First off, sorry to Rob for qualifying. I was properly having a no-brain moment - thinking I'd slip by before starting the next lap. I should have just backed off and found space. Getting turned around on the final corner of a 2+ minute qualifying lap is pretty low.
I might put part of that down to being knackered. I'd actually spent most the weekend out the bike, riding round most of Southern England (with every other biker I think), enjoying a bonus summer's ride out. As I can never seem to the remember the start time for these races, got back about 3 minutes prior to qualifying. I'd done a few practice laps in the week, but no low fuel runs, but got in a pretty good lap early on to grab pole.
Had no plans for the race, but knew I'd enjoy driving the track, so went the approach of getting the finish, and have fun doing so. As the season has gone on, I've made steady progress with driving this car. At Watkins, I always felt on the edge, and knew if I got off line, went in too deep, I'd be off. That happened, and ended up being a short race. At Sebring, I knew i just had to finish the race. Admittedly I was also learning the track, but found I had to drive incredibly conservatively to avoid a repeat of Watkins. I managed it, but never felt like was doing anything but cruising. By Silverstone (a track I love), I started to feel I could push more, and that was a lot more fun. But still, too many mistakes when pushing hard lost me too much time overall. At Spa, I was starting to really feel I push lap after lap, and I guess that's what's needed for a result in these races.
I got away from the start well enough (half lap pace lap caught me out a bit), and put a little bit of a gap back to Peter, but ended up staying at around the 2-3s mark. Was really having to push on at this stage, and a lazy spin into the final chicane handed the lead to Peter. Unfortunately, almost immediately, Peter ran in trouble with a GT car, and damaged the car. By this time I'd got a reasonable lead, but spotted my annoying consistent nemesis Dave G now in second. For most the first half the race he kept the pressure on - and I was very lucky to get a away with a quick spin out of Fagnes (sorry again to Rob, and thanks for avoiding me!) trying to build a gap.
As things had settled after the pitstops, I had a good enough lead, and knew i just had to keep it on the road. I kept on pushing, if only to keep the concentration up. With a few laps to go, got a bit of a fright as the server quality started creeping up. Bit like seeing an oil light in the last hour of Le Mans, I guess. Actually no - that's a faintly ridiculous comparison
Cheers all for racing - thanks to all the GT guys, don't remember any close calls, and congrats to Gary on winning the (more competitive?) class
AB
EDIT: I forgot (I knew there was a reason I mentioned bikes earlier) - think I have a theory for seemingly finding it a little easier to drive this week: Spend all weekend 'riding sensibly and obeying all traffic laws', and driving an LMP2 seems remarkably tame.