Finally a chance to try the Alfa. I had avoided using this car for no other reason than ......I had not tried it!
But with a few tweaks to the default setup I uncovered a car that was quite impressive...although it turned out to not be quite impressive as the one Daz had found!!
It does seem that the Alfa is the stand out car in it's group and now I know why.
I have a theory about the Nurburgring and qualifying. The lap is so long and the opportunities for mistakes are so great that everything can change within a lap anyway......................maybe if you have a car that is 5-10 seconds faster it is worth starting on pole and running away?
Anyway the first lap was hugely entertaining as Daz, Geoffers and Matt knocked lumps off of each others cars and I spent my time avoiding various wing mirrors....door handles..... and various other bits of bodywork that were being discarded. I had a grandstand seat until it all got very congested at one point and I was sucked into the melee. As a result I dropped a few places but the long straight at the end of the lap was just made for the Alfa
Sure enough as we entered the long straight, I had Geoffers snapping at my heels and Erling and Hristo ahead.......when I braked at the end of the straight I had Matt a few seconds ahead and erling, Geoffers and Hristo quite a way behind
I hunted down Matt who was really wrestling that tank of a Rover and I thought that I was extremely patient
in waiting for a passing chance, which Matt duly gave me and which a gratefully accepted
By this time Daz was literally miles ahead, and anyway he was lapping around 5 -10 seconds faster so I was never going to bother him!!!!
Once I had worked my way up to 2nd place it was only the pitstop that could screw my chances. This time I avoided panic and carefully arranged a few gallons of fuel and continued with the old tyres as they looked in pretty good nick. Only those of you who have experienced the pit stop gremlins will appreciate the huge relief of emerging from the pits without penalty and with fuel and tyres to finish the race
I emerged from the pits still in 2nd spot, so it was simply a case of keeping things safe for the last 2 laps and protecting my podium spot.
Apologies for my "chat" before all had finished after the race........I know better