I realized I didn't have the track installed, so spent some minutes downloading it, plus addons. Finally joined with just over 10 minutes of Qualifying left and copied over my Spa setup. It worked fairly well and after adjusting the gears and suspension a bit, I went for my last stint and managed to snatch pole from Jethro on my last lap.
The start was good, although the flagman dropped a bit sooner than I was ready for, so Jethro managed to line up on the outside towards T1, but the inside line kept me in 1st place.
Someone appeared behind and was reeling me in, and I wouldn't know who it was until 2 laps later when it showed me the updated pit board - Lorenzo!
I was trying to look after my engine so he was getting very close on occasions, but not able to attack anywhere yet. I was feeling confident, but then got distracted by some pestering thoughts and braked too late for that downhill left hander, went wide, clipped the barrier and spun around, crossing over to the other side of the track.
Luckily all of my wheels were still on and I managed to continue in 4th, with Jethro just ahead. He was having a very good pace, so it took some time to pressure him and launch an attack, actually a whole lap. I braked a bit too late on the inside for the right hander that leads into the forest and lost the rear while trying to keep the inside line so Jethro can take the outside. There was contact, but luckily neither of us spun and we managed to continue, with Jethro going ahead again. I got the slipstream though and he also decided to help me by lifting up which was enough to snatch 3rd place and chase after Ken and Lorenzo.
By the next lap Ken was some 8 seconds up the road, but there were still some 15 laps to go, so I just gave it all I had. It wasn't all going to plan as I kept hitting walls here and there, but miraculously the car kept going and with all wheels on it, with just slight hint of bent steering and suspension arms. I suppose the setup wasn't perfect either, as I kept bottoming randomly at some places.
In 3-4 laps the gap to Ken came down in half, but then he disappeared and so it was now just Lorenzo up ahead, but he was at some 9 seconds gap with 9 laps to go. I managed to take 2 seconds down in the next two laps, but it was going to be very difficult to catch and pass him on time.
Suddenly I saw a car without all of its wheels parked on the side in the forest bit and it turned out to be Lorenzo! I probably relaxed too soon though as another series of mistakes had me spinning, hitting walls and what not, including a spin at very high speed that somehow ended on a positive side and I could continue. Fulvio had a close look of that, lol.
Tried for a fastest lap in the last 2 and the last lap was particularly good, but I messed up the final hairpin and slid into the hay bales. I guess luck was really on my side in this race and despite all the mistakes I did the car was still going well and made it to the end. Luck... or SHE just gave me the new special armor division modification for this one!
Grats to Jethro for a well deserved 2nd and Fulvio for making up the podium!
Cheers,
-=Hristo=-
