SimRacing.org.uk

The season reaches its conclusion at Road America near Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin. This track is one of North America's finest road racing venues, with a challenging mix of corners and undulations. A fitting place to settle the championship battle, which has tightened up in the last two rounds with Phil Thornton and Dave Rainier eating into long-time leader Ross Neilson's advantage. In the teams' standings Antipasti have a solid lead but could still be beaten by Clark-Hill.

Race list	iGOR
Server	UKGPL_T72
IP address	62.149.202.168
Date	29-04-2012
Race time	Race starts at 21:30 UK time
Qualifying time	Between 30 and 60 minutes, starting no later than 21:00 UK time
Track	Road America (http://srmz.net/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=16125)
Mod	67
Damage model	INT
Race length	22 laps
Replay	Available here (ftp://ukgpl3.dyndns.org/replays/Archive/Season22/Grads_Privs/S22_Grads_Privs_R10_2012_04_29_RoadAmerica.rar)

Reserve drivers please note; you must leave the server with 35 minutes of qualifying left, for a total of 5 minutes, to allow full timers to join.

The red zone will be fully moderated for lap 1 only. For this event the red zone will be from the start line to the exit of turn 5 (the corner before Hurry Downs straight). Other moderation will be on reported incidents only.

The chassis token system is explained on the Privateers (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=336&theme=6) standings page. Please ensure you choose a chassis that is within your budget, which can be seen by hovering the mouse over your points total in the standings.

Thanks to a partial BREASTS session the other night,  I'm now aware that Road America is NOT Road Atlanta!  (hey, surely an easy mistake to make...).     Also experienced what I believe to be my first/only GPL Crash To Desktop so far...

So, have track now,  but it does not look good at all!   I swear the number of corners per lap is random & they also change order.  There again I have an attention time of a. I'm sure some laps there are a couple of secret corners that pop up from time to time and they collectively change order.    From some background reading it appears this track is something to behold, hmm...

Also seems that Monaco has more run off!   Maybe if I pootle around in 2nd gear,  half the field will be missing a front wheel by lap 3 :)

In short, oh dear!   

Here endeth the ramble.

Cheers,
Dave.

Lol !

Remember the old saying .....


No pain = No gain  ;D

Have to admit this track drives me nuts too , think I will be adopting my favourite driving position , bucket seat swopped for armchair & picnic hamper ( plenty of pies )  ;)

as for gears , never saw the point in a whole box full of 'em when 3 is just fine , maybe use auto change mode for this one  ::)

Well, the track is not that hard... the problem is, that the groove is absolutely uselles, and you have to search for some track objects to use as brake markers... but these are definetly lacking. In turn 1, you have ot brake way before you see the brake patch on the ground (about 100 meters after the pit wall), because if you rely on the groove, you go off... also in turn 5 (the one after the fast right\left) you have to brake about 50 meters before the brake patch. The other corners are so-so ok, but dont rely on the groove to find your racing line...

If someone has a .cln of the track, something might be done about it... but i couldnt find .cln.  

edit: seems someone already searched for cln...and it can't be done, because it's a converted track. Oh well, we will drive it like that I guess.

Fuel load could be a problem ? or is it just me that shows gas for 999 laps  :o

No matter how little or much fuel is in the tank it stays the same  :laugh:

@Sky the track is converted from IndyCar Racing II rather than being built from scratch, so the brake markers are OK for late late 90s IndyCars but useless for 1967 Grand Prix cars. I find turn 1 the hardest as you've got that small crest in the road just as you approach the braking zone which leaves you a little unsighted.

I enquired on SRMZ about a cln but there is none, and as you stated you can't make them for converted tracks. It was my choice to put this track on the schedule as I think it's layout is great, but the poor groove, graphics and brake markers would put me off other converted tracks in future.

@Bernie I did a 12 lap run in the Ferrari earlier and used 8.7 gallons so I reckon 17 gallons should cover it, depending on chassis chosen and driving style of course :)

Ta Ross , best start saving me pocket money for all that gas then  ;D

Had a rather busy week & no opportunity to download let alone practice this one. From the feedback above I reckon my race wouldn't last more than a couple laps even if I had learnt the track. Shame to miss the last race.
Best of luck for those that do make the grid - especially Dave who has the chance to win Black Night a drivers championship.

