GTPC: Anderstorp

I had McDonald`s for breakfast. I guess it is fitting that I got McPunted during the race. I saw he had a run on me and stayed wide going into the corner but that wasn`t enough.I got a little house cleaning in before the end of the race so it wasn`t all bad.

First things first - HUGE apologies to Barret Erickson, Tom Ostry, and John Passmore for the contact in the final turn of the last lap.

I came up behind Barrett on the last lap, who was 1 spot ahead of me in the GT order, as he had slowed to respect the race that Tom and John were having in front of him for the G2 podium. I pulled out to pass Barrett in the last turn, just as he pulled out to pass the G2 car in front of him, having realized that I was going to contest the position (a questionable decision on my part to force him into that.) Unfortunately, we found that 3 cars can't fit through there, and 2 got knocked off track. I slowed and pulled over before S/F to return the positions, but the great battle that Tom and John were having in G2 was ruined. Sorry about that, guys...I probably should have given more respect to what Barrett was doing and conceded the top 5 in GT on the last lap, as he was clearly faster than me all race, anyway. But after some troubles that I had had in the pits earlier in the race, I was trying to regain as much as possible.

Other than that, I thought it was a great race. This was my first race in a LONG time in the GT class, and it's clear that I've got a lot to learn about how to make tires, fuel, and the motor last in them.

Sorry again to Barrett, Tom, and John.

Thanks to everyone that made the race. 4 shy of a full field. I know it was early for any west coasters (like myself).

It was nice to see a mix in the GT class, instead of all F550s. That's a first! However, the Bavarians dominated the G2 class. That will change next race....

Sounds like there was good racing and door banging going on- I ran alone for the most part.

If you can make it, there's a vertigo challenge later today.

The start was a little messy. I think it is important to maintain SINGLE file on the formation lap. Several times I saw cars braking along side me, which is an accident waiting to happen! Something happened in front of me and I was so busy trying to guess where the guy behind me was going to go I ran into the guy in front, fortunately only a glancing blow.

Anyway I tried a one stop strategy but my tyres became fooked and I had to nurse them, costing me a lot of time and a couple of off track excursions. Kevin nicked a place off me right on the penultimate lap, you dog you :)

Throughly enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this race. I was a bit sloppy before my pit, so spent the majority of the race close to the back. After I filled up and got a new set of tires, I decided to work on my consistency. It payed off, and I finished 7th (15th overall).

Wow .. what a combination . .GT and G2 ... Never a boring moment during this race.. Lot of stress, but fun stress.

In quali was set to get a low 1m25 that should have put me roughly 3rd for the start .. unfortunatly i got really held back because of the G2's qualifying aswell... I was trying to make a final effort but had to get passed Cladiu, but he had none of it and I ended up on the grass.. a little dissapointing since I feel i did have track position .. Anyway.. ended 7th

Start was ok, though first few laps i was seeing alot of lag and got worried, but it soon passed. I was trying to get up the order but noticed roman, rob and laki just pulling away from us, so I knew i was challenging for atleast 4th.. Laki got a DNF mid race so that helped me a little in the end.. It felt like i was going to make the race with a 1 stop but it soon became apparent that i was about 4 laps shy, pity cause i think i may have either just been able to pip Roman or def come in 2nd, and i also just recieved a warning my tyres were gone.. So i decided to take fuel and softs to last the last 4 laps.. I came out in 3rd, where i was expecting to finish anyway.

Good race, well done podium

Unlucky John Passmore loosing out on a podium spot for Mob racing in G2 .. Was kind of Barret to let them race on last lap until the final corner that is *cough* garry *cough* .. looks like you had a really wicked race with Tom.. Nice result anyway

Victory is always sweet :)
Race was tough driving BMW because of the tyres, 2x wear makes them consistent only for 10 minutes and after they degrade.
On first stint, after an awful qual with too soft compound thus overheated tyres, I had a run-off avoiding an early brake from John Passmore, or maybe it was a little lag.
However John, you brake too much! :)
So after this I made some furious laps because I had already lost 7 seconds from T.Ostry!! My strategy was on 1 stop so after re-gaining the gap I nursed the tyres and all went fine, even though it's hard to know who's in front who's behind in the G2.
Just 2 notes: formation lap had some sloooooow dangerous moments...remember that who is behind need almost to stop if you have not a costante pace.
And one for Roman Jamsek, who nearly take me off in the last 2 minutes of the race in a GT.....on the last turn: no GTs were directly behind or ahead of you, so you could have avoided the contact and waited for the long straight.
Just my opinion.

On the positive side grats to both podiums!

disastourous start,dont know what to do with q,thiis time temp caught me out ,so had to come back in and change rad,but didnt really get clear run i needed,race went no better,knew i had quick car,so went to pass roman into right hander after long straight,thought it was a given,but then it lagged a little and touched,ended up in gravel,took precautionary drive thru,but roman didnt,so i guess he didnt see me or what i dont know,tried to catch up best i could,and i must say g2's were very good and held there lines for the most part,and managed to catch upto and pass some gt's,looking at the laps people were pitting at,i decided to gamble and put a few slower laps in to conserve fuel and try for 2stop doh,outa gas lol.congrats both podiums

Consistency really pays off. This is only my second podium finish ever at R2P and it certainly isn't a result of speed. Most of those at the sharp end of the G2 grid were faster but fortunately I didn't have any offs or spins once the green flag dropped.

Started the race on hards due to the excessive tire wear I saw in practice which turned out to be a mistake. I could have easily ran the first stint on mediums because of the low ambient and track temps. I was a sitting duck at the start from being on the hard tires and conceded two positions without a fight. Didn't see the point in risking my or anyone else's race at that point. Switched to mediums at the stop and picked up a half to a full second a lap for the final run.

Ran most of the race alone with a gap to the car in front and the car behind but still thoroughly enjoyed it. I had no issues with any of the lapping GT cars. Thanks for the clean racing everyone!!! :)

That was fun!
Congrats to Rob, Heinz, and to G2-winner Roberto.

Made the Pole at the last seconds of Qualy, boy, its tough to qualy with so many Bimmers lol.

100% Action after start, no time to take a breath. THX to all G2-drivers for making a good job in letting GTs pass.
Made an early 2nd pit stop and thought it will be a 2nd pos at finish because I always loose so much time in pitting. But then 4 laps to go and Heinz (3 seconds ahead of me) drove into pitlane and I had just to be smooth and bring the car home safely without pushing.