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UKGPL => UKGPL Races => Topic started by: Billy Nobrakes on April 22, 2015, 10:42:17 PM +0100



Title: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Billy Nobrakes on April 22, 2015, 10:42:17 PM +0100
Season 28 Works Trophy - Round 4 - Albi

For this round we visit the small town of Albi in the Midi-Pyrénées region. The original, longer circuit was closed in 1955 following the Le Mans disaster. Racing resumed at the nearby Aerodrome in 1959 which is the circuit we now know as Albi. The Chicane du Sequestre was introduced in 1988 but we will be using the original layout as raced in 1967.

Race List = IGOR
Server = UKGPL_9
IP = 37.157.48.87
Race date = Sunday 26-04-2015
Time = 21:00 UK time (21:00 GMT)
Track = albi67 (ftp://ukgpl3.dyndns.org/Tracks/Albi/)
Race length = 42 Laps (50 minutes)
Variant = 1967
60fps patch used = 60fpsV2newmod
Damage Model =  Pro
Qualifying time = 30 minutes

Replays Available here (ftp://ukgpl3.dyndns.org/Replays/Archive/Season28/Grads_Privs/)

Driver lists and token rules can be found on the championship standings page (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=474&theme=6)

Moderating The red zone will be fully moderated. For this event the red zone will be from the start to Ligne Droite Tarn on the first lap . Other moderation will be on reported incidents only.  However any incidents that occur in the red zone that are not reported by the drivers may 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

The chassis token system is explained on the Works (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=474&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.

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


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Pelle_B on April 25, 2015, 09:58:10 PM +0100
I understand there are some server problems, there is one forward to the race, but in Vroc...if you want.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Cookie on April 26, 2015, 11:37:55 AM +0100
I understand there are some server problems, there is one forward to the race, but in Vroc...if you want.

Pelle there is no problem with the servers, if a training server is requested it will show in IGOR.

UKGPL_8 will be running this afternoon Albi 67s.

Maybe we need a sticky thread where training-servers can be announced or requested  ::)


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Pelle_B on April 26, 2015, 11:53:50 AM +0100
I understand there are some server problems, there is one forward to the race, but in Vroc...if you want.
UKGPL_8 will be running this afternoon Albi 67s.
I know...because I'm R1  ;D
...I was wondering of there is no server up and running (the answer I got in another thread)...but it was only to help, so people could get a little training, because we were more in Vroc which called for a Albi server.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Doni Yourth on April 26, 2015, 08:32:59 PM +0100
Pre-race trials for Albi in a Lotus and Brabham were manifestly disappointing.  I couldn't get the BT24 any closer than 5/10 to my BRM PB and the Lotus was only 6/10 quicker.  Hardly worth spending 20 tokens on the Lotus so...  It's the Beast from Bourne yet again.  Sigh...


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Arf Arf Arf on April 26, 2015, 09:37:23 PM +0100
O goody, more L1 carnage, haven't seen any of that for a while.....er.....

Tonight, it looks like Ronnie moved over to where Baab was. I was far enough behind to move to the side, but Robert F was unable to to avoid one of the cars and got bounced into me and took both my wheels off....


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Ronniepeterson on April 26, 2015, 09:39:34 PM +0100
My engine blew Arf and I lost power which obviously caught those out behind me.

Apologies to Bob I think who had the misfortune to be nearby when my engine went pop. I thought it might eventually but not on the first lap!!!! Sorry for spoiling your nights racing and anyone else caught up.
I know how it feels my race was ended on the first lap of the last race in Zandvoort. It happens sometimes. Its frustrating for everyone including myself. Good luck to those still running. Off to Targa again tonight in a 65.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Baab on April 26, 2015, 09:51:31 PM +0100
Ah...thought something strange was going on, expected you to pull clear Ray.

Was feeling like the village idiot for a good 15 mins there.  Disappointing but part of racing.

