, and haven't been able to sleep. Perfect health for racing at Spa!
The racing took my mind off the pain in the arm, but nothing could distract from the headache. Still, I finished! Qualified only 6 seconds off pole, driving the second-slowest car on the grid (there was a Lotus 43 BRM out there), so I was pleased. Thanks to Dave Coyne for a more stable setup than what I had come up with. It had too much understeer for my taste so I adjusted that and gearing, but it was easier to manage.
Unfortunately several cars in front of me got together at the entrance to Eau Rouge and I got collected in it, damaging my front suspension. Steering wheel was cocked to the left. A lap or two later I got hit hard braking for La Source which damaged my rear suspension. Could not keep the car in a straight line with that damage, but persevered until deciding to make a pitstop a lap before halfway. All damage was fixed without taking additional time so I wish I'd done that sooner, as I was four seconds per lap quicker with a car that tracked straight.
Another P7 -- an accomplishment in the Cooper, especially at such a high-speed circuit.
The racing took my mind off the pain in the arm, but nothing could distract from the headache. Still, I finished! Qualified only 6 seconds off pole, driving the second-slowest car on the grid (there was a Lotus 43 BRM out there), so I was pleased. Thanks to Dave Coyne for a more stable setup than what I had come up with. It had too much understeer for my taste so I adjusted that and gearing, but it was easier to manage.
Unfortunately several cars in front of me got together at the entrance to Eau Rouge and I got collected in it, damaging my front suspension. Steering wheel was cocked to the left. A lap or two later I got hit hard braking for La Source which damaged my rear suspension. Could not keep the car in a straight line with that damage, but persevered until deciding to make a pitstop a lap before halfway. All damage was fixed without taking additional time so I wish I'd done that sooner, as I was four seconds per lap quicker with a car that tracked straight.
Another P7 -- an accomplishment in the Cooper, especially at such a high-speed circuit.