That was a ton of fun, but each race was fun for different reasons.
I was feeling much better after my physio treatment yesterday, so made a late decision to join this one, I was really missing my GTL racing with the old crowd. Thanks again to Senad for fixing me up with the Falcon download. I gave the Falcon a quick test run with Yves on the Server yesterday, and quickly found out that I was hopeless driving it, it tried to kill me on nearly every tight turn. So scratched that car from my choices.
Race 1, Fiat 131: This was a cracker of a race, lots of lead changes and some close duelling all race.
I struggled with the handling of the Fiat, just couldn't dial out the understeer, but it seemed to have nice acceleration out of the turns. Qualified P2 (very surprised) behind Yves' Falcon, but a few of us were very close, so a good race was assured.
Despite my usual sluggish start, the guys behind took pity and let me settle into P2 through the first flowing chicane. Yves hit the gas too early through downhill right hander and the Falcon bit him hard. :wink: That gave me the lead, but had Stuart and Gary ready to pounce. The three of us had a terrific race, I lead for a few laps, then Stuart slipped past, a few laps later, I got a good run over the back chicane and nipped inside Stu at the hairpin, buit Gary was relentlessly hounding my tail. With only a few laps to go, the Fiat understeer caught me and I went off, letting Gary grab the lead. While Gary and I battled, Stuart was gaining again, and he returned the favour by slipping inside me at the hairpin this time.
Well done to Gary for the win, and Stu for 2nd, a really memorable race, and extremely clean. What made it more interesting was that each of us were clearly stronger at different parts of the track, but in the end our laptimes must have been very similar. Thanks heaps guys, I loved it. :wink:
Race 2, Mini 1310: How could I resist this car, I hadn't driven it in ages, but I slipped into it like an old favourite shoe. :love:
Unfortunately, during Qualy it became clear that this car was a mis-match to the others, but since there were plenty of other Mini's in the race, I was hopeful of some fun. After Qualifying P1, I actually got it off the line reasonably (for a Mini) and held the lead into the critical first chicane. After opening a big lead after the opening couple of laps, the level of the mis-match was obvious, I was already alone and not sure what to do, drop back and play with the others (not really fair when you have a huge advantage) or just try to test the car. My rear tyres were already red hot, so I decided to wring the neck of the Mini, see what it was capable of, and see if it could withstand some punishment. It held up exceptionally well, and I had a lot of fun thrashing it around this track. This car was made for Moirana.
So, I still enjoyed the race, always do in my favourite Mini's. This car is way too fast for TC65 Class though.
Thanks to all who joined, great to be back with the GTL boys again.
