This was an evening that turned out quite unexpectedly. Really didn't like the track. Found it tricky, without being rewarding. Let your mind wander for a tiny moment, and you could be sure of entering the next blind curve too fast and/or on a completely wrong line. Thus entered with an attitude of something that I just needed to get over with, so a bit ironic that I should then get two good results after some thoroughly enjoyable racing, but not the first time that has happened in GTL
Offline I couldn't break below 1:30 in either car. Very average, and knocking 0.5 sec off that with the TVR in qual only got me 6th on the grid. Start went well, but Steve muscled his was past rather determinedly within the first corners. Later on L1, I passed Clive who had gone off. I'm sure he's cursing that moment, as that allowed me to do a 'Rogerblock' on him for half the race
Sorry Clive; hope I wasn't being too unfair by not letting you by, but I rather enjoyed our battle. You're one driver with whom I feel I can safely have a close duel, without fear of being punted off, as long as I leave you room to manoeuvre.
Gained a pos when Steve went off, and later another one, as we both passed Flash who had just rejoined after an off. 1 or 2 laps later, the same happened with Jose, in much the same place. Thus found myself in 3rd halfway through the race, but with a plethora of faster drivers right behind me, it seemed unlikely that I could hold it to the finish. To my delight, Jose immediately started bugging Clive - with a bit of luck, the two gents could keep each other occupied, while I slipped away
More likely though, would be either one or both knocking on my door in short order.
It was my lucky day however, as Clive, Flash & Jose traded places several times, but each falling off just regularly enough for me to stay in front till the finish line
As qual drew to an end in race 2, I was much surprised to find myself 2nd on the grid - except I wasn't !! In the closing seconds, BloodyClive managed to snatch it from under my nose
- Lol, guess that was payback for race 1
Start went ok, but then Flash started warping very badly, his car zooming back and forth. I tried my best to stay on a different path from him, to avoid a collision. After a short while, it quited down a bit, and I was 4th, chasing Clive & Flash. Went on for a number of laps, but then I suddenly saw Flash in a spectacular somersault before the chicane. He took Clive with him off and I was suddenly in a very unlikely 2nd place. Clive soon rejoined, chasing after me. Like the first race, I concentrated very hard on going as quickly as possible, without making mistakes, and thankfully that was enough to retain 2nd to the finish line.
Grats to my fellow podium'ers and all who finished on this demanding track.
Cheers,
Erling