OK folks, my final season race report and results are ready.
Race report.
Qualifying 2nd on the grid made me realize that there must of been a high number of drivers going for the SM tyre choice first. I got a good clean start and a good turn in going in La source, but got squeezed out on the exit. A few cars got past me and going through Eau Rouge for the first time I found myself bogged down behind Bo with cars either side. Backing off the accelerator let a few more get past and I had gone from 2nd to 8th in 2 turns. And that is where my 2 stop strategy died. If I had just been patient and sat behind the cars that got past me, I could have managed my fuel. (I had worked out that to succeed in getting 11 laps on 1 tank, you could not use any more than 1/4 tank in the first three laps). But instead I pushed hard to retake the position. A few laps later and I was up to 4th place chasing Soka and Will who were having their own scrap just up ahead on SM tyres. With more grip on the SS I managed to catch them up and first got past Will and then Soka. Warren was too far ahead for me to give him any worrys, so it was now the time for some prudent driving to try and save my strategy.
Expecting to see Warren make his first stop, I was surprised when he stayed out. Was he going for a 2 stopper? That question was answered on lap 10 when he pitted and it was also gamble time for me. Go in or stay out? I opted to stay out and drive slow, but a spin added more time and by the time I had got back on track the fuel was dangerously low. Come on, just get me to the pits. Going onto the back straight the car chugged and slowed to a crawl. ARRRGGGG.
Warren, Will and Soka passed me as I limped back to the pit and then everyone else passed as I refueled. But I had to stick to the strategy if I was to make up any places. Some great battles with NOMAD before I got passed by Jammy and GC in their own battle. I only stayed out for 10 on the medium which meant I had to do 11 laps on my final stint and with Rosen and Nomad closing in behind I couldnt risk running full throttle and emptying the tank halfway around the last lap. I managed to get a little further than the previous 11 before the fuel ran out and managed to limp across the line in 11th.
Results and final standings.
Well guys, what a great season of racing we have had. It give me great pleasure to announce the 2015 Sunday Cup champion as WEESCOTMAN and runners up, CAPT D and THEEWAR. Congratulations guys.
Prizes. There are prizes for the top 3, but at the moment I am not in a position to announce them. Once I have confirmation from work I will update the thread and let you all now what the prizes are. I can tell you that if they are confirmed, which is very likely, they are immense.
OK. I would like to thank all racers for their participation in season 5. Over the course of the 8 races we have had a total of 113 race starters. That is the highest number we have had in a season yet, and beats season 4s record of 112 total starters. That gives us an average of 14.125 starters per race. This season has lasted longer than previous seasons due to the GTPlanet endurance series and some network issues. I thank you all for your patience during these delays.
And that brings me to my next point. When I started this in 2012 I had no idea it would be so popular and never thought that it would still be running after nearly 4 years. When I started planning season 5, I always had the intention of making this the last one, which was why Spa was chosen as the final track. It was where Sunday Cup started in an Elise, so it would be where it would end. I even discussed this with Bo and GC over the last few weeks.
However, reading all the posts and realizing that you all still enjoy the series, I have decided to continue. Sunday Cup is the only series with manufacturer approval, so it will continue with the current marque. A new series will start in the new year and I think its time that the Evora stretched her legs again.
There will also be a special event towards the end of the year. This will involve all of the Sunday Cup cars we have used to date in a sprint event evening of racing. More details will become available nearer the time.
For those of you who wish to continue racing on Sunday nights, dont forget GCs
Type R Cup 2 which will be starting next Sunday.
I am going to be taking a short break from GT6 so I can spend a bit of weekend time with the good lady. I will however be ready for the next round of the GTPlanet endurance series in August.
Once again gents, thank you all. You have all been terrific sports.
hmm I presume not as usually a word of apology might be vocalised if nothing else!
to your Alienship.
