It's a little disappointing that the start of the FIA season was on a
Wednesday on short notice. I had maybe 30 minutes of practice max for both Nations and Manufacturers. Oh, but before I go on, I didn't decide on manufacturer until I got home today. It was really hard not to pick Subaru since I own a WRX myself but the poky Gr4 car made it a deal breaker. My final pick was:
Yes, the piggish Jaguar. Why, you ask?
- I figured it wouldn't be that popular. Therefore, it would be my best chance of sneaking in because I don't have enough raw pace otherwise.
- Both group cars are RWD. The MR tire wear disqualified many of the other choices.
- Both group cars are power oriented. Based on prior experiences and current slipstream strength, I do better when I defend and attack with horsepower.
- Fuel economy is not the best but the option to use some strategy is feasible.
- The cars look rather spiffy in that livery. I might as well look good while I'm out there racing.
For Suzuka, I ended up qualifying 6th in front of a Hyundai driver. Having driven that car in the past, I knew it lacked a bit of grunt and so I was trying to do some fuel conservation until I could get a run for a pass. Once I did, I started catching up to the lead pack which surprised me. Everyone pitted at Lap 6 but I decided to run an extra lap.
I wish I had the replay (game wouldn't let me save it 👎) because after I pitted on the next lap, I somehow was
this close to coming out ahead of the lead cars. Man, I'm kicking myself because I know I could've short fueled to take the top spot with fresher tires. Still, it was a surprise spot to be in. Unfortunately, the car ahead eventually held me up a bit at the hairpin and got a bad exit. I got a bit sloppy and almost went wide into Spoon. At the exit, I ended up in a 3 car sandwich! The aggression level was insane and I got shuffled back to behind the Hyundai driver again. Yet I survived that ordeal unscatched and still in the running.
As I was trying to get a way around the Hyundai driver a second time, I got hit from behind going into the hairpin, knocking the poor Hyundai driver out of the way. I was resigned to getting a 10 second bogus penalty and yet, I only got 1 second. At least now I could march ahead in clean air and try to get a good result. Well, on the final lap, I saw a Viper going slow off the hairpin. I thought for sure I was going to get ahead but I didn't have the run. Because I couldn't get around, I got held up there and exiting 130R. That allowed the other Jaguar in the race to dive in and get ahead of me. The penalty cost me a position at the line relegating me to 5th.
Basically, it was both fun and frustrating. A win was actually possible, I finished worse than I felt I should've but still got a respectable finish.
Now, the Nations Cup I was expecting far less. I knew someone was going to do a no fuel strategy but I had no time to test it out. I went with the R18 and just threw myself out there. I ended up 2nd so I was planning to do massive fuel conservation except the guy on pole disconnected. During the race, the one behind me had similar pace but they were the only one that managed to latch on and eventually pass me. We did some back and forth but my attempts to save fuel didn't work that well. The good thing is that from what I saw, only one person actually attempted a no stopper and they eventually won. However, I managed to get 2nd and got no penalties whatsoever. I should get extra points for that!
The videos will come once I can get them ready. Overall, I'd say the results were good but could've been even better which is promising. The key for the season is avoiding the super alien room at all costs and aim for consistent finishes.
what a messy race by me.. ended up in 4th place with just over 2000 points. Really gutted as I had the pace for a win. Got the fastest lap too.