Bernie - the first zip from the linked thread has a broken .ini or something... read the posts and you will see. download the zip later on, on the second page I think.

Found a lap of about 2m16s ish in the (I assume) 67 Brabby (cant read the small print ) looks like some track updates I dont have either  :)


Looks a lot different here ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRlcOnccfgg&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRlcOnccfgg&feature=related)

Best of luck everyone....I won't be fronting for this one. Had my fill of GPL for this season. Plan your drive, and drive your plan Ross..;)

Don't make a stranger of yourself Geoff!

The Gundy demands your presence Geoff, to overtake the Pasti boys in the teams' battle ;)

My connection caused a problem in Tuesday's 65 race, for contender David, so I'll not risk causing a championship knockout at Road America.  This Pasti won't be overcooking it, tonight. :-\

Opps, I'd forgotten all about this race.  Better get some praccy in!!!

I see the replay looks to be available for download,  but that link is not working for me.  Anyone else having the same issue?
[just wanted to see how it turns out, so I know if it's worth turning up or not...;) ]

Cheers,
Dave.

Dave it will only be uploaded after the race  :)

Having a bit of trouble with chat in IGOR.  I can't see the UKGPL chatroom and I can't see the server either  :(

Thankfully the server appeared ;D.

Like Dave I didn't realize this was a new track, I too had assumed it was Road Atlanta ::).  Downloaded it with half an hour to go and set about learning the track.  It took a while because some of the corners look very similar.  I took it easy in qually and just tried to learn the track and gradually speed up.  I ended up 7th on the grid a long way behind Ross who set a stunning pole time. 

Got a good start and picked up a couple of places on the way down to turn 1.  We had a decent freight train going and I managed to pick up a few more places as people spun off in various places.  I had my own fair share of spins but thankfully my car didn't get badly damaged so I didn't have to use my shift-R safety net.  At the end of the race I had a battle with Hendy who was working miracles in the BRM.  I finally got into second place after Hendy went wide on one of the tight left handers.  There was no way to catch Ross he was miles ahead.

Grats to Ross on a fine win and a well deserved championship (moderating pending but I'm sure there will be no problem with that).

This season has been one of the most competitive I've raced in, really great fun with some very fair driving and great performances.  Any one of a dozen drivers could have won but I think the best man came out on top in the end. 

Looking forward to another season in the privateers.  Oh, and I hope this track remains on the calendar, I really like it ;)

Sorry everyone for the late start, we had some technical issues. Many thanks to Fulvio for helping me out and ensuring the event went ahead only a few minutes late.

As for the race itself I have to admit to being very nervous early on in qualifying, that probably sounds silly but I've lost a title battle at the last round before and didn't want do so again. Once I settled down it became clear I had a reasonable pace advantage over the pack who were not as familiar with the track as me.

I got away cleanly from pole but was being conservative on cold tyres and let Allan past at Canada Corner on the first lap, he was looking pretty quick in the Brabham at that point and I didn't want an accident. After Allan went off I had a small gap back to Hendy and concentrated on consolidating that. From there it was a lonely run to the finish and a case of keeping my concentration.

I'm delighted to win the series overall especially as Dave and Phil have challenged all the way to the end. Not sure what plans I have for next season yet but I hope to be racing both of you again somewhere or other.

The last race for me was a fight with Darwin but a fight to the last error between us.Unfortunately the last error was mine and at the last curve. :(
There is in program a Season with the F2 mod?

Well, glad I was not the only one;  although rocking up at the download site 30mins beforehand really is showing off!


I was somewhat surprised to have found myself 5th after practice/qually.  That was surely not going to last long!  Then inheriting 3rd - that REALLY was not going to last long!  It didn't either; pop went the engine on lap 3.

So maybe that was the advanced damage model :) punishing me for early downshifts/poor 'technique' generally.

So after a reset, was back down in more familiar position of 10th, then 11th after stop'n'go.

I then tried to drive it as if I had bought it with my own money [privs, right?!]  &  running it in.   However, I still managed to damage every corner of the car;  was surprised that one of the many contacts did not take a wheel off.  From offline practice,  it seemed as if any minor brushing of scenery resulted in one of them popping off.

Was then a case of trying to get to the finish & [admittedly, not very sportsman-like!]  maybe I'd pick up a bunch of places due to retirements.  Didn't happen in the end - maybe I was expecting others to drive like me!  So was unable sneak by Geoff at the end of the season.

