First of all, apologies to you all for my standard of driving last night. A few technical, physical and mental issues made for some really scruffy moments. It even got to the point during the Mazda test at the end where I couldn't feel the steering wheel properly. Anyway, enough about that!
It got to that stage of the "season" where everyone understood their respective cars better, and the lap times showed this with drivers being separated by the smallest margins. Qualifying was hard fought with drivers now pitting half way through for fresh boots. Was it me or was there a real sweet spot on the third lap? I managed to take pole just in front of a flying Jason, who I knew would have more up his sleeve.
Race 1 got under way and my plan was to try and make it to the second corner with no dramas. If I could do that then I thought I may be able to edge away enough to not give anyone a tow. I got a couple of seconds gap and then saw that Tomos was now on a charge and making inroads into my lead. So, I got my head down for the last couple of laps to keep ahead enough to take the win.
Starting the second race from the back and my aim was to try and keep Trevonick within a couple of places in front. But then it all started to unravel. Too many mistakes were made and it was a very poor race from my perspective. Just couldn't find any rhythm.
Race 3 and my initial plan was to take it easy on the gas and only give it the berries when needed. This lasted until just after the first corner. I got a good run up behind Paul, pulled out of the slipstream in the braking zone and..... it wasn't slowing down! Carl was approaching fast s I let off the brakes, turned left and aimed for the space just behind him, knocking him in the process. This put me second last in the field. So, back into economy mode. But I just wasn't making enough headway. From then on, it was qualifying mode until the end. I pitted in as early as I could to get enough fuel which worked out quite well as when I started to catch people up again they were pitting so I didn't lose too much time. I was up to fifth with a few laps to go, Carl hot on my heels and I was catching Nigel. The gap to the leader was coming down too but Trev was too far in front to catch in time. The best I could reasonably hope for was to pass Nigel whilst trying to keep Carl at bay. I eventually passed Nigel and a little while later there was a white car going slow. It was Jason! I was up into third! Then, coming out of the last corner the car started to slow. I couldn't work out why to start off with. Then I realised that I'd run out of fuel too! Then, without really looking, I moved off the racing line to get out of the way only to pull in front of Carl who had no where go. Apologies Carl, it wasn't what it looked like.
The series as a whole? Great! There were some great battles each week and the added situation of whether to conserve fuel or gun it and stop for the last race worked quite well. I went 50/50 over the four races. Over the entire race distance ( with one exception ) there was a huge advantage to pitting. The only thing you couldn't predict was what everyone else would be doing.
My driver of the series has to be Trevonick. A clean, precise and clinical driver, picking his moments just right, great pace and a thoroughly deserved placing in the series.
Also, a huge thank you to Jason. All the initial work in finding the suitable cars and the continued updating and advertising us to gain some extra drivers. Very much appreciated Sir!
And finally, to everyone that made it throughout this series. Without you guys we wouldn't have all this to read through each week!
Thanks for reading gents, see you in the Mazdas!
EDIT: Great to see Jim back as well, even if he did turn up in a Honda powered Mitsubishi! The rules clearly stated "No Tuning"