GT1 EMEA - Rd.5
Whilst it's the best version of Catalunya, without that awful chicane, I wasn't expecting a great result at a race all about tyre conservation. So I felt any chances of improving my worst score of 143pts were slim.
Even more so because I didn't get time to run rd.4 at GVH. Which I felt was my last chance of the season to get a decent 180+pts score, around a track the GT felt better, and I enjoy a lot.
Nevertheless I went into this final round with no practice, aside from TT laps. The tyre multiplier for Catalunya was a little on the high side to be honest, but hey-ho.
Could only do slot 3, and went into a 228pt lobby. Qualifying was awful, with my lap being really scrappy and at a 1:42.6, I was last. The race itself was ok, but not without mistakes. The worst of which came when I overshot the pit entry on lap 18, costing me 5s
![Bang Head :banghead: :banghead:](/wp-content/themes/gtp16/images/smilies/banghead.svg)
. I started on Hards, and got up to 6th before finally pitting on lap 19. My left side tyres were completely gone. Came out on mediums in 14th, got as high as 9th, before my tyres died with 2 laps to go. I was soon caught and passed with 1 lap to go. So 10th and 142pts it was.
Realistically the best I could do, as my rough calculations had a 2 stop being no quicker for me, based on where I started.
Still, this didn't detract from what has been a fantastic season, potentially my most successful based on earlier performances. With an extremely rare win at Suzuka, which brought my highest single points tally with it, and an overall positive experience running the '18 GT. Which was a blast to drive and listen to the whole time with that great soundtrack. It feels most at home in changing conditions and flowing tracks like Suzuka and GVH.
Was pipped to 2nd for Ford in EMEA at the end, but 3rd is still way higher than I realistically should be. Ford are a bit thin on the ground in terms of aliens and World Tour level drivers, hence 18th overall. I was often the only Ford in my lobbies, let alone the only '18 GT. Plus only 3 UK players represented Ford at all this season
![LOL :lol: :lol:](/wp-content/themes/gtp16/images/smilies/lol.svg?v=3)
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For next season though, I'm thinking about running another Manufacturer I haven't used in GTWS once more. Especially if it's Gr.3 only again. Otherwise I'd be debating a return to the Beetle. I know it's unpopular, but I'd personally welcome tuning again next season, potentially more than just damper settings 🤞.