This was by far my best showing in PnG.
Thanks to John who shared a setup with the Soggies, which with a just a few very minor tweaks to suit myself, and only a few laps offline practice, was turning in 1:44's on race fuel. When Clive suggested that pole might need a 1:42, I thought , "well at least I should be somewhere in the pack and enjoy a good bit of racing".
Just for once I weakened and did a qually run on minimal fuel instead of sticking to race fuel like I normally do. To say I was surprised to get pole was an understatement, I figured that if I could get a 1:42, then there would be 3 or more doing 1:41'''s!!!
I over egged the start and wheel spin cost me 2 places before T1. Clive pulled a gap immediately and with John's Cortinny in chase that pair threatened to run away. I was determined to hold on as long as I could and see if my pole position was a true reflection of my pace. My smile was getting wider as I realised after a few laps that not only could I stay with the dynamic duo, but that in places I was able to close up so much on John that I had to back off. A few more laps working out where I might make a move and I was able to squeeze past John and set off after Clive, who had sneakily stretched his lead to over 3 secs.
I was slowly reeling Clive in by a couple of tenths per lap, and a quick bit of mental arithmetic told me I should be with him before the final laps. Until I made a total pratfest of the final chicane and bounced along the grass. John did not need a second invitation and re-took 2nd spot.
I had to do it all again, but this time John was wise to where I had the advantage and despite sitting on his bootlid, he was just not taking the hint!! Then he made the same mistake that I had and bounced along the outside of the S/F straight.
From then on I just nailed it and pushed as hard as I dared to try and catch Clive..time and laps were running out. With 2 laps to go a pair of backmarkers came into play and I was able to close the last 0.5secs to the back of Clive's car.
The last lap was going to be interesting
Through the earlier laps it was apparent that Clive was quicker in the first half of the lap and I was a fraction quicker for the 2nd half. I had to start my move at the hairpin so with a good run off the previous corner I stuck it down the outside and risked everything on some late braking.
We exited the hairpin side by side, through the little Esses side by side. Up to the final chicane and still side by side. Much exchanging of paint samples and a deft nudge from Clive's car that forced 2 of my wheels onto the grass as we hit the final straight made the difference.
0.4 secs from a win!!! I wuz robbed!!!
Grats to Clive and John for some great racing and a Soggy 1,2,3,4.