FT: Birmingham

Had a great launch and went from 4th to 2nd early on and was being dogged by Rick immediately.

I won't name names but in trying to be a courteous driver and not jam anyone's ass, I got myself rear ended several times in the early stages of the race. On two of those occasions the driver continued through past me and took the position. I know it's not a rule to hold up when you punt someone, but it's a gesture that you know you'd be gaining the position wrongly...one of those times I was completely spun even.

Continuing on, I was following a guy into the penultimate turn on lap 4 and he shot wide, so I came up the inside and he shot right down in front of me so I steered to avoid him and lost my wing on the wall. Later the next lap, I was flying through (with no front wing) the uphill section into sector 3 while a driver re-entered the track right in front of me and I slammed into him from behind.

The terrific start to the race ended there and then real racing began...

On lap 13 I had clawed my way back into the race despite not pitting for a new spoiler (didn't seem worth it in a 17 lap race) and I was following Gregg Mulgrew closely, gaining lots of distance down the straights due to my lack of DF and the draft. Coming into T2 on lap 13, he was a little wide, so I came inside and he pulled down into me. We bumped a few times, but I am sure he couldn't even see me there, purely incidental contact. Neither of us suffered anything from it from what I could tell.

Later that lap I finally started to line up Dennis Cummings. Dennis and I have had a few battles lately, most recently at Birmingham Long in the IRL series (where I came back from behind to overtake him right near the closing stages). I tailed him for about 3 laps before I finally got the great entry I needed into T3 and along the inside straight I was able to snub 4th from him (sorry for robbing you again but it was great racing with you again. Really close through those laps but all really clean. It was a pleasure!

So, I drove out the last lap or two defending against his attacks and here we are.

I saw a ton of punting happeneing right in front of me. Someone got crossed up and dropped back and I had nowhere to go and punted them. I figured it would be no big deal to serve the penalty as I'd have people to run against when we all hit the pits for punting. Guess I was wrong as I was the only 1 in pitlane serving the penalty.

Had a great start and shot into the lead (surprisingly), but Rick quickly chased me down and I thought it in my best interest to give him plenty of room after a few laps of trying to keep him behind me.

Sadly, I remember why I hate these cars a few laps in. I don't know any other car that pushes and yet gets so loose. Ugh.

Tommy: try FBMWs :)