The Engine Room
I’m in Brussels, engrossed in the launch of the new ES for those master craftsmen, Lexus. So is the Viking - and, I’m delighted to say, so, also, is the beetle. And, it’s looking pretty good. I’m impressed. It may be taking longer than we had planned - a lot longer, but that is because we had to start over - from scratch. The quality of the Viking’s work is evident, his signature is all over the SC - I’m now getting seriously interested in starting the test programme. But, not, under any circumstances, until it is really ready. I guess my experience with this car so far has made me incredibly wary, I would rather she didn't turn a wheel until we are sure that every system on the car is fully operational. And it’s all turned out professionally. We are launching a new team along with the new car - and it has to look boss. And go like stink ...
Next stop for the project is doing some ‘hard time’ in the bodyshop. Why - what’s that got to do with going fast? A lot, actually. This project needs business partners, switched on partners have an image to project, and we need to ensure that the team’s image is on the money. The beetle is the launch car for our new historic racing squad, colour and logo soon to be revealed. And it needs to hit the ground running. No more false dawns.
The plan is to test at Zolder initially - that way we will have the Viking in attendance as chief race engineer - and it’s likely to be the same script when the car makes it’s HSCC debut. Realistically, all the work is being done now for 2019 - but WE WILL race in 2018, no question.
But it’s good - seeing the car has sent a shot of adrenaline through my system. And it’s been built into a racer. It bares no resemblance to the neglected shell that I towed across the channel in December.
Thank Odin.