A long drive today in the Cheesemobile. M23, M25, M11, A14. They aren’t really roads that this type of car was designed for. Turns out, the 5:45 alarm wasn’t what I was designed for either. Whilst all sensible people were in bed or at least watching GP qualifying, I was unloading my car and putting on the necessary layers to at least try and stay warm.

2.5 hours later, I arrived at Arch Motors along with my helmet and HANS device. Essentially the process that is carried out is a quick measurement and calculation of your seating position so that the harness mounting points can be moved inwards on the chassis rail. This ensures that the harness straps sit correctly on the HANS device and also, in the event of an accident, stay say on the HANS device.

Unless you’re particularly tall, the harness is also mounted upside down, under the chassis rail. This necessitates two slot holes to be cut in the rear bulkhead to allow the harness straps through.

The whole process takes in the order of 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. If you want to run with a HANS device, you have to have this process carried out and it can only be done by Arch Motors to comply with regulations. You get a piece of paper to take with you that then needs to accompany you to races for proof.

The drive home got interesting when the beautiful sunshine turned into a rain storm but I was pleasantly surprised how dry it remained in the cockpit despite the roof not being on.

Just the passenger seat to remove now and a few final stickers for the car ahead of the official test day at Castle Combe next Wednesday.

Onwards, ever onwards.