I have a new found respect for the Stang drivers after that one! For me, being lapped is a lot tougher than doing the lapping and often relies totally on trust that the person behind won't go for that gap unless there's enough time to make it stick. Really good fun though, and the couple of moments where a DP appeared as we were already two wide added some welcome spice to procedings!
A race of two halves that one! Thought I had some reasonable speed and felt comfortable putting the times in without hurting the tyres too badly. After running half a second away from each other for God knows how many laps, changing places occasionally when DP's messed with the rhythmn (not bitter
), I still couldn't work out whether Raimo was really pushing or whether he was just running down the clock for a bit.
Still together at lap 30, we both pitted with me leading by a waffer thin mint, just as the lack of grip was starting hurt the lap times. Darting out of the pits content with the fact I'd extended my lead - I soon realised I'd not taken on any juice! Gutting. 10 seconds up the road in absolute cruise mode and suddenly the race turns totally on it's head.
Exiting the pits I was 10 secs away from Pops who was with Rob and a further 20 seconds away from Raimo. At this point it was already looking bleak, but I had 40 mins to go and even a minor moment by Raimo could give me the remote possibility of retaking the lead. I bust a gut trying to make up the time and while I managed to stick in fastest lap, it wasn't massively faster than I was doing before I starting caning the tyres so was very much short term gain and left me with bugger all rear grip by the time I got on to the back of the squabbling Pops and Master Burton.
Had a good dice with Pops and finally pipped him at Priory with an arse out moment as I tried to get my nose ahead before Luffield - thankfully he obliged, and next was Rob. Have to say mate, that was some really good defending and great close racing all round. I don't know how long it went on for but I think we drove most corners side by side and I don't think there was even any paint swapped, really good stuff! Oh yeah, I can't believe you did a Jenson on me at Stowe you git
.
Anyway - looking at the numbers beforehand I thought I'd made a mistake signing up for two hours of this but thanks to Raimo, Rob and Pops that was a thoroughly enjoyable night's racing.
Grats to Raimo, you are basically a machine aren't you! Barely any mistakes - just a shame we didn't get a nailbiter at the end but who knows, maybe we'll meet again in Acuras/ GT40's
.
With any luck I'll be able to make more of next season's races - thanks as always to Mr. Parle, keeping the Enduro flag flying!
Oh and grats to Darren on the title - well earned bud, been putting in some quality performances for quite some time now, well deserved.
Last but not least - thought I'd share a momento of the occasion...
