GRDC’s LMP2 Festival: Italian Curse Returns

Of course I went with the Alpine Elf Team livery — consistency is key. In branding and in motorsport.

GRDC hosted a 3-race championship earlier this week, with fixed setup and everyone in the Le Mans prototype car Oreca 07 LMP2.

With 22 people on the grid and the races only lasting 20 minutes, the stage were set for three fun and intense sprint races.

Race 1: Interlagos – A Rocky Start

I haven’t done alot of races in the LMP2 cars before, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But I got a decent number of practice laps in before qualifying, and to my surprise, I stuck the Oreca 07 in P9. Top ten, baby! A small victory considering how far back I used to start in the GRDC World Sprint Championship.

Then the race started.

Barely through the Senna S, I gave another car the lightest of taps and spun myself out. Back of the grid. A few corners later, I had a brain fade, misjudged the braking of the cars ahead, and ended up making evasive manoeuvres into the side of someone. Gave the spot back, rejoined safely, but now I was stuck in traffic.

On the exit of turn 12, I tapped the rear of a rejoining car – felt like a racing incident, but the damage was done. I ended up being the only one to pit and crossed the line in P21. Last of the survivors. Felt like a WSC flashback.

Race 2: Bahrain, Outer Circle – Penalty and Redemption

Battle for 10th position on Bahrain Outer Circuit

I usually hate the Outer layout of Bahrain, but it turns out a bit of practice goes a long way. Qualified P12, spun in turn 1 during the early stages of the race, but managed to recover without too much chaos. Then I made a rookie mistake: I cut the track while trying to recover and didn’t slow down enough to clear the track limits warning.

Drive-through penalty. In a 20-minute sprint.

I stayed out as long as I could before serving it to avoid dropping into slower traffic, and the gamble worked. Rejoined in P15 and put the hammer down. Slowly, steadily, I clawed my way back up. P14, P13, then 12th. A three-car fight for 10th began.

On the penultimate lap, the door opened. The car ahead made a mistake, and I slipped through into 10th. Checkuered flag. Redemption. And maybe—just maybe—I don’t hate this layout anymore.

Race 3: Cursed Monza

Let the chaos unfold.

Monza. I hate you. I’m sorry, but it’s true. It’s unfair, I know — it’s not your fault — but every time I race here, something goes wrong. Disconnects, my own skills failing me, turn 1 chaos, divebombers who think they’re doing time trials... You name it.

So when qualifying wrapped up and I saw I’d landed P8, I was shocked. Is the curse broken? Could I actually have a good race at Monza?

The lights went green. Off we went for the final round of the LMP2 Festival. Turn 1 — the notorious one. I braced for chaos.

Sure enough, I got nudged from behind in the braking zone, which made me tap the car in front. Somehow no major damage. We piled into the chicane — it was crowded, it was tense — but I made it through. Alive! Even gained a position. P7!

I survived the first lap at Monza. I had this! Or so I thought…

The curse lives.

Too eager on the throttle out of turn 6, the car snapped. Spun around, slammed into the barrier. Dropped to P18. The curse lives.

The car didn’t feel right. Flat-spotted tyres, crooked steering wheel — but it was still drivable. So I pushed on. I wasn’t giving in yet.

Lap 3. Turn 7. Yellow flags. Three cars had spun and parked across the road. But the racing line was clear — I went for it. Then one of them reversed onto the line. THE CURSE LIVES! I had to dodge, no room left, ended up off track in the gravel. No traction. Spun again trying to get out.

Now I had to sit, wait, rejoin safely. P20. Okay. That’s it. Time to pit.

THE CURSE LIVES.

Quick stop for repairs and fresh tyres. I rejoined in P21, last on track. Not how I wanted this to go.

🎵 Adele - I Set Fire to the Rain 🎵 Get it? Rain, glowing brake discs? No? I’ll see myself out.

Then something changed. I noticed the clouds were getting darker. On lap 5, rain started to fall. Just a drizzle — but enough to change the mood. My spirits lifted. I love racing in the rain. Maybe it’s the unpredictability, the drama — whatever it is, I thrive in it.

Track got damp. Tyres were slicks. People started struggling. Someone ahead pitted early for wets — too early. I stayed out, gaining time.

Lap 8. Time to go in. I pitted for wets along with a pack of others. Came back out and locked in. Keep it clean. Keep it consistent.

By lap 10 it was properly wet. I’d climbed back to P15. And honestly? I was thrilled. From P8 to a crash to last place and back to P15 in mixed conditions — that’s a fight I won’t forget.

It’s raining, it’s pouring, and the Oreca is flooring 💦💨 Wow. I’m on fire tonight..

The curse still haunts me, Monza. But one day, I’ll beat you.

Got a cursed track too? Share your story in the comments — let’s suffer together 😅