February begins with January’s snow still on the lawn and my regular check on the website of National Savings & Investments.  The good news here is that Uncle ERNIE has promised to send me a cheque - the not so good news is that it is only for £25.  I confess that thoughts of winning a million had crossed my mind more than once.  Still, there’s always next month.

I talk with Matt. He has news that a spare part required for the car’s Direct Shift Gearbox system has arrived and therefore the "engine out" tasks (fit the new part, tighten up the LSD, change the cam-belts, remove the ABS) can begin.

The DSG is integral to the project. Since the accident, I have been able only to drive cars that do not have a traditional clutch pedal.  Volkswagen’s DSG system allows the driver to have control over a "manual" gear box with F1 type steering wheel paddles - no clutch pedal necessary.  The added bonus is that the gear shifts are so quick as to be seamless.

By the end of the month the geometry will be re-set for the switch from the road legal "cup" tyres that I have favoured for track-days, to racing slicks and then finally a regulation radio transponder (for on-track timing) will be fitted.

Inspired, I book a track day at Silverstone for March 11th.  This, if the weather is dry, will be my first drive on race tyres, and a useful shakedown of car and driver after a winter of indolence.

The campaign suddenly has momentum.  I head off to a Midlands based supplier of race kit.  Helmet, HANS, boots, a suit and a set of Nomex shreddies are acquired.  My Visa card sweats a little, but it copes . . . for now.