3 races on one night and 3 different cars to use. Relieved that my evening was not the nightmare that Geoffers experienced!!
I have improved my abilities with the infernal Mini and spent as much time as I could before the first race simply lapping, and trying to re-wire my brain and feet to drive the infernal thing!! I did manage to hook up a decent qualifying lap and I was doing a reasonably ( by my standards) good job of chasing the 3 leading Anglias until...… just like Bob, I downshifted for the final turn and turned the engine into a blowtorch,, race over, but at least I had got the Mini out of the way.
Race 2 a toss up between the Imp and the Anglia, so Anglia it was and Oh! the joy, a rear wheel drive car that handles the way I like. The only problem was a very unstable braking tendency. But with a delicate application of foot pressure I could control the rear end braking away and actually steer the car into the corner....could be useful if I could maintain control. 2nd on the grid next to Geoffers was far better than I had hoped for. All I had to do was keep it clean and chase Geoffers….simples lol!! I was half aware that Geoff's car rolled a little before the start, but thought nothing of it. The start was not good and Geoff was away. Ziu stuck his Imp through and I had to work to regain 2nd...then I passed Geoffers by the pit entrance?
why was he going so slowly??? OK keep the hammer down and try and fend off Ziu and Geoffers when they get their mojo working, and while we are at it....where the heck was that Erling character???!! so much stress for an old guy
After a few more laps I felt a little more relaxed as the gap to 2nd place was growing and I was not having to push too hard
The rest of the race was a case of staying focused and keeping it clean.
Race 3 and I had the Imp left. I knew that the torque band was at the top end of the rev range , but made a complete Horlicks of the start and got swamped. Gradually picked my way back through the field as others had various misfortunes, until I caught Erling.. He was also in an Imp, and there was nowhere that I had a big enough advantage to make a serious passing attempt. But I felt I was marginally quicker and if I could get through I might actually be able to make Ziu work harder for his first place?
Then Erling did the gentlemanly thing and ran wide out of the final turn
. "Thank you Erling, that make things easier" I thought as I swept past.
Provided I did not make any mistakes I was confident that I could hold 2nd, but could I catch Ziu? I think I was trying too hard and my pace suffered. I was able to keep Erling just far enough behind to feel safe, but I could not make any inroads into Ziu's lead.
So ran home in 2nd spot.
A DNF, 1st and 2nd was not a bad evening's racing.
Grats to all the podium places and to all those who got to the flag, especially in the Mini!!!!!
