RDHCS S10 - Round 7 - 100km (30 laps) - Jarama 79 - Tue 21st May 2013

[Stuart Thomson]

Thread Open

 

[Ross McGregor]

Just noticed the top 6 drivers were in 6 different cars! Good variety!

 

[Neil Gault]

i found it the hardest one yet for me and my Ferrari as it left me friggin knackered and very very sore but one happy bunny to finish in the top 10

 

[Rupe Wilson]

Well that was a bit on a intense race for me.
I really surprised my self in the last few hours of practice knocking about 2 seconds of my lap times,
getting inside the top 10, And in qually we all seemed to better our times, there was allot of grip out there or so it seemed.
Well onto the race.
Had a cracker of a start but with the car spread out across the track i had to stay on the outside, which made me a bit nervous to say the least going into the first corner. but im glad to say we all made it round nice and safe. and on the next bit of straight i got myself into 5th place. so 3 places gained from the start, that was another surprise. And half way through the lap the front guys mad a little moment which brought us all real close together. I backed off a bit as not to hit any body and let I tried to slot in behind them but with cars right up my rear it was time to hold my tight lines through the corners and make any body who wanted to pass go the long way round. i had a few corners were i was slow, or it seemed so. the Porsche, Alpine, and escort were so quick around a few of the bends
i knew i was in trouble.
I managed to hold of Roland for a good number of laps. he got along side a few times but the Healey had a good bit of grunt and i was ahead again before the next bend. But i was going to happen at some point i didn't think i could do this for 30 laps, after pushing a bit hard into a corner he had his chance. Roland got by. with a quick look in the rear view it was time to be smart let him go and try to tag on the rear and not be a hero to zero..

Lap after lap it was more of the same intense pressure from the cars behind. with Jacob the last in our little group, He was probably the quicker out the 3 of us but couldn't find a way by Knut or Neil.
i held off Neil for a number of laps, then i was Knut up my rear. i managed for a couple of laps to hold him but i knew he was very quick out the last corner. He had one go and let me off the hook going into the first corner, and i knew then next time round the place was going to be his. out the last bend he appeared in my mirrors gaining so fast and i think it was all done by the time we crossed the over the line. so i t was time to follow again. Next it was Jacob in my rear view. Here we go again i thought.
I was holding him at bay and the laps were ticking down. could i actually hold him at bay for the final number of laps. Maybe not but i was going to try. On going down the straight i saw something in the distance but was also looking of were Jacob was going he had nearly got by into the first corner a couple of times, The next thing i see is a car stopped in the breaking zone to the corner.
I had to really swerve to miss it loosing control and spinning. (in the replay i see Knut and Rene also having a moment due to this) Rolands Pc crashed leaving his car stuck on track.
At this point to see Jacob and Neil both go by as im stuck in the kitty litter.. my head was down feeling sorry fo my self. All those laps holding the cars off to loose it like this .. Nooooooo

But you soon realise its only a game and at least i get to finish.
Feeling really bad for Roland as he had done all the hard work and lost way more than i did(unlucky mate)
So with 3 laps to go it was time to bring it home i was following Neil to the flag but just couldn't get close enough to challenge or at least put him under a bit a of pressure. not that i could of passed him but its always worth a try. I got close, but screwed up a corner so i didn't even manage to put pressure on him.. maybe a good thing i might of crashed and lost allot more.

All in all a very demanding night of driving with a finish that was ahead of were i thought it would be..
but i did not really make any mistakes which was good so there is a positive to take into the last round ... ROLL ON PIDDY...

thanks to all who turned up and drove. without you guys this league would not happen
Congrats to the podium guys. Well done Guus on the win.. you had to be there in the first place to take advantage and you was . good job by Leszek in a JAAAG..
So unlucky for Dmytro You drive that Healey so good maybe after this is all over i could have a set up from you to see what you do to this car, in combination with the skill you have.. (your probably using default setup)
unlucky for Ross he was pushing hard, but nice to see you slowed up before the line to let Dmytro through. Racing hard but being fair also.. unlucky mate

End result very happy with my finish and looking at the bigger picture extremely happy with were im at.....

 

[Jack Smith]

Dear Diary......I awoke last night in a ball of sweat, screaming and terrified, my body twisted and contorted into a mangled pile of jelly and bone...then I realized...its ok, the race is over.

The first fifth of the race was fun, but then some events happened that never played out in my favour. Ended up in last place but determined to finish, I continued to the end but the car seemed hard to control during the latter part of the race, tires were shot. Thanks for waiting Dave after our little mishap.

Only a race but at the time I was so angry that I pulled every nose hair out of my sister's mustache before kicking her out into the rainstorm. That seemed to ease my rage somewhat.

...One thing to note...which is not good for me is that the braking caused my troubled foot, which had been feeling better, noticeable discomfort and I am limping around again so I will try using a shoe for that foot and hope that cures it.

WD to podiums, thanks Rupe and Knut for the work put in ..cheers to all drivers.

 

[Roland]

After watching the server replay (mine got corrupted during my crash) I feel I need to apologise to Peter, Knut, Rupe and maybe others too for obstructing them when my car froze. Obviously nothing I could do about it but that goes for you guys as well...
I surely hope this won't happen again (if only because I can't afford having to buy a new PC ATM)

Before the start of this season, I had set myself two goals;
- Be the fastest second Alpine driver in the final standings. ( forgot about 1st the moment Ross signed up ). This is still possible, but only because Bob H. missed the last two rounds
- Match or improve my 8th place in the final standings from the last season. At least matching it is still possible too, but only if nothing goes wrong at Piddy and I have a little luck, as I don't feel this track favoures the Alpine..

 

[Simon Bacon]

Can't say I've been having any enjoyment of late due to work, but Tuesday drew me back in with vengeance

Made steady progress throughout practice and qualifying but still managed to place near the back. Started terribly (auto gearbox activated??) but slotted in behind Peter VZ for 9 thrilling laps. At one point we went side by side through the two hairpins and the fast left hand sweep uphill. But, managed to overcook my braking and gave Peter the slightest of nudges which was enough to spin him off Had a complete brain fart, waited for him, almost quit in frustration and anger at myself but decided to get my head down. The next 20 laps were amongst my best online experiences. Got past Rene and Peter and lined up Norman, then spent the middle third of the race in GTL heaven Very intense, maybe aggressive at times (on my part) but very fair. Can't even remember how I got by but recall having a huge sigh of relief, only for Norman to fight back. Yves big old Shelby was next, although I did like sitting behind and hearing it roar for awhile. Pretty soon I was having a quiet time in 13th place, thinking 'this will do.' I was catching Hans up front but wasn't thinking overtake. On the final few bends of the last lap I saw Hans and Jack sort of disappear in a cloud of tyre smoke, I almost followed them but managed to get the Healy back under control to cross the line in 12th. Felt like I'd picked Hans' pocket a little....sorry mate.

Again, thanks to all, a great reminder of why I enjoy GTL here at RD, mid season lull over and one more to look forward to. Lot's of if onlys but some great memories from this meeting. Ta muchly