Event Results:
http://members.iracing.com/membersite/member/EventResult.do?&subsessionid=4860869&custid=39237
I’m still shocked that I pulled it off! This was my first true endurance race, and although I’m usually pretty strong on strategy, I didn’t know what to expect.
I came out of qualifying feeling pretty satisfied with my 5th grid spot. (Replay: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22776982/2.01.8_Spa_HPD.rpy). I decided that I was near enough to the pointy-end of the field that I would just take it easy, settle in, until we first came around to traffic where I feel I have an advantage over most. Luck came my way quickly though, in Les Combes the first lap the pole sitter and Marco got tangled up, taking them both out of the running for the win and gaining me two quick spots.
I continued to cruise in 3rd until, my team mate, German gave me the opportunity to lead our tango. Now in 2nd place, I put my head down and tried to catch Ian out in front. It seemed we were in deadlock though, our gaps never really changed, even with help from my team mate, Tyler, taking off some of my drag on the straight bits.
Action started heating up on track as all three classes really started to get mixed together, incidents were happening all around the track and the marshals had to throw a full-course caution. Erase the gaps…now it’s race time!
Took the opportunity to make one of my pit stops and take some deep breathes. With all the classes mixed up the restart was messy, with a large pileup in Les Combes (Replay: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22776982/2.4_restart.rpy). I thought I had it cleared through a gap, but unfortunately had another car launched at me with little time to react. I was very lucky that I was able to drive out of it and not have to tow. I continued around for two laps with the front end damage, doing some quick fuel math told me that I had to do so in order to make it to the end without a extra stop for fuel later….although it’d be close.
Went in, topped off the fuel load, and replaced the front body work. Car was back to 100%, I was hovering around 5th place now, all there was left to do was attack the track and hope my fuel math played out. It did! Really not much else to say except for great race to all! Traffic was terrific and the battle between Andy and I for the lead in the last half-hour was intense!
…Oh and one of the scariest moments of my career, coming out of Bruxelles, tucked in behind another LMP and there’s a Ford GT stopped on track (Replay: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22776982/HPD_Heartattack.rpy)
