Friday, June 6, 2008, 04:42 PM
Posted by Administrator
The past couple days, I have been over in Europe practicing. The test over in Hockenheim two days ago went pretty well. I have been focusing on changing my driving style a little in order to suit the Supercup car better. When I say to suit that car more, I basicly mean adapting myself to use the Carbon Ceramic brakes more effectively in order to feel more comfortable in the car. Posted by Administrator
Currently, when I drive the Carrera Cup Asia car with the steel brakes, I feel very comforatable and drive it with ease. When I change over to the Supercup car, I am locking brakes, fighting the car, and just not able to drive consistently.
I made big changes in Hockenheim as to how I drove the car, and I feel I made alot of progress.
The very next day, I went over to the Spa Francorchamps, in Belgium, for another day of testing. Of course, the rain followed us there and the morning was wet on the circuit. I had put in a new clutch, so in the morning, I did a few laps in order to check the car, but nothing more. In the afternoon, the track began to dry. I went for a check lap on the rain tires and saw the track was dry, so I came in and put on slick tires.
After the first 5 laps, my times began to steadily improve. I was trying some new things from what I had learned in Hockenheim. I came in for a quick check, then went back out for another few laps. On about the 10th lap, I tried to improve my time. In the famous corner Eau Rouge, I spun at the top in fifth gear and slid off the track. Because the outside of the circuit was wet, it didn't slow me down very much and I impacted the wall at around 175km/h.
It was the biggest crash I've had in my carrer so far. I went into the hospital for a checkup, but the doctor said I was fine and cleared me within 30minutes. I have a sore neck today and a slight headache, but the rest of my body feels good. Just thankful that God was watching over me yesterday!!!
The shell of the car is pretty much destroyed, the engine also took some impact, but should be ok after Porsche has a look over it. It hit the tire barrier on the left 3/4 rear of the car.
I'll need to rest in Germany the next couple days before I travel again. I had a test planned next week in London, but not too sure if the car will be fixed in time. The team will work hard to try to have a car ready for me because I want nothing more than to get back in the race car next week. Will keep you posted on the progress. I guess it's not only good news here on my blog! haha. I have had lots of messages of support from family, friends, and sponsors. I just want everyone to know that I am 100% fine and thanks so much for your concern. I greatly appreciate it. Thanks also the the Schnabl Engineering team as they will work hard to put the new car together for me.
This is a picture of the corner Eau Rouge. I enter the first left kink in 6th gear, down to fifth briefly and head up the hill. As it goes up hill, the bend goes back to the left. I spun right before the left at the top of the hill, spinning off to the right of the track and into the tire barrier.

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