Knowing Kyalami
RRL Media speaks to Masters debutant Burak Kunt as the Dutchman reflects on his race at Kyalami.
RRL Media:
Burak:
Absolutely, as it is one, if not most favourite track to ride on. 2 years ago I enjoyed my 6 and 12-hour race on this track. I haven't been this active in ACC for a long time and every time I come back to this track I find some time. I felt like I was on my limit this time.
RRL Media:
Burak:
I had daily practice for this race as I do for this entire season. I take this very serious as competing is something I enjoy doing. I also like to spend time with people, talking about setups and the tracks. Nushi and I are not in a team. But for a couple of days, it felt like we were. We had a great time practising for this event. I am sad to say that he had a rough race. I hope to meet more like-minded people. I am an open book if it comes to sharing information. If it makes us better, why not?
RRL Media:
Burak:
It's really weird. The car felt different. I was able to do 1.41.4 in practice. But I wasn't able to come close to that time in Q. I know it is something that is between my ears. But still.
I know I am a bad qualifier and I always need some time to settle in the race. But once the car and I are one I start to gain positions. I was expecting semi-ideal conditions with the bright sun right on my breaking marker for about 15 to 20 min. in the race. you know, Barbeque. I was not able to see my marker. That was scary but I knew that was coming so I was prepared. For a moment, I just used that bright sun as my marker.
RRL Media:
Burak:
Kyalami is a wonderful place to race. This is the place where I can push and get in my rhythm. Besides the rough start, as I expected going into turn one, I was not expecting a mistake from the guys up front. This teaches me that it doesn't matter where you start. You just need to be calm and accept the fact that losing a place or two is not the end of a long race. I had some nice battles with Lansley. But I was frustrated by the fact that my Q was bad. It cost me a lot of pace.
After my battle with Lansley I received some damage to my aero. The next driver to battle was Manoijlovic, for the second time. But this time I had less pace because of my 7 seconds of damage.
I was within 1 second to Manoijlovic for many laps in a row. Just in the penultimate corner heading in to our final lap is where I heard Jeff yell Yellow flag through the comms. I slowed down knowing from experience that incidents happen in the last corner as it is a place to send it in the inside. looking back at the replay it seems that it was not really a send but two lines became one and there was no more space. This meant that all I had to do is to follow Manoijlovic and go through the gap he made after his collision with the cars that were basically stationary on start finish.
Manoijlovic had severe damage and I respect the fact he still fought for his position even after his car was severely damaged. A couple corners later the position was mine and I was able to bring her home.
RRL Media:
Burak:
I was hoping to end in the top ten this season. I think I have the pace. I hope to be able to keep up with the guys in front. I am getting better at handling the McLaren and understanding how she wants to be ridden. But I know I am far from the pace.
RRL Media:
Burak:
The mountain is a race I am looking forward to. Practising this track can be frustrating. I wish all the people with claustrophobia good luck. I can't wait to find my pace back on this track and more. as I said. I am getting faster. Not much. But still. The Mclaren is taking good care of me. I think we will manage on the mountain.