SimRacing.org.uk

The resumption of the season for the Intermediates Trophy takes us to Belgium and the classic track of Spa-Francorchamps.

This track was the fastest circuit in the world. The original triangle-shaped course used public roads between the Belgian towns of Spa, Malmedy, and Stavelot. The combination of massively fast speeds, poor safety equipment and the unpredictable weather made this track deadly in the 1960's. So much so that the Grand Prix drivers boycotted the race in 1969.

Jackie Stewart's crusade to improve safety in racing was set in motion by his crash there in 1966, when his BRM ended upside-down in the cellar of the farmhouse on the outside of the corner, with fuel gushing out of the tank onto the Scot, who had broken ribs to add to his misery.

Luckily for us GPL isn't quite so dangerous. We can enjoy the challenge of taking Eau Rouge and the Masta kink flat out without killing ourselves.

The Intermediates will race for 12 laps on this loooong circuit!

In line with the new handicapping system, only the series leader is chassis restricted. The others are too distant to require it! Since Spa is such a power track the restriction to a BT7 is loosened (just a bit).

Handicapped Driver(s)	Allowed Chassis
Ronniepeterson	BT7 or Cooper

Please check the Season 23 pages for details (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=359&theme=6) regarding rules and the Intermediates Trophy (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=363&theme=6) pages in particular.

Qualifying may start before 9pm, if so, Reserve drivers should leave the server when 35 minutes of qualifying remains and only rejoin when 30 minutes of qualifying is left. This is to ensure that Full Time drivers get priority in joining.

Please restrict chat to pit messages if necessary, and this includes the end of the race, until all running drivers have completed the necessary laps.

The Intermediate Trophy races are run under Int Long rules and all incidents in the Lap 1 red zone will be moderated and reported incidents for the rest of the race, however the moderators reserve the right to review any incident. Drivers are reminded that they are limited to ONE Shift-R. The Red Zone will extend to the exit of Malmedy.

Please ensure you are aware of the new in-series penalties for this season. Details are here (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=10879.0). Drivers incurring a penalty will receive a PM informing them of this."

Please submit incident reports within a week after the race so that the moderators report may be out before the next race.

Race List = iGOR
Server = T7_2
IP address = 62.149.202.168
Race date = 11/09/2012
Time = no later then 9:00pm UK Time (30-60 mins practice, race starts at 9:30pm)
Track = Spa (Papy)
Variant = 65F1
Damage Model = Int
Qualifying time = 30 minutes
Race length = 12 laps
RED ZONE = Lap 1 to the exit of Malmedy
Password: see above (#post_event_password)


65 Patch: The 2.02 Release of the 65mod can and should be used. You need a working installation of the 65 mod to install the 2.02 Update. All the 65 Mod files can be found here (ftp://ukgpl3.dyndns.org/Mods/1965)

Driver lists can be found on the championship standings page (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R;group=363;theme=6)

Password: see above (#post_event_password)

Hi BadBlood

Am i 'unhandicapped' for this race? I think i was handicapped to BT7/Cooper for the last race, but due to unforseen circumstances i was unable to make it, hence my none start has dropped me down in the Championship.

If i'm out of the handicapping zone i'll take my usual BT11, if i'm still handicapped then i'll take the BT7/Cooper - whichever the Mods decide. Happy to follow your decision.

Also, i'm guessing this will be the last time we drive this version of Spa, with the much anticipated release of the brand new realistic Spa67 on the horizon this year. Shame, but the new version looks incredible.

Cheers
Clutch

Yes Clutch - Free choice you lucky boy!

Glad I made this event.

Having had the summer break, I wasn't sure when the series resumed, and only logged onto the forum to check a couple of hours before the race, to find out that the answer was 'Now!' :-).

Practice/Qual:Found myself finding time throughout the sessions. All about being brave through the fantastic corners of the classic Spa circuit.  Plus getting somewhere like it on gear ratios (thx cookie for the pointer.  I'm not really sure how high I should be revving the BRM engine really).  Ended up on the back row, but in all of these races, it's where I'd rather start, to be able to see what unfolds ahead of me without worrying about what may be happening behind.

Race:To end in P5 after starting at the back was pleasing.  Of course, this relied on capitalising on a few mistakes/issues that other entrants faced, rather than outright pace, but it was a decent result for me nonetheless.

Ran as high as P4 at one point, but the steady Fabio Locarno gradually closed me down and passed me near Blanchimont. I was able to stay close for a while, but wasn't quick enough to keep with him.  Behind, I had Clutch and Skymole catching me (following issues), and with half the race to go, felt it was a matter of time.  Then with me getting into the 3m41's, and them maybe dicing a bit for position, I realised that I may be able to keep enough of a lead to get me to the line.  I was able to do this, despite seeing the gap dwindle lap by lap.

Great stuff, and hoping to be around for Riverside in a couple of weeks.  Thanks all.

