An extremely enjoyable nights racing (guess I'd better forget about moaning about my brakes after this race and concentrate on driving). New PBs in qual and race and battles throughout the race, also only lapped by the winner - Erling certainly seemed to be enjoying his race by the way he slipped down the inside of me on the approach to a slow right hander, touch of brakes and off into the distance.
Made a good start and avoided any first lap contact, had early battles with Kurt and Paul. About half way through race noticed Clive was slowly but surely closing me down I started to push as hard as I could, made a couple of minor errors and he was on my tail I managed to brake as late as I dared and put power down as soon as possible and managed just stay ahead to the finish it was hard going but satisfying. Thanks for giving me racing room, EvilClive the Gentleman.
I think my lack of experience with car choices around here does me no favours. I went for the Opel simply because it was different and sounded good. I had done a 2:16 with a Beemer offline within 3 laps, so I'm sure I could have squeezed another second out of that car...still not on the pace of the fast guys, but respectable I guess?
My race was screwed when I clipped a kerb in T1 on the 3rd lap and stuffed the nose into the wall, it took me far too long to a) restart the engine...b)stall it coz its in 3rd gear, get it into neutral........c) restart the engine......d) drop the clutch in reverse and stall......e) start the engine ..................... I think you are getting the picture?
After that it was a case of throwing the huge Opel around and trying to hunt down the cars in front... a long way in front!! I made a couple of errors and lost time I had gained, but slowly I the mini ahead got bigger until with about 4 laps to go I was on his tail.
The last laps were a David and Goliath battle as I struggled to make my extra power negate that mini and his ruddy late braking and quick cornering. I got alongside a couple of times but I had to brake earlier or I knew I would simply flatten Bill and his mini at the next apex
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Great fun and a fascinating battle, I wish we had had a few more laps of that Bill
I think I am still not punishing these cars enough, as I finished the race with same engine health as I started 99% and all tyres still at least 90% good and green. Maybe it is time to get more nasty with them lol.
Grats to the winners and I am enjoying the learning curve in these tin tops
