I had only managed a couple of laps around this track in the middle of last week and decided that this was NOT a track where I expected to be quick. So no point in throwing away tokens on a fast chassis in a race that I might not finish?? I could have used the Lola BMW as I like the way it handles...or be really cheap and use the Fezza.
The weekend was spent away with my grandchildren being beaten up by 2 young boys ( apparently that is what Grandads are for!!) and I arrived home knackered and bruised. I did consider not racing, but decided that I could at least give it a go with the "cheap" Cooper and have some fun.
Qually was spent trying to remember the circuit and not arrive at the hairpin bends at warp speed thinking that it was a fast corner
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Eventually I began to hang some sectors together and post some credible lap times. In fact I was more than happy to be 4th..much higher than I thought I deserved to be, but when a further lap on race fuel popped in a 2nd place spot with just a few minutes left I had to smile
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Now the problem was focusing on a good start and a race that I almost had not bothered with and had done no long runs in preparation.
The first laps were a bit hectic on cold tyres and with Robert making small errors in front ( nothing that I could take advantage of!) and Ronnie snapping at my gearbox. Then Robert fluffed a gear change and I tried to allow my car to run around him......it did not work and I half spun allowing Ronnie to sneak through and take 2nd.
Ronnie and I had a great battle for several laps as I tried to find a way past and get back at Robert, but I think all we did was allow Mr Fleurke to ease away to safety!!
Eventually Ronnie ran wide and I took my chance to regain 2nd place, but by now Robert had got himself out of sight and no matter how hard I pushed I could not make any big dents in his lead. So the race became quite lonely except for the cars that I lapped who were generally very good and allowed me a smooth pass. There was one driver who I guess must have thought that I was someone else as he seemed intent on staying in front of me through several bends. It did not have any impact on the result for this race, so no problem this time.