Manufacturer Series Round 9
As much as I love Laguna Seca, it doesn't half give me some crazy nerves whenever it pops up in FIA. I've got a good handle for how to get good lap times on the track, but I'm a bit clumsy when it comes to consistency. I hit those murderous bumps on the apexes or put my foot down just a little too early and wind up taking an excursion through the gravel more frequently than I'd like.
I was in with
@xxPinkyKissxx for this one, and I think we've got some more data on the rear mirror jinx. If I start behind her, I've currently got a 100% record of binning it or being punted by someone. Stay out of view of the rear mirrors however... and apparently I'm fine?
I set a 1:21.072 in qualifying which was good enough for P5. The pole sitter must be a new account, so much faster than everyone else with a 1:20.138. (P2 had a 1:20.847.)
I managed to hold it together and stay on the track for the whole thing with only some minor near-misses. The Mercedes who started on P2 began on Mediums and I think that was their downfall because they lost a lot of positions from the pressure being applied by the BMW, Audi and me behind
and then pitted on top of that so it wasn't even a no-stop. I gained another position when the Audi went wide heading up the hill and then lost control through the corkscrew, presumably from the dirty tyres.
I then stayed there for the rest of the race, pitting at the end of lap 18 for Mediums.
P3, 156 points.

Best result of the season, and some big points that I desperately need to keep my dreams of an EMEA Mitsubishi Top 10 finish alive!