The level of competition in memory of Joe is always intense, and I hope that we do his memory justice in the only way that we can in our "virtual" world. For me the racing last night was as tough as ever.
Good to see Malcolm on the grid, even overcoming technical issues during quallfication to get his GPL/PC rig working!!. I think I speak for all of us simracers when I say that we respect your participation, especially because these races are in Joe's memory.
Also, it is very brave of you to get on track with the 67 cars ( which are the ultimate challenge in GPL) against a grid of experienced drivers who are seriously fired up for this series.
Sorry Doni about the UK time change, TBH I almost missed the hour change myself!!! It was only because TV coverage of the F1 race in Melbourne started at the "wrong" time, or so I thought until I checked. In my case I plead old age.
Grats on the win Robert, I had hoped to at least make you work ( just a little perhaps??) during the race, although I doubt that I could have finished ahead of you. The start went well for the first 200mtrs and I backed off to follow your BRM through the chicane, realising that you had a tight line and would be slower. As we exited the left right flick I was expecting to settle into chasing the tailpipes of a BRM for many laps, but instead I got a tap on the rear from a following car and was half spun into the wall. I then became a pinball as I bounced back from the wall and got hit again...and again...and again. Ending up further down the track, parked facing the wrong way and stuck in the haybales requiring a Shift/R.
So from 2nd on the grid to almost last...I think Malcolm played the true gentleman driver and allowed me to rejoin the race ahead of him!! Well any plans about bothering Robert's BRM were dropped and it was all about 10/10ths driving to regain some places. Gradually I picked off places until I came across Tim in his Cooper who proved reluctant to give me his position, can't understand why?? We swapped places over several laps, each making mistakes and errors as we pushed to the limit.
I knew that I had to keep things very smooth with my setup to keep the rear tyre temps in the sensible range, but when you have Tim in a Cooper all over your a**, it is difficult to remember that the swamp needs draining!! The tyre temps soared and the handling ( and pace) vanished until I could squeeze a gap and get things under control again and get the laptimes into the low 1:30's...still not fast enough to match Robert's FL.
I crept up to 3rd place and started getting glimpses of Dean who was in 2nd spot and not too far ahead. Maybe if I push a little I could get back to 2nd ? Bad move!! Instead of maintaining the pace that was slowly reeling in Dean until I could actually fight for 2nd I tried too hard and suffered for it. Twice I think I got within 250 mtrs of Dean, only to overheat the rears and spin under braking. After all these years in GPL I really ought to know better!! and I ended up stuck in the sand requiring a second Shift/R and yet another SnG....that took all the heat off of Dean!! and almost dropped me back into the clutches of Tim's Cooper!
Thanks to all those who took part in this 1st round. I hope that we get a few more drivers, and maybe full grids??, for the next 2 races.