As per usual I applied pure science and objective determination to select my car for this race.
A quick visit to the server beforehand to check that I had everything installed and working. So, a few laps with the Healey ( only because I had used it at Darley Moor and had a setup ) to discover which way the track turned next.
The Healey felt good over the few laps that I did...maybe too good? and perhaps I should keep it for another race. Then I tried the DB1 for a lap or two but decided that there were too many gear changes required for a 5 speed box...far too much work to do!! That ruled out the Merc as well!!
Hmm what about the Ace ? that might be a bit lumpy for this track, where handling should be important??
Well I cheated. I selected the Ace and loaded the Healey setup......Bingo!!!!! it worked beautifully first time. I think I tweaked the brake % and the rear springs up one click and was getting 1:13's on race fuel. That'll do till race time!! No idea if the tyres will last the whole race but it will be fun finding out.
When I joined the race server I wondered if my careful selection was totally wrong, no one else was driving the Ace and the aliens were posting low 1:12's in their early laps of practice.
The more laps that I did, the more comfortable the car felt and I was beginning to find those extra tenths and match Dimitar's times in the DB1, so the race was on for 2nd spot on the grid. behind Manfred..until Daz casually dropped in a 1:11 lap !!
I was relieved when Erling joined with a second AC Ace late in practice, so maybe my car choice was not quite so crazy.
Manfred and Daz were going to be in a race of their own, unless they made some serious mistakes, so the challenge was going to be for 3rd place.
Dan performed his usual lightening start and jumped from 5th to 3rd before T1, but in the few cold laps I had done I knew that the handling of the Ace was suspect until the tyres warmed up.
3 laps in and Dimitar was threatening from behind with the higher top speed of the DB1 and Dan appeared to be exploring the limits of the handling in his Healey. I felt that it was time I tried to get past Dan
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I tried to muscle my way around the inside on the final hairpin but the lack of straight line speed in the ace allowed Dan to squeeze back ahead. Then there was chaos at T2-3 as Dan got a little skewed. I managed to find a tighter line, but scrubbed off speed and Dimitar saw his chance to gain 2 places.
We were side by side into 5? and that is where I also thought that Dimitar had made contact when my car jumped suddenly. Dimitar slowed and allowed me to regain the place and I thought he was a gentleman for that.
Watching the replay I can see that Dimitar was NOT at fault, it was a sudden freeze on my side of the technology
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From there on I was slowly able to stretch away from Dimi's DB1 which was surprising. But when I watched Dimitar's replay I could see that his tyres were wearing far quicker than mine. He was at 50% rubber around lap 20, and mine were still at around 75% at that point.
Other than lapping cars the rest of the race was quite lonely until Daz was suddenly in sight in the closing laps!!! Maybe just a chance of sneaking 2nd spot??? But Daz had it all under control
and I rolled in a comfortable 3rd.
Grats to Manfred and Daz, too quick for my old bones and thanks to Dan and Dimitar for the racing in the early laps.
Re the cutting of T2. I think I transgressed once or twice especially on Lap 1 when I had to give Dan some room and bounced over the lumpy bits. I don't think I got any "Cut Track" warnings after that and tried to keep 2 wheels on the grey st