The start was very messy and probably changed what could have been a much closer race for all. I forgot to save the replay, so I will have to get that from the server later in order to see what actually happened.
Tom's rapid start, which he aborted at T1 to allow the grid to pass ironically probably saved him from the mass shunt 2 corners later.
I thought that my cunning plan to use the smallest engine car for this race was great foresight. I had to laugh when I saw the grid and realised that maybe I was not so super smart!!
In pre race practice I had rolled a few laps at sub 1:30 on full tanks, but I had also checked the '71 Can Am times and Greg's record was a lot faster, so I was expecting the big bangers to be around 1:26?. My expectations were to be top 5 at best and just pick up a few points and get the small engine out of the way.
After the chaos I emerged behind Axel who had shot through the carnage to take the lead. I was surprised to be able to reel Axel in and was wondering where I might be able to squeeze a pass when he ran wide and had inherited 1st place. But by now I had Tom in my mirrors with his Lola and lots of horsepower.
The rest of the race was a close battle between us as we gradually pulled clear of the field. TBH I was pushing so hard in the Genie that I did not expect it to survive, and fully expected to have to use the single S/R at some point. There were minor errors by both of us and the lead swapped around but I could only stay with Tom's Lola by maximising the corners, because on the straights the Lola stretched it's legs and eased a small lead.
Until... I ran a little too deep into a corner and had to bounce across the grass allowing Tom to escape.
I reasoned that 2nd was way better than I had expected so I settled my pace for a steady finish.
Then, on the last 3 laps I noticed that the gap to Tom was reducing rapidly??? Was Tom low on fuel? did he have a broken engine?
In fact it was neither, Tom was simply gifting me 1st place as he expected a DQ for his false start. If Tom does not get a DQ he might regret that decision, but I accept it in the spirit that it was given. I will point out that my race would have been much more boring...but less stressful, if he had told me of his intentions on Lap 2!! lol
Grats to all who finished and commiserations to those who suffered at the start.
