USA e30: Istanbul

I was actually a little worried about fuel here before the race, but apparently the estimate in the pits was way off- looked like I had a quarter tank left when it was over.

This was definitely too late for me on a weeknight- I need some time to wind down after a race, or I'll just lay in bed staring at the ceiling. I probably won't run this series next season if it's starting at 10:30.

Not much to say about the race, spent my time at the back coping with understeer and lockup at the end of those long straights. My first race at Istanbul, and definitely not one of my favorite tracks- the modern-day F1 style of long straights punctuated by short tight corners does nothing for me.

Congrats to the podium, both for this race and the season!

I'm feeling your pain on the timeslot Michael; after a long day at work staring at papers and LCD's, my eyes are about shot at that hour (EDT here) - I'd be thrilled if these night races could get moved up a bit, but that might make it tough for west coasters. Also with you on the sleep bit; hard to get the brain dialed up to race and then drop straight off to dreamland.

But at least in dreamland I could've won, unlike in reality! ;-)

In reality, Rob handed it to me with a very nice drive to the win - a well earned one. My fault I suppose, since I had a small edge on pace and started from pole. But I just had a small problem with this turn, you see... Turn 8 it was; that was the one area I'd gone into the race thinking might present a problem, and sure enough it did. Pretty bad understeer through there, and in concert with cold tires it got me up over the curb costing me the lead on lap one, then again later on lap 12 while pushing to challenge for the lead. Spun the 2nd time and that was all she wrote.

Very enjoyable outing aside from that; pushed hard from lap one of qualy all the way to my late race spin. It's always fun when you have good competition that's close on pace to race with, no matter where you are in the field, and Rob definitely made me work for it.

Had good pace though I was a bit disappointed to miss an :02 in qualy. Wouldn't have mattered though, since I was just too inconsistent in the race. Really had to fight my tendency to overdrive after losing the lead, and by the time I got calmed down I was nearly 3 seconds back. Almost got demoralized until I saw Rob get sideways off the last corner and the gap fell to 2 seconds.. I thought it might be doable then, and from there to my spin I'd closed to about 1/2 second. The last 3 laps were looking like a great race until I felt the rear let go in 8 after I'd pushed out onto the curb.

Was a tiny bit bummed since it would have been a fun fight to the end, but had a great time up to then so I went away happy. Well done Rob, and 'grats to Mark for taking 3rd.

That was a fun race. Based on the Euro times I thought I was on pace. I came up short on my qual lap, about 100 feet from start finish before session ended -- was looking at a 2:03.4 to 2:03.5 but didn't get it in. Not that it would have mattered based on Steve's smokin' time of a 2:03.1 !! Wow, impressive Steve!

After Steve's qual time, I was thinking this is really just gonna be a race to hold onto 2nd place while Steve checks out.

I got a pretty good start and managed to come along side Steve into T1, but I was on the outside so no chance of really doing anything. But I figured if I pushed to hang onto Steve I might be able to make a fight out of this race or get a draft pass. Then I got a lucky break as Steve ran wide thru the left, left, left, left high speed sequence and was able to drive under him. As expected, Steve kept the pressure on, but I somehow managed to pull a small gap 2.5 secs. Then I made a couple of small errors and next thing I know steve is just 0.6 back. I knew my weak spots and I knew my strong spots, but by lap 12 my tires were beginning to wear and I was expecting Steve to take advantage of my weak spots. Then it happened, the same left, left, left, left sequence it looked like Steve got a little too much outside curb and looped it.

Major bummer as I'm sure it would have been a great battle for those last 3 laps. Since the pressure was off, I pretty much cruised around for those last 3 laps to take the win. But it was a great fight until that point, good stuff and fun.

Congrats to Steve and Mark for podium.

Not to much to say other then i screwed up again not changing my fuel after qual with only 10 laps of fuel in the tank for the race i handed 3rd over to mark and threw my chance for a top 3 finish. Live and learn i guess.

Had a very interesting and hairy first few laps. Many side by side moments in bad corners. but all faired well. Everyone was pretty clean for the most part. Spent about 8-9 laps following Mark around. We were running very similar lines. So equaled about to very similar lap times. Barely ever gained ground. Tires became an issue with about 3 to go. But Mark you drove a solid race and you kept me at a safe distance by driving well. All in all great season. But can't do the 11:00 races. Like the others said the wind down thing is rough. Thought i was the only one who after finishing a tough race, was amped up too long. Get a slight adrenaline rush i think. Great season guys. Much congrats to the podium!

Also congrats to Rob with the championship victory! Nice job!

2nd that - had forgotten the series was done. Congrats to both Rob and Team Venom!

Good race, congrats podium.

Congrats Rob and Venom on the championships! Rock solid and at the top all season so you were clearly the champ.

Fun race this week, lots of battling around 5-8th. No incidents, so everyone is happy!

Fun series, great racing with everyone. I'm staying away next season just to change it up and get dirty in S8 ;p

RA

Thanks all, must thank my teammate Mark Peeler for getting me started in the right direction on setup for these cars.

Have much to learn, but still putting it all together.

Great season and great fun.