What a day - Sunday ...
First of all a little about the race, time attack is more like a qualifying day in F1, you need to do a fast lap. We were split into 3 groups (green, yellow, blue) and 6 classes (Street, Tuned, Supersport, Race, Race+ and Unlimited) and 2 new ones according to some international rules that require roll cage (Pocket Rocket and Clubsprint) each claass with a specific weight/power ratio where coefficients are added for race tyres, adjustable suspension, aero, etc. After the technical inspection, I was in Race class.
For each group there are 3 15 min practice session in the morning, then there is a break, drivers briefing and 2 15 min race sessions. Then the first 5 from each class compete in a final session named Superlap that consists in warmup lap, fast lap, cooling lap.
I arrived at ROTAC (Romanian Time Attack Challenge) despite not doing any test lap with the car. I didn't know what to expect and I wanted to see where the package driver/car stands. So I've tried to get used to the car as quickly as possible, pushing it.
I beat my last year's record (1:54.238) in the first practice session (1:52.7), then in the second, I dropped one more second to 1:51.7. This was it, was wow, shaking, maximum happiness ... The time was so good, I was moved to the superior class, RACE+, according to the rules:
11.2 The ”104” Rule During practice or competition sessions, if the race officials observe a vehicle registering lap times lower than the average lap time of the imedtiately upper class, the respective vehicle will be promoted to the upper class for the following sessions. Average lap time means the average amount of times between "best time" of class and "best time" + 4%.
I was glad anyway, I still had some reserve and I was leading my class 2 seconds away from a 991 Turbo after the first 2 practice sessions, and second overall after a 991 GT3 CUP.
I was exited, but a DSG oil patch under the car was dragging me back on Earth. In the first race session race, a strange Nissan racecar with a wide wing didn't let me pass so I decided to do a cooldown and try again on the next lap. Then came the moment of panic, rear left puncture. At the same time unfortunately a BMW left the track and the session was to be restarted after the track would be safe again. I went urgently in the pits where a very nice guy from Ukraine helped me with a wheel (used Michelin CUP2 on OZ Ultraleggera). With one slick tyre and a semislick I was again at 1:54, last year's record, when the race was restarted.
Unfortunately the rear was at a lower level of grip now and in the second session I did 1:53.8 and 1:53.9 with the DSG on "false neutral" 50m before the finish line overheated because I tried 2 fast laps consecutively. I was now second in my new class RACE+ behind the 911 turbo who was doing lower and lower times, was now at 1:51.9.
In the superlap session I pushed a bit over the limit ended up off the track on a fast left corner (the semislick tyre was on the right and the slick on the left).
End of the day with second in RACE +, the Turbo did 1:50.8 in superlap. Overall, mega-satisfied, car, result, atmosphere, friends.
I'll come back with pictures, I hope to get some in a few days but first I need to show you how good everything looked after the practice sessions, only the GT3 Cup was faster:
https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Sessions/4808591Overall mega happy, I'm really pleased how the car drives now, and I still have to adapt. I feel there's more...hope
