Really like this track, so delighted when Tony was able to reschedule it after the server went belly up on the original date.
Getting pole was encouraging, but as usual lost the lead at the start (and Dan wasn't even there..
) Reclaimed it from Franky at the end of L1. Gave his car a small nudge in the process - sorry - and was afraid it might spin, so deliberately stayed so close that there simply wouldn't be room for it
Geoffers slipped through too, and when he got a better exit from the tricky esses, I couldn't prevent him from getting past on the following straight (well I could, but it would not have been very nice..
) He stretched the gap to some 4 secs, inadvertantly helped by myself, by overdriving the car and making small mistakes.
Did not intend to change tyres, and could do 10 laps in a stint, so plan was to stop after 10 laps and take on 5 laps worth of fuel, which was enough for 6 laps. Contemplated stopping after lap 8 instead, hoping to fool Geoffers into thinking I would change tyres and possibly prompt him to do the same, if he felt he had enough time. A long shot for sure, but all part of the tactical game
All became moot however, when I saw two small dust plumes, indicating an off by Geoffers. Couldn't see his car anywhere though, but did hear a faint engine rumble off to the right, shortly past the plumes, so maybe.. ? Kept looking for his car up ahead, but couldn't see it. Pit board still showed me in 2nd, but that was because he had Escaped to the pits. Shortly after came the message that he had left.
Great shame Geoff; had hoped for a battle to the end, but small, innocent mistakes can have big consequences on this track - sad to see the high attrition in general. With Geoffers gone and a fair gap to the car behind, excitement fizzled out. Rest very lonely; only other car I saw was poor Franky, hopelessly stuck in a field.
Grats to Rog & Tony on the podiums, Geoffers on the series win of course, and Clive on 3rd