Coming into this race I could not decide between the Eaglet or the Lotus33BRM. I had driven the baby Eagle around Monaco when 66 was released and found it a very forgiving chasis, but the Lotus was nearer to my beloved Brab BRM which I can usually throw at a circuit and get results
.
In the end I plumped for the Eagle as throwing things at Monaco usually ends in tears and tantrums!!
Gerard set a cracking qually time and although I was using race fuel in qually, just to be sure the handling was sorted, I don't think I would have matched that time even with light fuel load. So I was quite pleased to get 2nd spot especially as it is so difficult to pass at Moanco even if you are faster.
Off the grid I got almost alongside Gerard on the run to St Devote and briefly considered calling his bluff down the inside, but I considered that the "chicken" option might give us both a longer race
.
For the first few laps I kept a steady gap to Gerard wh was doing a very passable impression of the Evil "sideways is best" method of driving on his cold tyres. Dave and Tim were never far off my tail pipes and there was no chance to relax as we all got into our stride.
A couple of minor mistakes dropped me back into attack range for Dave and gave Gerard the chance to make a break. It was then that I decided that I did not like someone invading my personal space from behind and stuck in a banzai lap ( which turned out to be the FL
) to get away.
This closed the gap just slightly to Gerard who was getting far too comfortable up front but experience has taught me that you can rarely run at 10/10ths around Monaco and still be around at the flag, there are just too many places where a fraction off line loses a wheel or bends something. I always race the Monaco circuit 1st and the other drivers 2nd!!
I then relied on Gerard getting friendly with the armco, something that he failed to do!!!, and managing the gap back to Dave at a comfortable level knowing that I had more in the tank if I needed it.
As the race progressed Gerard steadfastly refused to do the decent thing and blow his engine or hit something hard and had the audacity to ease away as well!!! 2nd became more secure when Tim dropped back and I was able to drive well within the limits of the chassis to the flag.
Thanks to the lapped drivers who always moved over as soon as it was safe and allowed us through.
Grats to Gerard on the win and Championship, you were always up the sharp end and quick in all races. Grats to the Wazas who even without Hristo were able to claim some more good points for Her.