16-02-2015, 04:40 PM
Race 1 went well for me. Near PB in qualy put me 14th on grid but only a little more than a second behind pole time. Got thru a few crashes and problems for people in front of me to get as high as 9th. Cycled back a little after pitting but it all came back once everybody got their pit stops done. Raced alone for almost the whole race. While this can get boring it sure increases one's chance of finishing the race. (See race 2 report) Inherited 9th without passing anyone and finished there. Tim was closing on me in the last few laps and might of had a chance for an overtake on the last lap. It meant I had to give it all I had but then he suddenly dropped back a second or two on lap 20 and I could be more careful and preserve my P9. Ironically for Tim... he gave me the excellent setup I was running! Thanks Tim! 
Race 2. Though I finished race one at P9, watching the board for race 2 it looked like I was listed as P18 on the grid. I knew that's not where I was supposed to be but didn't feel like commenting. Being at the front with all the fast guys behind me is never too appealing to me. But then when I went to the grid, low and behold, I'm in the middle of the front row! I suddenly realize I cannot see the flagman. As I'm glancing left the horn sounds and I'm glad I can hear it over the engines sounds. But I'm off my mental peak and a second later when the horn goes long I pop the clutch and do nothing but spin the motor. I cycled up the gears all the way to 4th but it would not bite. Finally got it rolling (after what seemed like minutes) but lost 6 or 7 places. Apologies to everybody and way to go to everybody for avoiding my road block!
I'm still fairly near the front and begin racing. I get bumped a couple of times from the rear in the first 2 laps (simple racing incidents) and lose a couple of positions each time but keep going. Finallly on lap 3 approaching Curva Grande someone makes a run on me on the outside. I give them room which puts me in the middle of the track. Then, just at the turn in, someone pokes their nose inside of me. Wow, 3 wide through Curva Grande!? That's never a good bet. Going into that curve as the meat in the midlle of a 180mph sandwich, I ended up the loser. Now in P last, in an agitated mental state and the entire field several seconds ahead of me, I blow Lesmos 1 really bad (not on purpose ;D ) and my race ends.
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On the lighter side, I must say that these Lolas are a blast to drive. Good choice by the decision makers. Thanks to Nikos and Tim and everyone who has helpled me come up to speed in this fun car.
Race 2. Though I finished race one at P9, watching the board for race 2 it looked like I was listed as P18 on the grid. I knew that's not where I was supposed to be but didn't feel like commenting. Being at the front with all the fast guys behind me is never too appealing to me. But then when I went to the grid, low and behold, I'm in the middle of the front row! I suddenly realize I cannot see the flagman. As I'm glancing left the horn sounds and I'm glad I can hear it over the engines sounds. But I'm off my mental peak and a second later when the horn goes long I pop the clutch and do nothing but spin the motor. I cycled up the gears all the way to 4th but it would not bite. Finally got it rolling (after what seemed like minutes) but lost 6 or 7 places. Apologies to everybody and way to go to everybody for avoiding my road block!
I'm still fairly near the front and begin racing. I get bumped a couple of times from the rear in the first 2 laps (simple racing incidents) and lose a couple of positions each time but keep going. Finallly on lap 3 approaching Curva Grande someone makes a run on me on the outside. I give them room which puts me in the middle of the track. Then, just at the turn in, someone pokes their nose inside of me. Wow, 3 wide through Curva Grande!? That's never a good bet. Going into that curve as the meat in the midlle of a 180mph sandwich, I ended up the loser. Now in P last, in an agitated mental state and the entire field several seconds ahead of me, I blow Lesmos 1 really bad (not on purpose ;D ) and my race ends.
=========
On the lighter side, I must say that these Lolas are a blast to drive. Good choice by the decision makers. Thanks to Nikos and Tim and everyone who has helpled me come up to speed in this fun car.