Thoughts
I'll say what I said during the race again:
It's a testament to how great the racing is, when the guy you're racing for the win crashes at the very end of the race, and you're upset because you were looking forward to the battle, regardless of the outcome, and that feeling outweighs the happiness of knowing you've all but won. That was more than three hours of incredible driving, cheers to Saga and O'Rama on the battles we had throughout the race, I only wish we could've fought to the end.
After what happened at Tertre Rouge yesterday, it was impossible to go through that corner without thinking about it, and every time a car went off, it worried me, even though we're merely racing on a video game and are at no risk, unlike the drivers who risk their lives every time they get in the car. Godspeed Allan, this win's for you.
Qualifying
Qualifying went very well for me, Neljack decided to have some fun and pulled me to absolutely demolish the track record with a 4:18.231 and over 190 mph down the Mulsanne. If it weren't for that, I would've qualified with a 4:22.3.
Race
My race started very uneventfully. I ended up with damage very early and beached the car at the kink before Indianapolis. I managed to catch back up and then some, and I believe I had about a half lap lead until lap 23, when I finally pitted. I made the same mistake as Saga, but it affected me a lot less, as I got punted by a Prototype at Nouvelle Maison Blanche and had to pit the next lap anyhow.
After Saga pitted, having made the same mistake, and me running into the wall at Arnage while distracted by my best friend popping by to see how I was doing, we were very close, I would just catch his draft at the end of the Mulsanne before he'd pull away in the twisty bits. However, O'Rama slowed him down just enough for me to get back in the battle, which got pretty intense with the little Alfa mixing it up with our fast GTs, even down the Mulsanne straight. I managed to get around both by using O'Rama to box Saga in under the Dunlop Bridge. Later that lap, Saga got squirrely under brakes at Mulsanne corner and knocked the inside wall. I think that crash ended it to be honest, but he spun again entering the Porsche Curves to put any doubts to rest. Afterwards I just cruised and tried to stay out of the Prototypes' way when they lapped Dave and Randy and me and each other all at once in the Porsche Curves.
More Thoughts
I'd like to give my compliments to Furi on the race, the race was certainly the most unique experiences there is on GT5, and it was the first time I've seen a difference in the classes where they could mingle but you could still get that awesome feeling of blowing by a slower ST car, or getting utterly decimated by a Prototype down the Mulsanne. All the drivers were top-notch (even you, Randy
) and made the race great.
Thanks again, and see you at Pescara. ~Lancer
