Too tired for a full report, but the short story is that the car was working well today, and I managed to stay ahead of all my R7 during prequalifying (to set the grid for the qualifying session), then put together a solid qualifying session, and made a strategic decision to cut the session short as soon as I caught the backmarkers (knowing I wouldn't get a clean lap and the more laps I run...the less tires I have). I qualified 11th, and was fastest of the R7 group. Then came the race, last one of the day.
in the paddock with a gaggle of IP cars
I was actually pretty nervous but managed to hold it together. My closest rivals (and Leonard, who historically wins all the R7 races except for sometimes when Gunther shows up, which he didn't this weekend) were right on my tail though, and I knew the start would be critical. We do a rolling start and the first corner is often 3-wide and the savvy guys make up lots of places.
As we swung onto the front straight I kept my eyes open and focused on getting to the corner fast. When the green flag dropped I got a decent run but saw Don right behind me. I managed to hold him off and find a line through turn 2. And again through turn 3. Then i settled in and we were in a line. I slowly gapped the guys behind me, and tried to stay with the guys in front of me, although they were in a different class. After a few laps, they pulled slowly away from me, but I stayed in front of the R7 guys and after about 7 or 8 laps I had a comfortable lead...I couldn't really see them in my mirrors.
At that point it becomes all about taming your mind and finding the balance between being careful and managing your tires, and also not going too slow so that people catch you. My mind drifted from time to time, but I caught myself. No major mistakes, and eventually I got my wish and the white flag came out. Then I just needed to focus and make it through the last lap. And I did...finished clean and took the checkered with no one in sight. Won my class. I have to admit that I let out a yell from inside my helmet. Then a slow cool down lap and into impound. Then as a class winner I had to get weighed. Within class weight, I was free to go. Back to the paddock. And sit. And have some wine. Not necessarily in that order. Tomorrow is another day...but I'll enjoy today today.
