I reckon there isn't a rookie that has absolutely shined this year like Hamilton's first year. But if you sift through the rookies so far this year I say that Kobayashi has done pretty decent and has somewhat fulfilled his 09 expectations (which tbh is very high for a GP2 flunkie). Hulkenberg would be a second.
Hulkenberg has 2 points. Kobayashi has 15 so far (and those aren't just incidental points either).
Also Chandhok? He hasn't really whipped Senna. Senna has outqualified Karun for most of the year so far. IDK why people are so surprised that Karun can actually hold the car steady (which should be expected)
Actually shayne was only in one of my races. And I went through the field from last to 4th without much incidents....b4 I had to go and just retired.
I just bumpdraft hard but I never actually had an incidents where someone spun out or got sideways because of me. :P. He just didn't like how hard I bumped him
Yeah, it's still good to see O'Young avoid back luck this time. I mean in the previous round of race 1 O'Young had good pace as well but was punted off my Nykjaer.
He didnt have Turkington's pace, but it's good to see that he still has the indie front runner's pace and that it's finally paid off this time. We'll see if this can be maintained.
I see that Darryl O'Young has won Race 10 in the Independent category. That's a very good result for the Bamboo Racing guys, I haven't watched the race yet but it's good to see a fellow Chinese driver do well Hope he can keep that momentum and maybe give Hernandez a run for the Indie champ
First, before I respond I will say that I admit that I am at fault for this and will accept all responsibility.
But, let me explain what was happening please. Arox had blown a tire the lap before and was desperately trying to pit to maintain 3rd place and a podium finish for LLM. However, by the time I had finished with my pitstop, I had saw the FZR Drunk car very close to me while I was exiting pit lane. As I got around the bend on the outside of the hairpin (still in pitlane), I saw that the Drunk FZR was still behind me but rapidly closing and decided to try and cut as close as possible.
I was on fresh cold tyres so I desperately tried to avoid going through the chicane side by side. So I decided to squeeze the Drunk car. (also cutting the pit exit).
Please note that I didn't turn directly into you. I didn't weave, and I didnt brake check you. But yes, I did cut pit exit and I could have given you loads more room. I wasnt keen on hitting you but trying to get as good as a setup for the chicane as possible. But it was too late and you slammed into me.
I wasnt maliciously trying to run you off track, I just wanted to do a little BTCC squeezing (after all this is called GT3 touring car series right?). It unfortunately resulted in a crash and I will take full responsibility for it. Had the squeeze worked I probably could have fought the third back or at last ended 4th. But it didn't and I am very sorry for it. I'm just glad it didn't ruin your race as much as it did mine. I hope there will be no hard feelings between us.
The incident was controversial I would say. I'm sorry but I've never driven this combo before yesterday so I dont know much about where the overtaking points on this track are.
I had a very good run off Yann at T1 (because he blocked) so I switched backed and started sprinting to the chicane. Yann went wide because of old tires exiting the chicane and pushed me off track. In retrospect Yann could have lifted off more. But he can also argue that I was the one who started to pass at the chicane (which probably isnt a overtaking spot on the track).
I see this incident as an on the fence. You can put blame on yann or me or just declare it a racing incident. IMHO this is a hard one to call. But it is completely up to the admins to decide.
FTR I'm not going to lodge a protest. I had fun racing with you Yann and I hope you and I can meet on track competitively again
Ya that was weird. I still laugh remember hearing on vent elliot screaming "I lost my clutch" on the pace laps . And I was like...yeah...this sure bodes well for the lot of us ain't it
Would prefer if you guys focused in one or a few cars. Maybe even run an oval endurace event (like NDR and their kyoto 250 and kyoto 500). Perhaps a Kyoto 300 with the fz5.
Just a suggestion. If we get a decent grid then I'm certainly interested
I'm pretty heartbroken...but I would have to say that this was one of the most enjoyable event I've ever participated. To quote yann the first section of the race was magic. Absolutely magic.
Like Liane, Oscar and I were on a 1 stop strategy and the three of us was golden. It's a shame for our time outs at the front of the grid...but that's life I guess. Everyone was at their absolute best today (from my perspective). Great driving from all the drivers.
Great work deko and the admins. I will be looking forward to the 2011 K250 and K500
Race 1:
Got caught off guard with the SC pulling in so quickly to the pits. Tried as hard as I could to get SC speed asap that I overrevved the engine and spun....engine damage went from P1 to P6. (should have just barreled into the pits in hindsight....)
LFS then minimized and I spun again this time into Elliot. Race over.
Race 2:
LFS Minimized again, and I spectated asap to make sure I didnt crash into anyone. Race over.
Sh*t round for me period. I can only hope that the 500 tomorrow goes better.
EDIT: Congrats to liane on the race 1 win. You drove well.