NGPLS - Monza

[Tuesday - 24th of January]

Track Map

I hadn't done much practise between the VT race and this one, as my mind was set on beating my old BRM PB at the Nürburgring. To read all about my chase for the PB, and the reason I dedicated it to a girl in my year, go here and read down the page. The lack of practise wasn't to be a problem however, as I was consitently doing 1:30s in practise, and actually managed two laps under 1:30 thus getting me a new PB and 6th on the grid.

My start wasn't exactly world class, and I was passed by a Lotus on the way down to Curva Grande. He braked very early for the Lesmos, and I barely avoid hitting him as I swerve to the left. Riding the wall of death round the outside of the Lesmos doesn't help, a little lag happens and I spin off. Into the path of a Cooper who collides rather spectacularly. Despite this I get going pretty quickly, and actually cross the line in 6th, so I didn't really get that badly affected. The rest of the race was me just basically driving along all by myself, although I did get caught up in a little accident with ten laps to go (video clip at bottom of post). I lost a position due to that, and as a result drive the last ten laps under the red mist. I cross the line in 4th. Not bad, but I seriously think that could have been a 2nd....at least a 3rd.


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Vader Trophy - Monza

[Wednesday - 18th of January]

Track Map

After a day's break (where nothing worked) everything fell into place. I was doing constant 1:31s on race fuel, and 1:30s after emptying the tanks during qualifying. My quickest time was a 1:30.34, which got me 11th on the grid out of 17 drivers. Not bad for Monza :D

I got a good getaway from the line, but got stuck behind a row of 3 cars going 3-wide. My racer's sense started tingling and I lifted off, just enough so I didn't get too involved in the ensuing carnage. Although I hit one of the cars, I only did a 360 and could continue without losing a single position. In fact, I gained four positions on it!

The rest of the race was as un-dramatic as it gets. Consistently hammering the times in and just driving my own race in the Division 2 lead. Richard Dickson did catch me though, and I out-braked myself into the first Lesmo which let him by. I made the same mistake two laps later while looking for a way past, and I lost him. This didn't stop me from getting a new PB on the very last lap, a shiny new 1:30.072.

Finished in 8th overall, and won Division 2 rather comfortably. The season ahead could be very exciting if I can keep up this good form.