Fortunately the problem of which car to use did not afflict me as i have absolutely no idea which car might be quickest.
So I used a very scientific method and went purely on the top speed as given on the car selection listing in GTL. It suggested that the Ferrari Lungworm was a few kph quicker so I worked on that and slowly tamed the setup to transform it from a 45 tonne jelly with zero directional stability, to something that at least responded to steering inputs within the next 5 minutes!!
I wound the gearing up to maximum and went with the Vintage Hard tyres ( simply because I have no idea about the suitability of any of the others
) hoping they would at least allow me to complete the race.
The biggest worry was the fuel, because the setup page appeared to indicate that a full tank would only get me as far as lap 13!!?? Consultation with the team strategy advisor, Mabel Glutbucket, resulted in her turning on her transistor radio and announcing that Women's Hour was a long running programme and perhaps I should use it ??!!!
I started the race carefully and even so, managed to test the wall on the exit of Masta.. I can confirm that it was solid
After a lap or so the tyres began to yield some grip, not a lot but some, and I was able to push slightly. By now it had become apparent that several cars had diverted to the refreshment tent and the free beer and that I had inherited a few places to be running in 5th!!
Still concerned about fuel consumption I was nervous about chasing Mr Spock too hard, but, well you know how it is when the little competion gremlin sits on your shoulder and whispers " there he is...only 5 secs ahead LOOK!!! you can see him on the straights, just give it a bit more and you can have him...go on brake a little later accelerate a little earlier, go on!! go on!!"
Slowly the gap came down and I resisted the urge to try and close up too quickly and throw everything away with a dumb mistake. The speed advantage on the straight was evident and I chipped away until I was within a second and picked up the draft ( at least I think I picked up the draft, there is one isn't there??!). The mistake by Phspok was all I needed and I was through, now I did push hard to break away and give myself a cushion. But it was still only half distance and the tyres had taken some grief. On the up side the fuel issue was obviously not a problem, I could have sold half my tank of fuel to pay for Mavis's Belgian Fries and Mayonaise!!!
I was on my own for lap after lap and the only thing keeping me awake was trying to control the tyre wear...until I looked in my mirror and saw a yellow Phspok within 2 secs!! I had allowed my lap times to drift off and he was on a mission. In trying to get away again I tried too hard and ran wide allowing him to pass, but I recovered quickly and slotted in about 4 secs behind him.
With 4 laps to go I had to get on terms quickly and I think I must have used the last of my good rubber getting to him with the rears edging into the red and the fronts definitely tango'd. Thought I would play it cool and wait for the last lap and use the top end of the Fezza down to Masta and Stavelot, then try and hang on through the twists for a 3rd place finish.
Unfortunately, as we approached La Source PS ran wide and mowed both verges in a a quite spectacular and innovative way, during which process he also demonstrated his extraordinary car control by zipping across the track only feet from the front of my car at speeds of over 180kph!!! I was very impressed !
By the time the grass was short enough and to his satisfaction I was exiting Eau Rouge with 2 laps to go and a lead of about 5 secs, which even though I eased my Lungey Fezza through the last laps, grew steadily as PS struggled with his tyres.
Quite chuffed with a 3rd place, but well aware that many who would have been quicker suffered bad luck early on. But how GT was doing the lap times that he was is just scary!! I also guess I am not working these cars hard enough as I still had 99% engine health at the end, plus a tanker load of fuel!!!
