Round 4 - Gabriel 200 [Mar 28th]

#98

Is it possible for me to move from the #88 to the #43?

Unfortunately another engine bill to be paid. Team should be wondering if they did well on hiring me at all. Sorry for some moves while clearing for blue flags, by moving to imediate one behind I accidentaly closed down space for others behind. Still learning though I think.

I'll try to spend more time studying oval setups and mainly how to preserve these engines. Sounds like a challenge. Cheers!

Had a good race with David Sabre, Jason Fitch, and a few others while running in the top 10-15.

The car handled nicely but there's just not enough top speed on low boost settings even with low wing settings. And yes, top speed is still important here despite being one of the shorter tracks. I am happy to finally finish one of these '78 races though. 

A very pleasant race to participate.
I was determined to follow my strategy plan at all costs and did it, except in 2 moments.
I lost the pitstop location at the first stop and the other was to hit the back of Angel May's car (sorry Angel, I did what I could to avoid the shock).
Good and clean disputes with Mr. Saber, Jules and Hackman, who almost reached me in the end.
Too bad Luciano Rocha gave up, gave a show in the race.
Mr. Grems, fantastic riding!

Friday night I got in the Machinist Union #88 and I got to work. Initial thoughts were not so good. I couldn't get the car balanced, and it was trending between moments of severe oversteer and moderate to severe understeer, depending on some things. After about an hour an a half I called it a night.
Saturday, same sort of thing. I scratched everything I'd done Friday night and started fresh. I came up short and didn't even bother to save the work from the night. Yesterday, I was running a bit late but I completely started over on setup work yet again, and finally, about 15 mins or so till quali, I found what the car wanted!
I'd blown a couple engines while practicing, so was a bit terrified of the boost. I don't think I ever went full bore during the race, and I was focusing hard on not over revving, especially at T1 if I was following another car.

Race got off to a nice clean start, and instantly I knew a top 10 was possible. I could just tell by the way the car around me were behaving, and so I focused really hard on being clean, being consistent, not making stupid mistakes in that dog leg (that will absolutely kill you in a heartbeat if you don't give it it's due!)
I had zero intention to fight. I wanted to find a slightly faster car I could hang with and FOLLOW. That mostly worked out, but surprisingly even alone the car wasn't so bad. Few scary moments, but nothing major.
From then on it was just a matter of keeping it all together, staying out of trouble, letting the race fall in place.
I'd said yesterday morning, I did not think I'd make it more than 20 laps before a fiery crash, but hopes started rising and I suddenly found myself in the top 10 (I'd also said if I managed to make it into top 10 I'd personally consider that a victory, all things considered)

Laps went on, I ended up brushing the wall just before my first stop. It didn't seem to affect the car all that much, but after I changed right sides only, I struggled heavily with the grip difference (and a somewhat failing left rear tire that had more effect than I bargained for)
Simply couldn't wait to get all 4 changed in the second stop, and when the yellow came about mid ways through I had a hell of a time deciding whether to stop and get tires and fix the body damage or not. Opted not to, and was a good call I think.

Eventually, running P10, somewhat comfortably now, I see Adam suddenly right behind me. "I'm about to fall outside the top 10", I thought to myself. I pushed just about as hard as I was willing to and yet the gap kept closing. Finally, after maybe 10-15 laps or so, he disappeared (*sigh of relief) and I had some comfort. But then I saw Alberto and Luciano fighting, and it was all I could do not to crank the boost and try to catch them.
When Luciano blew up, I gladly accepted P9 (though unfortunate for him..had a really good race going) and decided to do nothing but not make stupid mistakes to the finish. Boost at min, and those last 10 laps or so were pretty tough. I was getting tired and losing focus.
In the end...P9 was far more than I hoped for when I first got in this car, and I am quite happy with that result.

Watched the broadcast last night (another good one, Jonatan and Richard)....thanks for all the work!

And wow...big congrats to Mikey, who was absolutely on fire last night. What. a. statement! Nice job, Mikey!

Thanks to all involved, and hopefully I'll find another one of or two as the series moves forward. See you all next time!