I'm enjoying this KF, even if in a narcissistic way, I thinking, "what was I doing on this particular day etc".
It is an excellent review of one man following his dreams, and achieving what very few racers do, i.e. making a successful debut on the Mountain Circuit....... and at an age when he should have a pipe in his mouth, and slippers on his feet. Keep it coming. The quality of the English prose is pretty good by today's standards, so don't worry about that.
Oh, and I almost forgot, are you going to have another crack next year?