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MSA British
Hill Climb Championship |
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Willem's News 27th June 2006
Hillclimbing
What an exciting time this is for us. Unhappily the hillclimb car isn't really ready to race under the driver's control (Neil's working on it) but then even if it was, I'd struggle to find the time with work, keeping fit, learning the language (I'm really struggling this time!) and entertaining guests at home. We're exploring the local area which is turning out to be great fun and good for keeping fit (there isn't much that is flat around here so even walks can be hard work). Between all this lot I've decided not to go to Harewood, which is a pity because I want that record....... I'll have to keep you posted on the rest of the season (I'm keen to keep a top 10 number so I'll have to start getting my hand back in some time very soon......).
News from the F1 team
Work wise things are busy, although not out of control, and there is lots happening. I'm starting to make my presence felt and this is allowing the boys to focus on making the car faster both of which are helping the team. This performance increase has got my old team worried and trying to find ways of slowing us down because they are correctly concerned about our pace relative to theirs. The FIA are being quite straightforward and direct with us and we know we have some problems to solve on the flexibility of certain parts of the car but we have a little time to find ways of stiffening things up. If the old team think it will slow us down they're in for a disappointment, in fact for the upcoming races stiffer should be better.........
Canada (Quali in particular) was a real disappointment after the strong showing (for us) at Silverstone and really strong performances in the early sessions. We looked really strong until qualifying where the drivers made a series of small mistakes (by their own admission) and where we didn't quite find the best setup for the conditions. In the race our pace was slightly better but we didn't really have that much luck with the strategy and looked set for a 7th and 8th finish until JV got onto the marbles to avoid a rapidly slowing Ralf S. Big impact and quite a bit of damage to repair which isn't ideal in the middle of a pair of flyaway races. I was particularly disappointed because we were losing one point but also giving one to my old team. Not good. Coulthard to the rescue with help from Jenson's small mistake (all drivers made them). Old team, no points and we're catching them. This has become an unofficial short term team target - beat my old team. We expect to be competitive (for us note - this means 4th fastest team) again in Indy and then get a new aero package to test before the next race at Magny Cours. Until we track test the bits I can't say what will be changed but suffice to say the car will grow a few more appendages...... Naturally, I could say what we'll be trying, but then you'd all have to sign the United Nations International Secrets Act, and even that would not be enough......
My direct work is focused more on the medium term than on the short and there too we're making good progress towards a set of really quite demanding targets. Things never happen as fast as you would like though and hence the desire to stick with it a bit at weekends as well rather than go back to the UK to play.......
Switzerland
Hope to be back out there soon.
Willem |
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