The damage to my car was mighty, wiped all 4 limbs off, car looked like summary outta 2001 space odyssey...or summat.

Bob


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Pelle_B on April 26, 2015, 10:14:28 PM +0100
WOW, what a crash...I tryed on grass but was hit anyway, 3 Wheels  :o ...but the engine was good today  ;D


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Samb on April 26, 2015, 10:35:57 PM +0100
Hard luck to those involved in the first lap shunt. I just managed to avoid it all by taking to the grass.

I do enjoy racing at Albi as the simple layout allows for a competitive field and sure enough the first 10 cars on the grid were within a second of the pole time.

After the first lap there wasn't really much to report on my race. Dean passed me early on and I didn't have to pace to hold on to him. From then on it was a lonely run to 4th place.

There was a bit of excitement towards the end. My beloved Repco unit decided to become an elaborate paperweight and blew on the last corner causing me to coast on the line. Clive came oh-so-close to overtaking me but I just managed to hold on  :). It was nice to finish a race, this race was a relatively consistent effort for me at least.

Congrats to Iestyn and all other finishes. See you all at the next one.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Phil Thornton on April 26, 2015, 10:40:22 PM +0100
Sorry for the wobbling whenyou were overtaking me on about lap 10 Rob.  I missed a gear (much less frequent now) which made the braking a bit awkward.  Race was going quite well (even if I was lapped twice) but I still tend to mistime the clutch a bit which causes me to over rev the engine slightly when changing up.  I think that contributed to my engine going pop with 7 laps to go (the race leaderboard showed ignition but it seemed to push out a lot of black smoke at one point).  

Anyway, over 50% complete so I should get some points (for ninth I think?).



Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Robert Fleurke on April 26, 2015, 10:44:39 PM +0100
Was happy with my quali with a good PR :)

Start was very slow and cautious in front of me, but then Ray and Bob made contact. Checked up but somehow couldn't/didn't avoid Ray who was warping a bit on the roof. All sorts of crap happened to many after that :(

Quote
1m13.890s
Robert Fleurke - spotters reporting:
medium problems with left front tire.
medium problems with right front tire.
medium problems with left front suspension.
severe problems with right front suspension.
minor problems with left rear suspension.
the car has an engine problem.

In a way I was lucky to continue, since many had to retire, but car was up to 1s slower a lap, also didn't have any topspeed...my best lap in the race was pretty good considering all the damage...

Congrats Iestyn, Peter and Dean, and finishers...commiserations to the DNF's...

PS: didn't want to pass you there Phil, it played out like that though, and also missed a gear there :P


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Doni Yourth on April 27, 2015, 01:21:45 AM +0100
Congrats to Iestyn, Peter and Deaner for the podium finishes.  Well done.

From GPLRA's Mechanical Report...

"Leader of the race starts lap 1

1m08.040s
Ronnie Peterson - spotters reporting:
medium problems with right front tire.
medium problems with right front suspension.
the engine has exploded.

1m16.040s
Ronnie Peterson - spotters reporting:
severe problems with right front suspension.
Arf Arf-Arf - spotters reporting:
minor problems with right front tire.
severe problems with left rear tire.
severe problems with left rear suspension.
the car has an engine problem.
Pelle Buchner - spotters reporting:
severe problems with right front tire.
severe problems with right front suspension.
minor problems with right rear suspension.
Robert Fleurke - spotters reporting:
medium problems with left front tire.
medium problems with right front tire.
medium problems with left front suspension.
severe problems with right front suspension.
minor problems with left rear suspension.
the car has an engine problem.
Bob Whitwell - spotters reporting:
severe problems with left front tire.
severe problems with right front tire.
severe problems with left rear tire.
severe problems with right rear tire.
severe problems with left front suspension.
severe problems with right front suspension.
severe problems with left rear suspension.
severe problems with right rear suspension.
the car has an engine problem.