Well that was fun

Started from row 2 behind Sky (who had given out a pre start health warning) so had to negotiate his fezzer off the grid  which was going like it had a caravan in tow  , made a place up at Eua Rouge and then on the drag down to les combes I got alongside Norman which is were things went from very good to very bad  ::) my intension was to slot in behind Norm and get the draft down to Malmedy but we got a bit to close and I suddenly found myself spinning out of control , not sure if we actually touched or some lag helped , fortunately Norm was unharmed and able to carry on . ( In fact looking at the replay I dont think he felt a thing )
Was relieved to be able to carry on undamaged after the spin and amazingly caught up with the pack again , ( probably busy slowing each other down squabbling with each other  :)  ) after a few more dropped by the wayside my race became a 2 car battle for P2 with Dave's very well driven Lotus , we took turns swapping potitions , thrilling stuff ,  when in front I did my utmost to break the tow but the Lotus was always there . Norman wasn't  far ahead and at one point I was beginning to close him down but then Dave would turn up alongside and park his lotus in the gap between us , and so it went with the pair of us see sawing along for most of the race .
With 2 to go I outbraked myself going into blanchimont ( I had been practising the move on previous laps ) rode up the banking and back down onto the track , unfortunately re joining where Dave was using the same piece of road  (Sorry for that Dave , I had no idea were you were ) after the collision I was able to scramble away first and had an easy run to the flag and P2

Congrats to Norman on the flag to flag victory , you really should have waited for the rest of us ,  well done to all who finished , and commiserations to all those who didn't  ;)

Always enjoy Spa. Its one of the few tracks, when not in traffic, you can make a quick grab for a drink on the run down to Masta.

Qualified 4th and that was all i had. Decided to play safe on Lap 1 and i think i was running a cautious 5th. As i entered La Source at the end of the Lap there were 2 cars in the road, got round them and found myself 2nd, with my Team mate NHance ahead in the lead.

In qually i had made a significant change to my set-up and altered the gearing just before the race. This turned out to be a mistake. As i followed NHance i noticed the Rev's were reaching engine wrecking levels, and also the car was slow to pull away on some corners. I tried to keep with Norm but was unable to grab the tow. Meanwhile, the guys with the tow, and outright speed, Dave and Bernie were all over me. Dave kept getting very close, but usually a 'one line only' corner would come to my rescue. Dave stuck his nose down the inside of Blanchimont a couple of times, but we both had that 'after you, no after you' misunderstanding whereby i was unsure if he was going to commit. I left him room, but on the 2nd occasion he tried this i went up the bank, lost traction and flipped the car. My fault.

After that i reset and took my S&G in the pits. This dropped me somewhere around 6th or 7th. Either way, i hooked up with Sky and as we towed each other round, we seemed to be catching those ahead. A rear wheel on the grass spun me out however, and though undamaged, i had to take it home to complete race distance.

Congratulations to the podium boys, all fully deserved. Special congratulations to NHance. So often a top qaulifier who gets some terrible bad luck in the races. Many don't know, but NHance is one of the older GPLers, so really does put in the 'set-up' hours to make sure he's able to stay in the mix and provide expert Set-up advice to the other Mountside team member - me. Well deserved vistory, on what i assume will be the last time we will race on this version of Spa, with future events being conducted on the soon to be released 'Spa67' i would hope.  ;)

I was a bit supprised to get 2nd on the grid. Went for it on my 2nd run to get pole but it was not to be. I always set myself a target qually time & I achieved that so if others are faster thats ok.

Nice to get a win but as always its subject to the Mods but don't think I did anything wrong. Bernie is right I never felt a thing but did see a car go off in the mirrors. Think there is a bit of warping there. I am always slow till the tryes warm up & amazed at others early speed so I was braking early everywhere on lap 1. Perhaps the point was proved when JonnyO booted it at the hairpin & spun out but full marks for reaction & staying still & letting us  through. When I saw team mate Clutch was 2nd I felt better as I knew he wouldn't jeapordise our positions with a reckless challenge. Watched Pribluda & gradually built a lead but it was obvious a real battle was going on with Clutch, Dave Rainer & Bernie reduced to 2 when Clutch had an off. Well done the podium & comiserations to everyone else.
Norm H

Grats to the podium of Norm, Bernie and Dave. Also to all those who finished.

At the start of lap 2 I lost my internet connection, apologies if my disco hindered anyone. Also Sorry to Sky for our coming together at the Masta in qualy. Having got hold of a tow from Fabio in my coughing Cooper it was my best shot at a decent lap time. I hope you understand why I did not back off to let you pass. Great pole time by the way and sorry you could not convert it into a race win.

Spa in a Cooper was always going to be a long night so the early bath came as something of a relief, but I was frustrated and annoyed with myself. However, compared to Gareth who could not even connect I cannot complain. I hope you get sorted for the next race. See you all at Riverside.

A wooden medal within three and a half second from the bronze one in my first intermediate race... :taz:

Jokes apart, I like Spa and I had some time to practice before the race: I tried several cars but then I chose to get back in my old an reliable Italian red car.

I have only to complain with someone that made a Grosjean-like start throwing me against the right wall entering Eau Rouge: luckyly I hadn't any damage but I had to re-start from the back of the fields. :cursing:

Anyway, it was a nice race, even if I spent alone the most of it.

Grats to the podium, to everybody raced and to the race organization!

See you all at Riverside in the sunny California!

Glad to see my main competetors in the champ stading all scoring good points  :censored:
Real shame as i like spa and i'm sure i would have been at the sharp end.
still no idea of prob other than its a fresh install on an laptop, will be back to normal on old computer for riverside.

Mod published