I thought that I would keep going in the hope that more of you would crash out but I have to say that you are a great disapointment to me!
I must have got the message on a late pit board Clive, so I threw it at the scenery on the final corner of the last lap in a ball of flames, to try and promote your finish by one place. That is the sort of gentleman I am.................maybe
Got home in time to join the race to find that Arnold and Mable had the Lancia warmed up and ready to go. Seemed a little expensive on tokens, but what the heck!
Qually on full tanks put me in 4th place but I was still tweaking gear ratios when it ended and then discovered that my wheel and pedals went limp!!
I tried to re-calibrate whilst the last few drivers completed their final Q laps and thought that I might just about have saved my race....until I got on the grid. The pedals were working again, but the wheel was 45 deg off centre!!! but at least it did turn the front wheels.
Eau Rouge was a real challenge from the start when I discovered that not only was the wheel off centre but the FF was screwed too
.
Lap 1 was a learning curve as I tried to adapt to the strange controls, but I stayed in touch with the learning trio...I did not dare get too close with a car that was twitchy as heck in the corners. Then Uli and John had their contretemps I was up to second but already aware of Bastian gaining ground in his Merc. When he caught me I allowed him an easy pass and tucked into the slipstream, hoping he might tow me up to Axel.
But Axel had things under control ( which was more than I could claim!!) and gradually eased away up front, but I felt there might just be a chance of sneaking second if I could make a good pass on Bastian near the end. I tried a few dummy passes with around 6 laps to go and settled down to watch and wait.
A half chance with 2 laps to go sucked me into trying to take 2nd spot. I although I pulled approx 150mtr lead at one point it was a lap too early and Bastian caught me on the final lap and retook the place.
There was one last chance if I could outbrake him into La Source, but I needed to stay close out of Blanchimont. Well I was close, and I might have gone for last of the demon brakers award................... but putting a wheel on the grass and nailing the gas combined with a dodgy steering and wierd FF caused me to lose control in spectacular fashion.
The car flipped from one side of the track to the other,hit a pylon to rip wheels off, I think I avoided Bastian who was braking conventionally for La Source and passed him whilst upside down, before ending it all in a fireball against the barriers......just 200mtrs from the flag.
Hero to Zero in 3 seconds
Grats to Axel on the win and thanks to Bastian for some great racing. Apologies to Clive Loynes for making my charitable gesture too late to benefit him