UKGPL Season 31 (2017) Graduates Cup Privateers (67) - Nuerburgring - Apr 30

[Cookie]

Yes, I was stranded and would had to use a S+R...

I have decided to do this season only "fun" races, but the Nürburgring is hard work for me, especially in 67s 

[Jeep]

A real tortoise and Hare race from my end. I knew my way around the ring but had only really driven the Lotus here and was quite capable of sub 8:20 laps in it. But the chances of me being able to string together more than 1 lap without chucking it at the hedges was remote so at the last minute I decided to take the Brabham. grabbed the Alison set up off the track database and other than adjusting brake balance and steering ratio pretty much took it as it was.

Only did the single lap in Q from a pit start and managed an 8:38 which put me 5th on the grid.

Start seemed to go smoothly for the front group and I grabbed a spot off Rainier exiting Südkehre when he seemed to get a bag full of wheelspin on the exit so I settled in behind Bastian, Alex and Fulvio. A coming together between Bastian and Alex on the entry into Hatzenbach right in front of me and I found myself in 2nd. The next lap or so saw Fulvio slowly extend away from me meanwhile Rainer who was so much faster than me was climbing all over my gearbox looking for a way through. It was not until the exit of Schwalbenschwanz that I was able to put some daylight between us  and extend the gap still further down Döttinger Höhe but by a third of the way round the next lap Rainer had assumed his normal service of pushing me at every opportunity. Around Lap 2? 3? (It all became a bit of a blur) Came across Fulvio who had lost it at Schwalbenschwanz so inherited the lead with a good few hundred yard lead over Rainer, Stuck with the plan of sacrificing any thought of pace for keeping it on the track and a few problems for others behind meant I was able to pull out quite a lead at 1 point with Bastian closing to within a few hundred yards at some points but being able to extend that quite considerably at the slightest whiff of a straight.

Into the final lap and I was a good 10s ahead so simply concentrated on hitting the apexes and keeping it clean, only crossed the line 3s ahead at the flag but never felt under pressure to push on.

Really enjoyed that 1 and my 1st win at UKGPL so 1 to savour for me especially at the "Green Hell". No damage or reset needed. Well down on the lap times of the faster guys but.... "To finish 1st, First you gotta finish".

Thanks guys. See you at Mosport all being well.

TTFN
John.
 

[Ronnie Nilsson]

Congratulations on your first win, John.   

[Jeep]

Thanks Ronnie, See you at the pit of death and destruction also known as Monacane on Saturday. 

[Ronnie Nilsson]

 

[Billy Nobrakes]

Nothing to say about my race but well done John on the maiden win. More to come I'm sure.

[Samb]

Mod report published.

Thanks to Pepe for advising of your shift-r. Typically the penalty for a last lap shift-r is 15 seconds. As you finished more than 15 seconds ahead of Bill, I've let the result stand as they are.