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UKGPL => UKGPL Races => Topic started by: EvilClive on April 24, 2013, 09:52:00 PM +0100



Title: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: EvilClive on April 24, 2013, 09:52:00 PM +0100
Back to a classic GT circuit for the next round of the GT championship.

Spa Francorchamps 67 ( papy) winds through the Belgian countryside and offers some unique challenges for the driver. Eau Rouge, Malmedy and Masta where both car and driver can gain time or suffer serious damage by being just slightly offline. Long straights favour the big cars but there are enough corners for the more nimble to stay in the hunt.

Remember that you will have to chose a different car for this race and by now your choice is becoming limited.

"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."


Race listiGOR
ServerTBA
IP addressTBA
Date26-04-2013
Race timeRace starts at 09:30 UK time
Qualifying timeBetween 30 and 60 minutes, starting no later than 21:00 UK time
TrackSpa Francorchamps (Papy)
ModGT
Damage modelINT (Each driver is allowed a single Shift-R)
Race length15 laps
ReplayAvailable here (ftp://ukgpl3.dyndns.org/Replays/Archive/Season23/GTs/)

  [/quote]

RED ZONE WILL BE FROM START TO EXIT OF STAVELOT ON LAP 1


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: Cookie on April 25, 2013, 09:48:29 AM +0100
UKGPL_8 will be ready at ~ 20:45 UK time for qualification, 15 laps int long mode. ;)



Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: BadBlood on April 25, 2013, 11:00:04 AM +0100
Thanks Cookie.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: EvilClive on April 25, 2013, 05:45:02 PM +0100
Thanks Axel.  ;)


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: Cookie on April 26, 2013, 04:19:01 PM +0100
Can you please define a RED ZONE...


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: bernie on April 26, 2013, 08:35:07 PM +0100
Redzone =  the area of track used by Maddog when he tries an overtake  ;D ;D ;D


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: BadBlood on April 26, 2013, 09:15:18 PM +0100
LOL


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: maddog on April 26, 2013, 10:22:51 PM +0100



                                         :taz:                   :taz:                  :taz:                 :taz:                :taz:


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: clouds on April 27, 2013, 01:30:37 PM +0100
The chaparral's festival !

These the facts:

I've came to my girlfriend's home very late and fortunately I've had the time to dnload my setups for Chap 2F from my skydrive and to install it but...the virtual mirror was not present  :P so I've had to copy the right files in the right directory and modify it on the fly with gpl track editor to reposition it just in a suitable position inside the cockpit. In 2 mins it has been done...fine ! Let's go to the circuit. 15 mins to go so theoretically it should remain only time to make 5 qualification laps. I made 3 mistakes in the first 3 laps and fortunately I made the last 2 with minor problems so I've got the pole in the last 2 laps. Honestly speaking I had my Personal Best at 3:19.26 that obviously I wasn't able to repeat in hurry.

Green flag, 1st gear in and...at T4 I've seen in the rear mirror that there was a little too much clearance between me and the 2nd place so I've thought...have I lost some important information on the Race Annuoncemet Page !?!?!?  ??? ::) :P  Is there some sort of constraint I've not considered ??? In the doubt I've slowed down letting the cars behind me to overtake during the descent to Masta. When I've seen the other drivers were far from the group just near me, I thought maybe there was nothing wrong in my start so I begun to push to make some space between me and the 2nd driver (I think he was Ronnie P) but...I've seen someone writing in the chat board "Hey What are you doing clouds ????" ...damn...there is still something bad here (I thought)! I Engaged the 2nd gear and I was waiting for the 2nd driver to overtake me again but...none behind him so...ok guys...let's start the race from here! I pushed for 2 or 3 laps in a row and then...I now could say it has been almost a lonely cruise but near the chequered flag Fulvio gave me the last big fear. While I was attempting to lap him I got distracted loosing situational awareness and I lost the brake point coming out of road just 4 corners from the finish line (the infamous Mike Parkes left hander). Fortunately the car came down from the hill by itself so I only have had to engage the 1st gear and cross the finish line, otherwise it would have been a race lost at few meters from the finish line like in the PSC championship with Tristan Bot.

See you at Spa again with the monsters.
Bye


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: Al Heller on April 27, 2013, 06:51:01 PM +0100
Well first the start... the tight grid caused me a few problems as with my field of view I couldn't see the flagman at all behind the tightly-packed wall of Chapparals ahead. At the last second I saw a tiny bit of something green move behind one of those giant rear wings & just floored it! Starting 3 abreast wasn't exactly ideal for Eau Rouge though & as we funnelled into the corner I found myself suddenly sandwiched in a pincer movement between Jonny & Axel. Sorry if there was contact Axel - I lifted off the gas & tried to leave you room as you cut in from the right, but I knew Jonny was running up my left side at the same time so I just had nowhere to go :-\. Not sure anyone was to blame for that one but nevertheless my legal team will be presenting a robust defence to the moderators!

