UKGTL Season 7 - Paul Ricard - Apr 2

[ginsters sponsored]

hmmmm.. game is full...
any change of enlarging field next time?
 

Always sad to hear anyone missed out :'( I do believe that GTL gets unstable hosting above 26 but I will confirm that Alex. Maybe we will have to look at registering for next season, which at least is a nice position to be in.

[baracus250gt]

Talk about eyes on stalks! I think I tested myself a bit too much this time! Had a really dire qualifying. Just couldn't get the left bend that goes onto the long straight right at all. It only really clicked in lap 8 of the race so I was loosing a bag full of laptime every lap there.

It was a real fun race tho! Went from 17 to 8 on lap 1 somehow but then threw it into the gravel at the end of lap 2 I think, dropping right back to where i came from! Climbed back up again and managed to hook myself onto the train led by PR in P7 I think but I kept ballsing that kink up again once in a while and did an elastic band type affair for the rest of the lap. Started getting really close between the group and we started mingling and shuffling positions but the pressure got too much for me! Ran wide on the tightening right and... start again!

Lost my front spoiler on lap 16 but it didn't really slow me down too much which I guess shows how poor my driving was! Zero practice = way too many (stupid) errors / couldn't memorize the track well and too far back brake bias. Sorry if I scared anyone!

Great racing as always

    

[LigelC]

I probably owe Alex an apology for taking up the last position for tonights race.  I waited until 8:15pm before joining to try and avoid what has happened.

Also sorry to hear so many didn't enjoy the race - personally I had a 'ball', fantastic fun at the back of the field thanks to all those who hung around for me      Only complaint I have is that everyone who dropped out seemed to be behind me - would much prefer it if they were in front as then I could pick up some positions 

Congratulations to the podium and thanks to everyone there,  Hope to join you next time if there is room.

Laurie

[Samb]

A really enjoyable race - particullaly the race long battle with Mr Oily and Ginsters. It's just a shame I messed up the start, otherwise I reckon I could have finished 2nd. I qualified, to my mind, and amazing 4th and saw the front row get away slowly so I went for the inside line between the two cars. Sadly Steve had the same idea and we bumped into each other, losing speed in the process. After that I was swarmed by cars and dropped a few places, just missing a collision right infront of me. By the end of the first lap, I was in 5th about to enjoy a titanic battle between me, Mr Oily and Ginsters.

The nimble Escort was more than a match for the Corvette round the corners and under braking but the damn thing kept blasting past us on the straight! It certainly kept the racing close  . After a few laps, eventually, Ginsters ran wide into the gravel and the battle was down to me and Mr Oily. We enjoyed a hard fought but very fair battle with each other. Even when Mr Oily gave me the lightest of taps into the gravel, he slowed and waited for me. A big thank you although you really shouldn't have  . Eventually he ran wide when battling with Ade a few car lengths ahead, so I battled with Ade, passed him and proceded to lock on to Steve in 2nd. Steve's tyres must have been shot at the end of the race as I was catching him at a rate of 2 seconds a lap. Sadly the race ended when I was about a second behind.

So overall, a bit of a missed opportunity but this was by far the most enjoyable GTL race I've had so far. At least I bagged my first podium of the season after the misery of the Nurburgring. It's taken me a while to get used to these cars after being so used to sliding about and 4 wheel drifting in GPL but I feel I'm beginning to get on top of things. See you all at the next one.

[ginsters sponsored]

Brilliant fun that

Pretty decent quali but must admit I didn't panic as I knew the POWER might come in handy at start. Sure enough, Steve and I led by end of lap 1. Go team Vette I thought I would help out my teamy for the night by holding up as many as I could after that. To be honest, Dan was way too fast and soon scooted past. However Sam, Oily and Ade didn't find it so easy. GTL nirvana for 10 or so laps as I held them up through corners when I could and a few of them took there chances when offered a pass, only to be mullered on the straight time after time. Suspect it was harder to follow that barge without clattering than to drive it, so hats off to you gents for some close but clean stuff. That said, I may report the two escort buddies who spread out and tried to block my path on straight Shame I ruined the fun by looking at a backmarker and my mirrors and missing a ruddy corner but you were prolly glad to see the back of me by then.

Sorry to hear comments about start again. We all have a responsibility to do better in final two races and sure we will. Congrats to Dan, Steve and Sam.

 

[Minton]

Just to say sorry guys for causing the first turn melee.

At this time I'm seriously considering not racing any more in Season 7, I just seem to cause accidents. So probably cya in Season 8.

I wouldnt worry about it too much Geoffers , dont stop racing coz of it .



Finally got into the 2.06's on qually on a lap which didnt feel that quick to be honest.
My  start was terrible could have done better in my Citreon Berlingo van and got swamped by 6 0r 7 cars,   Managed to get past Steve and SBG on lap 2 and started to pull away but was getting very low fps and went off which let Steve through.
Was blinded for a few laps by Steves smoke screen    but managed to pull out a gap and bring it home for the win.  Respect to Steve for never giving up and hustling that Vette round with masses of understeer ! 

Cheers

[pribeiro]

Well...my #32 post wasn't wrong...

