I took the opportunity while the car was off the trailer after Blyton to do the few minor bits and bobs to get it ready for our first Race at Donington in mid-July.

I started with a rear brake pad change. You need a caliper rewind tool to wind the piston back to give enough space for the unworn pads. I picked up a Laser 1314 from ebay for around £20 a while back and it was time to break it out of the packet. It didn’t come with any instructions – I guess for most people it’s obvious – but it wasn’t for me!! I think I cracked it in the end though and I’ve fitted the new pads both sides. I’ve even driven to the petrol station and back and the car stopped!!! Got to be good. I had to rotate the piston more times than I thought I would in order to give enough room for the new pads. Another job done though, so pleased with that.

Next up, remove the timing strut! A 2 second job but one that gave a lot of satisfaction. A kind of Academy right of passage.

Tow straps – apparently out tow hooks aren’t large enough for racing so we’ve been given some new tow straps that have to be attached. They are at least the right colour :) Oh – and now the cheese mobile has yellow wagging tail. I’m pretty sure I’ve used the wrong chassis rail at the front so will adjust this at Brands Hatch on Thursday.

Finally, I gave the car its post event clean and then got onto adding my race numbers! It was nice to take off the sprint number and put the final ’78’ in place. ’78’ is my birth year and has been a number I’ve used for many years. I was extremely happy to get this race number and to finally put it in place really put a smile on my face. It looks the business :). Really hope it’s as lucky as my sprint number!