All the teams are now back home getting ready for the next two races, both of which will be interesting for a number of reasons.
Firstly, there is 4 weeks between the Rio and Windsor races, and the aircraft are already in Windsor. This means that there are quite a few teams planning on building their aircraft early and doing modifications to them.
I expect to see a number of different set ups with engine changes, cowl changes, wingtip changes and weight changes to the aircraft for the Windsor race. I even expect to see a few new aircraft racing!
For us at Team Hall, we are planning on some minor things, though we are reasonably happy with the aircraft overall at the moment and consistency is our biggest challenge.
Secondly, most teams will be staying with their aircraft between these two races, as there is only a week off between them…hardly the time to fly internationally back to home, just to get some jet lag and turn around to fly back again 3 days later.
So, once again, I think some teams will take the opportunity to work on their aircraft and also get some flying training in.
This can always lead to a more aggressive flying style, though it can also lead to fatigue leading into the second race. Once again, for Team Hall we are planning on staying in the US and I will keep the plane near me, though apart from some testing and a little training, I will be using the time between the races as recovery time.
Thirdly, the pressure. There are three North American teams who will have immense pressure put on them at these next races. There are 11 other teams who will be flying, who will also have greater than average pressure due to the significance of the first ever race in NY…that alone drives people to want to do better than normal. Just think…the person who wins the first ever race in NY City on the podium…quite a dream.
Then apart from the location pressure, is the championship pressure.
To date, this year has already had quite a few upsets…Hannes finishing quite low in the first race, though after only the third race has charged back to the front of the pack.
Paul, still Mr Consistent, though having two third place results in a row, and no doubt watching Hannes come racing back.
Nigel, with his new wingtips, has flown error free, though still has not broken into 1st place for a race yet…surely something that is on his mind.
And me…after a frustrating start to the year, I feel I have been consistent when it counts, though I too am looking at the guys ahead of me wondering what I have to do to jump ahead…relying on their errors is not my style…I want to beat them!
Then just on my heals…Pete…my training buddy from 2008. He has a new plane and something to prove in Windsor. I managed to turn all the pressure into positive energy in Perth, I am sure he will be aiming at doing the same at his home town race in Windsor. We have seen he has a fast plane, has never been in the top 4…guaranteed this is the place he wants to get his first podium.
Kirby is getting a new engine and history shows this is his race….regardless of how his season is going, he always does well in this track. Then Nicholas, a man who can fly as fast as the winners, though has not had a consistent set up this year, which is no doubt holding him back.
The lower half of the field is no less capable of being on the podium. Just quickly you have Matthias, who will more than likely be flying a new V3 Edge the same as Hannes at this race. Peter will unveil his new design, which has potential to be the fastest aircraft in the track and Yoshi can always put in a fast time….you watch.
What can I do about it?? Nothing…all I can do is concentrate on myself, my team and my plane. And if I can do no more there, all I can do is relax and enjoy myself, as no amount of thinking and worry will change how it stacks up on race day.
I am interested to see how these next two races go.
Matt.
