After the forum discussion about “grooves” etc in the past few days and the alien lap times being discussed…….I mean, who with human DNA can do sub 3:16’s!!!.
To add to my misery, I made the mistake of looking up some Honda setups for Spa on the track database to give me an idea as to what lap times are achievable with the whale, only to discover that some weirdo’s can do 3:14’s and below with Nippon’s finest!!!!
I confess that seeing times some 7-8 secs faster than I was getting made me feel like retiring. I was on the ragged edge through most corners and the rev counter was against the stop down the straights.
Installing the WR groove made little difference as the line was just about what I was doing anyway.
So, what makes the 7+ seconds difference?
Frankly, I would be happy with 3 secs faster!!
At this point I have to confess to what is a cardinal sin and cheating in my book!! I downloaded the Honda setup of James Dayjur, in a desperate attempt to find an answer, rather than persevering with my own development.
Although it was no quicker ( certainly not 3:14 material in my hands!!) it was much more stable through Malmedy where my setup frequently lost the rear end.
Some minor adjustments to JD’s setup gave me a solid feeling chassis, although I was a little concerned that the engine revs were right on the limit at the ends of the straights, but if it works for James then it must be ok for me ?? ( maybe!!).
After all this swapping of files etc I had only gained about 0.5 secs, which was probably down to running more laps than any great technological breakthrough. So, I gave up trying to master Spa and went to watch the TV !! bah humbug!!
I returned just in time for the start of the race, really not expecting to a) qualify well or b) even finish the race.
The first few qually attempts merely served to confirm my worst fears, with trips into the undergrowth and scenery, usually on 3 wheels. Eventually I said “sod it!” dumped a load of fuel and went for a banzai, sh*t or bust lap and was amazed to squeak a sub 3:20 lap. OK, it was only 0.2 secs below 3:20 but in my book that was a success!!!
Still almost back of the grid with a sea of Eagles and Lotii in front..hmmmmm. not looking too good.
My only hope was a mass suicide at Eau Rouge lap 1, so I held back at the start only to be disappointed as all the aliens went through unscathed.
The race was fun and the engine held out to complete the race. Despite a race long swapping of places with Phil’s Lotus and some slipstreaming, I still did not break into the sub 3:20’s in race trim but had great fun.
The only thing I learned following a Lotus and an Eagle at various points in the race is that perhaps I am a fraction slower through each corner than they were which adds up to a few seconds by the end of the lap.
Ironically I seemed to be faster through Masta than any other car I followed which is where I thought I would lose time??!!
Grats to Ken John and Mike I will have to ( a first for me) study the replay and try and identify where I’m losing out at Spa, because this circuit is becoming a pain in the neck for me.