1m24.040s
Arf Arf-Arf - spotters reporting:
severe problems with right front tire.
severe problems with right front suspension.
the engine problem is getting worse.
 Doni67 - spotters reporting:
minor problems with right front tire.
minor problems with right front suspension.
Andreas Gebhardt - spotters reporting:
severe problems with left front tire.
severe problems with left rear tire.
severe problems with left front suspension.
severe problems with left rear suspension.
the car has an engine problem.
Jethro Walters - spotters reporting:
medium problems with left front tire.
minor problems with right front tire.
medium problems with left rear tire.
medium problems with right rear tire.
severe problems with left front suspension.
minor problems with right front suspension.
severe problems with left rear suspension.
medium problems with right rear suspension.
the car has an engine problem.

1m32.040s
Gregory Taber - spotters reporting:
minor problems with left front tire.
severe problems with left front suspension.
minor problems with left rear suspension.
the car has an engine problem."

This beats the hell out of the recent 69X romp at Montjuic.  :)

After being kamikazed by Jethro, my BRM was a little wobbly but I soon adapted.  I chased Sinister Clive for the longest time but couldn't make inroads.  Robert was next down and closing but once on my tail, couldn't seem to administer the coup de grace.  As RF notes above, his engine was a bit off-song.  As the finish neared, I had hopes of a P6 placing but the H-16 gave it up on the pit straight with but a handful of laps to run.  At least it was a short walk back to the pits.

WORKS server repay cap...

ftp://ukgpl3.dyndns.org/Replays/Archive/Season28/Grads_Works/


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Gismo on April 27, 2015, 09:43:59 AM +0100
Grats to Iestyn for the win and I'm sad to see only 7 finishers, thought it was a T1 crash, but could see in the replay how unlucky you guys were on the straigth :-/

Set a PB after some laps in Q so I focused on adjusting to race pace for the rest of qual, proud to have taken my first pole in UKGPL, taking aside that I had a faster car than most on the grid ;-)

Iestyn stayed behind me in the first couple of laps even though he was close enough to make a move a couple of times, around lap 14 with around 1 sec gap down to Iestyn I overshot my braking for DD and went backwards into the hay and that was pretty much the last I saw of Iestyn who slowly but surely pulled away from me - too bad, cause would have been fun to at least make him pass me, seing as he was clearly the faster one..
Beside that 1 error I had a steady race and I guess partly thanks to the chaos of L1 I had a decent gap down to P3.. Thx to the backmarkers for great passing and sorry to see my fellow dane Pelle once again missing out on luck..


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Robert Fleurke on April 27, 2015, 02:43:52 PM +0100
Robert was next down and closing but once on my tail, couldn't seem to administer the coup de grace.  As RF notes above, his engine was a bit off-song.  As the finish neared, I had hopes of a P6 placing but the H-16 gave it up on the pit straight with but a handful of laps to run.  At least it was a short walk back to the pits.

Bad luck Doni, engines can blow faster when the car has damage, even when it's only chassis damage (I think that's why you also blew up with the 65 East London race). That is my experience. I was extremely lucky to finish yesterday with the extent of damage I had...

Was looking forward to a good fight with you, but only could make up time, braking, entering and midcorner, and then losing out on the exits being down on power. Also car was a bit unpredictable and snappy, and so I lost touch again...

I wouldn't have been able to make a clean pass I think, apart from a late banzai divebomb blockpass or so :P


Should have done a better job avoiding Ray arguably, I slowed and tried to check up, but he kept on going straight on the roof...didn't want to brake too hard on the straight knowing the field was close behind, and didn't want to change lines not knowing where everyone was...Colin (Arf) did a great job, and was very unlucky to be hit by me when I bounced off Ray...what a shame so many suffered...


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Doni Yourth on April 27, 2015, 03:07:44 PM +0100
Just had another peek at the server replay cap to try and determine the root cause of the mega-shunt.  Found it.

RAY!!!  YOU CRAZY BUGGER!  YOU DIDN'T WARM UP YOUR ENGINE ON THE GRID?!?!?!

