Normally, at this time of year, I am still scrabbling around, trying to put the finishing touches to deals or travel schedules for the coming season but, following a busy end to 2006, not much changed.
After the Christmas-New Year break, things didn't really slow down that much. I was testing the new Highcroft Acura at Sebring and was back again at the end of February. The February test was a great sign for things to come. We managed to do a lot of laps and spent more time on the track than the pits. With so many new systems in place and everyone learning them, the test was a success. The next test will be in a week's time, and it will be the toughest so far for the teams, as it will be the last big test before the first race.
Everyone at Highcroft and HPD are doing an amazing job getting ready for the race, but it is very difficult to say how we will do at Sebring as we have a new car, team and systems to get together and working properly before the race. We have some new development bits to try at the test and that will be an ongoing development programme throughout the year.
Am I excited about the year....? Well, if you could see the smile on my face, then you would know. I do feel that I have the best seat in the house in sportscars. Why? Well, Highcroft doesn't want to come second and nor does HPD. The drive within the organisations is so focused on succeeding, so passionate about winning, that it is not a case of
will it succeed, but
when. Duncan Dayton and Danny Sullivan have put together one of the best teams in sportscar racing, and in such a short time. On top of that, driving with Stefan Johansson is always a bonus as he is still highly motivated, fit and has masses of experience.
