USA FT: Laguna Seca

That was a great race.

Qualifying 2nd was a relief here at Laguna Seca. The opening laps can be hairy from mid-pack on back. I was running a low downforce car (4/1 wings) in all my practice sessions and was finding it to be quite decent.

It wasn't until I showed up at the track and overheard Steve mention running 10/6 that I even considered running any more wing. It didn't really effect my times but it made it more comfortable overall.

The race start was great and I managed to hold my 2nd place for a couple laps. Steve started pulling away slowly and Rob was all over me. I figured if he makes a serious go at me I'll let him go. Now I didnt let him go too easily but all the same i'd rather be chasing him.

The only scary moment was on the penultimate lap as Rob and I came upon Omar leading up to the corkscrew. Rob got through before the CS and I was looking at trying, but locked up and damn near slid right past the entry. Fortunately I was able to keep it together. With the 1 lap to go indicator I knew Rob was settled in for 2nd and I did the same for 3rd.

Great racing.

Yeah, it looked like a fun fight for 2-3. I figured that would help me at the time, since you guys were more concerned with each other than latching onto me!

As for my wings, I just ran about the same set I do everywhere, so those are my default wing settings. Won Indy running that much aero drag, so it can't be too much of a hindrance. ;-) Besides, Laguna has a lot of medium to high speed corners, so it's a good spot for some aero grip. I still had trouble getting bite up front with the wing on max, so I don't think the wings generate that much downforce in the trainers.

My race went pretty smoothly; got down to a 34.3 in practice but choked a bit in qualy and just squeaked pole with a 34.6. Was feeling some pressure there; that was a good qualifying battle with P1 changing hands every lap or so. Was of course happy with P1, but was still a bit bummed since I'm sure there's a 33 in the car; if Tristan had been entered, I'm sure we'd have seen it.

Start went OK since I'd finally remembered to drop my long 1st gear, and once I saw a bit of a gap forming behind I just tried to run steady laps without overdoing it. Managed 6 in a row within a two-tenths range, so that went OK. I'd wanted to do a 34 or two in race but was concerned about the effect on tires (not to mention risking going off). Thought I'd try it in the late going, but got a bit off pace when I caught Omar going into T6 on the next to last lap. He went off there, so the last lap was clear and I just managed to sneak one in at the end.

A fun track, and no chicanes or pitstops - what's not to love? ;-) WD Rob and Vance!

That was mucho fun race.

My qual was about the best I could expect. I'd practiced the night before (put in a least 50-60 laps) but was never able to get into the 34's regardless of my wing setting -- 1/1 would produce the same lap times as 10/5.

I knew Tristan track record was a 34.0 so I figured Steve would probably be close to that, and he was. Then I saw Vance get into the 34's also, which motivated me to do better, but I couldn't pull it off in qual.

I got a so so start, I had the right gear this time, but Tommy still got by me at the start which dropped me to 4th. Got a good run on Tommy into T5, left him lots of inside room, but he didn't contest the corner. Phew, got my head down and went after Vance in 2nd spot.

Got a good draft on Vance down the front straight and late braked into the double apex. I pushed a little wide and we rubbed wheels, sorry Vance!! Fortunately I didn't cause too much drama, but NOT exactly the way I like to pass.

Steve had a 4 second gap by this time, but I tried to keep the pressure up, tried too hard as I made a few mistakes. Vance was ON me, so I gave up thinking about catching Steve and making sure I held onto 2nd spot.

I did -- just, it was close.

Crappy car!... :P

I hate it!... I can never get it to turn and the grip is so unrealistic...

Anyways, congrats to the podium!...

I hear you, Omar; they do suck. My daily driver has more grip than these things do... ;-)

Frustrating thing about the trainers is you have to be soooo tidy with 'em since they don't have enough power to make up for any speed you scrub off by pushing 'em too hard.

Funny thing is I couldn't buy a 34 until I saw Rob's prerace post and looked at the record, and then the results from last season. I saw that I'd done 34's then and thought WTF? Went out and tried it again knowing that, and bam - there they were. Weird...