Yes, thanks for that tow at the end of qualifying Clive
. Up to that point I was beginning to think that my deodorant was not working, because I could not find anyone to slipstream
...something that is critical around here!
Monza 10k is a circuit where the race is decided on the last lap, provided you are in the leading group and stay out of trouble
So...getting 2nd spot on the grid was going to help me stay with the wild bunch at the front. Clive and John looked to be a big threat in those SL's and Axel had obviously done some serious practice in his Lancia. There were some fast cars behind who might have similar ambitions
Like Mr Loynes, I was not bothered about leading provided that that I was "in the tow" and in the leading group. There were a few nervous moments in the early laps as John and Axel set a punishing pace and looked like they might possibly escape. So I was relieved when Clive eased past in his SL and towed me back into contention
. John and Clive effectively towed Axel and myself away from the chasing group until we were a safe distance clear and I could relax and sit in 4th....until John vanished and Axel and Clive pushed the pace.
I suspect that my gearing was different to that which Axel was using, because he appeared to be able to run faster around the banked section but through Curve Grande and the Lesmos I could make up any lost ground. It did occur to me that Clive must have been sick of pulling a gap around the high speed sections, only to see my Lancia sat on his a** exiting Lesmo 2 for lap after lap.
Then he dropped back and I suspected that he was just sandbagging in his silver machine, which gave me a dilemma. Should I stay with Axel at the front ? or drop back with Clive and rely on his slipstream to drag me back to the front in the final laps?
I opted to stay with Axel at the front, just in case I made a mistake later and lost the tow from Clive. This was OK for the next 10 laps and I was beginning to work out where I might gain an advantage in the final lap.
It was around this point that I realised I was carrying around 10 galls of extra fuel!!, which might explain my lack of top speed? but not how I was faster through the corners!!??
Then Clive decided to rejoin the action and cruised up behind us. I was watching him in my mirrors and Axel's tail pipes as we approached Parabolica. Axel was taking the inside line and Clive looked like he was just going to wait for the banked section to make his move. As I turned into Parabolica Axel's rear end twitched and I was obliged to take avoiding action to avoid any contact. The move to miss Axel unsettled the car and broke the adhesion ( what adhesion??!!) of the tyres and my Lancia slid towards that huge gravel trap
I thought that i had almost caught the slide and might just get away with it..........but the tarmac was a few cms too narrow and I dropped two wheels into the gravel. By the time I had regained the tarmac and full control Axel and Clive were gone and beyond slipstream range.
I tried to close the gap, hoping for a mistake from the pair ahead, but eventually I had to accept that 3rd was my best hope.
No probs with Axel's "twitch" that is what happens when you race at those speeds and that close.
Grats to Clive and Axel and to all those who finished.