UKGPL Season 44 (Spring 2024) 1955 GP (Works) - Brands Hatch - Feb 4

[JonathanStiener76]

Lol Phil. It was almost comical, as if neither one of us wanted the place. ? Great fun those last few laps! I almost creamed you coming out of South Bank when you went off. These cars are infuriating and also a blast at the same time. I was happy to see the finish inspite of my mistakes. Using the default setup was my undoing. Massive under steer meant my front tires were taking a beating and I kept sliding. Definitely need to loosen it up for next race. Well done to the top 5!!

JS

[Phil Thornton]

I almost creamed you coming out of South Bank when you went off.

Yes I saw you in my mirrors (at the last second because I was concentrating on not spinning) and so I turned hard right to get out of your way. If we'd made contact it would have been a bad rejoin by me, you did well to miss me.

[Hristo Itchov]

This was quite an enjoyable race! I quite liked the Connaught for the way it handled, despite the lack of power, 4 speed gearbox and fading brakes. Almost managed to take pole, but could never quite improve on my best time, despite additional 3 attempts. Yannick just managed to beat me there with a great lap near the end!

At the start I almost dropped the revs too much, but that created a kind of a traction control effect where the torque just managed to keep the car accelerating without unnecessary wheelspin. This helped me snatch the lead from Yannick, but it was soon clear that he was very quick and with a dive on the inside at T4, which I decided not to challenge at all as it's too dangerous, he was through and sailed away.

I had someone called Vil55 behind closing rapidly and only realized after the race, by studying the Replay Analyser export, that it was Evil with a creative way of writing his name.  

He overtook me eventually and was pulling away, even closing for a few laps on Yannick, but then started having issues with the rearend. Eventually he ran off at the exit of the last corner and I was through again up to second. It didn't take long for Evil to attack again though, and he had a few moments having to take to the grass to avoid me I think, as I was braking a bit earlier in places. Eventually he dropped back again, so now it was only Leo behind, who had been a threat during the earlier laps and from there on continued to be such until the end of the race.

I almost lost it several times by braking too late, especially at T2, and also in the last few laps on corner exits as the rear was becoming lighter and prone to snapping around. On the very last lap I almost lost it coming out of T4! Leo had a few peeks after using the slipstream, but couldn't quite get alongside or had to take evasive action, so I managed to keep 2nd.

Congrats Yannick on a dominant victory and Leo for 3rd! Congrats also to Evil for making it to the end despite the issues and to Dimi for finishing the race this time! Congrats Clive for the stable run as well! Looks like Phil and Jon had a nice battle too, so good job keeping it in one piece despite the close calls!

[EvilClive]

Yep, that was me Hristo lol.
Grats on the win Yannick and to H and Leo for the podium slots. My race was a little strange with the first 50% much better than the second half. I managed a good start and edged up to 3rd spot behind Hristo . I did have to take avoiding action on a couple of ocassions, but that is the big issue with these cars...being close enough to capitalise on any mistakes ahead, but not too close to rear end them when they do!!.
Then he ran a little wide, I stole 2nd spot and set off after Yannick. My setup was fast but it needed careful management of the rear left tyre especially, as too much sliding sent the temps way too high. I could control that by easing off by 5% for a lap and taking Paddock and Surtees in 3rd instead of 2nd, without losing too much time.
 It all looked good for a possible 2nd place even when Yannick began to ease away, as I was maintaining a small gap back to Hristo and Leo. Maybe the fact that Yannick was building a gap when I had been able to slowly reel him in should have been a warning?? About half distance the handling ( or maybe it was my driving changed ) and I was finding it harder and harder to maintain the pace.
Inevitably I ran wide and Hristo and Leo swept past and although I recovered close behind them I was losing a couple of tenths on each lap, with a real danger of having a major incident all on my own. I was not a happy bunny, but I forced myself to back off and hold onto 4th spot whilst monitoring the gap back to Dimitar for the remainde of the race.
Something was definitely wrong as even lapping a second slower I now had both rear tyres glowing red and causing the car to squirm under power...not a comfortable feeling lol.
Quite a result for team Connaught and I doubt that they ever saw a leaderboard like that in real life.  I always liked the Connaught from day one of the 55's and it was my secret weapon when short of tokens. But it looks like the world has also discovered the mighty Connaught, so I will have to find another way to win lol.
See you all next time 

