How the hell did I get a podium out of that???
Another race where I find myself choosing a different car to everyone else.... Either I'm very clever or I'm an idiot.. (Answers on a post card)..
Qualified 5th with a very lacklustre time in the mid 2:24's. I'm not sure what the tie loops are made of on the front of the Aston but if they touched the ground after the jump it somersaulted the car I didn't have it happen to me once during offline practising and then it happened twice in Qualy.
Got a great start and was up to 3rd by the 1st corner, nice and easy down the hill then completely screwed up the exit of that little complex and ran up the bank then back across the track, very well done to everyone for avoiding me while all this was going on, I was just a passenger at the time. Waited for everyone to file past and then set off in pursuit of the rest of the field.
Caught Bill fairly early on and he graciously kept left to allow me through, I responded by running way wide and giving him the position back again, this seemed to be setting the tone for my evening ahead. Caught him again and this time actually made it stick. A lap or so later was right up with Tony and got a better exit at the "Cobbles Hairpin" and set off in search of Bob and Michel, I could see they were having a right ding dong ahead and slowing each other up. Michel spun at the hairpin and Bob and me were through, The next few laps consisted of Bob in his Mazza pulling out a lead on every available straight bit of track and me clawing it back during the twisty bits. Eventually he lost it after the long down hill section and launched it into orbit off the bank and I was through.
Was surprised (Impressed even) to find Roguk hammering the little Ferrari around at quite a lick but the superior power of the Aston slowly reeled him in, A great battle over the next few laps with me making a pass and then true to form screwing up and letting him back through, eventually I got through and even opened up a 5s gap at 1 point only to make a complete pigs ear of T1 and hit the bank spinning 180, Got pointing in the right direction as Roguk came around T1 so stayed right and let him through, This latest cockup put Bob back in my mirrors for a while but he pitted early so set about Roguk again, eventually made the pass only to again run wide a little later to let him back through again. Caught him into the hairpin but it was time for some fresh tyres, fuel and an assessment of the damage I had inflicted on the poor Aston. Pulled into the pits, surveyed my options.. I could see the pit crew ready with the hammers eager to knock out the dents. "How long to fix the bodywork"
Sheesh, forget that, just fill er up and put some fresh rubber on and don't spare the horses..
It was a good job I didn't waste time getting the bodywork repaired because straight out of the pits, and hit the bank after T1 (Again)!!!! Sorted myself out, Roguk was a long way up the road by now but he was still my target, things didn't get any better and a few laps later I lost it landing after the jump and almost collected Erling who was coming around to lap me at the time.
Over the next several laps I unlapped myself when Erling pitted and slowly began to make significant ground on Roguk, and after he pitted I even began to believe I might grab a podium. Then Geoffers disappeared and I was 3rd, so perhaps even an undeserved 2nd was on the cards? Then I could actually see the Ferrari so near yet still so far away.. Then it felt like Christmas had arrived 9 months early as he had to take avoiding action due to a mix up with Tony and Michel and I was within 100m with 2 laps to go, cue evil laugh.. You're mine I thought to myself... Well you know what they say about Pride coming before a fall?? Yep, I ran wide again, I went so far off track I thought I might need to buy a ticket to be allowed back into the race.. By the time I recovered the little Ferrari was well gone so I calmed myself down and thanked everyone for a totally unexpected podium, I thought I was having a bad day, but some must have had a nightmare..
Thanks all, Congrats to Erling and Roguk and all finishers.
TTFN
John.