Monterey Grand Prix

Grrrrrrrrr damn computer locked up when i pitted for last stop. Was having a good race up to there....

sorry to chris melton, i wasnt trying to lap you at the corkscrew, i got my wheels on the grass and couldnt stop fortunately we didnt touch.

bad luck to allen who disco'd as race session started.

Sorry to all those guys that have scary moments lapping me down.

I had a crazy week at work (changed employer actually)... so ZERO practice... got some 30 mins offline then a few laps online before the qualy, all just trying to get into a consistent rythm so I wont crash anyone in the race, that's "survival mode".

Qualy started... I knew I could get a 1:03.5 or so if didn't f*** up... but yep... I did... first hot lap crashed in the corckscrew and could not get out of the sand... BLOWN ENGINE.

Well I did watch most of the qualy session trying to remember the braking points of the fastest guys... see if that could help me, actually it was against my initial plans, being consistent is impossible if you are trying new stuff every lap.

So race started... from last position of course, got to pass some guys... did a 1:04.4 not a bad time... but got over exited and tryed to get into the high 03's... which was not that far from the race leader's pace... but yes... the logical thing happend... a BIG CRASH... lost FW and a lot of suspension damage... but the pit crew did a fine job and I was on again. Then around mid race... another huge crash... lost FW AGAIN... huge suspension damage... pit crew this time can't do magic so I was on a crappy P.O.Sh. for the last 7 laps or so... sorry to the guys who lapped me... I was in trouble keeping that thing away from spins.

All in all an 11th place out of the bad luck of others (DISCO's and blown engines I supose).

I hope I can finally manage some time for practice next race.

See you all... and check out this Serie's forum, Road America's VIDEO REPORT is FINALLY seeing the light.

good race. Jan ran away from me at the start but as the race went on i got faster. i had a horrible hangover today that just kind of numbed me haha.

for my first pitstop i first went onto the wrong road before i realized it wasnt pit lane, then when i got into the pits i guess my speed limiter wasnt on (though i'm sure i pressed it...maybe hit the wrong button). for that i got a stop-and-go which probably cost me 25-30 seconds and dropped me to fourth.

it took me a while but finally i caught brian fairley and i could barely keep up with him much less make a pass. after a few laps around though i got close enough at the final corner before the straight and drafted him into the T1 with a really sloppy pass on the outside, but i had the inside for the next turn so i had him. passed morissette while he was in the pits and just kept pushing in the hopes Jan would make a mistake. i closed the gap by 7 seconds or so but he was still 25 seconds ahead. but hey, atleast i got fastest lap!

i'm impressed that almost everyone finished the race today. those curbs are pretty treacherous at laguna seca. and thanks to everyone for letting us by. i dont think i had any problems with that at all today.

so i learned a good lesson today. being hungover on race day is BAD. lol

edit: oh ya and another dumb thing i did was load up with 50 liters more fuel than i needed. ugh

Bunched a rather decent setup together a few days before the event and got down into the 1.02's fairly easily with boost at 2 and car in qual trim.
Surprised I was able to make it into the 01's with a 01.4 in praccy (just a tenth off track record, argh!), so quite pleased with that.

Took it easy for most of the race, especially the first few laps with horrible understeer until the tires came up to temperature. After that, it was great.
Backmarkers was a hazzard at times. The speeds these things are able off really made some close calls. Dodged a spun Melton with only inches in the final corner, and someone else just after T2 with a Sato esque left-right-left, using some curb in the process. Car behind me had to use the sand.

Other than that, no real problems, pitstops went butter smooth, pace was good and consistency was great.

Also, this new Ecci wheel and pedal set is absolutely ace, so much more precise than my old red Momo.

Until next time :)

Grats Jan nice win

Congrats Top 3!...

Goodrace, congrats podium.
Goodjob everyone today you were all very quick.
I did ok, a goal of mine was to make no mistakes in the opening laps and I did that. Then only a few minor offs and one spin in the last turn. Came home with no damage.
Drove my own race and it was only good enough for 7th :(
Still had alot of fun, see you next time!
RA