Our final regular event for 2018 saw a small group of six drivers compete in our fastest classes, Modified Production, Restricted GT and Restricted LMP. A good mix of cars were represented across all classes and competition was fast and exciting. At one point during the night, all six cars completed eighteen consecutive laps of the narrow 2-lane FRC track without a single mishap, swapping places wherever an opportunity arose. With eighteen direction changes per lap, that comes up to 1,944 car-direction-changes! It was a high-speed, on-the-edge couple of minutes of intense concentration, with great driving by all drivers. Throughout the night in all the classes there were some nicely timed lane-change overtakes, some of which were incredibly close to being wipeouts, but managed to work anyway.
It goes without saying that all present had a great time and if they're anything like me, can't wait to do it again next time. To top it off, we were able to finish earlier than we have in quite a while.
Results
Modified Production
Modified Production starting grid. Ramesh's Subaru Impreza, followed by his Alfa Romeo 156 driven by Arden, my Zakspeed Capri, O'Brie's BMW 320i and Steve's similar BMW:
After retiring his Impreza at the end of race one, Ramesh's Calibra lies on its roof after crashing. In the background is an extremely close group comprising my Capri, Arden's Alfa, Steve's 320i and O'Brie's 320i:
Restricted GT
Restricted GT starting grid. Ramesh's TVR Speed 12 on pole, O'Brie's Porsche 911R, Ramesh's BMW Z4 driven by Arden, my Viper, Steve's Porsche 911 GT1 and my Porsche 911R driven by Anthony:
Restricted GT action - Arden's Z4 ahead of O'Brie's 911R and my Viper, while Steve's 911 GT1 and Ramesh's TVR do battle in the background:
O'Brie's 911R lies on the side of the back straight facing the opposite direction of traffic while my Viper, Steve's 911 GT1 and Anthony's McLaren F1 take off in the background:
Restricted LMP
Restricted LMP starting grid. Ramesh' Mazda 787, followed by his similar car driven by Arden, my Toyota 88C, Ramesh's Ford Daytona Prototype driven by Anthony and Steve's Peugeot 908 HDi FAP:
Arden's Mazda spins across the road and Steve's Peugeot sits on the guard rail after the two make contact going through the esses towards the hill:
Steve's Peugeot facing the traffic on the hairpin infield just above Caiman pond:
(How this is computed: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=393)
Congratulations to the winners!
Next event's classes: This was our final regular event for 2018. We're hoping to have some sort of special event between now and next year. Will keep you posted.
Don't forget to see the updated overall fastest times and the fastest times by driver and class for 2018 to know what the benchmarks are for your cars, the updated class average qualifying times and the updated fastest times for 2018.
See you on the circuit...
Gordon