UKGTR Season 6 Lower Sprint - Valencia (GP) - Sep 4

[John Kingham]

Didn't expect much from this race and didn't get it!  Missed qually so started 28th (there is a downside to big grids  ).  Made up a few places until I found myself 5 seconds behind Rob B and was unable to make any inroads into that gap.  It was a shame as we were running very close times with me only a couple of 10ths up at best  . 

Unfortunately I'd only had enough practice to work out that the circuit is anti-clockwise, and my Sugo set up proved to be ferociously loose in the slow corners (which are too slow and too many for me  ), both on entry and exit.  Great fun, very hard work and all for nought when the engine died 8 laps from the end. 

[Paul Richards]

I little bit dissappointed to not be on the class podium but it was great fun. Had a nightmare qualifying got an ok lap in early on but was well down on PB then couldn't get any other lap together. Could see I would be starting behind the 2 leading GTCs and TT also pipped me. I had a good race setup though so was hopeful would be able to work my way up a bit.

Race started and just planned to settle in and see what would happen. Lap 2 MJ got a great run out of the first corner so I positioned my car to the inside to defend. TT then braked earlier than expected so I ended up shooting up the inside of him. I managed to get the car slowed down to stick to the inside of the corner but certainly wasn't trying to make a pass although I got through. Then started chasing the GTC battle of Paul and Ruskus. After a few laps they were holding me up a bit but Ruskus' Mosler is no slouch in a straight line and he kept hitting the apexes perfectly so no chance to pass. This was putting me back into the clutches of MJ again but fortunately Backo came through which dropped them back a bit.

From the tyre smoke coming off Ruskus' car every other corner he seemed to be working quite hard to keep with Pauls RS so I was sure he would slow up eventually. Just as I thought this was happening I closed up behind him to attack but misjudged that uphill right flick and took slightly too much kerb. Car unsettled and round it came and I kissed into the barrier facing me backwards. Lost places to Backo, Adam and MJ. Got back passed MJ as he sat in the gravel at the last corner and he then chased me hard. Was gaining on Adam but kept overdriving and touched the gravel on the exit of turn one a couple of times. Couldn't shake MJ so had to drive hard to the finish for a 4th in class.

Congrats to Brian and Paul for their hard fought wins and the other podium finishers and thanks to Ruskus and MJ for the close fought battles.  

[purdie]

WARNING! A MOANING POST! 

yeah pretty *annoyed* at the disco as anyone would be 

quali was surprisingly difficult and even when i sometimes run in top 5 at other tracks i always struggle for top 10 at Valencia!! i don't even hate it, just not completely at one with it !!! 

i judge this by the fact my benchmark Paul Richards was flying round! 

race started alright, TrueTom went off and kept catchin me only to keep going off, think his car was a pig to drive even though he was still rapid. Great to see BACKO in the Morgan going seriously fast and sneaked past after I went wide. I ran at the end of the long train of cars with Backo, Adam, Paul R and MJ and was getting slightly quicker and quicker and was actually hoping to maybe overtake something sometime somewhere! 

I saw MJ catch me around the 20 min mark after he spun (just avoided you there MJ  glad you kept still after you spun!)

fun while it lasted though! 

EDIT: sorry for expletive dave

[BACKO]

I've been happy to joined in.I took Morgan which I never drove before almost any car from GTC ,for me  something new.I've been quite suprice with morgan,really cool car.Qualificated like 10'th.The race start  ok and I had some nice challenging with Purdie,MJ...,finally I finished 5th ,happy because I hate this track.Congrat. to top 3 each class!