Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to practice this one on the Monday night but I have to say, within two scrappy as hell laps I realised this combination was going to be sennnnnnnsational. The Riley felt absolutely awesome around here! The balance was just beautiful and I was finding if I could smooth out my inputs as opposed to doing my normal trick when I try and go fast of chucking it in violently, the rewards were there.
Was pleased with the practice pace but I made such a hash of qually. A combination of buggering about with setups, struggling to get out of the pits in clean air and losing it on cold tyres left me with one opportunity to get a run in towards the end. I didn't banzai it as I was still in 15th at that point and just needed a banker - fortunately I managed to salvage sixth spot which was a relief all things considered!
Managed to get a jump on Gizmo at the start but it was shortlived as I got overexcited on cold tyres and promptly handed the spot back within a few corners. As it happens I'm actually glad I ended up where I did with Ken and Mike as I was really enjoying that trust that meant I could run close with them both - they may not echo this sentiment by the way lol. I felt like I had the pace to pull away if I could just get ahead of that blasted Wrightson but he drove very well, solid laps without any major mistakes and as the biggest speed differential was through Westfield I was left with the option to either "do or die" it at Sheene, or absolutely nail Clearways and Paddock to get the run into Druids where I could sense it was possibly on too.
Anyway after plenty of action and many laps chasing Mike later, I thought I'd do the clever thing, dive in the pits and come out in clean air, just long enough to get the jump (provided he also stopped for tyres of course!). Unfortunately when I rejoined it was right into traffic in 11th spot and as I fast approached Paul T, I went to take the wide line into Paddock to get a run into Druids, when he lost it and I promptly collected him for good measure. Car was buggered, job done. Bit of anticlimax as I was having a blast up until that point but just one of those things.
Thanks Ken and Mike anyway - it really is a pleasure when you're able to run Centimetres away from somebody safe in the knowledge the braking points and lines etc will be consistent - I didn't do a very good job of using my momentum and I really have to stop having a look at gaps when following, only to compromise my own line but all in all that was a slice of what I love about this simracing malarkey! Think I lost half a stone too lol.
Grats Brendan and podium guys - if I'd have know I was 0.021 off your fastest lap of the race I'd have tried a bit harder to rob that accolade from you but I'm not sure there was much left to be fair!
Well done to Mr. Gymer on the championship - well earned!
Can we do it again tonight?