Well, I had resigned myself to 2nd here even after a few laps in. Cookie just drove away off into the distance. I knew my car would begin to behave itself more predictably over what I felt was a very weird surface to race on from about half distance so had to be content to let him "Play the Hare to my Tortoise" and pray for divine intervention. It came at about 2/3 distance when a gap of 0.8mile suddenly became around 400yds due to Axel blowing his engine and taking a S&G. Smelling Blood I started to push and was rewarded when he put a rear wheel on the dirt in the final right hand combination near the end of the lap and I was through. I fully expected him to be over me like a rash knowing just how fast he was. (I was unaware he had done a S&G and was therefore on full tanks). But fortunately my lighter chassis, his longer braking distances and slightly slower acceleration because of fuel load meant he couldn't find anywhere to get close enough to attempt the pass. I was still bloody glad to see the flag though as I'm sure given another 5 laps he would have been able to make a pass stick.
Interesting point made by Dave R. I hadn't realised my time would have placed me 2nd in the works race. (Axel's time would have been easily quickest had he not blown his engine).
It's a shame the numbers have been so low generally in the Privateers class with Gareth and Axel only playing a bit part this season, Pepe off on the motorcycle trip of a lifetime and a number of others only making a few appearances.
It's also a shame I'll probably be pushed into the Works class for the next season, not because I don't want to trundle around at the rear of the field but more because based on this years showing possibly drivers should be moving in the opposite direction to even up the numbers.
Extending Dave's comment about the finishing times for Porto, Just for fun I had a look at the other races and can see the following. The final column shows where the winning Privateer finishing time would have placed in the Works division. . . . .
Circuit Wrks Priv #
Zeltweg 48:59 50:33 4th
Rouen 48:41 50:08 5th
Road Am 48:18 49:21 4th
Salzburg 49:07 50:21 3rd
Monza 48:57 49:30 4th
Srfrs P 49:49 51:23 4th
Snetterton - - -
Kyalami 49:40 51:34 6th
Porto 47:49 47:57 2nd
TTFN
John.