Erling G-P
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« Reply #15 on: October 22, 2020, 02:52:43 PM +0100 » |
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Track has always been a favorite of mine, and the Healey 100 was huge fun to slip-slide around here.
Despite having improved my Healey setup since my last outing with it here in 2017, I initially struggled with matching my qual time from back then. With some more praccy & a tweak to the gearing, the times dropped however, and I dipped into the 32's for the first time. Still surprised to land pole, even with the reduced grid, as there was still a complement of aliens present.
Retained the place at the start, and after Ziu's premature exit, the main pressure would be from Daz & Geoffers. About a quarter into the race, I was feeling snug in the lead, with a 4-sec gap, but a less than stellar lap lost me 1 sec of this gap. Not worried, as there was a clear reason, but got a frown on my face after the following, not slow lap, when the gap had dropped further. Closer check of the mirrors revealed the chaser to be Geoff's Silver Arrow, rather than Daz. Clearly the race was far from won yet, and I had to try and up the pace.
Tyres were now less than pristine, especially the left front. Had only tested to about 10 laps worth of wear, so had to wing it, while trying to maximize my speed. Despite my best efforts, Geoffers kept creeping closer. Gap was down to 1.5 secs when it was at its smallest, but then thankfully started to go the other way again. About lap 20, it was back around 3-4 secs, when it suddenly jumped to 11+ secs. Obviously Geoffers had gone off, and later IFF tags showed he had dropped back behind Daz again. Gave me a much needed breather, as the gap to Daz was holding or growing a little each lap, even after slacking a little off the kamikaze pace.
Nice for a change to be able to compete with the aliens. Grats to Daz & Geoffers for their podiums. Commiserations to early retirements Ziu & Kurt - hope your back gets better soon Kurt!
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