The first race of the second round of the 23/24 BMW Race Driver Series, held at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon.

So it wasn't all smooth sailing for this round and I found myself about 2 seconds off my previous pace at this track, for a couple of reasons...
I had been waiting on a new diff to be built for this round and for a multitude of reasons I didn't actually get it until I arrived at the track on Friday and only managed a short test session with it. On top of that, the shipment of tyres many of us had been waiting for was held up at customs so I had no fresh tyres to use. So I had a new diff to get used to, with very different driving characteristics, as well as junky old buggered tyres for the weekend.

I managed to get down into the 1.19s for qualifying which was only good enough for 17th, way down the back of the pack. I had an OK start - the car is definitely a little slower off the line with this diff and I will have to work on that. I still made up a few places though until I got caught by the fast guys mid way through the first lap. Then a few laps in, one of the cars had a mechanical on the back straight, triggering a safety car. I had an excellent re-start and jumped a couple of cars, only for them to leg it past me again.

All in all, about what I expected though I did make up a couple of places, finishing 15th overall.
Bring on the reverse grid races!

Car: BMW E46 Compact (M54B30 3.0l)
Result: 15th overall; 5th Open B
Best time: 1.19.996

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Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:50 Race Start
09:00 Safety Car
13:25 Green Green
16:18 Chequered Flag
16:36 Outro