UKGTL Season 18 Abarth Coppa Mille - Mugello - Aug 8

[Wiltshire Tony]

Nice to have a fuller grid but for me it did not make for a better evening. I'm rubbish in all these cars so I decided to take the car I'm least rubbish in, the Fiat. Was near the back of the grid at the start but made a good getaway. Had some good early battles with Roguk who was way quicker on the straights but seemed to struggle at turns. Just a matter of picking the right spot and making the pass stick. I also passed Clive who was all over the track. Next was either Misnoimis or Bob.M but never was able to close on them so the whilst the gap to those behind me increased I was only ever just in sight of the guys in front. Amazing speeds from the fast guys and I was almost lapped, phew.

[misnoimis]

It was nice to race again after a long layoff.  I had a few interesting laps with Bob about half way through the race but I guess I was a bit too harsh on my tyres and the grip suddenly disappeared big time. I felt I had to slow to stay on the track and let Bob ease away. Tony was just too far behind to catch me so I spent the second half of the race on my own and just trundled home.

Grats all, winner and podiums.

[Ziu Bacubacu]

When I read which Tony changed race day (thanks Tony) I did all to join, I was sure to meet a grid with more drivers, I hope to see it also in future. Impossible beat Geoffers yesterday, it seems me to drive into an oven and I had the usual problem with my arm but at least I had a fun night with Erling (I sure less fun for Erling), other time I drove Pirin and I got same situation, fast on corners slow on straights.

[Geoffers]

Good to see a bigger grid than usual this week, hopefully Kimi, Lade & Dan will join on a regular basis now the races are on Wednesdays, would be even better if a few other ex-NG racers could be persuaded to join in too.

Race went better than I expected, had struggled to do consistent laps in practice & qually & Erling looked ominously fast in the Pirin with Ziu also close. Knew the TCR would be quicker off the line than the Pirin & so it proved with Erling dropping behind Ziu & Dan (I think?). Got a bit of a lead on the opening lap & was surprised that the gap to Ziu & Erling just kept growing, guess their battle was slowing them down. Concentrated on hitting my braking markers & not over-driving & was very happy that apart from my fastest lap every lap was in the 2.16s, wish I could be that consistent every race! 

Congrats to Ziu & Erling  & Clive for winning the slower class  .

[SpecialKS]

Nice to have a larger grid with still some regular and new guys missing  

That's the positive thing - but that means also even less championship points for me  .

Other than that it was a night to forget due to the strange behaviour of the Simca.
However I have to admit that currently I only drive on race night. This lack of experience makes me even worse!

But it's only fun.

CU next week

[phspok]

Felt sorry for Clive doing the masochists tango with that nasty Simca 
Managed a good start, and played swap places with Dan for a few laps, then he got past on the straight
early, and I couldn't catch him after that until he fell off. The Pirin is way easier to drive on the limit
than the Little fiat.

[SpecialKS]

Result

[Wiltshire Tony]

Result

Thanks Kurt 

[Erling G-P]

Nice to see a bigger grid as others have commented.  Quite like the track and the car, which was a nice drive here.

Knocked a sec off my pb in qual, but still surprised to find myself on provisional pole. If it seems to good to be true, it mostly is, and sure enough Geoffers grabbed it instead.

Even at full revs and dumping the clutch, the Pirin won't spin its wheels, instead bogging down. Lost two places accordingly; to Ziu & Dan.  Reclaimed one later on L1, when Dan went wide. Spent a few laps reeling in Ziu.  Remainder of the race not much fun, as Ziu assumes.  Always frustrating to fight an opponent with faster straight line speed, but lower corner speed. All he has to do is stay on the racing line, and there's nothing you can do.  Time and time again, I had to back off behind Ziu through the corners, only to see him run away on the following straight. 15-18 laps of that gets old really soon. 

Grats to Geoffers on a most convincing win  and to Ziu for not making any mistakes in securing 2nd.  Grats to Clive on the class win.