Oh dear, another race where I'm out on lap 1 although this time all my own work.
So, big apologies for the carnage I caused at the top of the hill on the first lap. The back end slowly pirouetted around and I was stranded right on the corner
It was certainly some seriously challenging conditions out there, especially in a GT1 - well done to all those who finished.
Qualified in 2nd place for GT2's, 15th overall. Was quite happy with the wet start (
though it was a complete shock despite checking the generate weather link for initial conditions) as the F430-GT2 deals nicely with the rain.
Got up to eighth spot (1st place GT2) mid way through the first lap proper, when Mcfids lost his rear end at the top of the hill. Three of us were in a line, with Matt between us, he got through on the inside as Mcfids back-end started going wide, I followed but the rear end accelerated round & walloped my front right side hard as I also went down the inside. That hit gave me a puncture & sent me into a wall.
Got back on & limped round the track with three wheels. Took ages in the pits to repair everything & get a new set of tyres put on the front for the puncture.
So I was now back in last place (15th to 8th to 22nd in one lap
) & lapped by everyone as far back as team mate Blunder in 15th spot already.
Basically spent the rest of the race catching people, making up 30 second gaps, getting past & making up another 30 second gap. Didn't get near to racing anyone except Dave who was a lap ahead (but running about the same pace) so I didn't want to mess with his race
Eventually got the gap up to MJ down to about 3 secs (having already unlapped myself previously several laps earlier) with about 15 mins to go. Figured that he must have done his pitstop by then & I could just be patient & wait for him to make a mistake or take any opportunity that raised its head.
Sadly I never got the chance as for some bizarre reason I got power exit over-steer at the double left hander near the end & hit a wall. Suspension gave up & I was out the race.
I was then doubly gutted as i saw MJ pit on the next lap before I left the game & by the sounds of it Prof pitted ahead of him too. So I'm pretty sure I could have finished fourth in class (despite the 1st lap incident!) had I just managed to bring it home :'( :'( :'(
Good race guys, well done to finishers.