No probs @Razorpod50...I saved Race 1 but must have run out of alotted memory so it wasn't there when I went to review the race (If anyone has an accessible replay of Race 1 so I can watch/see what happened I'd surely appreciate it).
As for 'punting guys off the track', all I can say (without having seen said replay) is, if I unfairly bumped anyone it most certainly would not have been intentional, but nevertheless I would apologise if it were so, and cop the appropriate penalty.
But I will say this also: I race hard and fair! I always leave half the track (if I can...some moves are bolder than others), but if I think I've 'crossed the line of good sportsmanship', I'll generally yield as an apology/courtesy as soon as is safe and prudent to do so...
My quali was not my quickest, as has been the case so far this season...7th or 8th from memory...BUT, I've been getting stonking starts, much to my surprise, and I worked like crazy (and held on for dear life) through some 'very aggressive' but fair racing, to grab 4th half way through the second lap? (Need replay to confirm...)
@Luckgoesmyway had a better handle on the settling laps and got by me without incident, and I just sort of held station, gaining a little/losing a little securing 5th for Part A. Gotta be happy with that!
I started 5th in Race 2, due to there being only 9 starters, and snagged 4th out of Druids (narrowly scraping past a very sideways @natmanscoop), and proceeded to chase after the lead pack comprising of @Hatfield, @LITTLEBLACKO942, and @bmx_mtb_boy. I tried to maintain pace with them lest I get left too far behind later in the race, and hung in there to capitalise on BMX spinning wide at Graeme Hill (ironically as your brakes must've slid away from you Luck...pity that! Niggley equipment s*@t!).
I had a crack at Blacko into Paddock Hill around lap 18-19, but backed right out of it when my car 'pushed' crazily towards the outer limits of the track (and Blacko on the outside)...discretion proving to be the better part of valour on this occasion, as we both lived to fight on, albeit with Hat driving away as we traded blows, and @Knuckles gaining at a terrifying rate of knots...
I launched my next attack ending lap 22, getting great drive out of Clearways...drawing alongside Blacko as we plunged down and up to Druids...I tried to hold the car tight on the apex, but it slid slightly, allowing Blacko to execute a text book 'under and over', but it left him on the outside into Graeme Hill as I held my line (after some brief paint swapping...lol).
I think he contacted me 'ever so slightly' in the braking zone for McLaren, coz I was turning in nicely...dabba dabba on the skids...then I wasn't turning in, and the car was 'pushing' towards the sand...just dipping the front, then the rear left in, as I fought desperately to stay on the black stuff...I got going ok but now Knuckles was all but right up my clacker, and I was a little furious (lol, really?), frantically flashing my headlights in Blacko's rear view like some sort of telekinetic mute, commanding that he yield at this very instant! Lol! He ran wide at Paddock Hill, so, red mist descending, I shoved a very bold late braker up the inside into Druid's, and despite some light, paint swapping contact, I didn't 'hit' him or take him out, and we continued side by side around the corner...now on my replay it shows a good deal of empty space between myself and Blacko, but somehow he was real wide exiting on the ripple strip (not due to my contacting his car) and grabbed a boot full of grass on the left rear as he accelerated out of the corner, which as we all know and love, results in the car shooting across to the right of circuit...was a bloody shame Blacko! We had a proper wing ding battle man, so hat's off! Respect!
It was at this moment I realised that Hat must've DC'd and I was holding 1st place with Knuckles pretty much all over me like a bad suit! I'd seen his pace in Rounds 1 & 2, and in Race 1, and frankly I thought he'd get around me...but I dug in like some sort of unyielding unyielder, and tried to make my car as legally wide as I felt comfortable, without taking the piss and blocking in poor taste (I hope I managed this in your view Knuckles)...you also drove very firmly but fairly man...no big love taps or scary manoeuvres in my rear view mirror, lol! So to you also, respect, and well done on the Round Win.
I'm sorry if I ruined your day @Razorpod50...I'm not a 'punter' by nature, and if anyone could please refer me to a replay copy of Race 1 (Dropbox is good for this...) I'd be most appreciative.
Can't wait for the 'rain race' at Spa...I always find 'imagining' the real track moisture/grip level ratio a tricky bugger to balance...will be 'interesting' to say the least...I'm crossing my fingers to 'will' any rain squalls and showers to fall well East of the circuit on the day...
adro out
Last edited: Feb 28, 2017