Grats to Dimitar on his two victories and to the two podiums.
Leading up to this race I was totally undecided on which car to use, even as pre race practice was underway on the server. Then DD posted that his setup for the Lotus Cortina was available online, so having had no success with my attempts to tame that car I thought that I would try it........I had nothing to lose.
Well, straight out of the box it was quicker and better than anything I had produced, but slightly twitchy for me. After a few small tweaks and adjustments, it felt a little more comfortable and when setups are comfortable and predictable the car magically goes faster.
Getting pole for Race 1 was a shock for me and I suspect quite a surprise for Dimitar!! But I fluffed the start ( and I was trying to re-engage the FF!) so Matt in his aircraft carrier and Dimitar took the lead. I was trying to leave plenty of space around St Mary's and left so much that I went grass cutting, dropping me from 1st on the grid to almost last, within half a lap. When I re-joined the tarmac the red mist was so thick that I almost turned my headlights on
The rest of the race was a manic chase of the leaders and I caught and passed Geoffers thanks to the greater top speed of the Cortina, but when I caught Matt there was just not enough laps left to benefit from his worn tyres. So 3rd was so bad after taking to the grass at St Mary's on lap 1.
Race 2
DD took his pole position back but now there were 2 of those Mustangs breathing fire down the tailpipes of the Lotus Cortinas. Somehow DD and myself arranged a formation launch and took Madgewick side by side, otherwise the American muscle would have blown past
. Through Fordwater I had to yield 1st spot to DD and slotted in close behind him. I was determined NOT to repeat the mistake at St Mary's, but I think I over thought things instead of driving instinctively and I managed to drop 2 wheels onto the grass, which allowed Matt and Geoffers to move 50 tonnes of metal between myself and Dimitar.......drat and double drat again!!! At least I was running in 4th and not at the back of the field.
The Cortina that I had was much quicker through the corners than the Mustangs ahead and I was having to lift mid corner to avoid rear ending Geoffers ( I think I owe an apology to Geoff for a light kiss on the bum at Lavant ?
).
Then, a lap later at Woodcote Geoff produced the most spectacular exit that I think I have ever seen in GTL. From my vantage point just a few meteres behind, he did indeed bounce over the inner kerb, but it did not look too aggressive. However when he hit the tarmac again it looked like the front left corner actually dug itself a hole in the road and flipped the car ( there were sparks from under the car!!). I thought "oh bugger!! I have nowhere to go and I am going to hit that Mustang". But, Geoff achieved some impressive altitude complete with a double spin and multiple rolls and I passed clear underneath him with ample space above me'
Now there was just Matt and DD ahead, so I'll whip past Matt and just try and give DD some work to do.
Ah, but Matt and his USS Nimitz had other ideas and he drove a great defensive race, parking his immovable object at every apex and frustrating my irresistible force from behind. For the first few laps I tried hard but his greater speed on the straights just dragged him enough space to get into the next corner first, where I would close up quickly, but have to lift or dab the brakes to avoid denting his boot lid, thus losing momentum for the next straight
. If I left a big enough gap to take the corner flat, I was too far behind to challenge on the next straight, so I opted for a waiting game hoping that his tyres would suffer in the final laps.
The last lap was great fun and I almost pulled alongside out of that final chicane, but the extra horses in the Mustang stable outdragged me to the line.
This race sent me huge reminders of the Goodwood Revival and the St Mary's Trophy races ( look it up on Youtube ) watching 60's saloons of all sizes battle it out. As far as I am concerned UKGTL can run this series every season and I won't tire of it.
Thanks Tony.
