We’re off! It’s cold but dry at Mallory, so I got stuck straight in from the first session. After four months off the track I built up the pace and soon felt comfortable, and the Aprilia Tuono Factory is singing.
By halfway through the session I was lapping consistently and smoothly in low 57s. When the timing sheets came out that put me first in the Streetfighter class for the provisional grid. The Sound of Thunder class is mixed in with the Streetfighters, but only one of them pipped me.
All in all, it’s a great start to the year and it calmed the nerves some too. Wish me luck for the afternoon’s second qualifying.