TBH I was not looking forward to these races as a comeback test. Front wheel drive and slick tyres with enormous grip are not my ideal mix
After resurrecting my GTL Install for this series during the afternoon I did a few laps around Albi to be sure that it was the same circuit that I knew from GPL. The answer I found, was that it is the same track, but in GPL the corners are much slower, especially Double D at the end of the straight.
Race 1
I had the basics of a setup from the Rouen race, which had not been perfect but, it was driveable. So I tweaked it a little in the gear department and it seemed OK. Quite surprised to get a decent grid spot as I did not feel entirely comfortable with the car ( or my shoulder ). A dreadful start ruined all the effort in quali and I was where I had expected to be pre-race by the end of lap 1.
I picked up odd places through others misfortunes, until I was clipped by a car that was bouncing back onto the track. I thought that I had just squeezed through...then I thought that I had saved the wild tank slapper....then I thought that I might just stop the car in a straight line. I achieved none of that and was onto the grass and ended up in last place
.
Actually not too bothered, because this was all about testing my physical state ( I never realised before how much effort I put into simracing!!). Anyway I was able to settle into a steady pace and reeled in the cars ahead. Through a series of incidents and accidents ahead I found myself easing up onto the tail of Fulvio and a multi lap battle for 4th? place. In the last 2 laps my rear tyres were shot and I had to relax and just bring it home.
So, Race 1 in the comeback was OK for me. My left arm and shoulder ( the PM is stuffed into a hole just below my collar bone, with a 75mm scar) feel a little bruised and weak after the surgery and that is improving daily.
Race 2
TBH I had been prepared to abort the 2nd event if I felt that I had abused my body too much in Race 1. But despite the battle with Fulvio, I did not feel too bad. So I thought that I would start, but quit if things got too heavy. I made a tweak to my 2nd and 3rd gears before the race as I had noticed Fulvio was outdragging me from the slower corners in Race 1.
Now!!!....I am 50/50 that you guys are winding me up about this race??
Another poor start and although the car was a little quicker I was still running in 5th/6th in the early laps. With the threat of Hristo and Geoffers romping through from the back, I was not anticipating a podium place at best.
I cannot recall overtaking a single car that was still on the tarmac throughout the whole race
And yet!! I slowly progressed up the leaderboard as cars threw themselves at the scenery or each other. Even cars that were chasing me opted to go grass cutting rather than hunt me down???
Also Hristo and Geoffers chose not to chase me down in the later laps, as I had fully expected them to.
So guys, how else do you explain how someone whose best lap time was 6th? or 7th? fastest and driving with a dodgy left arm, cruised to an easy win in a car that I don't like?? Unless the result was contrived by you lot???
Thanks anyway, I'm desperate enough for some success in these front wheel drive buzz boxes that I'll accept the gift.
@ Erling.
I can understand your frustration at a series of races where you came off badly in contact with other cars. I think the that the very nature of this class of racing, with a single marque of car and mere tenths between adjacent drivers, inevitably results in dented doors, broken mirrors etc.
To make a pass stick is very difficult, even with the slipstream, and unless the car ahead makes a mistake, people are sucked into making 50/50 moves when they would not attempt such a move in any other races? Maybe the other car in such an incident could/should have been more careful/waited/etc. But, that is probably similar to real life in cars like these?? and adds to the immersion...except when you get punted off and the red mist descends? That does not suit your normal controlled and calculated racing style and I understand that.
Generally, I find that the gentlemanly standards in UKGTL are very good, occasionally people are unaware of the mayhem they have caused, and drive on oblivious. But, unlike other online sims ( and even going back to my slot racing days!! ) I have tried over the years, no-one appears to deliberately "nerf" opponents off the track.
I hope that you reconsider Erling, purchase a couple of new mirrors and a can of spray paint, to mask the scratches, then throw yourself back into the fray.