No testing whatsoever before the race, just managed to run an hour of free practice laps to get accustomed to the circuit as I know the car pretty well having done hundreds of laps with it in the recent Fuji time trial.
Managed 3:40.1 in free running, but 39 was on the cards there.
EMEA GT2 lowish B/S (about 1/5 of the bar), noon slot, 83 points lobby, door 13.
Before the race I entered free practice, went into pits and paused, waiting for the countdown clock to get into 7 minutes. Then I simulated quali practice and soon enough I knew there will be only one quali lap for everybody.
So in the quali I waited in the pits until everyone got out, around 5:15 to go I exited and had pretty empty track ahead.
Warmed up already I managed pretty solid laptime of 40.4 which was enough for P1!
Started ok, but I missed the braking point for Tertre Rouge, ran wide and earned 0.5sec penalty.
That was the only error I made as it turned out.
Got overtaken by French Toyota on the straight, but regained my position in the first chicane.
The French was close (around 1 second) for a few laps. He was faster in Tertre Rouge (I played it safe in this corner after lap 1) and the final sector of the track. I gained in chicanes, Mulsanne, Indianapolis, Arnage which was good enough to keep my position.
On lap 5 he made some mistakes and I was 4 seconds ahead and basically that was it.
There was also the Hungarian Toyota who started far away back (probably some mistakes in the quali), but had super pace and a fastest lap of 39, they were gaining fast until P3. They (France and Hungary) pitted on lap 6, I pitted on lap 7 - changed tires, because my left rear would be totally worn by the end of the race and that would be too much risk for a few seconds.
I had about 5 seconds advantage after pit stop and brought it safely home.
So, a win and 83 points in my first try is great and I'm happy I didn't have to re-run this race, although I must say it was fun to run away with this. Some tension, yes, but no stress of having to defend and fight.
