Well, I never expected that!!! My first win in PnG, and probably in the cars that have given me the most grief. Although looking back I can see that I have slowly been getting used to how to drive these beasts, with improving performances. It is all about controlling the urge to stamp on the gas and unleash all those torques through the rear wheels for me.
I did a couple of laps on Wed evening after seeing Simon's post about a 3:45 lap, just to see if I was anywhere near "on pace". My first few laps in the open topped beast that is the 427, were entertaining but netted only a 3:50 lap, probably some neater driving would have shaved a few seconds off of that.
Then I tried the Daytona with a Stig setup that I had from somewhere ,and clocked a 3:47 on the first flying lap on race fuel. Each lap got quicker until a 3:45 rolled up......happy with that! as Simon is usually getting himself in the action with his pace. A switch to the softer tyres and a few clicks off the bump /rebound settings made the car much more compliant, but I ran out of "play time" on Wednesday and planned to tweak things in quali last night..............but someone pulled a sneaky move and turned the lights out.
The dark quali probably played in my favour as many did not bother to run and I was able to call on my GPL knowledge of this circuit and plant a reasonable lap to place me on the front row alongside John. Maybe a daylight quali would have seen a few more cars between me and clear air??
Clive is right about my first ever decent start. That Daytona just launched off the line and I was scared that John might still be alongside as we dipped into Eau Rouge. I had to risk a couple of sideways looks just to be sure as I committed to that corner...not something that I would normally contemplate doing
For the first lap I just tried to get clear of the possible slipstream effect and keep Clive and John at a "safe" distance. When lap 1 was over and they still had not closed the gap I got a bit cocky and thought I could simply outrun them, but all I did was over drive the car and lost vital seconds here and there until Clive was on my tail and John was getting perilously close. I made a total Horlicks of Malmedy and Clive carried more speed and swept past running down to Masta.
I took the opportunity to sit in behind Clive and compose myself, learning an interesting lesson in the process. I had geared my car for slipstream with a very high ratio gearset, never expecting to be in front. So I was able to draft up behind Clive very easily. But more importantly, I discovered that I needed to redline in 3rd to extract maximum speed when I dropped into the high 4th gear. A few trial runs up behind Clive and I was ready to pounce. I had spotted his weakness at Stavelot and I was maybe quicker through Eau Rouge and Masta.. and John was just beginning to creep closer in 3rd!!
I got a great run on Clive as I carried more speed through Carrier? I think at just drafted past on the run up the hill. Some 10/10ths driving to La Source and I had over a second on him. Nailed Eau Rouge and stretched the gap again. Now I was keeping it tidy and avoiding wheelspin and the pace was good and the tyres were hardly worn..the gap just extended with every section.
I think Clive had a "moment" and dropped back to be replaced by John who was still 3 secs back, but one mistake and he would be past me. I had the advantage of greater speed on all those straights, so I made the most of it and pushed on. I think the gap was up to about 7 seconds with 2 laps to go and it was about then that the little voices started.
"Don't lose it now" " are the tyres OK", they are a little worn" " ooh that front left looks a bit close to the bottom of the green" " and what about fuel!! have you checked the consumption? coz you have been pushing hard!!" " better short shift to the end, better to cruise in 2nd rather than not make it to the flag".
The last lap I was a total nervous wreck of my own making, I backed off by about 5 secs as I watched the fuel deplete and John get closer and closer. As it turns out I had plenty of juice as I had completely filled the tanks before the race....but you never know in PnG!!
Grats to John for keeping the pressure on right to the flag and to Simon for 3rd. A clean sweep for the Soggies
Also thanks to Clive for passing me before I could throw my car at the scenery and allowing me to regain some rhythm and decorum.
Oh and thanks to Matt for the night time qually, I couldn't have done it without you mate