As to the race, 4th was about as good as I could get against those Mk2F's. I inherited 3rd for a while then lost time after spinning to avoid Mark's accident at Malmedy, although I think Clive would have caught me in any case. Congrats to Sergio, Ronnie & Evil.     


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: EvilClive on April 27, 2013, 10:48:21 PM +0100
I was pleased with my PB for the 2F in qually, only to see that lap time shattered by Sergio and Sky!! I could only hope they had the benefit of some good slipstream.

The front row was a lock out for the 2F's and with the tight grid I was buttock clenching as we headed down to Eau Rouge for the first time. Even with the virtual mirror and prib on max alert I knew there were cars around that I could not see, and jumping on the brakes would only invite disaster from behind :o.
When I opened my eyes...we were on our way up to Les Coombes and there were no dents in the bodywork  ;D
I was determined to finish this race as I have made too many dumb mistakes lately, which combined with my disco problems has left me well short of points in most championships. So, I allowed a "safe" gap to develop between myself and the leading trio of 2F's as they seemed intent on exchanging paint samples very early in the race. In fact i was so focused on driving steadily that I forgot to steer and put a wheel on the grass on the first lap and had a major spin. Fortunately I manged to avoid hitting anything ( or anyone!!) hard and the car seemed to be undamaged as I rejoined having lost several places.

The next few laps were the best of my race as I picked off a few cars and closed up on Al who had audaciously taken my 3rd place whilst I was cutting the grass. I even made allowance for Al's early braking ::) and followed him for a while planning where I would pass, But then, Al being the gentleman and arborialist that he is he decided to trim the hedgerow at Malmedy. I think he was trying to make it look like a peacock?

From then on my race was very lonely except for a minor excursion when I started daydreaming. I was not going to risk everything to try and catch the leaders and I doubt I could have closed the gap anyway given the pace that they were running at. So I trundled round to pick up the small bottle of champagne and the bronze medal..... and some lovely points at last  :D

Grats to sergio and Ronnie who set a cracking pace up front and to all who finished.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: Mark Jones on April 28, 2013, 01:36:26 AM +0100
I inherited 3rd for a while then lost time after spinning to avoid Mark's accident at Malmedy

Yeah, sorry about that.  I'm not really sure what happened, suddenly the car was just floating over the hump towards and into the hedge.  I had to reset, then got caught out in Masta and whacked a house.  That really screwed things up as I couldn't do another reset and I had some engine damage and some suspension issues.  I struggled on for a few laps, but was not enjoying it at all.  Tried to push a little harder and went of in Stavelot, much to my relief.  It may be too early in the morning for me, damn daylight savings.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: Al Heller on April 28, 2013, 12:19:32 PM +0100
I inherited 3rd for a while then lost time after spinning to avoid Mark's accident at Malmedy

Yeah, sorry about that.  I'm not really sure what happened, suddenly the car was just floating over the hump towards and into the hedge.  I had to reset, then got caught out in Masta and whacked a house.  That really screwed things up as I couldn't do another reset and I had some engine damage and some suspension issues.  I struggled on for a few laps, but was not enjoying it at all.  Tried to push a little harder and went of in Stavelot, much to my relief.  It may be too early in the morning for me, damn daylight savings.

Not your fault at all Mark - it just looked like you were going to bounce back into my path (although you didn't) & I lost it trying to take a tighter line. You were going great guns in the Mirage up until then mixing it with the 2F's. As Clive pointed out, I went hedge-trimming at the same place a few laps later :P   


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: maddog on April 28, 2013, 12:27:08 PM +0100
. . . . .  But then, Al being the gentleman and arborialist that he is he decided to trim the hedgerow at Malmedy. I think he was trying to make it look like a peacock?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ;D ;D ;D


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: clouds on April 29, 2013, 08:19:23 AM +0100
...At the last second I saw a tiny bit of something green move behind one of those giant rear wings & just floored it! ...    

I also use the Virtual Mirrors and often it happens that the flagman results hidden by the screen border because my FOV is narrow, so I've assigned a reset to default FOV button just on my Drive Force Pro drive wheel and at start I use the visual at max FOV to have an idea of what happens near my car. Only when cars are in a row then I switch to my usual small FOV.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: BadBlood on April 29, 2013, 08:25:20 AM +0100
My apologies for the tight grid. This was intended to be on T7 but I did not get home until 9.10 (problems on the trains) and when I did get in I was in a panic... but found that Cookie had saved the day with UKGPL8.