From lap3,  it was quite lonely at the back of the runners until the end. Still enjoyable all the same.


Actually, after running at an event here - I also quite like this track!

Just curious - does anyone else get the green barrier thing in the distance?  By the time I get nearer to a corner,  the textures are applied,  but prior to that barriers in the distance are just green.   Not aware of seeing this anywhere else.  Maybe because of the converted-ness of this track;  or maybe it's just my machine...


Cheers all for the run.  Congrats to the podium & the season champion!
Dave.

Well done Phil! The first pass I figured you would make a mistake eventually if I just stayed close enough. But at the very end there I couldn't keep it together enough to hold my position. Great climb for you 7th to 2nd!

Are the final standings calculated anywhere?

Maybe next season I will use the Honda.

Downloaded the track a few days ago and had a pracy in the Brab, as that's all I could afford.  Started in the 2.25s but got that down to a 2 15 03.   Did five laps in Qually with a best of 2 15 04.  good enough for third. Then did one lap on a full tank to see what it was like.  Retired to the pits with about ten minutes left to let my heart rate recover before the start.   I got good traction off the line and passed Hendy before turn 1.  I was catching Ross fast but as he was hugging the inside line,  I didn't think it a wise move to try and run round the outside on lap 1 with cold tyres so I backed off and followed him until the end of the lap when I got a good run through the Kettle Bottom and dived down the inside into Canada.   I managed to make that stick and was a second clear as we crossed the line to start Lap 2.   I was just getting into a nice rythm when at the end of the lap, I must have turned in a little too aggressively at the last corner leading onto the pit straight.  The back end came out, I put on full opposite lock, expecting to be able to catch it easily but it stubbornly refused to come back and I very very slowly spun.  By the time I had collected it and got away again, Phil and Dave Curtis had gone through.  I set out after them.   Dave's engine let go on the long run out of turn 3 and I was past him back up to 3rd and closing on Phil.  Hendy was now on my tail so I pushed on getting a good run down to Canada and nipped down the inside of Phil's Ferrari.  I thought he would draft past me again on the pit straight but he wasn't quite close enough.  Back up to 2nd.    At the start of Lap 5, I was only 3 seconds behind Ross so I think he must have had a moment somewhere.   I tried very hard to catch him.  Phil had a quick spin going into Canada which gave me a little respite but then I got it slightly out of line, again, going into the last corner.  The tail end wasn't out very far but again it refused to come back.  I spun, without hitting anything but as I tried to spin turn to get it pointing in the right direction, the front right wheel fell off.   I had to reset and Hendy, Phil and Skymole went past.  I dived into the pits and took my S&G but not before Dave R, Bernie and Fabio had gone past.  Back to 8th.  Nothing daunted, I set out after them.  Fabio ran wide at the right hander before the 'chevy bridge' and then ran wide after the bridge and I was through to 7th.     At the start of Lap 7, I was 5 seconds behind Bernie and 10 seconds behind Dave.    Bernie ran wide on the left hander going down the hill before the Carousel and I was through to 6th.   Our battle had reduced the gap to Dave which was down to 4 seconds at the start of Lap 10.  Lap 11 it was down to 3 seconds .  Lap 12, 1 second.  Dave had caught Skymole in the Honda and coming out of turn 1, Skymole got into a 'Tank slapper' under accelertion and spun off.  (5th).  I was now right on Dave's tail. I got a good drive out of the Carousel and nipped down the inside into the next right hander but Dave wasn't giving it to me that easily and came round with me on the outside.  We went down the straight side by side but he had the inside line for the next Left hander and I couldn't see us both getting through there flat out in top gear and he was slightly ahead so I backed off a bit.   I got good traction out of the last corner onto the pit straight and drafted past but then went too deep into turn 1 and, while I was collecting it, Dave slipped through on the inside and I had to follow him for the rest of the Lap.  I was just about in his slipstream on the Pit straight and he was on the left so I couldn't resist the temptaion to have a dive down the inside into turn 1.   Couldn't get it slowed down enough and slid wide on the grass on the outside and had a quick spin. I was away again thinking that Dave was now way up the road ahead of me and it wasn't until I had a glance at my pit board a lap or two later that I realised that I was ahead of him.   Having looked at the replay I think he was probably distracted watching me make a mess of it and went off himself.  We didn't make contact as far as I can see.
     Coming out of turn 3 on Lap 16, in 4th place, my engine let go and as I had already had a S&G, I pulled over and retired.   
 A bit disappointing after some great racing.  I very rarely drive the Brabham.  I had the same type of spin at the last corner in practice so I should have known that it gets a bit 'tail happy' there.   I am left reflecting on what might have been if I'd taken the last corner with a bit more care.
     Really enjoyed racing with you guys.   Hope to be back for more if my heart will stand it.
Allan

