Politely declined an invite to see an old friend (of the fair sex no less
), so I could do these races. In retrospect, after seeing the outcome, I should have forgotten about the races and accepted the invite..
Surprised to be on pole in this race. Notoriously difficult to start in the Monster Masser and sure enough a couple of cars slipped past. Felt I got pushed and bumped at the start and accidentally tapped Geoffer's car. Sent him into the wall and then into a somersault. Almost didn't wait, as I was sure someone else had pushed me, but glad I did - the replay shows it to be my own fault entirely. Very sorry Geoff; my car fishtailed ever so slightly, causing me to veer off course and hit your car.
Waited and found myself 10th and last. Started the chase, with little prospect of a good finishing position. Passed Kurt digging himself out of a sandbox, and subsequently Geoffers & Tony on the straight, thus up to 7th.
Caught Matt just before what would become my nemesis with this car/track combo: The lefthander with the tarmac'ed runoff area, just after passing the tower on the right. Unbelievably how early you had to brake in this car to negotiate that turn. Was approaching Matt's car way too fast under braking, and could either take him out or ditch myself. Picked the latter, more gentlemanly option. Flew past him and into the corner of the runoff area. Back to 9th then, as Tony and Geoffers sailed past.
On with the chase again. Tony made it easy when he spun ahead of me, and Geoffers next lost the rear in a corner, this time entirely without my assistance
Next passed a stationary Ati & Clive and was up to 5th. Further down the straight, I passed Matt & Steve. With 3rd, things were suddenly looking up.
However, when I caught Jeep in 2nd, the farce started in earnest. Passed him on the straight, but later that lap my nemesis; that confounded corner caught me out again. Overshot and Jeep went past. A repeat of the previous lap followed: I caught him at the banking and passed him on the straight. Left the door too open at the hairpin after the straight, and Jeep slipped past again! Thus for the THIRD time, I had to catch him at the banking and pass him down the straight. Quite comical..
This time I kept the lines tight through the twisties and retained 2nd.
Reeled in Ziu over the following laps, catching him at my nemesis, which got me once again!!
Couldn't stop in time and hit his car, sending it into a somersault (What is it with these Astons and somersaults..) Very sorry about that Ziu
Waited for him to get going again, and that let Jeep through too. As I set off, the rear kicked viciously out, sending me far into the grass. Rejoined only to have the combined effect of uneven tyre wear and dirty tyres make me lose it under braking, ending up in a kitty litter.
Matt passed before I could dig myself out, so I ended up between him & Steve. Now the final lap. Passed Matt again down the straight, but ran wide in one of the following corners. That stopped my car, so both Matt & Steve got past. Traction out of the corners was so bad now, that I could not catch and pass them before the race ended, despite the extra power of my Masser version.
From Pole to last, to 2nd knocking on first, and down to 5th again. Quite a roller coaster ride, which unfortunately ended in a dip..
Grats to the podium and all ahead. Apologies to those I hit and/or held back through the corners.
Cheers,
Erling