SimRacing.org.uk

Season 26 Professionals Trophy, Round 5, Spa

Welcome to the Professionals Trophy for the 1965 Grand Prix cars.

We return to Belgium, but this time we visit the forests of the Ardennes.

Spa - fearsome, lovely, awesome. What else needs to be said.

If you want some history, you can find it here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_de_Spa-Francorchamps)

Division Moderator	=	Badblood
Race List	=	IGOR
Server	=	UKGPL_8
IP Address	=	tba
Race date	=	18-03-2014
Qualification Time	=	~20:45  UK time -> 30-45 min
Race Time	=	race starts at 21:30 UK time
Track	=	Spa (Papy original)
Variant	=	65F1 the 2.02 Release of the 65mod should be used
Damage Model	=	PRO
Race length	=	~50 min -> 14 laps
RED ZONE	=	From the start to the exit of Les Combes
Password	=	see above (#post_event_password)
Replay	=	you will get here (ftp://ukgpl3.dyndns.org/Replays/Archive/Season26/Pros/)

Driver lists and series rules can be found on the championship standings page (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=430&theme=6).

The full time drivers can start to practice as soon as the server is available.  Reserve drivers can also join as soon as the server becomes available but must leave the server with 35 minutes of qualifying left, for a total of 5 minutes; this will allow any remaining full timers to join.  If there is enough space on the grid, the reserve drivers will be able to rejoin when there are 30 mins of qualifying left.  

Please restrict chat to pit messages including at the end of the race until ALL drivers still racing have crossed the line.

Moderating The red zone will be fully moderated for lap 1 only. For this event the red zone will be the first lap up to the exit of Les Combes.

Other moderation will be on reported incidents only.  However any incidents that occur in the red zone that are not reported by the drivers will be reported by the moderator.  This will allow all affected drivers the opportunity to present their case before the incident is moderated.  This should ensure there are no surprises when the moderator's report is published and hence appeals will be less likely.  If you haven't received a PM about an incident before the link below the results table is removed, you can be sure that you will not appear in the moderator's report.

Les Combes as in, just past Eau Rouge and Kemmel? That's about 30 seconds on the lap.... for such a long lap I've seen red zones here be longer in UKGPL, as in Masta or Stavelot.

Yes it is short but if you can all get through Les Combes, then at Pro level ther shouldn't be too many problems after that.

If there are incidents then drivers can report them otherwise it takes literally hours to review the footage.

I haven't published the other Mods yet, for which, apologies but they should all be caught up by next time out.

Hints - Steve Cloyd / GPLRank / WR Spa / download replay / setup / adjust and exploit ;)

What SC setups DON'T do is last for an entire race :(.

And Tris: 3 wide isn't a great idea, even at Spa.

Someone (successfully) bullied me into giving them a place at Eau Rouge on lap 1, I don't like anything more than single file there...

As for my race, uneventful save for a lap 1 error that made me plum last. Benefited from other people's mistakes, and finished 5th on the results, 6th if Robert's re-instated.

Natan. Read the rules. You don't wait for people to recover. You get on with it, and it gets dealt with later. In this case, you'll find that its a racing incident. I waited after a bump at the start of the season a few races ago, and was roundly criticised for doing so!! In my case I knew the rule, just didn't apply it in the moment. Sounds like you don't know the rules. You race in real cars, bet no one ever waits in your series??

Gareth, sorry my spin was so close ahead of you that you got hit.

Fantastic race with the big boys at the start of the race. Uli, Rob and Cookie were in a class of their own, but Ronnie and I were able to hold on to them (maybe Ronnie could have kept up with them in clear space). I didn't see what happened to Ronnie, but it was a shame you went. I thought we had a chance of hanging on to them. I did for a couple of laps, but a small error and suddenly I was 0.6 miles behind them. I then found myself in a great race with Clutch. As with Ronnie, I found that we all made good decisions about when we could and could not get past, and had really close exciting racing. A small error at the same corner and I was... 0.6 miles behind Clutch and Tris, and in a battle with Gareth and Natan...which didn't go so well (see above).

