[Doni Yourth]

For all the good it did me showing for this finale at Mexico, I just as easily could have stayed in bed and phoned it in.

A sub-par run in qualifying had me start P8. Not that I would have started further up the grid but I was hopeful of a time in the mid-47's. My start in the pre-race trial just before official qualifying went off just fine. For the start in the title event, I got just about the worst start in my living memory. Can't say why. Possibly my Weslake engine drowned out by all the other Eagles on the grid. Fell right to the back of the pack and knew I was in for a long day. Managed to pass Dan on Lap03 and pull away slightly but then the Weslake V-12 lost its edge and I tooled around to the pits to try and score an additional lap. Parked it and walked away.

I had to wait well into the afternoon before downloading the OAO server replay cap and see how the race shook out. I was keen to see Lasse's fortunes as he was P5 in the title run only a handful of points behind me. As it showed, he fell to misfortune with a trip to the barriers and a lost wheel by 1/3 distance. Bad luck there, Lasse.

Robert scores a fine win ahead of Yannick and Dag. Well done, chaps. I note with great interest from the race stats that Bob aced John for P6 only one second apart. Obviously, putting on a good show for the fans there. Well done, Bob.

As for D1 championship title standings, Robert once again shows that he is the class of the field taking the top step on the podium. Well done, champ. Dag put up a great fight to finish a most creditable P2. Jonathan an admirable run to take P3 in the final standings. Great talent rises to the top, doesn't it?

A fine run to finish P4 pour moi in the final tabulations. Not likely to be repeated, I fear.

Season-end bonus ribbons/koins will pay me considerable dividends. Second in the 'High Climber' standings only being aced by Dan in the last races. Interesting to note that the top three in this class award...Dan, Doni & Bob...are all aged Canadians. I guess that we're doing something right.

My brief run in Mexico cost me top spot in the 'Laps Completed' charts as Dag went the distance to outscore me by some 20 laps overall.

Took top honours in 'Laps on Track' with Dag a close second.

All the koins in the world.

My thanks to Michael for organizing another successful season for the OAO. Clay gets a nod for his efforts for the TSG. To all who participated, my profound thanks.

Roll on, S28...

[jons1976GP]

I think Eric and Jonathan has been excellent additions to D1 this season. Im very glad these guys found their way back to oAo. Its been a hoot with Jonathan all season and he has pushed me a little bit closer to Robert and Lasse this season. Ive usually been a bit conservative with race setups and such to make sure I finish the race etc. All of that went out the window this season as I knew right away when Jonathan divebombed the inside into T1 at Kyalami that this guy is not gonna go away and he is gonna run me ragged all season. So its been Q setup with extra fuel all year with absolutely nothing held back. Once I hit the ceiling in training Ive usually just accepted that in prior seasons and just focused on consolidating the race pace and take what I get. Not this season , once I found the ceiling I thought that it wont be enough cause Jonathan is gonna be quicker. So I put in some extra training in share desperation and at some tracks I managed to shave an additional half a sec off my time but still he would outqualify me with a tenth or two. Today it was 1/100s of a sec. What a marvelous battle its been. Thank you Jonathan for making this season such a blast.

And lets all appreciate and thank Michael for keeping oAo alive and for the massive job it after all is. Bo would be proud and you are doing a stellar job Michael. This wouldnt be possible without you and we all appreciate it greatly.

Thanks to all of you fellas , this really is something. Another great season of hard racing.

WOW!! You have me smiling and blushing Dag. Thank you so much for the kind words. I was unsure coming into the season after a 20 year hiatus just how competitive I would be. I never could have predicted what an amazing championship it would be with you! I don't think there were many races where we were not on each other's gear boxes. I finished many a races with sweaty palms from you pushing me to the limit in that annoying ass Lotus DFV V8 lawnmower. You say I pushed you closer to the top 2 resident aliens. Eric can backup my claim that you made me push harder and practice extra laps during the week to get those extra tenths of a second to be able to scrap with you. You are a true gentleman racer and you helped make my 1st return Championship a memorable one. S28 has its hands full to compete with this one. Great job on securing 2nd place, it was always going to be a challenge to out do Robert.

See you guys next season!

[Pepe_Higdon]

Ive also noticed I have disappeared from the "laps led" stats.

Oops. Fixed. My bad.

[Robert Fleurke]

My season

After a difficult winter when my cat and my mother died, I did not touch the wheel for some months. Then there also was that second surgery on my left arm, the high bloodflow in my my shunt (the vein I insert the needles in for hemodialysis) had to be corrected with a vein from my upper leg. It happened on 6th of February, 1 1/2 week before the first race at Kyalami, the Bruce "Bo" Boembeke Memorial. Despite the lack of prep and having not touched the wheel for some months I performed well. Lasse was unbeatable, but I finished only 3s behind in P2, and came away with a F312 PB. I was glad I could make the race since I missed the Bruce "Bo" Boembeke Memorial last season, also after surgery on my left arm.

The 3 races after I did win, mostly uneventful. Got away with an off at Buenos Aires. Then I had to miss Opatija for health reasons, wasn't feeling well enough to race.

Then joined Pits & Goggles, lead by John Hammonds. It was great to be on a team again, and with all, John, Peter, Richard, I was Team Champion in the past. Being on this team was fun, being involved and following eachother races. But very laid back, no pressure.

