Season 30 Professionals Trophy – Round 9 – Charade

The Circuit de Charade (also known as Circuit Louis Rosier and Circuit Clermont-Ferrand) is a motorsport race track in the Auvergne mountains in France near Clermont-Ferrand, the home of Michelin and Patrick Depailler. Built in 1958 around the sides of an extinct volcano, the originally 8.055 km (5.005-mi) long Charade was described as an even twistier and faster version of the Nürburgring. Some drivers like Jochen Rindt in the 1969 French Grand Prix complained of motion sickness, and wore open face helmets, just in case. But 1970 was no better- Rindt was hit in the face by a rock, something that the circuit was usually littered with, and often caused punctures on the track.

In 1964, the VI Trophée d'Auvergne Formula 2 race podium was a sign of things to come: Denny Hulme, Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt showed their skill before the track hosted the 1965 French Grand Prix. In 1966, John Frankenheimer filmed a small part of his movie Grand Prix in front of 3000 locals, who posed as race spectators watching actors like Yves Montand and Françoise Hardy.

In total four Formula One French Grands Prix were held at Charade: 1965, 1969, 1970 and 1972. Due to drivers cutting corners, a stone thrown from Emerson Fittipaldi's Lotus hit Helmut Marko in the eye during the 1972 French Grand Prix, ending his F1 career, as well as that of the circuit. The stones also had caused ten deflated tyres, but no big crashes. The French Grand Prix moved back to the new Paul Ricard Circuit, where the French Grand Prix was held in 1971.

Chris Amon -who recently passed away- set the laprecord here in 1972 in his Matra, in an epic recovery effort to finish third after having suffered from a puncture.

Race List = iGOR
Server = UKGPL_8
IP = see iGOR
Race date = Tuesday 01-11-16
Time = 21:00 UK time (21:00 GMT/22:00CET)
Track = Clermont
Race length = 14 laps (45-50 minutes)
Variant = 1965
60fps patch used = 60fpsV2newmod
Damage Model = Pro
Qualifying time = 30-45 minutes

Replays Available here: here

Driver lists can be found on the championship standings page

Until the number of registered drivers exceeds grid capacity drivers may join the server as soon as it appears in IGOR. Drivers are required to complete 50% distance to score points. This Season we don't have a Red Zone. Moderating will be on reported incidents only. Please restrict chat to pit messages including at the end of the race until ALL drivers still racing have crossed the line.

Password: see above

Engine lasted long enough for points at least. 

Good, consistent run you were on Andy. No chance to even sniff at a pass.

Thanks for the company, Dean. It all went well until the start of the last sector on the last lap.
I ran 4th until Clive spun, then 3rd for a long time. I inherited 2nd when Axel spun and he rejoined just in front of the hard charging Tris. Well they slowed each other down a bit and I managed to make a small gap. Eventually Tris was third, shunting Axel out of the race after a lot of very close running. He quickly homed in on me despite my 3.21 and was ready to pounce on the last lap. Was it possible to stay in front if I didn't make a mistake? Well, I had wheels on the dirt under braking and spun out, but still ok to rejoin and finish.
Grats to Robert for serene progress in the little Brabham.

 Great pace in the BT7 Robert...in fact awesome!!
Unlike you, I have never liked this track. I don't know why, just don't.

I had the rock solid BT11 for this series, but could not find a setup that I had used before on this track so I drafted in a Brands setup and adjusted some cambers.
Then I discovered that a Ferrari body panel had replaced my steering wheel??!! I know that this is a glitch that is well known, but I think this is the first time I have experienced it. It would not matter except that it obscures the rev counter, and I thought that I might need that info during the race. so, I turned off the drivers arms and steering wheel, which felt weird.

The race was a little disappointing for me after getting a second row qually alongside a flying Mr Livingston!!
The start was OK, and I jumped Andy to take 3rd and set about closing down on Axel and Robert up ahead. I was hoping to hang on to Robert's pace if I could and I was glad that Axel had him bottled up. Andy had made his usual steady start and allowed us to build a small gap. I was soooo frustrated when Axel allowed his team mate to pass ( team orders worthy of Mrs Fujikawa!!) and now bottled me up on a long track with very few passing places.
My frustration got the better of me and I think I clipped the earth banking at one point. Nothing appeared to be damaged initially, but half a lap later the car just rotated through 180 for no apparent reason. When it did it again a few corners later, I turned on the tyre temps to check and discovered a left rear that was almost in the infra red spectrum and 3 other tyres that wanted to join it!!!
The 2 spins had dropped me back behind Tris and I was now unable to attack at 100% for any longer than a lap, because the damage to the suspension  caused the tyres to self destruct and I had to continually ease back until things settled down again.
I picked up a few places as cars dropped out ahead and moved back up to 4th at the finish. All the while watching Robert dominating and Andy's progress in 2nd place with Tris closing. When the last lap started and Andy was ahead I thought he was sure to hold it because there is just nowhere to pass on this track without a mistake from the car in front.
I felt for you Andy, with the flag almost in sight, when prib told the story and Tris snatched 2nd place after a long recovery drive. At least you got to taste some champagne, all I could do was pick up a faint smell in the air!!

Fujikawa say relax 

  Hi
whith the 6 th on the grid I had good race to get back to 2nd .... but Rob was far away whith a clear track .... sorry Axel for the toutch :/ ....
if I compt well I can't be rejoint at the champ...even if I don't run for the 2 last races and Rob win it .....

so well done Rob for your victory on this good track  .......see you in Albi  ( not far from my home