I should have been home at 8:15 so there was plenty of time BUT.... grumble grumble. We will take the grid into consideration when modding.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: clouds on April 29, 2013, 10:37:56 AM +0100
For the tight grid, it obviously has been not a problem for me starting from the front row but, in any case (if u see the replay), at the green flag I've tried to maintain my line avoiding to cut the corner to the apex at Eau Rouge and letting any faster starter keep his line.

It is true that the normal start (that I prefer) is more exciting than a rolling start, but at least in a rolling start any driver could keep his concentration on the race instead than only on a rocket start.

Theoretically anyone of us is suitable for a good standstill start but practically a good standstill start happens only a few times.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: Al Heller on April 29, 2013, 11:05:19 AM +0100
...At the last second I saw a tiny bit of something green move behind one of those giant rear wings & just floored it! ...    

I also use the Virtual Mirrors and often it happens that the flagman results hidden by the screen border because my FOV is narrow, so I've assigned a reset to default FOV button just on my Drive Force Pro drive wheel and at start I use the visual at max FOV to have an idea of what happens near my car. Only when cars are in a row then I switch to my usual small FOV.

That sounds interesting Sergio. How do you assign a button to change field of view?


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: Cookie on April 29, 2013, 12:49:14 PM +0100
My apologies for the tight grid. This was intended to be on T7 but I did not get home until 9.10 (problems on the trains) and when I did get in I was in a panic... but found that Cookie had saved the day with UKGPL8.

I should have been home at 8:15 so there was plenty of time BUT.... grumble grumble. We will take the grid into consideration when modding.

No,no Paul!
This tight grid was my fault!!!
My server was planned to be the race server.
I had not controlled the grid and wich .ini is taken, before the hosting!

For the CanAms I will have a change in the track.ini with an extra loose grid!

Nevertheless, I had the impression that some drivers did not start carefully enough...


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: BadBlood on April 29, 2013, 01:09:21 PM +0100
Ah OK. I am getting confused, too many series, too many servers, too many tracks and too many versions of season.ini and track.ini! It is easy to lose 'track' (pardon the pun).

Thanks anyway.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: clouds on May 01, 2013, 11:41:04 AM +0100
That sounds interesting Sergio. How do you assign a button to change field of view?

Well...inside file GPLShift.ini there is a section header called [ Zoom ].
This is mine:

  • [ ZOOM ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Zoom_In_Out_Mode = 1.BUT    ;OPTIONS:    OFF    #.BUT    #.POV    KA   ;EFFECT:

                                ;OFF = ZOOM In/Out CAR view support Disabled      
                                ;BUT = You select a game device # HERE, and buttons
                                ;      below (up to 4 #) for Zoom In/Out/Reset,    
                                ;POV = Point Of View hat:                          
                                ;KA  = Keyboard ARROW Keys:                        

                                ;      Down  =  Zoom In      (back)                
                                ;      Up    =  Zoom Out     (forward)            
                                ;      Right =  Zoom Set to UserDefineFov position
                                ;      Left  =  Zoom Reset to default position (78)
                                ;--------------------------------------------------
                                ;N.B. If you have choicen POV or KA then you don`t
                                ;      need to setup any button # below            

                                ;No game device # below, ONLY buttons (up to 4 #)  

    Zoom_Out_Button = 1          ;Select a # for zoom out             

    Zoom_In_Button =  4         ;Select a # for zoom in              

    Zoom_Reset_Button = 2        ;Select a # for reset zoom to default position (78)

    Zoom2UserDefineFOV_Butt = 3  ;a # for setting ZOOM to "UserDefineFOV =" position
                                ;--------------------------------------------------
                                ;OPTIONS:          ##          ##.#        ;EFFECT:

    UserDefineFOV = 45.2        ;Field Of View in degrees: minimun 45.2 - max. 86.2
                                ;(78.0 = Default position)           

                                ;You can use the keyboards HOME key to save the    
                                ;present FOV ZOOM positions and the setting will be
                                ;uset next time you starting GPL, if you still have
                                ;enabled this [ ZOOM ] support, and will overwrite
                                ;GEM+2´s Field Of View setting        

                                ;--------------------------------------------------

Just take care of paragraphs in RED and in YELLOW, there is the key.

Have fun !


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: maddog on May 01, 2013, 12:48:23 PM +0100
Careful guys - too much zoom and a car alongside, is likely to help you zoom off the track ! :laugh:


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: clouds on May 01, 2013, 01:22:29 PM +0100
Careful guys - too much zoom and a car alongside, is likely to help you zoom off the track ! :laugh:

You can still watch out beside with the pow hat of your drive wheel (if you have any). My DFP have it and I have also the TrackIR also if actually I haven't used it so often though. Anyway UserDefineFOV = 45.2 is only an example, anyone can choose his own preferred but, what you said is correct. The situational awareness is never enough.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Sports Car Trophy - Spa - Apr 26
Post by: BadBlood on May 07, 2013, 12:17:35 PM +0100
Mod Published