Well, I have to say I really enjoyed my first full GP, even though I didn't
make it to the end.
There is a certain buzz about any online race, but a full GP, particularly
hosted by the infamous Eldred, really gets the pulse racing. Even
qualifying was exciting; I was surprised to see two people leave though
after it but before the race. Strange.
As Jens said the start was very well behaved and courteous; very unlike what
I'm used to at Monza! I felt very lucky to have escaped being tangled up by
a few crashes ahead on lap 1, and thought I could make it until the end, but
being a full GP *** I soon realised concentrating for 28 laps was going
to be hard work!
In the end I got too confident on lap 18 and ballsed it up at either Masta
or Stavelot, ending up feeling the full weight of my Eagle on top of me :-(
My mechanics? They just shook their heads in a sort of "we knew you'd***
up there" kind of way.
Just like to say Eldred what a courteous driver you are. I reckon we were
lapping fairly consistently (look forward to seeing the reply on your
site?!), but you moved over politely when I came near you; thanks for that.
Jonesy
Remove 'ANTISPAM' when replying.
"Movement is Tranquillity" - Stirling Moss
GPLRank (F1): 19.75
Monster handicap: 571.8
> I had managed to move from last on the grid, to something like 10th or
> 11th by the 3rd lap. Too bad about the people dropping out. (Someone,
> at the start, seemed to head directly into the pits to retire --
> perhaps they were just giving the usual T1 carnage a chance to proceed
> without them. But they wasted their time, as the first corners were
> clean.)
> I was involved in a dice with Eldred (I think) and someone in a Lotus
> or Brabham, when there was a sudden loss of power and I found myself
> coasting along. Of all the times for the random mechanical failure code
> to cut in!! I think I have only had one other engine failure in the
> Ferrari in over a year of racing... And no Shift-R to save me.
> <expletive deleted>
> At least your mechanics stuck around, Jens. Mine were down at the local
> pub, having a quick pint before catching their plane. (And my wife out
> seeking bargains at the malls' Boxing Day sales.)
> Have fun at The 'Ring!!
> --
> Darryl
> Jens H. Kruuse wrote in
> > I had high hopes for Spa. I had chosen to do the race in a Honda to
> > avoid blowing up my Eagle engine. The Honda is also very forgiving,
> > so it seemed like a good car for 28 laps at Spa. I got a new car
> > fresh from the factory. Even had stickes on the pedals. I didn't
> > push it very hard in practise but it felt really good and solid.
> > Had the ride height raised a bit to conpensate for the fuel load.
> > I started in about 14th place on the grid with Eldred to my rear
> > left. A nice safe spot. At the drop of the flag we were off keeping
> > a good and safe distance to each other. No danger of silly crashes
> > due to aggressive moves. I might have been able to make up a place
> > at the start as I had a speed advantage on the guy in front but
> > elected not to - long race ahead.
> > Nothing seemed out of place until Malmedy where a Cooper and an
> > Eagle were parked at jaunty angles. I could hear Jan yelling over
> > the sound of my V12. He sounded a bit upset. Psyched myself out of
> > a clean Masta by staying too far left as a car or two were on the
> > right. Silly mistake and the hedge really killed my speed. Eldree
> > thundered past, smiling from ear to ear. No matter - long race
> > ahead. A few berry stains on the windshield were the only damage.
> > And then my clutch blew in Stavelot! The clutch!? Probably a 50 yen
> > piece of metal ended my race for good. I pulled onto the grass on
> > the right and drove through a family of four enjoying their
> > picknick in a safe spot - just to spite Eldred! Ha! A long walk
> > back to the pits. My head mechanic looked embarrassed. "Sorry, we
> > forgot this," he said twirling a bolt in his hand. "No problem," I
> > replied. "We'll always have Zandvoort."
> > /Jens
> > --
> > "Usenet is like a herd of performing elephants with diarrhea --
> > massive, difficult to redirect, awe-inspiring, entertaining, and a
> > source of mind-boggling amounts of excrement when you least expect
> > it." --spaf (1992)