[fpolicardi]

I had good hopes of a nice race with Connaught after the second place of last year, but after a good start passing Jon at T1 I had to take evasive action on the inside grass for Dimi's early braking at T2 and lost the place to Jon. At Surtees again Dimi caused heart attack to Clive, Jon and me that managed to not hit each others and in the lucky manouvre inside I passed Jon. At braking for T1 L2 I was following Clive that had a little momentum on braking, maybe for Dimi  , so I had to swerve to inside grass to not risk a rear-end forgotting that the poles were of solid stone and ripped off two wheels rebounding my car to the outside where luckily anyone was involved in my crash.
Second time in a row following Clive, but this time ended in tears. Maybe I have to put a banner on my screen with "Take care of Clive" written in cubital font 

[Dimitar Dulichki]

Yeah, I was so afraid of these brakes. 

First of all big thank you to Hristo for the great setup - indeed made so much different than my pace at Asses a couple of weeks ago.

I did a decent quali but I was not happy as I was jus 3 hundreds slower than P5 and Clive.

I made a very good start though jumping Clive. Then we had something like the Dimi train. I was going very cautious until Jon was behind me. I had no other choice but to increase the pace and take more risks. He put me under so much pressure and I cracked once and he was through. Luckily for me, though, he was not stable in the next lap, making small and medium mistakes and I was able to retake P5 back. He attacked again but went into the grass on the final turn and I was safe now.

From there I was able to manage the lead to Clive behind as he was changing his pace. The Evil Clive though, left and never came back in P4.

I will post the highlights tomorrow. 

[EvilClive]

I have just watched Hristo's Twitch channel. Finally after all these years racing against him and with him as a team mate, I know what he looks like !!! .
Great to see you enjoying GPL again H. 

[Hristo Itchov]

I have just watched Hristo's Twitch channel. Finally after all these years racing against him and with him as a team mate, I know what he looks like !!! .
Great to see you enjoying GPL again H. 

Thanks, Evil, I hope you enjoyed my endless babbling while I drive!

[EvilClive]

Do you know the biggest things that I have got from watching Dimi's and your "live" videos............

1) Despite 45 mins ( or more) of practice, even the very quickest guys are constantly adjusting their braking points/lines/gears etc during the race.
2) Although the impression of aliens is that they sweep majestically through all corners with their single precise inputs of brakes/steering/ throttle and no drama, the truth is that they are just as twitchy ( well almost) as the rest of us mere mortals. Keeping a car "at the limit" is just as difficult for them, it is just that they are able to get closer to that limit more often.
3) They talk to themselves too, so it is not just me who is weird!!!

If you have not already done so, I recommend watching and listening to Dimi's and/or Hristo's videos recorded live as they race. It might help you see and understand that we are all a little odd but equally immersed in "the race" as it happens.

[Dimitar Dulichki]

3) They talk to themselves too, so it is not just me who is weird!!!

EvilCliveTV on Twitch? Make it happen! 

[EvilClive]

With my record of tech related disasters, any attempt by me at signing up to Twitch, could finish the platform in a cloud of blue smoke!!!

Just remember that it was your idea 

[Phil Thornton]

I've also enjoyed Dimi's and Hristo's Twitch videos. Much more entertaining than playing back the GPL replay! Although I must admit I'm a bit more worried about making a silly mistake these days, it would be live for all to see 

[JonnyO]

  Congrats podium!!!!!!!!!!

  For me only 1 lap ....GRRRR.......internet problems here!

[Dimitar Dulichki]

My race highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohRTxnjQ8ts

[bernie]

I have just watched Hristo's Twitch channel. Finally after all these years racing against him and with him as a team mate, I know what he looks like !!! .
Great to see you enjoying GPL again H. 

That isn't Hristo , its a Doppelganger ! You might be surprised to know that the real Hristo has 3 eyes , 4 arms , and like all aliens he has snake skin and a baldy head 

Seriously, I enjoyed your Master Class H ! Us mortals have learned a lot , keep up the good work .