Well qualifing second was a bit of a surprise as there were several drivers faster than me in practice. Don't know what my qualy time was but it was not my best time, low 9's from memory.
From the green light we all headed for turn 1 and I was lucky enough to hold position 2 through till Jako made short work of me at the hairpin. Now in 3rd I was falling into the clutches of Copperj and Vardz. An ordinary entry into the tunnel by Jako had myself, Copper and Vardz crawling over each other to grab a position, Copper was the only one who succeeded as he and I swapped paint from the tunnel exit till the hairpin.
After getting by Copper again briefly I decided that it was probably better to consolidate and make ground on the cars behind in stead of battling for position and costing both of us time. All this by lap 3. It didn't take long for Vardz to catch and pass me on lap 5, again in to the hairpin. I must be slow there. Then I had Homebrew and Castro right on my tail. Suddenly on lap 6 Vardz completely stuffed his approach into the tunnel slamming into the wall as I drove past back into 4th. Over the next few laps I pulled a gap to Vards, must have improved my hairpin, then strangely Copper pitted and I noticed I was gaining on Jako.
On lap 11 Vardz had a spin that gave me some extra breathing room and on lap 13 Oblisc and Vardz pitted and exited in 6th and 9th. I now had a Hugh lead over those behind and only Jako in front. I pitted on 14 followed soon after by the rest of the field emerging back in 3rd.
From here was a bit lonely with only me on the map, Jako way ahead Oblisc so far ahead I never saw him again and Vardz a distant 4th. It stayed this way till I pitted again on 28. By lap 30 I could see Vards closing so I concentrated on clean consistent laps to manage the gap as best I could. Then I noticed for some reason Jako had pitted again on lap 34 and he reentered not far behind Vards. I hoped they would hold each other up as Vards gaining fast but it was only 5 laps to go. Concentrate. Next lap the margin was bigger and I relaxed a little. I was going to make it. In the closing stages I lapped scooby, thanks mate for moving off line to allow me to pass, you showed very good pace keeping with me no worries.
On the second last lap I noticed Jako had got by Vards and closed considerably leaving Vards way behind. it was only after the race I learned of the passing incident, and on review probably should have been redressed on track, but I believe Jako did the right thing post race promoting Vardz to third. Well done mate. With a good couple of seconds over Jako it would take either a super lap from him or a stuff up from me to give up second. Fortunately I held on for my maiden main ROOZ series podium. My lap time weren't great but I had no spins and I think some drivers made pit stop errors.
Very well done to Oblisc, you were a class above the rest of us all race, and congrats Vardz. Well done everyone else was a great race.
Last edited: Aug 18, 2014
