Well, today we started to see what the season was going to look like because everyone was now getting comfortable with the racing line on the track, which meant that we could evaluate the racing machines as they relate to each other. All I can say is that 2010 will be exciting.

It looks like Paul & Hannes are a step ahead, but the rest are bunched up. For instance, in today’s 3rd training session, the time between 1st & 12th was just about 1.6 seconds. We were a close 4th in that session.

In the 4th training session this afternoon, we were only slightly slower than our morning run and ended up 8th. Guys are jumping up and down the time sheets like crazy. The pilots have always wanted close racing and I think now we have it.

I’m guessing that this season will be a blood bath with everyone so tightly bunched. I have to say that for the first time in a couple of years, the flying is fun because it’s so unpredictable. It’s just so cool to get into the plane knowing that you need to fly absolutely perfectly or you might find yourself further down the pack than you would ever want.

The margin for error is so small now. Let a turn go just a little wide or step on the rudder just a little too hard and you’re going to lose big time. There is just no room out there at the moment. For instance, I pulled 10.9G in the morning session and only 10.4G this afternoon. That was probably much of my time loss right there. That’s it, only a ½ G can slide you back.

Needless to say, if I fly my line as planned and execute as well as possible tomorrow and Saturday, I will be a happy guy. After that, the chips just have to fall the right way.

This really is a crazy game.