The most threatening thing for me is that I shall drive a strange car in a totally strange race with an injured leg that has to brake hard. My instructor Paul told me that if I have never tried full rpm in a racing car, the car would be a totally different car for me in a race. I know what he means, because the power, braking points and moments of gear change will be different when you use full rpm.

At free practice, the strategy is that I change gears starting from 6500rpm, and then raise the rpm by 500 each time. I look at the pit board each time I pass the start line. However, when I have not got used to 7000rpm, the number on the board changed to 7500. I started to doubt if it is a good strategy. I think I should use full rpm at full practice time, in order to get use to the “new” car. I have not got the chance to use full rpm, the practice session ended by a checkered flag.

I am totally confused and have no feeling on how to handle the car at all. Team girl Ling come to tell me that my lap time is under 2 minutes already.

Qualifying started for only one lap, a red flag stopped the race. I lost valuable time to get familiar with the car. After we are release to the track again, I drive for about 6 laps. Then rain came down. Finally I qualify 6^th with a lap time 1’59.887.

A marshal reported me when he saw me gammy. Then I have to pretend my right leg is ok, that even make my pain worse.

I started from 6^th, but managed to overtake one at start, and overtake another one after T4. At the second lap, I am on the 3^rd already. There are two many things to read on the team board, including “focus”, “pace” etc. I am closer and closer to the car in front of me, but finally I made a spin chasing him. My position dropped immediately, but I overtake 2 cars in one lap, and I would regain my 3^rd position if I overtake one more car. I saw the team board saying 2 laps left, and I decide to push. T14 is coming, I know if I can carry more speed in T14, then I shall be able to overtake him on the straight. I have not decide how to turn in T14, I am already there, and the car missed Apex. All of sudden, it lost control and get into gravel. I said sorry to Alan, but Alan asked me if I know it is the last lap and I am at the last corner. What? The team board said 2 laps left. I forget to watch the other boards. This is a great regret for me. I am only 50 meters from a great race.

However I achieved my best lap time of 1’58 in round one.

Race 2 is a wet race. I have no experience on wet before; only qualify 9^th, but finished 7^th.