This event started out really weird for me. I used my setup from the last brands event, but apparently there is some difference between the 06 and 07 version of the track and as such the car never really felt right, leaving me about 1.5 seconds off the pace.
R1: Starting from 9th on the grid, I got off the line reasonably well. I got under the two in front of me in T2 as they made contact, sending them both really wide. Going into T3 I had to let off a little to leave room for the BMW on the inside of me. I turned in about a car length clear of Gaviola behind me, but he was carrying much more speed. Just past the apex Gaviola made contact with my left rear, sending me spinning off track on two wheels. No big deal on the hit, but you should have waited. (
RD rule #3) I rejoined down in 19th or so and made up some ground as others were enjoying the scenery from alternative routes. lol. Then coming through T8 I see Bonafe as he is attempting to rejoin after running off. I am able to react in time and avoid a collision, but the driver behind me wasn't so lucky as he spun off in an attempt to avoid the slow moving vehicle on the racing line. (
RD rule #6) A lap later at the same spot Bonafe out brakes himself and pushes me off the track and into the barriers. Bonafe, just like Gaviola failed to wait. (
RD rule #3) Those of you on team speak may have heard a little outburst of mine at this point as I was very much displeased. Despite having taken on some suspension damage, things were much smoother from here on out. Had a few good battles as I made my way back up to 6th. I eventually pitted at the end of lap 13 for left side tires and lost some time as I stopped just short of my pit box. This was just enough for Marty to slip past. After that it's all a blur. lol. I finished down in a disappointing 11th.
R2: Starting from 11th my goal was to simply stay out of trouble and I got a horrible start, bogging it off the line. As a result of this I was down to 14th before we even got to T1. As things calmed down after the first few turns, I started to push a little and picked them off one by one. I decided to pit late again which I felt worked out well in R1 in terms of tires. As a result of this I was able to get into the lead briefly, but I had Adam closing in fast. He had clearly been much faster than me in all the sessions, so when he got onto the rear of me I told him to take the inside line over team speak and let him pass without any silliness. Just like in R1 I pitted at the end of lap 13 for left side tires, only this time I hit my marks. I rejoined in a surprising 5th about 12 seconds down on Jesper and about 10 seconds up on Yves. Much to my surprise, I was not only able to match there pace, but I was able to pull a couple of tenths on the pair of them. Then with about 2 or 3 laps to go Jesper must have had a moment, as suddenly he was about 6.5 seconds down on me. Knowing well that I wasn't gonna be able to catch Eric N up a head, I just tried to managed the gap to Jesper and finished in 4th. There, that was more like it.
Despite a rough start to this event, I had a lot fun tonight with many close battles, which brands is of course known for.