Well, next season it might be a good idea to try to focus on only one car... because lately i find that I dont know well enough any of them. They still give me nasty surprises, like the steering of eagle getting really "light" after slight bumps, and that wierd power oversteer that goes the other way around in the honda and brm... also the inevitable swap of sides after certain angle in honda and braby.

Anyway, I dont regret for picking honda, because she has sturdy enough suspension to handle alot of abuse and wall hitting... exacly what I needed for track like that.

Well done taking the championship Ross - against some very good competition.

Yes, here (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=336&theme=6)

Yep, congratulations to Mr Neilson for taking his first and long overdue championship. And clinched in some style too, well done!  :thumbup2:

They are only final when moderation occurs - if Phil can organise a late DQ for Ross he'd take the championship... now who is moderating this one?  ;D

WD Ross.  :)

Never quite got the hang of this track , I was hoping to do better but with no benchmark times to aim at my heart sank when I saw the qually times posted by the front runners , way out of reach leaving me well off the pace . Pretty sure now after watching the replay where I was losing big chunks of time .

Highlight of the race was the late battle with Francesco , not sure which of us crashed out the most times as we passed and re passed each other but as he says above I had the good fortune to be the last man standing

Congrats to champion Ross and big thanks to the admins and mods for organising the series , looking forward to the next  :)

Congratulations to Ross for his well deserved championship, 5 wins for 10 races !!
Grats to Phil for his 2nd position.
I am also really admirative when i see Hendy Nichols racing 10 times with the BRM  :o

from my side, I was easy only on the Papyrus tracks (win in Mosport and Rouen, 2nd in Nurburgring, 4th on the Glen where I had bad luck with backmarkers), the other tracks were too difficult for me.   

Is there any rules for next season ? for example the 3 first should now race with the Works ? or is it free ?

If you send me a ten pound note (in plane brown envelope )  I will get you a works drive for next season , guarenteed  8)

There is no forced promotion or relegation but the membership seems to like the idea so we may 'suggest' to some drivers that they may like to consider their division. It partly depends on who is registered. There are obviously four candidates who might fancy a crack at Works but who would come down? That is a bit trickier.

You ought to prepare for a season with the big boys Dave...

Mod published. Thanks to everyone for taking part this season.

A look at the results shows Sky was qualifying king with four poles but couldn't convert any into a win; Hendy was the most improved driver and Dave Curtis is the Privateers' "Rookie of the Year".

Monza, Spa, Zandvoort and Silverstone are likely to be the four Papyrus tracks we run next season. If anyone has any feedback on tracks or anything else then please let me know. See you in Season 23.

Them 4 pappies are fine by me  ;)

Plus

How's about we try a touch of 'Costa Brava'  in the form of Barcelona's excellent Mont Juich track  8)

It's a brilliant track Bernie, I think I considered it for this season but, if my memory is correct, it's had some problems in online racing.

However it might be worth a test race sometime if we can get enough people to volunteer.

I think the problem with Montjuich is that is very graphically rich and can cause issues on the server. Worth a go though, it is a lovely track.

So Mt Juich is officially proposed and seconded   ;D

Well, it might be worth a try at some breast race... but that is the only track where i can achieve sub-10 fps, and there are not exacly too many straights neither...

I dont see how it can be any worse than some other tracks we use e.g. Monaco which doesnt have straight worth speaking of

Could you try reducing detail,  or lower the draw ahead distance some ?

Or maybe there is a light version available for them with slow 'ish PC's / GPU's whatever ?


 ::) ::) ::)

Looks like there are lite/standard/hi-res versions available as well as a server-only implementation. 
So maybe there is something for everyone!

Although,  it looks as though a degree of homework would be required for that location!

Cheers,
Dave.

Thanks Dave, not got around to looking at this yet but will do so this week and set up a fun race if it looks like a runner.