First, I'd like to apologize to Dave R for sticking my nose back on the track in front of you. I floored it to get back to the side of the track and went too far. I couldn't think fast enough to back up. I was hoping nobody would hit me before I could react. But sure enough Dave comes along on the inside trying to stay out of trouble. Luckily, I only seemed to wreck Dave. I hope you're not too angry with me.
Congratulations Tom! Took the win in a crappy car! Congrats Axel and Donnie for avoiding all the carnage and making it to the flag in one piece. Axel's probably more disappointed with himself than I am with myself. It sucks to piss away such a good opportunity to win.
My apologies to you too Rob. After I got back on the track at Deers Leap, I had a green flag coming to the next rise but I immediately see a car stopped on the left. I swerved to avoid it and with there being another crest I don't see Rob and Fran's cars blocking the track until it's too late to stop. I tried to stop and then thread a needle between the two cars but I couldn't quite do it without slamming into Rob's car.
I didn't have a good feeling about turn 1 after the start. With such a strong tow in the F2 cars, such a high speed turn 1, and the brothers Mercaldo breathing down my neck I didn't expect things to go well. I was glad to make it through in one piece and without causing a pileup. I had to wait much later to brake and turn into t1 than I wanted but thankfully Piero gave me a little bit of room. I took it too fast into Leathemstown Corner just a little while later. I ran wide into the grass losing a position to Piero. That really screwed me up in the turn before Deers Leap. I missed my line and lift point with Piero's car blocking my view. That put me in a slide that I couldn't correct once I hit the low spot.
Later in lap 1 at Wheeler's Corner, Marco and Rog came together and I couldn't avoid Marco's car. I actually helped point Marco's car in the right direction and the mechanical report lists him with no damage from the incident.
After my violent spin at Deers Leap, sticking my chin out so Dave might take it off, nailing Rob, and hitting Marco, I can't believe the Matra was still in running condition. What a tough car!
After my 4:51s 1st lap, I still thought I had a chance to win. The race history graphs confirms that thought. I then proceeded to put in 5 good consistent laps. I started to get impatient trying to close such a huge gap that I made a mistake at Cochranstown spinning the car into the hedges. I tried for almost 30 seconds to dislodge it. That ruined any chance of me catching the leaders. I should have reset as soon I went into the hedge but it likely didn't change the outcome of the race. I do wish I had not used such a high gear for 5th. I never needed it to pass on the start-finish straight. I was probably losing a second a lap with that gear.
Thanks Dean for letting me pass. I wasn't expecting it at that point since it was for position. Sorry to slow you down so much. If I had known you'd do that, I would have passed sooner. Thanks again, that was kind of you. Thankfully we were both somewhat patient. It's a shame you went off soon after that. It's very difficult to follow another car here. I know I need a lot more practice to be proficient at it.
I'm glad and disappointed at the same time. Glad to finish 4th when I had only run one lap without a reset 2 hours prior to qualifying starting but disappointed that I pissed away another rare opportunity to win.
Great fun guys. Thanks again.
