A couple of times I was searching for a gear (any gear!) at T1 which dropped me back each time.
Dave,
Are you using GPLShift with the clutch threshold setting at 50% so that you grind the gears when you don't press the clutch in far enough? If so, I know that it adds to the difficulty. It is more real, but I decided to turn that option off when I joined UKGPL. I did not want to miss a downshift, and rear end someone.
No, it was just a hand-coordination issue!
For example - one instance, I was just trying to pop it into 3rd with the intention of getting round the corner, but instead seemed to find 1st. Then tried a few different gears until finding one that worked.
Luckily did not leave it in 1st long enough to cause any major damage.
Oh - I'm not really trying to suggest that a couple of sloppy gear-changes cost me a higher step on the podium, although didn't help much together with the picnic at the Parc. The other guys were just too fast/consistent. As was JP too until that troublesome T1 incident.