What a contrast to last week's race. Hated this track just as much as I loved Spa'67. Deceptively simple, but the lack of brake markers and other features made it very difficult to judge your braking points. Cars were all bitches, seemingly hellbent on swapping ends under braking, or at the very least veer off course. If they didn't get you that way, they were ever so ready to mug you going out of the corners, should you apply the throttle a fraction too early or hard..
Ironic then, but as often in the past, I end up having some great racing on a track I don't like
Massive improvement of my pb in qual, but still one of the slowest Mercs, down in 5th - tough crowd this..
Made a bad start losing places, when both Clive and Phil squeezed past. That was the start of a great 3-way duel lasting half the race. Clive had made it past Phil, and later I did so too. Chased Clive over many laps without finding a way past. His confidence in my braking ability seemed boundless, when more than once, he moved from the side and in front of my car, just as he was slammin' on the anchors. Thankfully I didn't let him down, but it was soooo close
An opportunity arose when he went on to the grass at the Back Straight. I passed him, but his comeback move caught me by surprise; he shot up the inside under braking for Beacon Bend, grass on the tyres 'n' all, retaking the position. Brilliant move Sir - rude, but brilliant..
Over the following laps he would prove every bit the wily buggar you'd expect. I could poke my nose ahead of him between Rifle Bend and Cococabana Corner, but lap after lap, he would place his car on the extreme right, so I had to stay on the outside line and thus couldn't get past through the corner. I lined my car up to 'dive under', in case he overshot, but it didn't happen.
Finally got past early enough to hog the inside line. Had Clive as a close shadow over a lap or two, until he ran wide and was replaced by Ziu. He was reeling me in, as I was reeling in Hayman. Got past the latter in the same place as with Clive. Caught a glimpse of Ziu spinning out of control, apparently losing it under braking. Only when watching the replay did I realise there was contact between our cars, which probably contributed to it. Sorry Ziu; was completely focused on Hayman and the corner, so had not realised at all that you were making a move on me.
Slowly extended the gap to Hayman over the following laps. When he went off, it jumped from 2.5 to 9 secs, and the race went lonely. Geoff was almost 30 secs ahead and still moving away, so no chance of advancing further. Could thus coast to the finish in 3rd. Very happy about that, considering the company.
Grats to Geoff and Jose, and commiserations to those who didn't make it to the finish. Sad to see Bill leave before the race had even started
Bad luck about fuel Clive. The Merc was about 10% down, but as far as I could tell from by brief testing of them, the others were worse. Better take a large extra gulp, if you haven't had the chance to check it beforehand. Looked like you had car troubles again when joining. Didn't you get it solved the last time ?
Cheers,
Erling
