That was brilliant fun and a fabulous way to end the season. I had a hoot in the Mini. Well done to Baracus for the win in the Mini, brilliant pace.
Sorry about the server crash during practice, no idea what happened there. Haven't seen an actual software crash of the dedicated server for quite a while, but thankfully it was a one off and we managed to race fine to the flag.
Did my usual rubbish job in qualifying at least a second down on my race pace so was looking to do some overtaking in the Mini. Pace lap ended with a big concertina and pile-up on the start line. No idea what happened but the mid to back field lost quite a bit of time getting going again.
Bedded myself into the race after that taking 2 minis in the first few laps and set off on a mission to see how fast I could drive the English tinpot. Had some fun with Assassino in his Alfa for a while until he tried to climb the mountain via the "experts path" and I went by.
After that I chased down Jeff in his rally Falcon. Managed to catch him as his tyres were gone after about lap 2
and my pace picked up too. MJ after his off round the loop had also caught us both up as Jeff's Falcon was running slower and slower, but with no way by MJ and I were both sitting very close to Jeff wondering how to get by. Then as we came round the second last corner for the first time in the entire race (happened a few times in qually) my Mini snapped left under braking. This threw me into the tree/hedge/tire wall and I got stuck for about 10-15 seconds on something, thought it was a tree but I think it was the tyre wall. Managed to get myself off that and with 5 laps to go thought that was my fun over.
Ha ha ha, no no no. Ho ho ho.
On a mission to catch MJ and Jeff up I stormed up towards them with Jeff unable to maintain a decent pace getting the gap down was like taking candy from a baby. 2 laps to go and I was back within striking distance of the pair and laughing at the fact that MJ hadn't been able to get past Jeff either. Only thing was with 2 laps to go Baracus the leader came up to lap me. Noooo I thought, there goes my chance, let Baracus through on the S/F straight with precisely 2 to go and hoped for a miracle. Well I'm sure Baracus has been called many things but half way round that lap the miracle man himself slows down and lets me unlap myself to setup a barnstorming final lap with Jeff, MJ and myself. (Thanks again for that very nice bit of sporting behaviour as the last lap really was worth it for both fun and position!)
Last lap and I still have a little work to be right on the duelling duos exhaust pipes, but thankfully Jeff is having real difficulty maintaining any decent pace. I get a great run on the pair down towards the bombhole and as Jeff comes in to brake he gets out of shape trying to keep his tank on the track. With such a great bit of extra momentum and Jonzo having to taking a little avoiding action I seize the opportunity and squeeze my Mini through shouting at myself over TeamSpeak to pedal faster to keep Jonzo behind. For a moment I thought I had the pair of you to get a double miracle, but one will do, especially as it was the old pirate Jonzo.
I had just enough momentum to get into the mountain first and the rest of the lap involved trying to push Jeff's car out the way as he crawled painfully through the twisty final section. Thanks to both of you, that was a real treat of a last lap.
I thoroughly enjoyed that and it was nice to race at my original home circuit (haven't done that since some motorbike game on the Atari ST).
Also very pleased at the turnout again and the variety on the grid. That circuit really evened out the cars quite well, although it was nigh on impossible to get past the yank tanks, it was mighty to see the Mini win.
