UKGTR Season 9 Upper Endurance (GT1/GT2) - Dubai (GP) - Mar 8

[Jorgen Wahlby]

Really odd race 
Had a bit of a struggle to get the kids to bed in time so I could be in on the server and do a quali lap, with out of having kids telling me they need stuff all the time 
Managed to set a 1.53 "something" with 95L in the tank and was pleased with that. Race starts and I feel relaxed and comfy in my seat, the pace lap went okay... then the sprat hits the fan. (I have just watched the replay and, I wont say who's misstake or error it was but I think drivers need to go just a tad easier the first few laps  ) I really didn't have any where to go but to try to make as little damage as possible to my own and the other cars. :'( I managed to rescue roadrunner's and my car quit good but I got hit from behind... and also him... again (nothing serious happend to my car's so I waited for the WHOLE GT1 and GT2 field to pass and struggled back on to the tarmack and to where I left off  Had a blast on my way up through the GT2 field and finally caught up on the end of the GT1 drivers... Grats to Podium finishers and to all the drivers that held out till the end. Do look at the replay and see for your self 

 / Jorgen

[Napo]

Really poor turnout tonight, if this is a sign of things to come it doesnt look great. Only 6 GT2 cars   though the GT1 boys looked like they were having fun at least. Where was everyone? I couldnt even get in due to a full grid only about 2-3 weeks ago  

Sorry I'm only an occasional driver with my ukgpl commitments, I try to make races when I can.

[Truetom]

A "would be a great race", though I must say it was marred a bit by too many contacts. Must see replay first, before I say anything else. 

Other than that - which it may just be we're a bit spoiled here comparing to other Championships and Leagues - it was one of the greatest experiences since the begining of time my on-line racing. Close racing for the whole time with Gazza, Jose and, of course, H@l. 
Getting 2nd place was a boot, a prize given by a gentleman H@l who didn't want my place so bad to make a contact. Hat off to you, sir. 
I don't remember any other race here where I'd have swapped places as many times as I did in this race. Close racing with Gazza, Jose and H@l, slipstreams, defensive driving, exploiting others weaknesses and mistakes, pit strategy, fuel, cold tyres, worn tyres overheating tyres. There was everything and I had to use every known trick to me to get my second place. That pesky Gazza was lucky to have us battleing behind him, we fell into our own trap and it slowed our pace. But that's racing, what else can you do in a position like that. Well done, Gazza.    Good stuff, Jose and H@l. 

Bad luck to get punted, JPS, be sure to make some steps. 
Well done, MJ, with your pace it seems like you're striding to take the title. 

Lapping was great for me, well done guys. 

TT 

[Mark J]

Midway he pitted about 17secs ahead, I pitted the next lap & came out only 8secs ahead of him I was hoping for a 20+sec cushion at least! Did you only change one set of tyres MJ?

No i changed all four corners Legs. Total pit 'stopped' time was 53? seconds. I ran the race as two 40-45 minute sprints really, something i havent done in enduro for ages, so took on fresh tyres all round and 45mins of fuel. If there had been a bigger GT2 field i probably wouldnt have risked that strategy as its easy for others on long fuel runs to leapfrog you. I doubt i could have survived on any one set of tyres at Dubai as i use fairly stiff ARB's here and the track temperature is usually high.

Well done on your podiums gents 

[picnic]

Replay and provisional results posted

LapChart

[purdie]

Sorry i missed this, had a meal in London i cudn't swerve 

I'll come back to challenge you MJ  looolllll

[Mcfids]

After my 2 previous starts in this series where I didn't even make past lap 1, it was very nice to finish 6th and on the same lap as the leaders.

I profited from the 1st lap carnage and managed to get up to 5th where I attempted to hold off the GT1 drivers trying to regain their places. Had a fun battle with roadrunner (although a bit frustrating for you I can imagine, RR) where I was doing my utmost to hold the racing line and make it difficult to pass. Good stuff!

The remainder of the race was pretty lonely at times, probably due to the low number of drivers, but the onset of dusk was nice to look at. Do any track lights eventually come on this track? It was getting pretty black towards the end.   

[Mark J]

but the onset of dusk was nice to look at. Do any track lights eventually come on this track? It was getting pretty black towards the end.   

yeah i thought that too. I wonder if the Dubai track has any track lighting built in as it was noticeably absent, whereas at Spa you get it at several locations around the track. The only thing i noticed lit up was the big glass building...obviously full of large corporate arab types  , that looked pretty cool.

My amber euro spec headlights looked pretty cool too, lighting up the way forward. 

[Legzy]

Well done, MJ, with your pace it seems like you're striding to take the title. 

The GT2 drivers title is looking wide open after three events (still some work to be done MJ ) & the team title is looking close too. I'm sure Blunder & me will do all we can to make sure you Legends have to earn that title  . Definitely a shame the turnout was so low last night though 

[Mark J]

i am only 4th in the table so no idea why TT said that    Though i would have been higher in the points table if i had been able to get into the Spa round, following my sprint win there, had it not been ironically a full server 

[Truetom]

i am only 4th in the table so no idea why TT said that    Though i would have been higher in the points table if i had been able to get into the Spa round, following my sprint win there, had it not been ironically a full server 

Oh dear, seems like I mixed things a bit and MJ's Sprint pace bolstered my expectations.   Even so, I have every confidence in you, MJ. 
Gotta show'em the right colours. 

TT

[Legzy]

i am only 4th in the table so no idea why TT said that    Though i would have been higher in the points table if i had been able to get into the Spa round, following my sprint win there, had it not been ironically a full server 

I look at it as giving the rest of us a chance MJ 

Nah I remember at the time you being understandably disappointed & "hoping that the people that took your 'regulars slot' would continue to race each week". Hopefully they'll all be back next time round. Had a quick blast at Road America & looking forward to getting to grips with it.

[Mark J]

Nah I remember at the time you being understandably disappointed & "hoping that the people that took your 'regulars slot' would continue to race each week". Hopefully they'll all be back next time round. Had a quick blast at Road America & looking forward to getting to grips with it.

dont worry Legz, ive just done some voodoo on them and their sim cars will mysteriously burn into flame onto the grid next time they bother to show up    ...i had to ritually sacrifice a model ferrari by setting fire to it, to make it work 

As for Road america, yeah i had a quick blast around it last week to check it out and it feels mighty quick ala Spa, looking forward to that one. 

[Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer]

Well the absence of Shark and myself on a Sunday night was pretty rare and we should be back to normal next weekend.

[H@L9000]

Just watched the replay. Incredable, definitely the best race I have ever been in.

Great battles with TT, Jose and Lazlow. Seemed not to fight Gazza some how.

Sorry for the tap at one point Jose. Nice job keeping it on the track.

GT2s were well on form with the passing, allowing the GT1 battle to rage on. Thanks guys. It can not have been easy with 3 fighting cars to let passed at one time.