Geoffers, c'mon mate, we all had or can have a "black serie". I remember myself about one year ago,
i messed a couple of races aswell. You are a good and clean driver. Cheer up and come back here
for the last races. 

Qualified 8th, finished 8th 
For a while i managed to stick to the first 6 guys (after gaining a position), that was very fun.
Made a big mistake on the second right hander after the big straight going to the sand 
took 10 seconds to get out of there 
On lap 10 my front tires gone,  did a couple of minor mistakes which made me lost another place.
Chosed a stiff setup to the CSL, was nice to the fast corners but not so good on the slowest one and once more i have not the acceleration and top speed as most of you all. 
And theres nothing to do with the gear box (some tracks the setup is obvious for all and these cars
don't have much to change, unless the Porsches). A bit frustrating undoubtadly! 

Fantastic track 
Thanks for the 70's and 80's track layout choice SBG, excellent.

What a pace Dan, congratulations, well deserved win.
Well done to podium and to all finishers.

Cheers

[BillThomas]

Not a good event for me I just couldn't handle the lack of grip.  I tried all the cars available and the least trouble was the Escort.  Qualifying was no better - 12 seconds down on the pace.  Made a reasonable start and got up to 18th I think due to people going off.  Then I had my first off at the right hander after the long straight.  Had a couple of battles with drivers experiencing the same problem, by lap 6 it felt like driving on hail stones.  After a number of offs I had a bad  one  on lap 7, damaging the suspension and was quite happy to retire.

Bill

[Blunder]

Errm, mixed feelings so not sure where to start!

Because I knew I couldn't make next weeks race, I was desperate to do well last night!
Qualified 14th in the lovely Vette! Never thought I'd say that !! Now a big fan!
Awesome start and was up to 4th in the first corner but unfortunately Geoffers' little problem took me out.
Carried on in next to last place and played catch up!
Got up to 11th but then stupidly had to stop for fuel!! and then accedentally fitted tyres too !  :'(

Couple of comments!

Mike Cook - Dont worry about the contact, I was slow through the esses! 

Geoffers - Appreciate the PM, frustrated at the time but will get over it! We've all done it and no doubt I will do it myself again!
As long as you learn with each incident then no one will complain. Don't give up buddy, expect to see you at the next 2 !! 

M.

[Geoffers]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Dan & PR. I was really p****d off with myself last night, as it was the third online race in a row I had taken someone out on the first lap & I am starting to get a complex about it. I've cheered up a bit this morning & as I have a couple of other GTL races before next week's event, I will see how they go before I make any descisions.

[Alex vV]

hmmmm.. game is full...
any change of enlarging field next time?
 

Always sad to hear anyone missed out :'( I do believe that GTL gets unstable hosting above 26 but I will confirm that Alex. Maybe we will have to look at registering for next season, which at least is a nice position to be in.

Thanks sbg. Virtual Historic Racing seems to become quite popular..
Hope we won't have to resort to registering. Always like the open/clubmans feel so new drivers (like I was one year ago) are encouraged to take part.. perhaps PnG can handle a larger starting grid ?

I probably owe Alex an apology for taking up the last position for tonight's race.  I waited until 8:15pm before joining to try and avoid what has happened.

No apologies needed Ligel. You have as much 'right' on a grid position as I have and I am sure that you have taken up my usual role as a gentleman driver with glory 

Hope to see you en Dijon et Le Mans.

Au revoir!

[mr_oily]

First off - Geoffers, cheer up son - don't even think about it! As Martin says, happens to all of us...I've just come through a pretty hideous spell myself but it happens and you'd be missed on the grid so stop talking crazy.

Fantastic race, totally summed up why I do this each week - fast and furious racing in close quarters but with trust in the others not to try anything (too) nutty! Loads of position swapping and a good ol' handling vs. power battle with Ginsters (wasn't actually pleased to see back of ya at all as it goes!), Samb, Ade and more. A real shame I clipped you Sam (sorry bud!), didn't actually feel anything at all but i saw the dust cloud and realised it was probably me. Besides, was enjoying the racing and would have been a shame to cut it short!

Minton, I agree with Ross, you're obviously a machine with that qually pace - well done Steve, a brave one taking the Vette and grats Sam, well deserved.

Excellent drive from Mr. Spanner so also a handful of points in the Prodigy bag woohoo, Team Oldie this means war!

[Legzy]

Team Oldie this means war!

I saw that you Prodigy ladies closed the gap last night. As we Oldie's managed to score zero points, despite our whole squad turning up.
A more normal service will be resumed at Dijon. Three words mate:

Just bring it.   

[paulwbird]

A most enjoyable race, and I didn't get lapped which was a real bonus.  Qualified in 18th or so so could only just see the starting lights, made a steady getaway, someone must have had a nitrous system fitted to their escort as a lime green projectile came hurtling past my Beemer.  Made good progress mostly by lapping consistently without falling off up to 13th.  Made a stupid mistake spinning in the twisty section but got back into my rhythm after this ending up in my best placing for a UKGTL race.  Was very pleased to get the race finished message though.

Congrats to all the other finishers and podium.

Diki

[ginsters sponsored]

Imagine a similar car choice around Crystal Palace  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY5zdnGvT0c 

I need a 5ltr Camaro in my GTL/PnG life.