I don't know how I got onto the track at all. I endlessly tried every IP address listed in the topic, plus a few random numbers suggested by my Magic Eight Ball, only to get the "Timed out connections" error message. I typed the password in lowercase, UPPERCASE, Mandarin, and Cyrillic. That didn't help either. Then with about 25 minutes to go in qualifying I was bounced onto the track, fortunately in the right car and with the 60fps box checked. I'll sure be happy when IGOR is restored to life.
Practice had gone pretty well during the previous two weeks. It seemed, however, that it would be only a matter of time before I would wind up on my roof after hitting that long, low, narrow ridge just beyond T3. So I thought I'd just dog it with full tanks in qualifying, take it easy until the tires warmed up, and hope for the best. I was barely surprised to see that a 1:12.05 in qualifying --- 5/100ths off a PB --- didn't put me higher than 8th of 9. You guys are nothing if not tough.
Through mystical processes as yet unrevealed to me, I somehow found myself running 4th overall at the end of L7. I quickly lost a spot, but recovered 4th on L19 and held it until I finally screwed up T1 on L33 and Billy overtook me. I finished 5th, not because I'm fast but because 1) I didn't make as many mistakes as I usually do and 2) I had a solid connection. At my level you're generally happy with what you can get. I am. I think it's my best league finish to date.
Happy holidays to all. See you at Snetterton in the new year.