Disastrous race from start to finish. Couldn't quite match my pb in qual, but didn't matter, as it wouldn't have changed my position. Found the start very tricky - at 3000rpm it bogged down, at 3500rpm it smoked the tyres!
Got okaish off the line, passing the fishtailing Dimitar, but when I stupidly wanted to confirm that the green/white rocket shooting past was indeed Dan, I accidently hit my 'Neutral' button instead of the 'tags' one. With all the noise around me, I couldn't hear what was wrong and dropped like a stone through the field. Regained some positions when others went off and found myself chasing Roger. Made a move after some laps, but ran wide into the corner, forcing him off the track - apologies for that. Waiting let both Dimitar & Matt through, before Roger could pass again. Next attempt went a little better, and I then chased Matt until he went off.
Homed in on Clive & Fulvio, finding it hard to get past the former. After finally succeding, I got distracted flashing a 'thank you' to Tony for letting me lap him, missed my braking point and went on the grass, as commented by Clive. More screw-ups when I got on the power too soon, lost the rear, spun off and kissed the wall. Clive now 15 secs ahead and I wasn't closing; that is, until I found him rejoining just 2 secs ahead. Thus the battle started again. He had a few sideways moments, but is just too good at recovering from these. Placed his car very cleverly in the middle, at the end of the straight. I was looking for an opportunity, while simultaneously trying not to take him out under braking. His position forced me to the extreme left or right, but when I took the bait, I would get squeezed, leding to a few near misses. Etiquette meant waiting for him to get up to speed again. Apologies to Dimitar; it was during one of these you lapped me. Had not seen you at all, so a complete surprise when you suddenly broke my right rear light.
My battle with Clive eventually forced me to evasive action, cutting the corner at T1, getting a warning - my 2nd. Didn't want a S/G so backed off and fell back, resigned to just following him home for the remaining laps. However, a new opportunity presented itself when he lost enough time for me to be closer down the start/finish, allowing me to put myself decidedly up the inside before T1.
Grats to Geoffers & pod - based on results, it appears two drivers should push ahead with this, and the rest of us are more suited for a knitting club..