Last night was the first time I've been on the MONZA track.
Anyway, it was the three of us. I qualified last (around 10 secs. behind
the pole holder) in a COV. The two other guys were in a LOTUS and an
EAGLES (if not mistaken).
Since I've never been on this track, I didn't have the appropriate car
setups and so I just slapped my Glen's setup to my COV at Monza.
While waiting anxiously on the grid, I decided on a racing strategy:
"don't be too aggresive, and as long as you can keep your car on the
track you'll have a chance of winning".
1st lap, 14 seconds behind the second position car. As I turned into
the first right hand corner, I saw the marshals wave a yellow flag. So I
tought, well, my chance to take 2nd position. Surely enough, the guy
ahead of me spun out.
2nd lap, 30 seconds behind the leader. I had no way of catching up.
But as I turned into the fast left hand bend of the second last corner I
again saw the yellow flag being waved and so I tought, wow, a chance to
win the race. And sure enough, I passed the leader on the back long
fast strecth. His car got right up beside me real quick and we were
side by side on the last right hand corner before the finish line. I
couldn't let this chance get away so I protected my racing line as hard
as I could.
20 meters to the finish line, the guy behind me suddenly appeared in my
left hand rear mirror as he tried to shoot past me, but fortunately I
had enough speed to win the race by 0.03 seconds.
WOW ... that was an amazing race and a close finish.
This just goes to show that, just because you're using a COV, and just
because your car is not set up properly, you can still have a chance of
winning as long as you can keep your head straight, not be too
aggressive, and always keep your car on the track.
COOL!!!!
Can't wait for tonight!!