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Message: [QUOTE="sota59, post: 13447137, member: 297951"] [ATTACH type="full"]1066544[/ATTACH] [B][SIZE=7]NEAR THE END....[/SIZE][/B] This weekend we go to most challenging circuit of the season, Autopolis. Last season we saw some accidents and errors, and now with title fights closing in, mistakes are costly as ever. We have had lot of high speed circuits this season, Autopolis is quite opposite, with lot of slow, tight corners with gravel very close if you drift wide. Both drivers championships have narrowed down to 4 realistic drivers, and they need to keep points coming to stay in fight for Le Mans. [B][SIZE=5]Gr2[/SIZE][/B] It was more success for [U]Nissan[/U] last weekend, back-to-back wins as [U]TSR_Tomsoft[/U] took finaly his first win of the season and in Gr2, and [U]TSR_JoeToGuy[/U] drove clean race to make it 1-2 for Nissan. They had 1-2 already in qualifying as TSR_Tomsoft took pole, TSR_JoeToGuy was quickly overtaken and dropped to third place. Despite some scary moments, he kept it clean when drivers around him had accidents and finished in the end 2nd place, extending his championship lead. TSR_Tomsoft lead all race, he also had moment but did not get major damage, and took 20 points: [I]''It went better as expected, I thought I was gonna do more mistakes after the weird practice session before the race. Was lucky to scrape away with rear damage on my accident, so I wasn't dying as much. A bit of a shame not get the fastest lap, but it's really nice to finally get a win this season''.[/I] This great results lifts Nissan to championship lead. Autopolis is drivers track, and also TSR_Tomsofts favorite track. He dominated there in Gr3 last season, with heavy car, and this season ballast will also be challange but German is positive for good result:[I] ''A win would be nice, a Podium is in question as I'm good on this track and actually have a good feeling for it. But similar to last Season's shenanigans in Gr2, anything can happen to my car''.[/I] He needs good result to stay in title fight, and win could make it realistic change in Le Mans Finale. Championship-leader TSR_JoeToGuy won in Autopolis last season when half the grid crashed, and even though he is strong around here, ballast is going to hold him back: [I]''I don't think I'll be able to get a good enough result to matter for my championship points, so I am mainly hoping that my rivals don't do well either. That should then make things easier at Le Mans''.[/I] [U]Honda[/U] is out of both title-fights, as they are having worst season in their GT-MES history. [U]sota59[/U] was challengin for win in Blue Moon Bay, but mistake caused him to have big crash, dropping him to 4th. He made his way back to third place, but not good enough to stay in title fight. Well, if he was to win in Autopolis this weekend, he could still have mathematical shot, but it seems unlikely. sota59 struggled last season badly in Autopolis, and he says pace is still lacking:[I] ''I really had hard time here last time, and after testing, times are quite bad compered to my teammate. I will just focus on keeping it on road and see what happens''.[/I] His teammate [U]Nils[/U] missed race last weekends race, and is out of title fight also. He can come to Autopolis with no pressure, and he was very fast here last season, before having unlucky accident. He is hoping for more luck this time: [I]''I hope I'll have a better race than last season, my car isn't exactly light, but Autopolis is a track I like, especially with Gr2 cars''. [/I]His pace has been good in testing, win would make Honda's season much better. [U]Lexus[/U] has had incredible season, but last weekend in Blue Moon Bay was one to forget. Both drivers had issues and they ended up outside podium first time this season. Lexus lose Manufacturers-lead, they are still in the fight, but cant lose big points again this weekend to have realistic chance in Le Mans Finale. Both drivers are still in fight for drivers-honours, and [U]NWR_Bottlejob[/U] has maybe best chance of the two. He is second in championship and coming to Autopolis, he has least ballast. He was fast in Gr3 here last season, and is expecting results:[I] ''I'm not really going to speak about what I think will happen but more so what needs to happen because I need to and should win. I have a significant ballast over the rest of the field so really should take the win. Anything other than a win will be disappointing and mean my championship hopes are effectively over''.[/I] [U]NWR_Spookyluki[/U] in other car is still in title-fight, but missing two races earlier this season have put him in very hard spot. He needs good result this weekend, he had second place here last season but he now has lot of ballast: [I]''Not expecting a lot, car is quite heavy which is never good for a handling track like autopolis Hoping for bottle to get a podium, aiming for a reams championship over drivers and we think we have a shot''.