One last thing. I did what I always complain about other doing, and that was msg during qually. Sorry about that. Tris, I just couldn't understand why you had given up on your lap (you were swerving left and right, then slowed to let me past), and then challenged me for Masta when I was on a flier and ruined my lap....

Not entirely sure where I finished. As with Sunday's race, Robert ended with a DQ. Not sure if he'll be reinstated or not...

Arf

@ Dean: I adjusted SC setup, with slightly taller gearings and some other little tweaks...I managed (Ferrari) engine temps to stay within 110C to last for the race...

I am very disappointed with myself with my overall performance tonight...pole was ok, not special with some tow, did a 34.8 in training with a few tenths room...

In the race I lost the lead soon to Uli and Axel, few laps later got the lead back, tried to break away, but then went wide in Blanchimont...decided to stay with the leaddraft taking it easy and managing engine, and Arf passed me as well...Arf went wide in La Carriere, and then it was a trio again...

At some point got back to the lead, when I was thinking maybe being able to break away (of course that wouldn't have happened), and had another brainfade hitting the armco hard towards La Source...


Uli spun because of that I think. Great recovery by Uli there, and Axel did a great job avoiding us and taking the lead..

Strangely enough my car still felt pretty good...again decided to be safe and follow Uli and Axel and saving engine, trying to make a move towards the end of the race...when Axel had to slow for Uli into Blanchimont last lap, I thought I could pass Axel inside, but didn't hold my line and wrecked my teamie...

Then I couldn't get back on the track with an unvisible wall, and drove backwards being lost, and trying to find a gap, I didn't and retired...then I noticed I got a DQ...

Really really annoyed with myself driving like a clown...basically whole race, but that last move was just plain stupid...I will report myself and accept any penalty...

Congrats Uli and sorry again Axel, you deserved to win or either P2. Still happy you got P3 ;)


No Jethro, if  and when I will be reinstated I will be 9th, as I didn't finish the last lap ;)

Yes, I do also look into SC setups, as he can't be too wrong with his WRs ;)

Robert no problem, as we had another phantastic fun race!

My car had a better traction and you Fezzas had the top speed ;)
Was super fair racing with you and Uli with all respect given to the others!

Nothing but superlatives, comparable to Monza  :clap:


CU at Kyalami

No apology necessary Arf. Forget it  ;)

I ditched my setup and used the default and was 2 sec a lap faster. LMAO

nice battle with Nat and Arf for while, that was really cool tho I didn't have enough revvs to get passed either of them, the once or twice i manage it, I was mincemeat at the next straight.

3 laps from the end a shunt broke the engine, last few laps were  4+ mins each, though everyone had gone by then so no matter. lol.

Very enjoyable. ;D

Thanks for the kind words Arf. Yeah I was sorry as well as I think together we could have held on to the top three. One self inflicted mistake after another and I decided enough was enough. I have just lost my mojo at the moment for a variety of reasons but will work to get it back.

Grats to Uli, Clutch and Axel. Bad night at the office for Tris and Robert it seems. One unusually off the pace and the other going backwards (must watch the replay when I get a chance), you have to laugh sometimes. Better luck next time you two.

You're right Ronnie, better luck/results to you as well! I'm pretty hard on myself messing up like yesterday, but it reminds me to see things in perspective ;)

I tried one of those setups in qualifying and whilst it was quick it was VERY unstable, and I could not complete a lap without a major mistake. I reverted back to a trusted qualifying setup, stiffened and raised tyre PSI, and didn't go much quicker.


