Also grateful thanks for an even later request, which I did my best to screw up.....as per usual
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I had downloaded some documents earlier in the day directly to my "Documents" folder and had not noticed the target when Tony sent me the link. So I opened my downloads and proceeded to install the GameData.zip .................which it turned out was the Crystal Palace/Goodwood version from last week. Totally confused of Bristol then complained to the admin staff.
Thank you for your patience Tony
After a very diplomatic reply from Tony, I tracked down the missing Gamedata to my Documents folder and installed, arriving on the server just before Qual for the first race. Simply grabbed an Elite and spent Q tweaking gears and diff to find a driveable ( for me ) setup.
The Aces ( both cars and drivers ) were clearly faster up front and I was impressed with my mid-grid time. I was still finding time during quali and was hopeful of a decent result until I put a wheel on the grass entering Clearways on Lap 1 and managed to stall the engine ( twice) before re-joining in last place some 15 secs adrift
. I noticed that the red mist was particularly thick in Kent last night, but I eventually clawed back a few places....a case of what might have been as I noticed that I had posted the FL for and Elite
Race 2 and the mighty Ace to tame and drive. Again I had to tweak gears and diff etc to find a sweeter setup resulting in a last gasp pole time. Matt was clearly keen on using his Ace to claim max points and the early laps were quite intense. I had qualified on what I guessed would be enough race fuel ( it turned out to be 4 laps too much ) so was reasonably confident that I could battle with Matt. After a few laps it seemed that I had a slight speed advantage over Matt, but it was marginal and depended upon who made small errors on each lap.
The at about half distance Matt suddenly dropped back and I could relax a little, followed by another few seconds of space. Still not enough to allow for a major "off" on my part, but at least he was no longer looming large in my mirror!!.
I wish in a way that Matt had stayed closer because the intense battle kept my mind focused, with the comfortable lead my concentration began to wander and I paid the price through Graham Hill bend. I ran in a little too hot and did not back off, that caused me to run a fraction too wide on the exit, a wheel onto the grass and the ass came around sending me across the track to head butt the armco. Matt sailed past and I swear I could hear the sniggering!!! I could also smell the opportunist Daz closing in with his Elite, but once back on track I could use the Ace's grunt to keep him at a safe distance. Matt did what I should have done and kept in safe and clean until the flag.
Both races were great fun and I came away quite happy with my two drives............ Believe that load of cr*p and I have a chance of becoming Prime Minister!!!!
With just a few laps to go