Considering that the last FIA races I did at Laguna Seca didn't go too well, I originally wasn't planning to make a serious effort for today's combo as I thought the WRX would be too ponderous and hungry on its tyres to be a contender. So count me incredibly shocked to find that I was setting regular low-1:25s during Free Practice (fastest lap being a 1:24.999) and got some encouraging pace and consistency in test lobbies. Would this be enough to finally lift the curse and land me another good points haul for this leg of Manufacturers?
15:00 Manufacturers
Met
@NekoPufferPPP once more in what was one of the most varied Gr.4 grids I've seen in a while. Qualified 7th with a 1:26.567 behind a Ferrari and two Toyotas (best in testing was a 1:26.362). Podium rostrum was locked out by a Scirocco, TT Cup and Scirocco respectively. Think I could've saved more time had I not gone in too deep at Turn 11, though I'm not sure whether or not this would've got me anywhere near the 1:27.8 and 1:28s set by the top three starters.
Followed most of the grid in seeing through a no-stop on Hards; I say 'most of' because, as I was about to discover shortly, the German Viper starting in 16th initially went out on Softs. My objectives were simple; stay clean, look after the tyres and keep out of the sand as much as possible. Spent the first few laps shadowing the Ferrari, while the Greek Toyota (grey) fought past his Portuguese teammate (stock livery) in his bid to fight the FWD runners. The Corvette starting behind dropped off fairly quickly and was eventually overtaken by the Porsche as he served a track limits penalty. At Turn 4, on Lap 4, the Portuguese Toyota and the Ferrari drop all four wheels into the sand, giving me 6th as the Ferrari recovered from a resulting half-spin.
Two laps later, we see the Greek driver literally fighting the Monster Energy Scirocco for 3rd, the Scirocco having already worn his front tyres harder than most of us. His desperation to hang onto whatever place he was in was clear to see; upon being passed up the hill by the Portuguese Toyota, he proceeded to force his way back through as they went side-by-side through the Corkscrew. With the Toyota compromised, I slipped up the inside of Turn 10 to take 5th, looking to capitalise on the Scirocco's troubles with my healthier tyres and 4WD thrust. This was, of course, without reckoning the German Viper, who by the end of the first sector had fought his way through to 6th.
Sure enough, the Viper sticks his bonnet in at Turn 5 which, coupled with my wider line, sets me back a couple of places. Not to worry, though, as the Scirocco completely loses it coming out of Rahal and I squeak past him just before the Corkscrew. The Scirocco is having none of it, however. After tapping me once under braking he proceeds to shut the door on me; turns out that the Scirocco cut across front of the Ferrari upon rejoining the track, leading to contact which pushed the Scirocco forward. I eventually slipped past the Scirocco as he ran wide through Turn 10; his tyre struggles and squabble with the pack behind were enough to let me pull clear.
Tyre management by the half-way stage was excellent, with the WRX setting a consistent string of high-1:28s and 1:29.0s in cleaner air. Regained 5th on Lap 9 by virtue of the Viper pitting and later retiring after binning it in the Turn 11 gravel. From that point on, it was a case of reeling in and pressuring the Portuguese Toyota again on better tyres. I was careful not to wear my own tyres down too much in the process, and my patience paid off on Lap 15 when the Toyota almost lost it upon touching the sand at Rahal. Sailed through to 4th as a result and proceeded to reduce the gap behind the other Scirocco from around 4.1 to around 1.8 seconds even with an early upshift over the line. Not enough to challenge for the last podium spot, but enough to tell me that the WRX finished the stronger car.
The curse has been lifted. I finally got a good result around Laguna Seca in a car which felt like it was designed for it! The stop-start nature of the track plays extremely well to the strengths of the 4WD system and turbo boxer engine, while consistency was top-notch with only a few minor touches of the sand and Turn 11 dirt. Given that my fastest total time in testing undercut that of the winning Toyota by a few tenths, I genuinely think I would've had the pace to potentially win or at least challenge for podiums. That being said, I'm still delighted with how the race worked out as it happened.
Good to see NekoPuffer again, too, and glad to know he got some consistency with how unforgiving this circuit can be with its sand traps.
!
