Yes thanks Pete the car had good potential without the 3rd and then 4th gear issue. Not a disclaimer just so people who don't read the forum and facebook can understand what actually happened.
I respect your opinion but don't agree with you myself, Thankfully I have the data which shows me going slower through Island than on the previous lap and also braking earlier, I was caught out by just how early Tony was breaking and as soon as I went for the brakes they locked. I tried my best to cadence brake and then to chuck it into the corner (hence running onto the grass) but I just wasn't going to stop in time. In hindsight maybe when I lost 3rd gear syncro and then 4th gear (Resulting in not being able to engine brake) I should of pitted and called it a day but I thought it was just the syncro had gone and I could limp to the end and get my signature (Final one for the novice cross
) Unfortunately it was actually the gearbox cracked in two places and as Chip says the gear oil was everywhere and over 1 litre was missing from the box when it was drained.
As I said to Tony after at no point was I attempting to pass him there it was all an attempt at avoiding an accident and then damage limitation, I was planning a run on the exit of the first corner on the following lap but obviously we didn't get to that point.
I was and still am completely gutted at crashing into Tony he was completely innocent and I got straight out of the car and went to apologise. I also offered to pay for the repairs as there is no doubt it was my/my cars fault and I wasn't happy that he should have to pay. I have done my best to heal the situation and that is all I can do. Obviously these things can happen when racing and we all know the risks.