Right, where to start. It all looked bright and sunny on wednesday evening as I was really happy with my setup and totally comfortable with rain or shine...and then thursday morning I felt really sick and a fever going up so my first thougts were I cannot possibly race feeling like this. We had a backup ready but I really wanted to do the race so I just waited as long as I could and went on track to do a few laps...and eventually decided I would do the race when the actual official session on STC started.
I was REALLY hoping for as wet as possible because in those conditions I wouldn't have to push so much. I had felt my mind wondering in the laps prior to quali so I was not totally confident I could keep the concentration up for 90 mins. Then came qualifying and I went out early because the rain was starting to get heavier. Then on my hot lap the rain really came down hard when in Sector 2. I was really on my toes not to lose the car and I knew that the guys that started the lap later would be in even more trouble. Just before I was coming into the last chicanes I saw Robin snatch the pole and I knew it would be difficult to beat it with the getting worse quickly...to my luck I got P2 with minimal difference to Robin. Congrats to Robin for a very good lap in VERY changeable conditions and also props to Risto for taking P3 behind me.
As the race was starting we decided to go with dry tires as it seemed like it wouldn't start to rain at least not in the first 10-15 mins. I planned to strike immediately in the start because of the long straight and that plan worked like a charm. I was in the lead before we finished S2 and after I had completed lap 1 I already had the lead with almost 2 seconds. I saw that Robin couldn't match me quite so the gap kept getting bigger and bigger. Not being 100% I decided to drive risk free and just keep a steady pace because it was seemingly enough to pull away from the rest of the guys. The conditions still being damp it was a two times I did make a small mistake but luckily recovered both times and didn't lose a lot of time. Now running in P1 with Risto 2nd and RPM inching to 3 and 4 the race was going to be more about strategy than anything. I had a 30s lead to P3 Rami and around 12s to Risto so without any stupid stuff I would have the race in the bag. So I just kept going as I had been doing until I saw the 4 disconnects happen. It was long unclear what was going to happen and finally the race was red flagged and half points given.
All in all this was still a nice race for me because the car was absolutely amazing in every condition. And this being my last appearance this season it's always nice to finish with a win... and taking the 1-2 makes it even sweeter. Too bad that again in a 1-2 situation we couldn't do a formation finish because of the red flag. So congratulations to Risto for stepping up to the plate and getting the team a very important P2 and also for being a fantastic rear gunner in the first laps. Also congrats to RPM guys and fellow Finns Rami and Hannu for an impressive come back from the back of the grid. I'm glad I didn't have to fight you in the front.
A very good drive from Robin as well in qualifying and also in the race even if you had (?) the wrong tires on. I was very sad to see our jr. team's 2nd driver Ken drop out after quali and obviously he was very dissapointed himself. Also bad luck for our other jr. team driver David in the actual race. Just keep your chins up guys, it will get better in the next one I'm sure.
And last a few thank yous.
First, I want to thank my team Flatout Club and team mates yet again for a great season of STC together. It has been so much fun doing this with you guys and I couldn't ask for more. And especially I have to give a big thank you to Mike Simian for team management, testing/setup help and being patient with me just in general an last night in particular as I really couldn't decide whether to race or not. I was very lucky to get a chance to drive with Mike this season and those 2 times were a blast for me and I hope we can race again in the future. I want to thank Risto and Adam as well for being amazing teamies in my races with them...sorry if I talk too much on TS during the race. A big thank you to Kevin Clark for being there as back up for Le Mans and tolerating me trying to figure myself out. A round of thank yous to the jr. team drivers. Although it has been a difficult season you haven't quit doing the job as well as you can. Thanks to Ben Tusting for being a team player as well as an insanely talented driver. Thanks to David Clark for not letting it go to my head...and most of all for the effort you've put into the team management as well as for race practice. Thanks to Ken Bell and Andy Roberts Patrick Weir for keeping up the good work despite all the bad luck and also congrats to Patrick for making a good debut in the STC this season. A final team thank you goes to the "dad" and the "voice of reason" in the team, Tom Ilsbroux... you sure can keep the stats updated well.
I'm sure I forgot somebody so just send me the angry pm's later.
This is getting to be a super long post but I still want to thank the STC management, David, Xose, Andreas and Eckhart for all the stuff with broadcasts, WAR and well just keeping the show running. Without you guys there wouldn't be any of this and I hope you keep up the good work in the seasons to come. And last I must thank the Roaring Pipes Maniacs for once again being there to throw us the challenge and making us work hard for the success...it is going to be a great final showdown again.
Good luck to everybody at Spa and let's do it once more this season!