Day 1 It can only get better ?

I'm 

Overnight Mats' mechanics patch up our burnt out side and hide our scars with yet another sticker. They re-space the distances on the exhausts and check everything else.

Good to go. 

Early alarm at 5.30am, breakfast, luggage to van by 6.00am and by 6.30 were off.

It pitch dark as we exit and we notice a thin line of oil infront of us on the road out of the hotel. Nasty! 

In the dark it feels like I've trodden in oil at the hotel carpark as my pedals which are usually so grippy with their sandpaper  finish against the race shoes.

Note to self: Will have to get out and clean up before we start. Five mins later it's way to slippy to even brake hard and we approach the police barriers to be let through into the starting arch area.

A quick three point turn and someone points out we are dropping water from the expansion tank . We come to a stop in line , turn off and then the engine catches fire !!!

We make the Fireman's day (and the local news) with a full on powder extinguish and reflect on the problem.

Our rear brake cylinder has leaked onto the pedal linkage ( hence the slippy feel)

And also onto the exhaust manifolds and boom!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ioa-ludm3Q

Sam and I discuss it and think it was an carburettor flame that started it all but aren't sure if brake fluids are flammable.

Its on the floor and tastes oily? But feels waterly. Or are we muddling our mineral  steering fluids?

With only front brakes working we pass the arch and trailer to service to fit a new brake reservoir.

The trailer picks up a puncture on the way out but is fixed at the side of the road in true F1 style.

We do the afternoon sections gently and take the time penalty and surprise all with a podium award at the evening reception.

Tomorrows a new day:

It's all been going wrong since our lucky dashboard stickers were removed....

We have a cunning plan!!!