23-12-2013, 12:46 AM
Final races for 2013. I've had a great sim-racing year and I do not regret that I joined this great league. I've had great fun.
For this event I started practicing for the race later than usual, and I've been struggling to keep up with Marcel and David the whole week.
QUALI
My main objective was to get below 1,52 and start in second row as worst. I was hoping that I could possibly split Marcel and Djc to take 2nd on the grid, which was the dream scenario because of the advantage of rubber on the outside. As time went by, Marcel was quickest and Gorka proved to be the greatest threat for my front row position as he was really fast! I took some fuel out and managed to do a great lap, 51,2, which gave me pole. A little surprised to be perfectly honest
RACE 1
I was quick off the line and Marcel could not take advantage off the rubbered outside. He was breathing down my neck first lap. After that I managed to find a better pace although I think he was still a little faster than me. After a few laps we had built up a little gap to the drivers behind. On 5th lap, after first corner, I was thinking about my pitstop and overshoot my brake point for turn 2... I went wide and Marcel got past on the inside. Unnecessary mistake from me, but no panic and I could quite easily keep up with him for the next few laps until my pitstop arrived, at the end of lap 8. To my relief, Marcel continued one more lap and with a 46 sec pitstop I had the chance to make a ”undercut” manoeuvre to repair my mistake.
My first lap after pitstop was good, with no traffic. At the main straight next lap, I saw Marcel at the end of the pitlane, and I could take 1st position back and had a gap of 3 seconds or something. He was gaining on me for each lap but I think his tires were finished with a few laps left... And suddenly he disappeared from my mirrors and I could relax for the final laps and take the checkered flag 1st. Really pleased with the result.
RACE 2
Started from the back, and felt quite confident. Green lights and three cars collided in front of me, threwing Gorka off track, but I managed to get through unhurted, and so did Marcel and Djc. I was following them and felt that this could be a great fight. I knew Robert started from 2nd and it would be hard to catch him, but definitely a chance on the podium. I was unlucky when trying to overtake some slower guys and lost Marcel and Djc. At first corner on lap two, disaster struck... I did no notice that a braking marker sign was missing, and I did not notice I had braked way too late until I was on the grass... At this moment everything went slow-motion and thousounds of thoughts were running through my head, and before I hit the barrier hard, I saw 2 more cars on the grass and realised what had happened... I managed to crash the car somewhat straight into the barrier for minimum damage. When I was going to leave, Giorgio had made the exactly same mistake as me, and crashed into my rear, hard. He hit my left rear wheel and the car was heavily damaged! I could bring the car to my mechanics for a 203 sec repair + tire change and refuel. On my way to the pits I managed to take two more braking signs down... (lol sorry).
When my car was repaired, I was 14th and only reason to continue was to bring a few points home. Next lap, I made the same f****** mistake again! I could not believe it...... I crashed really hard into the barrier but this time I could rejoin the track with very light suspension damage. A very heavy car, damage, missing braking signs for 3 corners and still 15 laps to go was no easy task. I managed to bring the car to finish, one lap behind, finished 11th. Crap.
I think that we can all agree that this track is hard without the braking markers 8)
Anyway, I had fun tonight. Especially the first race because of the though fight with Marcel... Thanks In the second Race, I missed out on the great fun. Can't blame anyone else than myself really... 100% concentration is needed all the time. Thanks for hosting this event, Marcel. And thanks to everyone who participated.
Merry christmas and a happy new year
Looking forward to next race at Spa. Perhaps I'll make a little video review of that race. Btw will it be 1 or 2 races?
For this event I started practicing for the race later than usual, and I've been struggling to keep up with Marcel and David the whole week.
QUALI
My main objective was to get below 1,52 and start in second row as worst. I was hoping that I could possibly split Marcel and Djc to take 2nd on the grid, which was the dream scenario because of the advantage of rubber on the outside. As time went by, Marcel was quickest and Gorka proved to be the greatest threat for my front row position as he was really fast! I took some fuel out and managed to do a great lap, 51,2, which gave me pole. A little surprised to be perfectly honest
RACE 1
I was quick off the line and Marcel could not take advantage off the rubbered outside. He was breathing down my neck first lap. After that I managed to find a better pace although I think he was still a little faster than me. After a few laps we had built up a little gap to the drivers behind. On 5th lap, after first corner, I was thinking about my pitstop and overshoot my brake point for turn 2... I went wide and Marcel got past on the inside. Unnecessary mistake from me, but no panic and I could quite easily keep up with him for the next few laps until my pitstop arrived, at the end of lap 8. To my relief, Marcel continued one more lap and with a 46 sec pitstop I had the chance to make a ”undercut” manoeuvre to repair my mistake.
My first lap after pitstop was good, with no traffic. At the main straight next lap, I saw Marcel at the end of the pitlane, and I could take 1st position back and had a gap of 3 seconds or something. He was gaining on me for each lap but I think his tires were finished with a few laps left... And suddenly he disappeared from my mirrors and I could relax for the final laps and take the checkered flag 1st. Really pleased with the result.
RACE 2
Started from the back, and felt quite confident. Green lights and three cars collided in front of me, threwing Gorka off track, but I managed to get through unhurted, and so did Marcel and Djc. I was following them and felt that this could be a great fight. I knew Robert started from 2nd and it would be hard to catch him, but definitely a chance on the podium. I was unlucky when trying to overtake some slower guys and lost Marcel and Djc. At first corner on lap two, disaster struck... I did no notice that a braking marker sign was missing, and I did not notice I had braked way too late until I was on the grass... At this moment everything went slow-motion and thousounds of thoughts were running through my head, and before I hit the barrier hard, I saw 2 more cars on the grass and realised what had happened... I managed to crash the car somewhat straight into the barrier for minimum damage. When I was going to leave, Giorgio had made the exactly same mistake as me, and crashed into my rear, hard. He hit my left rear wheel and the car was heavily damaged! I could bring the car to my mechanics for a 203 sec repair + tire change and refuel. On my way to the pits I managed to take two more braking signs down... (lol sorry).
When my car was repaired, I was 14th and only reason to continue was to bring a few points home. Next lap, I made the same f****** mistake again! I could not believe it...... I crashed really hard into the barrier but this time I could rejoin the track with very light suspension damage. A very heavy car, damage, missing braking signs for 3 corners and still 15 laps to go was no easy task. I managed to bring the car to finish, one lap behind, finished 11th. Crap.
I think that we can all agree that this track is hard without the braking markers 8)
Anyway, I had fun tonight. Especially the first race because of the though fight with Marcel... Thanks
In the second Race, I missed out on the great fun. Can't blame anyone else than myself really... 100% concentration is needed all the time. Thanks for hosting this event, Marcel. And thanks to everyone who participated.Merry christmas and a happy new year
Looking forward to next race at Spa. Perhaps I'll make a little video review of that race. Btw will it be 1 or 2 races?