i have to confess that this is NOT one of my favourite circuits. Just one of those tracks where I cannot usually get a smooth ride.
It all started very badly in qually as the setup I had dragged in from the archives must have been planted there by a saboteur!! It was a nightmare to drive and I failed to finish the first 5 "out laps". I even got black flagged by GPL for driving the wrong way ON THE GRASS!!!
With about 15 mins to go I made some micro-fine adjustments with a scaffold tube and a large log.
As a result I started almost last with what was an untried setup.
The first lap was very careful as I got the feel of the car, which actually was a great improvement and I was able to increase my pace slowly.
I knew from past races that there was likely to be a high rate of attrition, so survival was my 1st priority
. I picked up places as those ahead crashed out and when i caught a car I waited for a clear chance before risking anything. ( I think Doni allowed me to pass?? ).
David Rainier defended well for a couple of laps, but when he ran wide I took the chance and set off after Andreas. Slowly I was closing the gap, but once I had caught him getting past proved a real problem. He was driving defensively and had the extra grunt in the Brabham 2.7 out of the corners.
I seemed to be better on the brakes in a few places but I would need to be close to make a clear attempt. That chance came as we approached the cobbled section with the Karussel. I picked up the slipstream on the fast downhill and moved to the inside for braking and waited for Andreas to blink first
. I was just beginning to wonder if he would ever brake when he did and I was able to take the inside through the corner and 3rd spot.
By this time Tris was literally miles in front and so was Dean, so it looked like 3rd was all I would get , if I could keep it clean for the last 4 laps. Then Dean vanished and I was in 2nd with 2 laps to go
.
Almost made a couple of dumb errors on the last laps as concentration wandered, but draged the little Brab BRM home for a very satisfying 2nd spot.
Grats to all those who made the finish. I think this was my first finish here in about 6 races!!