[/I] [B][SIZE=5]Gr3[/SIZE][/B] [U]Subaru[/U] was not expected to be fastest in high speed Blue Moon Bay, but [U]RTA_SAFFA[/U] prooved everybody wrong, taking his second win of the season. Before the race, he was feeling sick, and was not going to race at all. But South African decided to turn up, to try keep his championship hopes alive, and what performance we saw. He took pole position and lead opening stint confortably. He found himself second place after last round of pitstops, but he quickly caught up and passed the leader: [I]''The race was a total surprise. Three hours before the race I was battling to stay awake from being ill but I knew that if I wanted any chance at finally getting my first GT MES championship I would have to race. I did not expect the Subaru to do that well at this track but the speed I was able to carry through corners was insane. Well done again to de-luck for his mega fuel saving stints''.[/I] Win puts him second place in championship, and in good position to finally win his first title. Subaru is expected to be fastest, and best car on tires in Autopolis, but his ballast is going to make race hard:[I] ''Feeling ok for Autopolis, never been one of my favorite circuits but it has its charm. With the +8 ballast the Subaru feels really sluggish but for the next 2 races it will be, at minimum, my reality. Hoping for the title to go down to Le Mans, hoping to see both BMWs and Wesley on the podium! But guess we will see!''.[/I] With Subaru set to struggle in Le Mans Finale, best for RTA_SAFFA would be to take championship advantage this weekend, to cover his back. If RTA_SAFFA cant fight for win, [U]RLH_Wesley99[/U] is hoping to do it. Season 11 champion has had difficult and unlucky season sofar, having to miss 2 races and start one race last, all due technical issues. He is pretty much out of title fight, win could give him small chance: [I]''Hoping to get a first won after a dissapointing race last week where I lacked the pace. I think I can get back up to speed in Autopolis and aiming for the first win of the season''.[/I] [U]Toyota[/U] was not expected to fight for titles this season, but they are now figting for both, with 2 races to go. Blue Moon Bay was another success, as [U]de-luck4[/U] took second place with heavy car, increasing his championship lead in Gr3. He qualified second, dropped couple positions with medium-tires, but after 2 rounds of pitstops, he found himself in the lead. He could not hold it though, and had to settle for second place, still getting great points. [U]GTO250GTO[/U] had hard race, only could manage 7th place. Autopolis was awfull for Supra last season, expect same this season. GTO250GTO not looking forward it at all, refusing to even give comment for our journalist. de-luck4 instead said: [I]''Autopolis usually is very challenging track and with Supra it is even more. Do not expect podium here, unless WRX and 911 will do crucial mistakes. So, going to have fun and see what happening''. Depending what happens with his rivals, de-luck4 could miss the podium and very well still be in control of the championship when we go to Le Mans Finale.[/I] [U]Jaguar[/U] was supposed to be fast in Blue Moon Bay, but [U]TSR_Swablu[/U] reported before the race that he is badly off the pace. Great slipstream from Gr2-car got him excelent third in qualifying, and in the race he did well to not drop down the field, despite starting bit out of place. He did not drag in to big battles, and this was key for him coming home solid third in the end. After disapointing Interlagos, this keeps him in championship fight. But if he wants to make it more realistic fight, he could do with some extra points from Autopolis: [I]''The car feels horrible to drive with the ballast but i know what i need to do to get myself back in the title fight, and best believe im going to give it my all tommorow and try to drag the car in to a podium position''.[/I] [U]Houdini Myers[/U] missed race in USA, and wont make trip to Japan either due budget issues. [U]Porsche[/U] did not make it to podium, but it was good race for [U]y_bearr_[/U] who got 4th place, giving him valuable points. It was dog fight, but clean consistant laps got him up the road. He has bit of an accident with his teammate [U]amuda54[/U] tho, leaving American damaged in his home race, finishing 8th, on track he was hoping to be on podium. Porsche could be strong in Autopolis, but both amuda54 and y_bearr struggled there last season, so expectations are big. amuda54 has least ballast in the field, so he could have advantage: [I]''I think a top 5 is possible. A podium would be ideal. Tire wear is great too, because of the -2 ballast so we will see how everyone else is and go from there''.[/I] y_bearr_ is trying to find good setup: [I]''Another track that demand a good suspension setup. The car fells good even with ballast. I got consistency already but speed is another thing to work out. I hope I can find " speed " setup before race day''.[/I] [U]BMW[/U] was hoping more from Round 6, but instead it was race of accidents and penalties. [U]thunderpigeon[/U] was in fight for 3rd before accident dropped him to 6th, and [U]doc-shipman[/U] had exciting race in midfield, crossing line in 5th. But he got penalty for couple accidents, and swapped places with his teammate. With thunderpigeon not racing this weekend, doc-shipman is driving alone in Autopolis, circuit he won in Season 6: [I]''I have had good results at Autopolis in the past, but after a shaky couple of races I'm not sure about how well the BMW will do overall. On paper it should be competitive, but with my variable form this season I'm not so sure! I need to focus on being clean and consistent this race, which I'm hoping I can achieve''.[/I] First podium of the season coming? [/QUOTE]

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