Report from the Back Marker -- Too Much of a Bad Thing
Practice: Best 1:01.932 – 15th overall
Qualifying: 1:02.7 – 18th -- just drove way too convervative
Race 1: Start 16th (dropped drivers)
Lap 1: Approach Estroil on the left and get a little love tap from Matthew while I try to whoa up as Jarrod, Willie (off on the right), Brandon, Kevin, Michel and Will (off on the left) clog up the track. This sends me off the track on the right. I manage to regain the track safely only to get tapped in the rear right that turns me hard right off into the grass by Lewis. Get turned around and join the track, now 21st (second from last).
Lap 2: 19th Empty track ahead until the jump (Jarrod and Glenn are off track). I can now just glimpse cars ahead as I approach Lycees.
Lap 3: 17th and I am gaining slowly on the field ahead.
Lap 4: 17th – Luis overcooks entrance to front straight bouncing off the wall and collects Will and Sel.
Lap 5: 17th – I am now perusing Luis who goes wide at Lycees allowing me to pass.
Lap 6: 16th – Empty track ahead again. Every now and then I can just glimpse Paul Wood ahead.
Lap 8: 14th (Robert & Eric in the Pits)
Lap 9: 11th (Matthew, Timothy, Paul in the Pits) – Matthew passes me on approach to the Jump.
Lap 10: 10th (Michel in the Pits)
Lap 12: Pit in 10th for 2 front tires and rejoin 14th behind Paul.
Lap 13 – 17: Trying to get close to Paul (now 1 lap behind the leaders).
Lap 18: Just miss Ryan who misjudges Paul’s speed on approach to the Jump.
Lap 19: Gaining on Paul, but not quite in range – pressuring him by the Jump. Paul slips a little at Lycees, but not enough – try to drag past him to the Start/Finish, but no go. Finish Lucky 13th.
Race 2
Lap 1: Hold my position approaching Estroil. Ryan must have been carrying too much speed and cuts across my bow and I help him complete his spin off track. Finally, I pass Paul after the Jump. Paul tries to regain his position through Lycees. I go a bit wide right to give him room and clip the curb (Warning! Cutting the track).
Lap 2: Timothy is just ahead and has trouble going through Estroil. I back off allowing Paul to get to my bumper. Timothy slows dramatically and early on approach to the Jump. I’m hard on the binders which must have scared Jarrod who had just passed Paul.
Lap 3: Timothy muffs the Jump and I take advantage and try to pass on the right at the bridge. Timothy is drifting right as Jarrod makes it 3-wide on Timothy’s left. Timothy and I touch and I am pressed off with my right wheels on the grass. Timothy lifts allowing me back on the track. I slip in front, but Timothy appears to have trouble braking and turns hard left across traffic. I’m stuck on the inside approach to Lycees with Jarrod having the preferred line. I try to give Jarrod enough room by clipping the inside curb (Warning! Cutting the track).
Lap 4: 12th – Jarrod decides to pass on the left making it 2-wide at the Jump. I’m not too keen on that, so I concede, but Ryan thinks it would be fun if it was 3-wide and rushes in on my right. Ryan hits the curb bouncing back into me forcing me far left and off course (Warning! Cutting the track).
Lap 5- 7: 13th
Lap 8: 11th
Lap 9 - 10: 8th
Lap 11: Misjudge entrance to pits trying to give Paul (who is entering behind me) room and hit the tire barrier (suspension damage). Repairs and 2 front tires. Come back on the track in 13th (40 seconds in the pits).
Lap 12: Go too wide in the jump trying to give Adam (the leader) room to pass (blue flag). Warning! Cutting the track.
Lap 13: Server Stop and Go coming back out 13th.
Lap 16: 12th as Kevin Pits
Lap 18: 11th which will be my finishing position.
