A Personal Word.

I am very much aware that posts onto this blog have been somewhat few and far between recently, and rather than complete silence, I thought a word of explanation would be appropriate.

Many readers will be aware that I have a proper full-time job as an IT consultant, which enables me to earn my living and keep a roof over my family's head. Anything that I do which is motorsport-related, while it may pay me some money, does not do so sufficiently well to keep all the bills paid. So there are times when I have to make decisions about where my priorities lie - and for the past few months, those who pay the piper have been calling me to play their tune rather more than usual... leaving less time for leisure writing activities than I would like.

I have had time to analyse the data from the Spa Six Hours - what I have not had is time to present the results of that analysis here. I have also been looking ahead to what might happen at Le Mans, but again, I am afraid that I may not have time to post that here either.

I have just returned from a splendid couple of days at Silverstone, commentating with Jonny Palmer on the Blancpain Endurance Series GT race, and witnessed at first hand Bentley's historic win on home soil. I was even standing at the right place at the right time (overlooking Woodcote corner) as Steven Kane hustled the big Continental GT up the inside of the McLaren MP4-12C of Andy Soucek to take the lead with just a quarter of an hour of the three hour race remaining.

I would very much like to share impressions (and some data analysis) of that with you too - and I hope that the coming week will be sufficiently free of distraction to allow me to do so. The race also saw a brilliant battle for honours in the PRO-AM Cup, out of which Nissan came home winners. A late race safety car period probably affected the results of both classes, but nevertheless, the fact that the race provided (in my view) three hours of compelling entertainment, at the very pinnacle of GT3 racing, is an indication of the strength of the GT3 category. Stephane Ratel has a very special product in his hands. What it needs is support and nurturing - not a political battle with other organising bodies.

There is a lot going on - in the world of motorsport, in my home life and in my professional career: I am not going to go into further detail here, but I would appreciate your thoughts as I try to steer my way through all the challenges. If all goes well, I will be able to continue to share my musings here. I look forward to doing so!