Well my brand new Ray GR10 car has been collected by Cliff (Dempsey) from the Ray workshop and is now having the final components added to it as we speak. The plan was to begin our test programme with a shake down this week and then move onto the official MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain launch day and timed test at Oulton Park the following week. We would then fit in another test or two prior to the opening rounds back at Oulton Park over the Easter weekend. So much for best laid plans!

Slight snag in our plan is that I am not able to drive the car at the moment. Not only am I not able to drive my race or any other car right now; in fact I would struggle to drive my Play Station simulator! I have been struck down by a form of blood poisoning which has caused a severe and painful swelling on my hand and until it clears up I cannot do very much. The worrying thing is that my younger brother had near enough an identical condition two years ago and ended up having to be hospitalised for five days as prescription drugs were not strong enough to fight it. Obviously I?m hoping that the same thing will not happen to me and I will be well enough in a few days to begin driving again.

However on a positive note I can say that my 2010 team mate has done a few days testing in the sister car and it went extremely well so we are all very encouraged by this. I am not being deliberately mysterious by not revealing their name as I don?t want to jump the gun on a press release regarding this which will be available soon revealing his or her identity!

So one way another it?s been a slightly strange week. It started well last weekend with a brilliant night at the BRSCC awards where it was great to catch up with lots of other drivers and faces from the industry on a social occasion. I am very pleased with the two championship trophies that I collected. A few days later it was my birthday but unfortunately by then I was already suffering from this infection so that was quite a subdued affair. Now I?m just itching to get into the car and get on with the job so this is a very frustrating situation but I suppose the saving grace is it would be worse if it had occurred during the height of the season.

Anyway I?m not quite an invalid yet. My brother Jon is playing taxi driver for me this weekend and has driven me to Bayford Meadow kart circuit where I am still able to help the Project One Team during their race weekend with driver coaching and data analysis and it?s good to have something to do and to feel useful! I?m just hoping it?s not too long before I am able to get back out on the track myself. I will keep you all posted.

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