So that means my 5th is genuine? :o

hi all,
after Monza great racing again! I like such circuits and this kind of racing very much. The closer they are the better they are …
THX Axel and Robert for close and fair fighting – had big fun last night! Many THX and big hand to you!!!
At Practice I couldn‘t reach the top times of you both – GRATS to your fantastic Pole! I was very disappointed with my time, because at my last race in Spa (2011), I made a 3:34,7 without any slipstream. Don‘t know what happened – ok I got older  ;)  for sure it was my new setup. I made all gears a little taller, I never want such engine probs like I had in Laguna again …
Third place in practice is a very good indication to me!
Same as in Monza where Axel and Robert also stood in front of me!
GRATS Axel for fastest lap and Clutch for highest climber. Hey what a fantastic race from 11Th on the grid to second place! GRATS to all who finished on this dangerous but lovely circuit (I hope for the last time with the papyrus version).
My most dangerous moment was in front of La Source when Robert has the lead. He hits the crash barrier and I tried to avoid him. the trial was unfavorable and ended in a violent spin – I had much luck that Axel was clever enough to keep overview …
SRY for your bad luck tristan, ronnie, dan and clive – hope we all will finish in kya
THX to Badblood for the well organized event, well running server …. Yesterday for the first time I discover the replay download area – perfect compiled! with the complete race results thanks a lot!!
Now I'm looking forward to Kyalami
hope we all have much fun again  :D

For a variety of reasons I was not switched on for this race, just too much happening in RL lately.  :-\ and like Ronnie I'm finding it difficult to "switch on" some evenings.

The BRM should have been a good car for Spa, not necessarily a winner but certainly not as slow as I managed to make it  :(.  The quali lap times at the front were V.quick and it looks like that carried over into a fast race for the top guys. Hope I can generate some enthusiasm and concentration for the next races and at least trouble someone other than a flag marshall!!!

Grats to Uli on a fine victory!  Kudos to Clutch(?)and Axel for snagging podium slots.  Well done, gys.

Horrible misfortune for Robert!  Geeezzz...  When I scoped the replay and saw that he went back-track, I understood the DSQ.  About the most you can get away with doing that is 60-70 metres before GPL says, 'Gotcha!'

As expected, my Honda was a bit of a stone here in Belgium.  Much as at Monza.  Gobs of power but too much frontal area.  I made no effort to slipstream once the race started deciding instead to lay back in the early laps and give myself some breathing space in case of trouble up ahead.  And there was, too!

The only bit of drama I had was clipping Evil's stationary BRM in Malmedy and going for a 1080° spinnerama.  Quite thrilling that.  Before I'd finished that last revolution, I already had 1st gear selected.  :)

I noted several runners that finished to score after offs that I would have thought normally would have ended their day.  Jethro and Natan each serious incidents but were able to continue with little effect.  Gareth suffered serious damage but was able to finish.  If things had broken my way, I might have placed P5.

Just a quick one from me.

Love Spa. In my top 3 GPL tracks and i usually go well here (looking forward to the new accurate version out soon).

Like others, ive other issues in RL, but GPL is a good escape, but wow, that qualifying pace!! i was way off and yet didn't feel i'd done bad laps.

Race is all about hooking up with the big boys at the front with the tow before they escape. I didnt manage to do this, so battled with various people on route to an eventual 2nd. fair driving by all and very enjoyable. Thanks to those involved.

My actual result was 4th really and i was lucky to drive through the leaders carnage some 20 seconds later and pick up 2nd. Thats Spa i guess.

Like Monza, its a must for every season as it produces great racing.

If its in next season, i feel sure we'll be racing the new version which looks fantastic.

Gentlemen,

It has come to my attention that there was some swearing in the race chat after the race. I have PM'ed the drivers involved.

This is not tolerated and anyone swearing in race chat or on the forum will receive a race ban immediately.

We agree, implicitly, not to swear when we sign up for the forums. There are other ways of expressing frustration. It is ALWAYS better to think twice before typing. Even then, you can get it wrong and I am as culpable here as anyone.

Mutual respect on and off track is what we would like to encourage.

End of rant!

I was so far behind, Paul, that when I finished, all the chat was, too.  Durn it!  :)

Whatever issues you have IRL, Clive and Clutch, just want to express my sympathy. For me GPL/simracing is a great distraction and hobby, also with misfortune in life, but it can affect your racing as well...

Anyway, reading your posts makes me see things more in perspective, regarding simracing...

Mod published