:)

Just kiddin', Ray, but that's 99 times out of 100 a sure recipe for a blown mill.  With pro damage, it is absolutely imperative to get some heat into the motor before the green flag falls.  You were first onto the grid...I was 2nd...and from your cockpit view, it was apparent that you were just letting the engine tick over at idle.  From your cockpit, you can actually hear my BRM H-16 revving in the background, in fact.  I've found that I need to see at least 80°F on the gauge...I check via the F10 view...to have some hope of having the engine live.  Prior to any start, I have my mouse cursor hovering over the green button and the instant it comes lives, I'm on it to join as rapidly as possible and start a routine of running 1/2 to 2/3 the allowable revs.  In our Albi start, you were pegging the tacho needle to 10500 before the first corner and several more times through the twisties before...

The Weslake V-12 is a sweet unit but known to be a bit fragile in the first case.  Failing to warm that sucker is a virtual guarantee of an early blow up.

Hope this tip helps you...and others...in the future.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Ronniepeterson on April 27, 2015, 03:49:39 PM +0100
Hi Doni. I have tried every which way with the Eagle in the past from excessive warming , gentle warming all the way to no warming on the start grid. But in my hands she always blows eventually. Last night was no warming and she let me down badly. Next up on the rota is gentle warming. I hear what your saying and will revise my rota to focus on at least some level of warming with her and will report back if I have any luck  :-\

Sorry again to Bob and everyone else who got wrecked or damaged.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: maddog on April 27, 2015, 03:55:50 PM +0100
That sounds like a sensible tip, Doni.  For general interest, I'm one who blips the throttle on the startline.  It's not a boy racer thing, but go's with a let's have realistic racing theme.  Thoroughbred racing engines have racing spark plugs, and these tend to 'oil up' and stop working, if the combustion chamber remains offload for too long.  While GPL doesn't do fowled plugs, it can throw a rod some distance. :cursing:


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: bernie on April 27, 2015, 04:48:15 PM +0100
Hi Doni. I have tried every which way with the Eagle in the past from excessive warming , gentle warming all the way to no warming on the start grid. But in my hands she always blows eventually. Last night was no warming and she let me down badly. Next up on the rota is gentle warming. I hear what your saying and will revise my rota to focus on at least some level of warming with her and will report back if I have any luck  :-\

Sorry again to Bob and everyone else who got wrecked or damaged.

Sack whichever mechanic left his spanner inside  the cam box  ;D


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: EvilClive on April 27, 2015, 06:46:01 PM +0100
???? This is the first time I have ever heard about warming the engine on the grid??!! Does anyone have any real knowledge about the way that GPL models ( or does not model) cold oil.

In all my years of GPL I have never even contemplated the need to warm an engine before a race. I do however take great care not to over rev an engine as the flag drops. It is far too easy to bang that red whizzy thing against the stop on the rev counter, when you cannot hear your own engine and you are intent on maximising your start. Maybe staying in 1st  gear for a few seconds too long instead of short shifting into 2nd to avoid wheelspin.   I would suspect that is where the damage is done, whilst your attention is focused on the battle for T1?
 
I would respectively suggest that over exuberance with the go pedal  in the first lap is more likely to blow an engine than some cold oil in the sump. Unless someone can convince me that GPL does actually model the damage done to a cold engine, I am not going to change my habit of sitting quietly on the grid composing myself and not worrying about the engine.
In all my races with the Honda, and its notoriously fragile engine, I never warmed it up, but you can bet your bippy that I watched the revs VERY carefully, not only off the grid but for the whole race, and especially on downshifts. I think my record will show that the number of engines lost was minimal and as far as I can recall, never on lap 1.

I would be very interested to hear if there is any evidence to show that warming the engine is important, or does it use precious fuel that you might want on the last lap???


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Cookie on April 27, 2015, 07:27:43 PM +0100
I do warm-up my engine to ~36°C = "handwarm" and since that I have the feeling it does not blow such easy.
My proof is when you have to s+r in a race and do not begin carefull until the temp is over 60°C it will blow up...


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Turkey Machine on April 27, 2015, 07:49:59 PM +0100
In my experience not over-revving the engine when dropping the clutch / engaging first gear can help the little Eagle. I have not blown the engine through over-exuberance in so long that it becomes second nature when 1st is geared low enough to modulate the throttle. It's also why I chose the Hondola to battle with next to no practice as I had a setup I could trust from my previous excursion here in it, which also involved one D. Yourth early on.

As for my escapade, I'd have gotten away with it had Doni not slowed down to avoid the tin-top Ronnie Soak on his lid. I could not adequately predict Kaos' movements in the upside-down leagues, and clipping Doni was the end of mine when I went and attempted a WW2 barrel-roll in memoriam.

Still, could've been worse...


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Ronniepeterson on April 27, 2015, 09:00:21 PM +0100
???? This is the first time I have ever heard about warming the engine on the grid??!! Does anyone have any real knowledge about the way that GPL models ( or does not model) cold oil.

Thanks Clive. Whilst I am aware of the possible need to warm the engine I was beginning to feel like the village idiot.

You are also spot on when you mention not being able to hear your own engine in the initial heat of battle. I find this the biggest problem since I prefer to look at the track and not my rev counter. When practicing its a lot easier to hear whats going on engine wise. The other issue I have is the G27 paddle shifts which simply do not have the same feel as my old G25. I still have issues of missed up and downshifts. 

I'm glad this topic is proving of use to myself and others. Thanks.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Robert Fleurke on April 27, 2015, 09:22:38 PM +0100
Personally I have never heard about this, warming up the engine to human blood temperature, and I'm not convinced either. Call me stubborn. Also hardly have blown up engines after start or early race, despite overreving at the start having a digital clutch, and despite my rough driving style considering revs and shifting...

I use little revs when I join the grid, only when the Flag comes up I rev it up, and hammer it when the Flag goes down...I guess I'm just lucky but it works for me...

Probably will blow up at the start of next race now ;D


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Doni Yourth on April 27, 2015, 11:44:37 PM +0100
Ever since I signed on with the UKGPL and the pro damage restriction of the GP67 cars, I've found it essential to warm the engine.  In other leagues where pro damage isn't dialed up, I can get away without the warming phase and not worry about the engine.  It's a sad fact that Papyrus set the cars to go to the grid with stone cold engines.  Surely it would have been dead easy to nominate some value around, say, 100°F or even 120°F when first dropped onto the grid.  Even a vigorous revving routine with that start value for 30 seconds would not overheat an engine before the off.

I'm reading where some of you take it easy in the opening for a good 1km or more but I have to ask why?  You want the engine warmed up for fear of blowing it, correct?  Well, then, why not use the 30 second window provided before the start by a timely grid drop and start warming up the old mill straight away?  I usually pussy-foot for the first bit, too, as even with 80°+F on the gauge, it's still far from operational temperature.

I occasionally lose an engine but I think that's more due to poor shifting technique with GPLShift a possible root cause.  I'm going to remove that software in the next day or three and see how things shake out.  I never speed shift...holding the throttle pedal to the floor while changing-up...but still register some in GPLRA.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Iestyn Davies on April 28, 2015, 03:17:30 AM +0100
Almost nabbed pole, but couldn't quite at the flag. Start was good.. on the back straight, suddenly I saw no one behind, so I didn't force the issue into the hairpin, and waited for half way to guarantee points before trying to pass. Luckily, Peter went off just as we caught Greg, and thus I could be safe to the line (but still had a few mini-offs). Late on.. the exact same scenario as last time, lost a 1:09 at the penultimate corner ::). Similar pace to last works race, but with Rob in a slower car, and no Tris or Attilio in a Ferrari, 1st instead of 4th. Race pace is more consistent now with a slightly improved setup.

