After spending far more than I'd planned to get the M3 track ready and waking up dumb early to give myself time for breakfast before the morning drivers' meeting, I have finally taken the first step to becoming a rich and famous racing driver: completing my first HPDE.

First impressions - the drop into the Esses is a lot steeper than what video games make it seem; I didn't think my car was the most powerful thing on four wheels but it feels really weak on the way into turn 5; my instructor was assuring me it's fine but my tires really feel like they're falling over themselves on track; I've either got to get more aggressive on my braking or a better setup, I can smell my brakes on my way out of turn 10.

The biggest thing I need to remember is that doing a full HPDE weekend is more exhausting than originally expected - I shouldn't expect to do well in league if I'm running that the same weekend, as I now know.

But I finally made it to the track in my track car! Here's to more fun driving in circles ahead.