MY first seriosu encounter with rFactor. I had never really got into the game and didn't like it , because I coul not get used to it.
Things have changed now... This event was seriously good stuff!.
I had practised a bit during the Wednesday and Thursday before the event, so I good get used to the cars and catch up a bit with all you rF lovers. So, I came prepared.
Qualification
Whoooozaaaaah! 1.19.5. I had just run first my 19 and this was the 3rd already. Me: Happy!
James's 18.9 was elusive. Man, where do you get that from?
My compliments to the rest as well. The field was pretty close with loads of the 20s and 21s. You would think we're in league pre-qualification...
Race
Got away well at the start and tried to pass James on the outside, but he sticked and stood his ground, so I decided to let go and switch to chase-mode. James was pretty quick, but I could follow him a a steady 2 seconds distance. Then James spun off T2. I passed him and decided to go for a safe drive to keep the tires in good condition. It appeared that people behind me had problems, as James and I pulled away and had about 15-20 second when the first FCY was called.
It was timed perfectly. I had planned for 2-stop strategy at 20th and 40th minute of the race to fuel up and get new rubber. The yellow waved after about 19 minutes, so I decided to move to the pitlane and take advantage of the situatuon. I moved back on track in 6th position. Then the next lap, still under yellow, James went in and I lined up second behind Mark.
My chances were good, I thought, at that piont.
The restart went well, although my car felt very unsettling. Not a miracle, as they were cold, new tires. I tried to not push to hard, but didn;t want to lose Mark either. Then, the next lap, horror struck. I lost it in T1, coming off the oval. I'm not sure whether it was Simon hitting me or me just spinning, either way, the car went light in the rear and before I coudl react it was planted with the nose in the wall. I manged to come back on track fairly fast and struggled to the pit, drunk-driving-style. Sorry guys, it was messy...
This incident was badly timed (as if these things ever come in handy...). There was more than 30 minutes to go, so there was no chance for me to combine the reparation with a regular pitstop and save time. It lost me the race.
I can back at sixth and tried to push as fast as I could. The fresh tires didn't have to last very long anyway: just 10-15 minutes. I pushed and got a little closer to the guys in front and then made the final pit stop.
The countdown had begun.
As I rushed my way to the finish, the other drivers also pitted for their final drups of fuel. I was fast and managed to pass people while they were in the box. I moved to third and gained steadily on Mark in second. The gap went from 40 to 30 seconds and counted 27 when Mark hit the box for his final stop. We reached T2, just after the pit exit simultaneously and engaged in combat for second position. I got the upper hand, probably because my tires were much fresher than Mark's, who had chose not to chance them for these last few laps.
Simon was away 45 seconds by then and would not be catched anymore. The only thing I could do was secure second. I did by pullign away from teh guys behind me and crossed the line 43 seconds behind Simon and 8 seconds in front of Mark.
I glad with the result. Congratulations Simon. Bloody good job, mate! :thumb:
