Had an inkling that today's Nations would be a Godzilla-fest, but decided to use it as a taster for Gr.3 rounds that may (or may not) happen in the next stage of Manufacturers. My factory-loaned WRX also turned out to be the sharpest and most comfortable car to drive of the options I considered in Free Practice (others included a GT-R, Supra, Citroen and AMG), and an encouraging test lobby the other night left me in high spirits as I prepared for the 15:00 EMEA slot.
15:00 Nations
GT-Rs took up exactly half of the grid, the remaining entrants including myself,
@SmokeyMR2 in his AMG, four Porsches and one each of a Beetle, Peugeot, Supra and a Renault R.S.01. Managed to get some smooth, consistent running in tests and qualifying was no exception. Set a clean 1:58.140 on my first lap. Would have gained a further two tenths had I been a bit more adventurous under braking for the Casio Triangle, but by the time I realised that my Softs weren't quite up to bettering it in the earlier sectors. Twelfth-place start and only 9 tenths off the pole-sitting Portuguese GT-R.
My mind was set on a 6S-8M-2H strategy if I started within the top 10, with refuelling at the second stop. It made sense, therefore, to swap the first two stints around given my position. I must confess, however, that I almost binned it immediately trying to exit the Triangle in third gear on cold Mediums. I was also not prepared for the Beetle starting behind me (on Softs) to chuck it up the inside of Turn 2, resulting in slight contact which may or may not have halted my 'Clean Race' streak. Traded places with him more cleanly on the next lap, but in the process of giving him room through Dunlop Curve I end up messing up my own line through Degner 1 and skirting the gravel. Fortunately, I keep it stable and keep running long enough to start gaining time on a Swiss Porsche driver a couple of laps later. Turned brake balance down from -2 to -1 as I was starting to feel uncomfortable with the way the WRX was squirming out of the hairpin. Fuel was also becoming a big issue, but this was mitigated by frequent short-shifting as well as leaving the Casio Triangle in third gear.
Entered the top 10 on Lap 5 after a Russian Porsche clouted the tyres just beyond Spoon Curve, and made inroads on the Swiss driver as the first of the other Medium starters pitted. Made my first stop on Lap 8 without fuss despite an off at 130R, with 6.4 laps worth of fuel and brake balance now mostly set to 0. The Beetle who fought me at the start was about 1.3 seconds behind the next time I exited Turn 2; by Lap 12 it was over 5 seconds. I did make a few more mistakes along the way (one of which where I missed the first apex at Spoon), but otherwise had enough pace to be only 13 seconds behind the leader by the time of my second stop on Lap 14. Upon re-emerging, I was fully aware of a Polish GT-R who was flying after committing to the 'Hards first' tactic. For a while, I kept comfortably in front, but eventually he drafted past on the final run down to Turn 1. We did beat, however, the Beetle who stayed out longer on Mediums, and so 10th place was secured when the Coca-Cola Porsche behind was unable to make similar inroads.
Not much else to say here other than it was another solid and satisfying run in the Scooby. Manufacturers at Sardegna RT C and Nürburgring will likely be my next priorities, but I am open to another Nations round from this set to (hopefully) keep up my consistent run of Top 10 finishes thus far.