Talk about lucky!!!
Fluked a one run qually lap and with a 1:47 got myself mid pack, which was better than expected. race plan was to keep it clean and hope to pick up places as Monaco always appears to be a place of attrition ( at least it is in GPL).
I got caught by a slow staring car in front of me off the grid..maybe that was Frederico having probs?? Almost rear ended him and jinked sideways the got swamped by the horde of Porkers screaming up the inside. I had no option but to stick my car right around the outside line at St Devote and just as I was about to nail the gas someone decided to throw a road block across the inside 2/3rds of the track.
It seems that the only gap through the melee was at the end of my bonnet
, so I closed my eyes and went for it, and the car shot through like a wet bar of soap.
I did not dare look at how many places I had gained until I was going through the tunnel with Snr Dan in close attendance............3rd place!!!!! around Monaco.
woohoo. I immediately revised my race plan and employed the Hiki Waza tactics book of cunning ploys.
#27b around Monaco if you have the lead just make sure you keep it clean and smooth and above all, get off the corners fast even if you are slow in.
The rest of the race was an exercise in frustrating anyone faster than me who wanted to progress. I had 3rd step on the rostrum and I was determined not to give it up easily. Snr Dan was trying to find a way past my new wide bodied Porsche with flared wheel arches and large wing mirrors and he was definitely faster at some points...but nowhere that he could make a pass
.
I thought that Dan had also read my Waza training book when he nudged me into a spin lol. But I avoided stalling the engine ( which is what usually happens!) and nailed the gas to spin the car around and face the right way, Dan was gentleman enough to allow me to keep my precious 3rd spot. I think he made an error a lap or so later because he suddenly dropped away, to be repleced by a hard charging Legzy.
Legzy was quite plainly much faster than I was with a clear track, but I had to drive a very defensive race and go just fast enough to prevent him getting a chance to pass. Like he said there were one or two times when he almost got into position but I managed to cling on.
There was zero chance of me catching either John or Clive, but as the race progressed I felt more confident of holding 3rd. Especially when Legzy opted to test the armco and give me a few laps rest on at least 3 occasions. The last few laps were just a case of keeping my concentration and getting the car to the flag.
Like I said at the start "lucky", but after the luck I had to work for the silverware and at any other track would probably have been passed by about 6 cars!! lol
