I realise this is so late as to be almost a waste of time, but I like reading everyone else's, so i should write a few things down...
Qualifying
Qualifying was going okay, but no particularly good laps, then just at the end, as I like to do, I managed to hook one up and put it on the second row. Sorry Janek
Race
Got a nice start, managed to challenge Mark for second place, but he was little braver under brakes and managed to hit the straight first.
I was then seeing myself in 4th place, but with only 2 cars ahead. I'm not sure if that error happens for everyone identically, but I suspect there were a few people at the back getting blue flags because Valerio was in the lead at the back of the pack! I'm not sure if everyone knows this already, but if people join the grid in the last few seconds, then the game gets confused and goes nuts. The problem never seems to occur if everyone is on the track with plenty of time to spare. I generally try and be on the grid with 30 seconds to go.
From there I was consolidating third maintaining a gap to Reik and Mark who I knew were quick. By Lap 7 they had broken away a few second and Anthony was pressing me for third. I flinched, had a minor lose of the back, I managed to catch it without losing much time at all, but the second or so I lost was enough to hand 3rd to Anthony.
On lap 13 Anthony had an issue on the final corner and I regained 3rd. the next lap I had a fairly significant coming together with Frans. He had spun, when he saw I was coming he tried to get off the track asap, unfortunately he went to the outside and I went to the outside and we made contact on the grass. No hard feelings Frans, I could see what you were trying to do, I was just carrying too much speed to take the inside. Miraculously my car got a bit airborne and came down without a scratch!
Some time after that I was in 2nd place after Marks very unfortunate disconnect. This was really disappointing as I know Mark has been working hard and helping lots of people (myself included) with setups. Hopefully there will be better for Mark at Abu.
My pitstop was fairly smooth. I came out with Jim right in front of me and for the first time in the race i had to think about overtaking someone for position! I managed to get him under brakes which felt quite nice (lets forget about the fact that he was on 37 lap old tires and mine were in there first...)
From then on I was chasing Reik who was well and trully off into the distance.
Lapped a few people, thanks to all who politely moved over. Sorry to Anthony M who I gave a little tap in the way through. I thought there was a hole there, obviously there wasn't! Sorry again.
Congrats to Reik on a powerful performance and win. And apologies for not making a better fight of it! Conrats too to Janek for the final podium.
And big thanks to Nico for taking one for the team. Its fantastic to be part of a league with such a gracious leader.
See you at Abu (very soon)
Tim.