UKGPL Season 19 (2010) Graduates Cup (67) - Mosport - Jun 6

[b_1_rd]

Shocking race for me.  I had some setup issues which me left me changing to an unfamiler setup just before the race.

Had a couple of incidents early on.  L1 I tagged Rick at the hairpin, which I think he managed to control and got away ok, I was also hit myslef and it spun me around but jut a racing incident so no big issue with it.  Also had a small coming together with Ronnie (I think) when he partially lost control at the top of the hill into the hairpin and I made a meal of a recovery to the track which held me up again! About half a million errors later I got home a lap down in 9th!

Never mind! Live and learn.

[vosblod]

Main issue here seems to be about running mixed grids. I can see pros and cons but probably best to pick that up on the Mid Season review thread.

I agree two sides to this one both with valid points.
Anyway something to be looked at prior to next season but I am keen to encourage as many as possible to participate hence the creation of Works and Privateers.
Whatever we decide (big grids with everyone v small grids with similar ability), I think the criteria needs to be start in the Novices unless/until you can get round in the 67's safely regardless of your speed. That's not to say you have to be perfect and never make mistakes, if it was I wouldn't be participating 

[Rick Nauman]

Finally had a decent race in the Works division after some DNFs and no-shows.  Didn't qualy as well as I should have but same for everyone... blah blah.  Had a good start and was in the parade leading into Moss.  Lost one spot to Vos in the scrum there but he graciously let me pass shortly thereafter.  Actually let me by twice after I botched the right after the back straight.  Was then in P6 trailing the threesome of Al, Pod and Phil at about 8 seconds.  Closed it to 4 sec when Phil had an off.  Rest of the race was me and Phil trading offs and positions.  I think the score was 3 to 2 in my favor and so I ended up ahead in P5 with about 5 to go.  Finished the race in P5.  Happy enough just to see the checkers.

I agree the split divisions are a problem.  I was irate after Monaco.  In this race most of my passes of back markers or privateers were OK although a couple could have ended badly.  But I'm on the side of finding a way to not combine the grids.  I also can see that some of the privateers are at or not too far from works caliber and have a lot of experience.  If we draw the line properly maybe only a small handful of 67 newbies would be left behind and the works ranks will not be too small to have some exciting and competitive races.  Those newbies could then hone their 67 skills off line.  After all the shortcoming is, in my estimation, mostly one of car control and confidence.  On line racing experience by these drivers could be gained at the same time by racing the small but matched competition remaining in the privateers or a 65 division.

Just my 2 cents.. or should that be 2 pence?

[bernie]

The 65 cars are not a good training ground for 67's IMO .

65's are very easily controllable plus the 65 collision model allows much closer racing than with the 67's

It is the responsibilty of those doing the overtaking to decide where and when a clean pass can be made . The person being lapped should keep to the normal racing line and apply the brakes as normalfor a corner .

Can help by lifting off on the next straight

Any sudden moves , early braking , swerving to the side to "help" the following car can only confuse those trying to overtake , cos they cant read YOUR thoughts and they aint PHSYCIC ( that includes me) 

 

[Ronniepeterson]

Two grids, one grid, I don't care as long as I get to race 67 cars. Any suggestion that people should stick to 65 cars or worse still be banished to offline racing sound a little elitist to me.

Hopefully there are enough for two grids in the future but when it is one grid surely the Works drivers don't expect people to just pull over for them do they?? We are meant to be racing after all. Stellar drive by Hristo by the way, was that Honda turbo charged!!

On the subject of that coming together Al. Its was the last place I expected you to make a pass. I saw you come along side but by then I was commited to my line, sorry. Neither of us meant to make contact, I'm sure. Sorry if I prevented a higher finish for you. Honest, I was gonna let you thru on the back straight that lap as you were clearly faster and I was only going to hold us both up with you behind me.

[Al Heller]

On the subject of that coming together Al. Its was the last place I expected you to make a pass. I saw you come along side but by then I was commited to my line, sorry. Neither of us meant to make contact, I'm sure. Sorry if I prevented a higher finish for you. Honest, I was gonna let you thru on the back straight that lap as you were clearly faster and I was only going to hold us both up with you behind me.

