Keith Barrick, last GP's winner PDF Print E-mail
Written by Xosé Estrada   
Sunday, 20 December 2009 01:58
DHR_Finish_1Was excited to finally race in STC, after admiring from a far.

I was scheduled in the blue cup to race a few races, but work interfered and I was unable to race.

Was very quick in the dry with full fuel and was trying to make sure the car was setup properly for the colder temps. In our practice sessions we had been running alot warmer temps, so I had to jack up the air pressure to get heat into the tires.

With the end of practice, I had put my wets on and made a few changes to the setup for wet...but had forgotten the tire pressures. This made the car extremely unstable on curbing, which i was full sideways near around twice in my hotlap...thus putting me in 16th place on the starting grid. (not good).

With a big challenge in front of me coming from this far back, I loaded my car with fuel for my first stint with a full tank. And made sure everything on the car was setup properly. As we approached the S/F line for the start i held back a bit and got a run on K. Bell in front as we approached the line it seemed there was a few who had checked up and I had to back off to not pass Bell before the S/F line but passed him just after.

Entering T2 I was able to get inside of Sebastian, now up to 14th. Headed into T5 there was trouble ahead when Johan Pesula went around. This caused a bunch up and allowed me into 13th exiting T5. Approaching T6 I get inside Ivo, and we run side by side through T6 onto the back straight where I was able to use NIgel Atkins draft to get passed him, while pulling in NIgel like crazy. I Draft by Nigel down the straight, and am now running 11th half way through the first lap. Ending lap 1 I am 11th behind Kris Larsson with the leaders in site!!

Down the front stretch I get a draft on Kris, this gets me close to him for T1 when he runs wide into T2 and gets loose I push to the inside and take P10. Down the long back stretch with Wiette in front in the draft of John Westerlund who is in defensive mode, with the speed I am carrying I look inside of Wiette but choose the outside... then wiette chooses inside of John, and I have a big head of steam outside and outbrake Wiette and John into T7 and I get by Wiette and am up beside John into T8 and get by him into P8 now but mid corner I see the DMS Driver Tackman struggling and he runs wide and I get inside up to P7 in 2 corners!!!



Now running P7 starting the 3rd lap!!! I have jack Keithly ahead of me with some flatout guys in the midst with the two RPM guys fighting. But also I can see the lead as clear as day. Starting lap 4 I am right on Kevin Ledaux and I keep close to plan a pass down the back straight. Up to P6 with Jack in front and DHR's chances lookng good. Starting lap 5 Jack is by Peter into T1 they both loose some momentum and I catch them both. Now on the back straight I get a big run on Peter and am able to get by into P5, and he tries to counter but I hold him off through T8.

Starting lap 6 in P5 with Jack just ahead and the 2 cars ahead of him under a blanket. Into T3 Jack totally outbakes himself and goes clear across the track. He allows the drivers to retake position, and I give him room to slip back on track. Down the back straight now...Jack is in front of my on the outside in Dragos' draft with Mateusz to the inside. I am in Jack's draft and gaining quick. I had intended to push jack through so we both couldve passed Dragos' but jack eased off the throttle and there was slight contact between him and I and we carried on. Now in P4 behind jack, with a struggling Dragos in front of Jack. There is a battle behind me with peter and Mateusz, who outbrakes himself into the last corner and gets my rear end which puts me around and back to P6...Mateusz conceded position after incident.

Lap 7 P6 chasing down Kevin Ledoux. Lap 8 P6 up to P5 when Dragos pits... still chasing Kevin, Get close enough for a draft pass, up to P4 Lap 11 P4 getting closer to Peter

Lap 12 P4 Close enough to peter to attempt a draft pass. Once completed he is close and putting alot of pressure on. After this with clear track in front and 2 teammates ahead, I put the car in a bit of a coast, not pushing too much, but keeping enough pace to keep Peter behind. Throughout the next few laps I close the gap on Teo in 2nd. Teo pits first of the DHR cars, I pit 2nd and Jack pits 3rd. After the pit cycle is complete I am just passing Jack as he exits pit road. This completed the comeback from 17th. After this we simply saved the cars and brought it home for DHR. Well done jack and Teo (**** luck)

Thanks Damian for the chance to race in STC, also to the entire STC staff for all the efforts you put in. I run a league also and know what a commitment it is, and STC is 10 fold of mine. So thanks. I watched the whole broadcast and bravo to the broadcast team, very well done...very professional.

See you guys in March for some Blue :)
Last Updated on Sunday, 20 December 2009 02:07