Anderstorp WTC '06

Sorry Guys, had been asked to help Administer an issue at a late moment, thought i had time to make it back but thats a no.

That was quite fun, the biggest race I had there was me finishing my freshly-cooked pie and mash tea before the race got under way. I'd been away until 8.30pm and was starving, and only after starting to cook I remembered I had signed up to this race, and had practised.

As it was, I missed qualifying and started last, but did finish my tea, albeit did go to the grid with a mouth full of mashed potato.

As for the race, got a good start, made contact with someone on the first lap (apologies), then fell off the track. Made my way back up more carefully and was looking to get P9 to be at the front of the second group of cars.

Then, unexpectedly, a lot of people pitted. I was stuck on a non-stop strategy, thinking the pitlane was enormously long that it wasn't worth the bother. So the leaders were in view as they came out of the pits, but then they lapped 3s quicker. As the rest of the race panned out, those who had pitted were lapping much, much faster. I tried to hold out but began falling back.

I did salvage P6, which could've been P5 had the tyres not just given up on the 90-degree left hander in sector three and spat me off track. Still pretty happy to have moved up 10 spots, and perhaps could've finished even further up had I not been eating pie during quali.

My first time with the touring cars for a very long time and it showed, had a so so qual amidst a sea of Honda's and Seat's and then got off to a poor start but soon gained a place or two before the lap was out.
Had a nice little scrap with those around me and made up another couple of places before the pitstops started then before i knew it i was in P1 with only 8 or 9 laps left to go. My lead did not last long as a lagging Kane closed up then a lag spike saw him punt me off into the sand so i had to sit there for 20+ seconds waiting for a clear track before i could join again. Rejoined in around 5th or 6th and then had some fun hunting down Mark who like me did not bother pitting for tyres.
Bit disappointed i got punted off as i was looking forward to a good scrap trying to keep those cars with fresh tyres behind me but i guess it was not to be, but it was still good fun.

Prerace:

My first seven events at Race2Play here we're all on rFactor. A new Sim, with all new cars, like a big bundle of joy at Christmas! Well that might not be exactly what my girlfriend would say about it...
Today I fired up race 07... WTCC something I know very well. Anderstop isn't exactly my favorite circuit but after a few laps I felt right at home.

Qualifying:
I put in the early banker... however Mika soon eclipsed that. A really clean lap ensured I would get at least get a good look at turn one.

Race:
I knew I had good pace. A good launch and first turn saw me build up a little gap that was precious on the first lap. I built on that until a mistake in the carousel let Mika take a turn at the front. I took two tires at the pit thinkinf I had a lot of work to do and maybe I should just play it safe, as I had a safe cushion over third. Mika took four tires on his stop which gave me a 4 1/2 second advantage. He was slowly catching till about 10 laps from the end, where I was doing a good job managing the grip I had, and stabilized the gap to 2 seconds.

On my second flying lap after the pits I came upon Neil who hadn't pitted heading into turn two at the end of the straightaway. It appeared Neil went wide on the exit touching the grass. I thought great I'm going to sneak by without losing any time as Mika was hot on my tail... then Wham! Neil's car suddenly reappears right on my line... Getting a good shot because I was full throttle thinking I had a clear line to turn three. Unfortunately for him spinning into the gravel... sorry mate... Fortunately I was able to hang onto it and putting consistent laps to hold Mika off for my first win here at Race2Play.

Certainly a bit of a downer to have contact with Neil because of the lag... this was my best drive so far here at Race2Play as far as consistency and outright pace. Mika kept me on my toes and made it exciting.

I will spend time this week reworking my pit controls for rFactor as this has been a weak spot so far... and maybe signing up for a few more race 07 events as I had a great time today and in yesterday's Camaro cup races at Sebring!