As with everything, I guess moderation is best. Leaving the engine cold or flooring it until the flag drop are not great.. I've lost 2 engines on the start line from hitting full revs cold. Some warm up is probably best, but not overdone. I also think that a colder engine uses more fuel, so warming it up ASAP can help with that, along with the tyres for heat. Usually this is one of the areas that I find I can gain time on others, i.e. being able to go 'flat out' from the start as the grip level rises with tyre temp (having started so many races now), but usually it's tough to pass with so many cars around and hence best used when starting from pole.

Watched the replay.. I think it was the 5th speedshift in a row which sent it into a tizzy. The 1st-2nd shift was fine. It's understandable.. race start is hectic and there's a lot going on, cold tyres, cars all around. Time to try the G27 H-pattern? ;)

On that note.. I also blew my Brabham F2 engine in the exact same location tonight. This was with paddles.. the car took a beating in a multi car pile up after T1 a few laps prior. But the time I set.. 0.05 faster than with stick 11 days ago. Same at Snetterton, and faster with paddles at Zandvoort (almost got a huge overall pb, with 2 actual ones in Lotus and Ferrari). This exe trouble I'm having is letting me A/B test it with paddles in 36 fps, stick in 60. Speed is generally the same, but I'm noticing many more paddle speedshifts while I still remember how to get that sequence timed correctly (gear and lift, foot back down). Paddles also only took 1 hour to get used to again, and actually is starting to feel more intuitive than shifter already... I drove a much better race at oAo than at ukgpl Zandy..

Edit: On sounds.. setting it to 4 I think will cut out the roar of all the other engines (and might save some FPS). With 3 you then lose a sound you need (tyres sliding I think).


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: EvilClive on April 28, 2015, 09:29:42 AM +0100
Ever since I signed on with the UKGPL and the pro damage restriction of the GP67 cars, I've found it essential to warm the engine.  In other leagues where pro damage isn't dialed up, I can get away without the warming phase and not worry about the engine.  It's a sad fact that Papyrus set the cars to go to the grid with stone cold engines.  Surely it would have been dead easy to nominate some value around, say, 100°F or even 120°F when first dropped onto the grid.  Even a vigorous revving routine with that start value for 30 seconds would not overheat an engine before the off.

I'm reading where some of you take it easy in the opening for a good 1km or more but I have to ask why?  You want the engine warmed up for fear of blowing it, correct?  Well, then, why not use the 30 second window provided before the start by a timely grid drop and start warming up the old mill straight away?  I usually pussy-foot for the first bit, too, as even with 80°+F on the gauge, it's still far from operational temperature.

I occasionally lose an engine but I think that's more due to poor shifting technique with GPLShift a possible root cause.  I'm going to remove that software in the next day or three and see how things shake out.  I never speed shift...holding the throttle pedal to the floor while changing-up...but still register some in GPLRA.

Interesting Doni... Although I am careful not to over rev the engine at the start, I would not say that I pussy foot the first lap. I will use 99% of revs on lap 1, just the same as I will for the rest of the race, and I find that I can be quicker thaa many drivers on cold tyres. Maybe because I have no fears about sliding a car through corners? My comment about short shifting of the grid, was only to avoid wheelspin and guarantee max acceleration, not to be "soft" on the engine.
I still have the original Papyrus manual that was packaged with the game back in 1998, and one of the big things in the driving tips is avoiding both wheelspin and locking of wheels to improve laptimes. So I try and keep the engine in the "power band" and although I short shift I do not bog down ( hopefully).

I am still perplexed about this idea that warming the engine has any imact on reliability, as I have played this game since 1998. I have never "warmed" an engine and the only time I blow one is when I am just too hamfooted and exceed the rev limit. I'll bet that I have had less than 5 engines blow on the grid in my whole sim racing career.