At Jarama, Lasse had set a stonker of a lap in qualifying. But I was able to hold on to him in the race, until he tangled with Yannick's BRM. I inherited a lucky win also when I had another off late race. Lasse was flying and deserved to win, but ran out of laps.

Then early morning on the 3rd of May I took a nasty fall in my house, what resulted in bruising and a crack in one of my vertebrae in my lower back. The pain was unbearable. On painkillers still I decided to race Spa. But the pain affected my performance, I could not push or attack in the race. P3, close to P1-2 was very good under the circumstances. Jon Stiener, such a great asset to the league, won hist first race in front of Dag.

At Rouen I still was suffering with my back, but it did not affect my performance. I was able to pass Dag for P2 after he had a little slip up, and was pushing like hell to try to close the gap with Lasse, who had the edge in speed and ultimately won the race. It was a great race.

Then we had the Midseason Break.

At Indy I took a straightforward, uneventful win in the Eagle. Then there was the yearly full-length GP, this time at Watkins Glen, the Darren McLachlan Memorial. Jon snatched Pole from me in the end, just like at Spa. The first 20 laps were awesome, racing close with Jon and Dag. Finally passed Jon, but an engine failure after halfway meant it was a DNF. Now Dag was leading the driver c'ship, as he won the race in a damaged car.

At Goodwood Jon again took the Pole, and again a lot of close racing with mostly Dag, But a mistake meant I had to settle for P3 behind Jon and Dag. Mosport was a very good race from me, taking Pole and leading all laps. Dag had to retire late race and I had the c'ship lead back.

Pacific Raceway was another great race for me. Jon (who else) took Pole, but I was able to make a move after the start and taking the lead. One of the highlights of the season. I drove another fast and consistent race, one of my best of the season. At Roswell I took Pole, had to pass Dag, but then had some offs. But I recovered and finally got the lead back when Dag had an off, and won the race. At Portland Lasse was back, and won the race in dominant fashion. Early race was stuck behind Yannick, who got me at the start. But when he had an off I was in P2. I started to push trying to make the gap to Lasse smaller, but made a mistake and touched with the wall, sending me into another wall. Normally that would have been a race ending crash. But the car was still drivable, despite all the right side damage, and engine damage. So I could salvage a P2 result. Very crucial for the c'ship, I kept my 6pts lead to Dag.

At the final race of the season, Mexico, I wasn't fully comfy with the car and setup. It wasn't a lack of prep, but more a lack of testing focus and sticking with a setup. Qualified third, and Dag passed me after the start. Lasse went off, and then passed Dag, and eventually an improved Yannick, for the win, and driver championship!

To win the D1 driver c'ship for the 7th time is an incredible honour, and it feels like the first time. Last few seasons at the start I was always thinking it could be my last competitive season, mostly due to my ever deteriorating health situation. Pain attacks, tiredness, uncertainty and lack of energy were always lurking around the corner. But I still have that drive, motivation and willpower to do well. I have surprised myself as well the last few seasons. Last week I set a few PB's at Watkins Glen, cementing the fact I am still on top of my game, when I feel reasonably well. If you have working limbs and a good mindset, you can go a long way it seems.

Many thanks to all drivers for racing. Thanks to Dag for such a good fight whole season, congratulations on being runner-up. You are a great guy, and the most succesful TL the last few season. Having been on your team for a while, I know how dedicated and committed you are. The only thing that is still missing, is the driver c'ship. You have been runner-up a few times now, you simply lacked luck. Keep at it, sooner or later you have to take the c'ship with your consistency and reliability. You deserve it no question. Thanks to the ever improving Jon for the qualifying battles, and the close racing we had. A well deserved P3 in the driver c'ship, congratulations. Great job by Doni, who ended up 4th, and scored his first podium at Roswell.

Thanks to Lasse, for showing us how to drive. I told you before you have the potential to be the best/fastest GPLer ever. But your priorities lie somewhere else. Anyhow, thanks to you I still made some (minor) improvements the last few years. I really do enjoy watching you race and drive. The precision, the lines, and the driving discipline.

Many thanks to my team, Pits & Goggles. John, Peter and Richard, it was great fun to join up with you guys, and thanks for all the support and camaraderie.

Thanks to Claudio and the TSG for compiling another interesting schedule. Thanks to Michi for being race steward.

Many thanks to Michael, for all the work you do for the oAo league. Without you we are nothing. It's easy to take it for granted, but it is a demanding job. Thanks for sticking with us!

Congratulations to Nuts & Bolts Racing for the team championsip, and Stickshifters and E-Racers for the other honorary places.

Congratulations to Eduardo for his D2 driver c'ship, being a rolemodel for us all. Also congrats to Colin and Dimi for P2 and P3.

A special mention for Bob "Pepe" Higdon. It's incredible to me at your age you are improving all the time, and pulling off textbook passes into T1 Mexico for example. No contacts as well the whole season. You are another rolemodel for us all.

Thanks to all drivers for your passion. Being champion is all fun, but without other drivers I am nothing. You guys are the reason for my succes, and I just want to be one of the guys. Thank you so much!

Bruce "Bo" Boembeke & GPL forever!

[Claudio Navonne]

Personally I am proud to have you in our league, you are a reference for me. When I prepare my race for the D2, I always aim to achieve lap times, which put in my spreadsheet, can show me that you don't beat me by one lap if we were racing in the same race, I never achieve it (unless it's the Nurburgring).

[Pepe_Higdon]

What Claudio said. +1.