Photo: Fotospeedy
Qualifying lived up to all expectations with a huge amount of tactical moves playing a part in the end result. This isas a result of the “tow” behind another driver being so critical to setting a competitive time.
In the early part of the session, most laps were ruined through drivers ahead aborting laps, or slowing in the last sector. At one point I was very lucky not to lose the front of my car when one driver pulled up in front of me, and another cut across the front sharply as we were both looking to avoid the initial slower car.
On my last flying lap though I managed to put together a laptime of 1:42.9 which put me in P7 for the Race 1 grid.
Photo: Fotospeedy
For the start of the race, I got away with a little too much wheelspin off the line and as a result found myself on the outside into turn 1. Unfortunately the driver on the inside of me locked up and overshot leaving me no way of turning in to the corner. As a result I then had to drive straight on and weave through the barriers to rejoin in 15th place.
The next few laps were very satisfying, and Fortec have given me an outstanding car to drive. Through lap one I made up 1 position to be in P14, and then in lap two I managed to make up 6 positions through overtaking! This put me in P8, and in the following lap I moved up to P6.
Photo: Fotospeedy
Photo: Fotospeedy
Having then lost a position in the tow down the back straight, I then positioned myself for the slipstream down the main straight to take the position back. Unfortunately in the process of making the move, the driver made a move to the right as I also moved out for the overtake and drove into the left of my front wing. The wing was damaged and almost coming loose, so I needed to pit for a change. This effectively ended my race as then even though I was able to lapas quick or quicker than the leaders, obviously the time of the stop put me a long way back.
Photo: Fotospeedy
Frustrating after making so many good moves, however we definitely have the pace that we need to fight at the front tomorrow. Thanks to all the team at Fortec for giving me such an outstanding car to drive.
Looking forward to Sunday!
Photo: Fotospeedy
Photo: Fotospeedy