[EDIT]
WATCH OUT! "REALLY LONG POST" ALERT!! [/EDIT]
I very well do remember the Doni/Magny Cours event Stuart mentioned, as it was my first RD club race ever. I never saw anything of that NSU/Corolla fight though, as I was stuck at the back
I do recall my first attempt of driving the NSU @ Zolder too, and remembered it to be quite a handful.
During my practice laps for this event on monday, I struggled quite a lot to get to grips with either car, I got mad at myself because I couldn't figure out how to drive them properly and as a result I really didn't like them. The first time I got into the Corolla after driving the NSU made me like the NSU more already though, as that little Toyota felt like driving a rallycar with slick tyres on ice at first. Boy that was... eh.. weird.. Must have checked XD for flat tyres at least 5 times..
But, the track was awesome as I learned last week already, so fun was to be had regardless..
Race night was indeed a different ball game. Stu uploading his setup
helped my driving the Corolla a LOT, especially when braking. So spent all my P1 time in that one, whilst having to drive the NSU first.
Switching from that to the NSU just before Q1 made that feel easy though. So after a reasonable Q1 lap and R1 start and some others spinning off I quickly found myself up into 3rd place, watching the Stuart vs. Rupe battle unfold a few seconds ahead of me (in fact I almost crashed a few times
because I was too busy watching their battle
), unable to get any closer, but managing a steady gap to Carlos behind.
And did NOT crash for 15 laps! And, I didn't crash in 15 laps!! So a somewhat lonely, but solid drive to 3rd place! unexpected, but sweet!
The Corolla for R2 promised to be more of a struggle. I managed good laptimes in P2, but consistency was not to be found. After a not too great Q2 and R2 start I found myself mid-field, but gradually progressed forwards due to others' misfortune. So without really overtaking anyone on-track, I eventually found myself as far up as 3rd again, now watching Carlos ahead of me chasing Stuart. And again, my plan to just brake-earlier-than-I-think-I-need-to and Accelerate-slower-than-I-think-I-can paid off as AGAIN I did NOT crash!! DID. NOT. CRASH.!!
For me, that's quite an achievement. As is finishing in 3rd place again, although I got DQ'ed after the finish for driving the wrong way
Good results help a lot to get to like a car/track of course, as does seeing other seasoned racers struggle like yourself. So in retrospect I like this track even more now, both its layout and atmosphere, and still love the little NSU for its bathtub looks.
About driving the Corolla, well, I'm not sure yet. Maybe it takes a little more skills to drive than I'd like it to, but no doubt these 2 cars absolutely make a perfect match!
Thank you Stuart for another top notch event, Knut for introducing the track (me thinks?)!
Grats to Stuart for a double and to Rupe and Carlos for 2nd.
And thank you all for being a great bunch of guys to play this game with, I had an absolute blast last night. Hope to CYA soon!