This series is becoming VERY competitive with many very quick drivers. Plus there is not a great deal to choose between the cars ( except the Ferrari and the BT14, respect to Doni for taking that car.).
In some quick pre race testing the MS7 was about 1-1.5 secs a lap faster than my trusted Lola BMW, but the race setup that I have developed for the Lola over several races is very comfortable and works for me.
Qualifying was so close that I had to go for a low fuel run ( instead of race fuel load) to get further up the grid and then I only managed 3rd spot with a banzai lap!!
I got a great launch and passed Dimi ( very worried that it would end like Zeltweg on Sunday, but everyone held their line
) to be on Tris's tail at T1. Once again I was in no hurry to pass Tris and let our pace ease away from Dimi and the chasing pack. I new that Dimi would be fast and consistant, but Alain in a Matra was likely to be very quick too.
I really must learn NOT to relax too much when running behind another car. Tris and I had created a nice comfy gap and I was quite prepared to wait for a mistake from Tris before making any attempt at a pass, our cars were too evenly matched to force anything. But, relax I did and entering Degna 1 I missed my turn in by about 2 metres and sailed off into the gravel !!!
I only just made it back onto track before Dimi arrived towing Pat behind him. So many fast drivers and so little room for mistakes!! Tris escaped and was able to control the race from the front, but behind him the battle was intense between Dimi, Alain, Pat and myself, with never much time between us.
A lot of the race was a blur of frantic action between Dimi and myself. Dimi was being his usual very consistant self and I made far too many errors.
I remember that I ran wide across the chicane and surrendered 2nd place to Dimi rather than retain the position with a "dodgy" move and pulled off a pass down the main straight to take back 2nd place. There was a half spin at the hairpin that allowed Dimi to pass, but 3rd place for me was settled when I almost took both of us off the track at T1 when DD braked harder than I expected. My fault entirely as I perhaps should have been more cautious instead of throwing my Lola into there as usual
. Much twitching of the wheel and haevy braking just avoided the rear of the Matra, but sent me into that deep gravel with only a few laps to go.
Superb racing guys and grats to Tris for the win and all finishers.
PS. I did save the replay and hope to watch for transgressions later.
