Grats to those who made it to the finish. This circuit does not forgive a driver's mistakes and I was extremely fortunate last night. A little sad to see a reduced grid.
Leading up to these final two races I had a chance to challenge Clive Loynes' lead in the championship. I was pretty certain that he would use the Lancia, and all that power would be a big threat around this tricky circuit. The track might be unforgiving, but there are some long and very fast sections where outright speed was going to be a big advantage. I did consider using my favourite chassis, the Maserati 250f, and tried a few laps. There is no doubt that the Mazzer was quick and after 5 laps prib was promising a sub 1:54 lap on race fuel, but when I read the race post about Tony Brooks winning in a Connaught???...….well I just had to try and re-create that victory didn't I??
Then Axel got involved in qually and proved that my fears about the Lancia power were right and despite throwing the Connaught around the track in a 100% all or nothing attempt I could only manage a 2nd spot on the grid. I was astonished ( again!!) when Tim got the Gordini in to 3rd spot
. Clive Loynes was a little further back and I suspected that he was playing the survival game, hoping that getting to the flag whilst others argued with the stone walls.
Axel took the lead from the start and I tucked into his slipstream. My worry was the first lap when cars behind might run out of brakes and do the bowling ball trick, but Axel was quick and dragged us both clear of the chasing pack. The rest of the race was a great battle, both with Axel and the track. Trying to push hard but not destroy the car against those walls or sticky haybales was stressful...but huge fun too!! There were a few contacts with the walls, but nothing that damaged the car fortunately until I got too close to the rear of Axel's car just as my brakes evaporated and I had to flick the car sideways to slow it down and avoid rear ending him. By the time I had recovered control the Lancia was powering away from me and out of slipstream range.
I think there were about 8 laps to go and I wondered if I could reel Axel in again, but I did want a win for the Connaught
I nailed a couple of quick laps and halved the gap but I was risking everything and a certain 2nd spot. So I eased off a little and was resigned to following Axel home, until I came across a struggling Lancia....I could not believe that it was Axel and it took several checks on Prib over the next laps to confirm that I had taken the lead. I was concerned that the speed of the Lancia would allow Axel to catch me so I was absolutely on the limit until I realised that Axel was slow and not able to chase me.
Almost threw away the win on the last lap when I relaxed and ran wide into those sticky haybales, but I kept my foot planted on the gas and ripped myself free with all 4 wheels still attached
It was nice to do a "Tony Brooks" in the Connaught and take the win. A shame that many were unable to complete the race and it looks like Clive and Tim suffered early exits. Still all to play for at Silverstone...…………………...