What a fantastic day yesterday. Firstly a big thanks to FastH who came over to watch/laugh at me. As I it was a last minute booking I was there on my Jack so good one H.

Everything went like clockwork, having booked only the afternoon before meant that I hadn't received any 'pack' or instructions in the post. So I got there a bit earlier than I needed to but the pit garages were almost full anyway, so, I squeezed myself in amongst some novice looking guys and got to work with the gaffer tape to cover the lights etc.

First session, first thoughts; these aren't 'novices' as yet another rider in a flou bib comes whizzing past me down the back straight into Lodge. So, I decide to try a bit harder in the next session. The bike feels great, no sign of any mishandling so I decide to press on a bit more and that's when I start to realise what this bike is about!

After 9,500 miles and 18 months of ownership I'd finally got a feel (only a feel) for the potential of my bike. It's a completely different animal when you're really 'on it', not once did it feel unsettled (except there's a very subtle bump in the track after Druids which caught me out a couple of times) and seemed to allow me to brake later and go deeper in to corners than I thought possible.

So, 3 sessions in and I'm passing more people (still getting passed a couple of times myself though) so I decided new rubber may help. Now my rear tyre has done 4,500 straight road miles. It's billiard table flat in the middle with the edges only ever being mildly troubled by tarmac. So, I opt to change the Dragon Supercorsa Pro for a Diablo Supercorsa (and go from 190 to a 180, H said it would be OK). This made a HUGE difference, I was turning in more easily, holding a tight line better and the tyre is sooo sticky it turns to chewing gum after a couple of laps (don't think I'll get 4,500 miles out of this one).

At the lunch break I decide I'd better get some fuel (I've done 68 miles….24 laps) and I know I won't get through the afternoon session without, but the fuel light comes on as I ride to the refueling pump! 68 miles! 6!….8!….sixty Eight!!!!

Anyway, back out for the afternoon and I'm starting to regret wearing my thermals. It was so cold at 6:30 when I left home, I thought I'd never warm up. Now it's 2pm and the sun is beating down, the bike's hot and I'm being poached in my leathers. But that's not going to stop me, I do four more sessions (until the fuel light comes on AGAIN!) and get in to my stride. I'm starting to remember some braking points and where apexes are (at last) so I hook up a few good laps and finish the day completely exhausted.

So that's it! I'm hooked…. Like a desperate drug addict, I'm wondering which pensioners I should mug to fund this habit……… Actually, I must visit the 'rents' this weekend, make sure they're OK.