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The last few minutes of the rAlthough suffering the ignominy of being lapped by the GTA cars in the closing stages, I am fortunate that my earlier healthy lead means the third placed AUH Racing Aston of Emirati racer Humaid Al Masoud is still several corners behind at the finish, and Gulfsport’s Ginetta has not been in contention at all today. So much for their tyre choice.
I pull into the first pit garage (the one podium finishers are directed to for post-race scrutineering) to a crowd of officials, media and well wishers. I’m particularly pleased that my P2 has given a little extra exposure for the chaps from my chosen charity, The Citizens’ Foundation, who have turned out today to support.
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For a few quiet moments I remain in my sweat-soaked seat, getting my laboured breathing back under control, loosening straps and checking over the various switches and gauges. Once I’ve extricated myself from the straps and roll cage, I tumble out and stay crouched on the floor, largely because I want to avoid an embarrassing black-out by standing up too quickly straight after the physical pounding my body has taken.
A quick prayer of thanks, and then I look up to see Sheikh Hasher receiving plaudits from his Khaleeji colleagues. I congratulate him on the win and promise to get him next time, though his response is characteristically cryptic: “You cannot beat me.” I am left wondering whether this is a statement of genuine self-belief or racer-talk. I also can’t help feeling that Paul’s more significant contribution today has gone unnoticed, though his painful aversion to the media doesn’t help. For once, the TV crew have managed to pin him down for an interview and I hope he gets the coverage he deserves.
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Still, at least the primary objective of my racing career has been realised today: podium celebrations give me a chance to hoist 3 year old Sulaiman onto my shoulder and reaffirm that Baba is the centre of his tiny universe, though the delayed start to the race has meant the poor kid has been out in the sun for too long and is starting to suffer. The same could be said for GTA race winner, Andrew Donaldson in the Cytech Porsche, for once relegating Karim to second place. Andrew’s deathly pallid face tells the story of an incredibly exhausting drive in extreme cabin heat.
No such hardship for Karim, though. With a second place finish today, the joy of winning another championship erases the pain of the drive and his TAM/House of Portier team can feel rightly proud of their achievement. Meanwhile, the GTB class remains undecided, Paul now having extended his points lead to 7 over me, but with 10 points still to play for.
April’s heat should make it an interesting month with two rounds still to go….
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Simmo
The creaking frame comment was a tad harsh 🙂 I also think ‘cryptic’ was a poor choice of adjective but a brilliant report, thanks for sharing with us.
cobalt blue
Hehe, thanks Fraser. Always wondered which of the race school aces was driving the SC.
Your old father?!! 🙂
Fraser
As usual, an exteremely interesting and well written report: if you decide to give up the day job, Harris, there’s a writing career in the wings! One point of order, however: I can’t drive the Safety Car AND watch to see that the box is tight before the start – I think I’m good but I’m not THAT good! The Safety Car is usually driven by my old father, Michael Prophet. In addition, it was a Steward’s Decision that relegated Karim’s overtaking manoeuvres to after the lights.
But as the other old saying goes, why let the truth get in the way of a good story!
By the way, the moniker of ‘He Who Must Be Obeyed’ is only alleged: I specifically remember telling the bike boys to try and stay on two wheels!