Yes I'm sorry about that too Ronnie - hopefully you agree that it was a racing incident. It was almost a carbon-copy of an incident I had at a pre-season fun race at Zandvoort but that time I was in your position so I understand both viewpoints now . As I say, I was pleased that you were able to continue & grab a well-deserved Privateers win as you were right on the pace. I got off scot-free with no damage & no delay so it didn't have any effect on my race.

I do wish GPL had more peripheral vision though as in real-life racing you'd have spotted me coming up the inside. I wouldn't normally have tried it there but I'd been looking for a way past for a few laps & was under increasing pressure from the guys closing up behind. Then you went very wide on the exit of T2 so that gave me the chance to pull alongside into a nice big gap but unfortunately that disappeared when you turned in. Obviously I didn't know you were planning to let me through later but Ronnie there's no rule that says you have to let any Works guys past... as you say we are racing .

[Hristo Itchov]

I do wish GPL had more peripheral vision

You can always increase the Field of View (FoV) above the default 78 and get to see more on the sides of your cockpit, but I find it hardly drivable.

[Al Heller]

I do wish GPL had more peripheral vision

You can always increase the Field of View (FoV) above the default 78 and get to see more on the sides of your cockpit, but I find it hardly drivable.

Hmmm thanks, I didn't realise you could do that - might have to have a look. As you say though, might be difficult to adapt to it after so long using the default setting.

[Doni Yourth]

Get the utility, GPLShift.  It gives you 45° & 122° Look Left/Right views on a G25.  It's saved my bacon any number of times.

[Rick Nauman]

Any suggestion that people should stick to 65 cars or worse still be banished to offline racing sound a little elitist to me.

Elitist?  Really?  The suggestion to gain online skill in an easier chassis or junior division while you hone your 67 skills practicing off line can hardly be called banishment.  What's wrong with gaining a minimum 67 skill level before jumping into competition with upper level and mid level veterans?  I spent over a year of intense off line practice before I ever thought of joining a league, or even knew there were leagues.

Elitist?... I'm trying to think of a label for the other side of this coin.  What's the opposite of courteous?

...surely the Works drivers don't expect people to just pull over for them do they?? We are meant to be racing after all.

Your skill level is quite high (obviously deserving of a works ride, IMO) and trying to get around you can be great fun... for a while.  But if you're preventing a driver in the other "race" from gaining on the the guy he is actually in competition with then the answer seems obvious.

[bernie]

What's the opposite of courteous?

I could tell you , but it would be discourteous of me to say 

[Hristo Itchov]

the Works drivers don't expect people to just pull over for them do they?? We are meant to be racing after all

It's exactly the opposite that I'm asking for, I want to see drivers keep their regular pace, not panic when there's a car in their mirrors or around them, not brake suddenly and move to the side abruptly and unexpectedly, not throw themselves off into the gravel/grass to make way, not cruise on straights to let someone by, etc. etc. etc.

Apart from that, I would like to see some threshold for speed difference. I'm sorry, but you can't have people who are 10 seconds off the pace and going 50 km/h slower in corners than others race together. It just doesn't work and it only brings frustration. Neither side learns or gains anything. From that point of view bigger grids are irrelevant.

I've spent 2 years offline playing GPL before I ever raced online and it paid off. I'm not asking for people to repeat this, but there are pick up races, there are newbie divisions, there are AI races even. Until someone feels comfortable and consistent enough, it's unrealistic to put them into a division such as D1/Graduates.

[Rick Nauman]

I could tell you , but it would be discourteous of me to say 

    I had a few stronger words in mind.

[Ronniepeterson]

Sorry if I upset anyone, I just have a different opinion on racing and speed trials and which one belongs offline. I'm not saying I'm right or wrong its just my opinion. I have no wish to get involved in a slanging match. Think what you want.

[Statmeister]

Results from round 6. Interestingly all 8 Works drivers that started the race made it to the finish. A perfect consistency score from Mosport would have been 180.

Privateers:


Works: