On Saturday 6^th September I attended a track day organised by club member Carl Van Baars at my most local circuit in Llandow, Cowbridge (Bridgend). As I dumped my pink helmet (with fluffy bunny ears attached) into the boot of the car, the sun peeped out from behind the clouds and I hoped that the weather down South was as good as it was at home, especially as I had seen Facebook updates first thing relating to black skies and rain from the members camping at Llandow the night before.

Llandow circuit started life as an airfield during World War II and is a little under a mile long, in a classic oval shape with tight chicanes and has plenty of good viewing spots for spectators as well as a café and toilet block. I think it is a perfect track for novices and the experienced alike and I was delighted to find when I got there that the sun was beaming, the track was dry and I was warmly welcomed by everyone.

I was soon offered my first passenger ride of the day and hopped in the Seven, eager to feel the wind in my bunny ears! I was charging around the track pretty much non-stop for the next two hours. In some of the Seven’s I found that my feet didn’t reach the end of the foot-well and so as we would break heavily for the corners, I would feel myself dragged forward with just the harness holding me in place. Then I would be thrown violently to the left as we went into the corner, elbow bracing against the side panel and trying not to let my head exit the car, only to then be thrown swiftly over to the other side and then back to where I was, only it felt like someone was then tugging on my head from behind as we accelerated up to 100+ MPH on the straights. It was exhilarating and thoroughly enjoyable and I am very grateful to Carl, Mark Williams, Steve Grubb, Kevin Hodgin, John Valentine, Jonathan Evans and Danny Woolard for allowing me in their passenger seats!

After a long afternoon of adrenaline pumping fun, a large group of us headed onto the curry house for dinner. It was a great chance to catch up with everyone and it wasn’t until I went to drive home that I realised that all the G-force I had endured was beginning to take its toll. The next day I felt like I had gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson! It was well worth it though and I had a great time. Many thanks to Carl for organising the day.