DRIVER-REPORT: Chris Vick - Green Team, Jordan 97/D1
Qualify 1 - None
Qualify 2 - None
Race - 11th
I made a serious mistake in setup for this race, assuming that the wet period would be quite long, I went with a high downforce setup. The race line was dry after less than 10 laps, and I was way too slow due to the extra drag. I had a very cautious start, and settled into following my team mate, reserve driver Petr Kantor (subbing for Aritan Maia) in his first RDFOC appearance. After a few laps, I knew that I was faster, and took him on the inside of turn 1.
I then cautiously followed Michel Hunter for a few laps before I passed him when he went wide.
After that, I had a nice little battle with Jason. He passed on the inside of turn 1:
I re-passed on the exit of turn 1:
Then I went wide at turn 8 letting him by again:
I continued circulating without much fuss, but rather slowly due to my setup choice. I managed another later pass of Petr, and then Michel.
During my third stint, I found myself in the path of the leaders, about to go a second lap down. I made several mistakes. First, I was watching Ventis approach very fast, and missed my braking point causing me to spin right in front of him! Nice dodge Ventis, and thanks!:thumb:
Then, a bit later I saw more leaders coming through, and decided to go off line to let them by at turn 6. I forgot that it was still wet off line! I proceeded to slide off into the gravel:
And into the wall! Ouch!:
I had to complete the race with suspension damage. At that point, I was in 11th, a lap ahead of 12th, and there was no way to even try to catch 10th with suspension damage. I nursed the car home 2 laps down to the leaders in 11th place.
Thanks to my team mates Aritan and Petr for a great season! The Green Team finished the season in 8th place in Div 1, and I managed my goal of placing in the top 10 of Div 1, finishing in 9th place. I had a bit of a disappointing season, with a DNF at Paul Riccard, and some stupid mistakes elsewhere. Unlike the AF3KGPC season, I did not have enough time to prepare as much as I should have/wanted to. Also, my team mates were very short on time, so I ended up doing most of the setup work, and I am not very accomplished at that. All-in-all, not the performance that I was hoping for, especially in my lacking pace. However, I can take some pride in my consistency and good final placement given that this was my 2nd league ever. Hopefully I will have more time to devote to season 2, and can get back on form.
Thanks Eric and RD for such a great league, and thanks to MMG for such a great mod! I am really looking forward to next season, with a bit more experience under my belt! See you all soon!