Cracking race chaps, at one stage I thought maybe even the top step was possible but I realise Madd was just doing the sensible thing and pacing himself - everyone's watching too much MotoGP at the moment I swear!
All through practice I was getting more and more frustrated as I loved the setup of the car but kept losing loads of time to everyone else on the straight(ish) bits. Just when I was convinced I must just be getting the world's worst corner exits Legz mentioned about checking the USB Leo Bodnar adaptor thing for my pedals (yes, thank you kindly mate!
). Looking in the options I realised the damn thing was making my throttle flick randomly between 90 and 100% so it was time for an emergency pitstop. That serial plug needed moving in a hurry and by jove I was the man for the job. As my electric screwdriver whirred away to get the wheel off the frame with qually about to start I pretended it was a hydraulic jack or something and just for a moment got a taste of what I imagine it must be like to be a top flight F1 mechanic under pressure before a race. I don't get out much.
Qually was soo close as I struggled to work out the new braking points and lines with all the extra horsepower but on to the race and what a shocker off the line!? Reacted late and spun the wheels - I suspect had it not have been for fellow greeny PR's good manners he could have stuck one up the inside somewhere around the first half of the lap but thankfully he thought better of it!
I really couldn't get that same feel from the Stang that i had last time out in the Cobra where I could really take the edge off of the tyre wear - just a mental thing I'm sure but just didn't seem comfortable anywhere other than flat out. Applying a little pressure on Madd in the early stages seemed to pay off when he ran wide but other than that I'm not sure you made another mistake did ya dude!?
From 1st I was watching the gap back to Matt like a hawk - surprisingly it was increasing by tiny amounts and I just couldn't decide from the cockpit/ living room whether I was running a good pace of if I was being played with as he held me at about 2 seconds LOL. A couple of fastest laps went in and I convinced myself I could do this by just getting my head down but I think a combination of some scruffyness, and Madd on a charge saw my 2.2 seconds just disappear into mirrors full of the dark green Stang on a mission.
Stand out moment without a doubt was coming in to the last chicane with Matt hot on my heels and getting the slightest hint of my right rear on the white line to send me properly sideways on the brakes - looks hilarious on the replay but I can't say I'm too keen to repeat the experience, the definition of a brown trouser moment I believe
That corner at the end of the long twisty first section was definitely an issue - whether it was bias or technique, Matt was gaining three car lengths maybe more there while I fishtailed away and it was eventually my downfall as I pointed left when I wanted to turn right! Didn't visit the barrier thankfully but nearly collected Ade who was third at the time with the rejoin (sorry bud!) - no rest for the wicked, he too then promptly started harrassing the hell out of me LOL.
Best man won for sure - great driving Matt, barely put a foot wrong and managed to combine some serious speed with decent tactics so really can't grumble and grats to Ade for a good drive for third spot.
Great to see Dyno back up there where he belongs, really sorry to see PR have to drop out - guessing that was a connection issue again. Tibs is clearly continuing to eat his Weetabix with times well below 2 mins in qually - you might not be able to hear him Tin, you were too far behind - try taking that foil out of your ears
Shame your race came to an end with only a handful to go WT but appreciate the tips in the closing stages
A quick thank you to the backmarkers too - some really good driving going on - nobody was too quick to jump out of the way, just seemed to drive their race, hold their lines and hopefully as a result didn't get too compromised either so cheers chaps, much appreciated...
Intense stuff from flag to flag - well done organising types, so nice to keep trying these new tracks...this one's a keeper!
Only contentious moment tonight was when Team Prodigy disappeared off into their own TS room
. Hope you'll be back next race chaps as it's more fun with everyone there.
Yes it's non-stop scandal in UKGTL
We still love ya man
