WOW! That race turned into a genuine, proper, no holds barred GPL Smack Down!
The full 35 laps at qualifying pace with never a moment's rest. Only made a couple of very tiny errors so quite pleased with my drive to P6. That just as easily could have been for P8 or P9 or even worse. A high-quality field meant for a great race. Constant threats and challenges. The fans loved it!
I have a personal best in the Brabham here of 1m20.61s set back in March of 2017. In using the recipe I used to achieve that marker in pre-race trials for this race, I got the distinct impression that I was punishing the engine with too many R's in a few places. Accordingly, with an eye to keeping the spinny bits in the engine where they belong, I adjusted my gear ratios and used only four gears. I went for a gear pack that kept the revolutions in a more comfortable range. I came within half a second of my all-tim PB in qualifying with this arrangement and felt it a small price to pay for the sake of reliability.
Starting P9, I got a good launch with a first gear that was super low...and not used again...to run down to Crowthorne with Ricky's Honda on my left. It was touch-n-go as to whether or not I had position on him but he got on the brakes a fraction of a second ahead of me so it was clear that I had a shot at gaining the place. Rolled into the corner close to the curbing but apparently, Ricky thought it was clear to carve down for the apex. Sorry but I was already there, Ricky. I got away with a scare only but Ricky was off the road and lost some positions. This left me in P8 close behind Ricardo's Eagle and only just ahead of Syd's Lotus. Considering the straight line superiority of these two marques over my BT24, it was going to be a tall order to pass the one and hold off the other. Lap02 and Ricardo is off the road to the infield at Clubhouse and I'm close enough to wangle a pass before we reached the Esses. Not that I thought it was a done deal by any means as the Eagle is stout on the main straight and it didn't surprise me in the least that Ricardo roared by on the run down to Crowthorne to regain P7 to start Lap03. I noted that Ricardo's Eagle was a stable image when 8-10 car lengths ahead but in getting closer, his car started to jump about a bit and this was of some concern. Getting within a couple of car lengths, it was hopping about quite dramatically.
As the laps reeled off, I chased Ricardo hard and was at the mercies of Syd in the Lotus hot on my tail. For many a lap, I was able to resist his pass attempts going into Crowthorne. He was close but not quite close enough. Starting Lap12, there was less than a second separating the three of us and Syd was close enough this time to make his bid for the pass going into Crowthorne. He was through cleanly to take the place. I chased hard for several laps holding the gap to about one second. It hadn't escaped my notice that Ricky was now next man down from me and closing somewhat. A good recovery from his Lap01 drama. Coming onto the main straight in Syd's slipstream looking to finish Lap15, I saw a puff of black smoke from the Lotus and knew that his Cossie had failed. Bad luck. I passed and took up the chase of Ricardo again. Soon, I could see Ricky's Honda in my mirrors and it was obvious that I was going to be under attack shortly. What I couldn't see in my mirrors was that the Red Ball Special was being closely hounded by Phil and Bobbie_B in their Brabhams. No, I don't use Pribluda for live timing; that's just lame and not authentic to the sim.
Lap20 and Phil is off in Crowthorne to lose a place to Bobbie_B. As well, a major development as Ricardo skates off in the Esses and his three second lead over me is gone. Now I have his slipstream and I have the chance to threaten him again and it helps me keep Ricky at bay. Lap24 and grief for Ricky after a fine comeback drive as the V-12 Honda gives out. No justice there. I didn't pick up on Ricky's exit til the next lap when coming off Clubhouse, a quick peek in my mirrors revealed a Brabham now coming on strong. Who the devil is that? Where the H did he come from? Another lap and my pitboard tells me that it's Roberto. Sigh... No rest for the wicked, it seems. Lap30 and Phil's excellent run and threat evaporates with a costly spin in the Esses. For the longest time, my pitboard was flashing me, 'P8'. Now, it was P7. Hmmm... Someone has come to grief. JONNY!!! OH, NO!!! Geeezzz... A couple of laps later and I'm now P6. Dear me... Poor Axel has his Repco fail from a good P5 run. The last laps ran out with Ricardo just out of reach and Roberto close behind. A mere 1.2 seconds covering the three of us. Good stuff!
P3 in the standings. Can't be bad.
