After Wed evening's sluggish practice session I was not looking forward to this race. In qually I gave the Escort a whizz but decided that I did not have time to master the 4 speed gearbox and handling. So I reverted to the Porker for the race.
There was a moment of revelation when I realised that I was running hard tyres, when I thought I had selected the softs, about 50% through qualifying. A stop and tyre change shaved 2 secs off my lap times even on race fuel and put me in the low 1:20's.
I then did what I rarely do and tried a qually run with reduced fuel ( I usually keep the tank full ) and suddenly I was sub 1:20 and alongside Federico on the front row
I honestly did not want to start the race there, as I know my starts are poor and faster cars would be all over me at T1. So, grateful thanks to those who made the effort to get ahead of me and pushed me back a couple of rows
......where I still fluffed the start!!!
A longish stint in Qually had convinced me that the softs would actually go the distance, although the last few laps might be a little dodgy, so I needed to protect them if i could. Simon however had other ideas and was all over my tailpipes forcing me to push hard.
FR, Frex and Geoffers were easing away ahead whilst Simon and myself traded blows lap after lap( great racing
)
After a while we came across Frex recovering from the gravel at Mclanes and a 3 way battle now looked likely. Well it did, until I dropped 2 gears, instead of one, at the very next corner and toasted Simon's bonnet with a sheet of flame and molten pistons!! His fault! he should not have been that close
!!
Race over. But quite chuffed to have found some pace lately that gets me into the action.
Grats to Federico Geoffers and Frex, plus all the finishers and to Simon for some entertaining laps whilst it lasted