A bit late with my view on the race, as I have been working stupid hours since Monday morning ( again!!).
First of all, apologies to Patrik Lindqvist for causing the incident that put him out of the race. I forgot just how slow the big Ferrari is to get away from a standstill if the revs are not wound right up. As a result I found myself crawling across the racing line just as he arrived at the corner, I had planned to be 50 mtrs down the road and on the inside of the circuit before he got there
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A great race with Atlas really looking forward to doing it again.
I could not believe the brutal straight line speed of the big Fez. Even though I was only using 80% revs in 5th gear to protect the engine and allowing for 95% with a tow and for overtaking, it seemed that everyone else had the brakes on!!!
I managed to get one clear lap in Qually which catapulted me from 15th to 3rd on the grid, with only the threat of carnage at Eau Rouge to contemplate.
After allowing some temperature to build in the tyres so tha there was at least the possibility that the Ferrari would turn when I got to a corner instead heading straight out into the Belgian countryside I slipped into 2nd spot behind Hristo.
It was obvious that I had far greater speed on the straights than Hristo (or Patrick who was behind me) but I did not want to risk any contact with Hristo by attempting a pass. As a result, Patrick got alongside me approaching Masta and I tried to leave room for him on the inside ( but 2 abreast is not really an option through there) and I clipped the armco spinning me into the fencing .
Fortunately there was no damage and a huge gap back to the following cars so I was able to rejoin.
Over the next few laps I used the huge speed of the Fez to reel in Patrick, Paul and Lorenzo who were enjoying a 3 way battle ahead.
Unfortuately as I got within tow distance, approaching La Source, the jostling for position amongst them caused some early braking and although I avoided Paul's Honda I clipped the kerb on the inside and launched myself across the track and into the haybales taking Lorenzo with me ( sorry Lorenzo).
A couple of laps later we came across Paul and Patrick at Masta where they were recovering from an incident and both Lorenzo and I were able to slip through.
I attempted to offer Lorenzo's Brabham the benefit of the tow from the Ferrari on the faster sections to build a gap back to Patrick. Not sure if that helped or hindered Lorenzo, but it was an interesting strategy and the gap did widen.
Then I had a moment of blindness and went wide at the top of the hill, where my rejoin caused Patrick's race to end.
Maybe next time i just get myself in front and keep out of the way??? a good plan with only a few minor flaws...............
From then on it was a cruise to the finish, but if Patrick had survived it could have been very exciting!!!
Thanks again to Atlas.