I wonder if those who do the warming thang, are actually convincing themselves that they are improving their chances simply because, by sheer chance the car remained intact for that race, but for other reasons than having warm oil off the grid.
i do not wish to seem dismissive of this idea, it's just that I have never heard of it before, I have never used this tactic and yet do not seem to have suffered from the lifetime of blown engines which I should have if you guys are correct???
As Iestyn says above he has lost engines off the grid by hitting full revs..when cold, I still suspect that it was hitting full revs, rather than being cold, that did the damage. We have to remember that GPL damage has a random element built in. Sometimes hitting 105% max revs will blow the engine first time, yet in another race you might do it 10 times and survive.

I guess the bottom line is "if it feels good , do it".

 I would however support Martin's view that engines revving on the grid add a note of realism to the starts. ;)


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Doni Yourth on April 28, 2015, 12:13:38 PM +0100
Some good discussion going on here and let's hope that we are all the better for it.  I notice over on SRMZ that Axel has started a thread re this topic and already there are members chiming in.  It's too early to gauge an overall pattern but it will interesting to see the progress.

As for sounds, I cheat.  :)  I'll be giving away a trade secret here...

Years ago, I took pole in an Eagle for an ADC race at the Salzburgring.  In dropping onto the grid for the start, I was shocked to find that all the other cars around me were next to completely drowning out the sound of my Weslake V-12.  It was most disconcerting.  I got a reasonable start but was utterly flummoxed by the other members' engine notes and I promptly shunted the car at the first hairpin.  No doubt whatsoever in my mind that it was due to the overwhelming bombardment of noise from the other engine notes.

Since that day, I've tuned my sound files for all the mods.  In the root GPL/Sounds folder, I have a sub-folder, 'half tones'.  There, I have sub-folders for each of the mods.  Contained, sub-folders named, 50%, 75%, 85% and 100%.  With some time, effort and diligence, I have, over the years, taken each chassis wav file and altered its volume by the values noted just above.  I rarely use the 50% files as that's just a bit too mild but typically use the 75% editions.  Here's how it works.  For any given race, for the chassis that I intend to use, I load the 100% file.  For all others, they will get the down-graded volume wav file.  And that holds even in mods like 69X where we have multiple Cosworth DFV powered cars BUT each chassis has its own dedicated wav file ident so I can happily pound away with MY Cossie screaming at revs and not be too bothered with others similar power units in my immediate vicinity.  I can still hear them but it's easy to pick out my own engine's note.  The only down-side of this is if other members chose exactly the same chassis that I run.  Then, each has the same volume.  Sadly, since up-grading my computer about 1-1/2 years ago, I haven't been able to get the very handy GPL Sounds programme to work so am stuck with older wav files.  It's a disappointment but livable.

Later today, I expect to enter the UKGPL PRO Division event at Clermont.  I'm pegged to be in the BRM P281.  It's wav file we be 100% volume.  All others will be 75%.  Anyone else using the BRM will come through to me at 100% but as I expect them to be miles behind me, it will not be of any consequence.  ;)

Edit: Corrected splellimg mistooks.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Robert Fleurke on April 28, 2015, 02:02:25 PM +0100
Anyone else using the BRM will come through to me at 100% but as I expect them to be miles behind me, it will not be of any consequence.  ;)

 ;D


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Ronniepeterson on April 28, 2015, 06:36:57 PM +0100
Time to try the G27 H-pattern? ;)

On sounds.. setting it to 4 I think will cut out the roar of all the other engines (and might save some FPS). With 3 you then lose a sound you need (tyres sliding I think).

To start using GPLshift for GPL would be a little hypocritical of me, so no.

However, thanks for this tip on the sound setting, which I will be trying.

Maybe the blown engine was not such a bad thing after all, as the exchange of all this information is much appreciated by all I hope.



Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: GregT on April 29, 2015, 12:48:45 AM +0100
Congrats Iestyn, Peter, Dean! I'm glad I wasn't the cause of your spin Peter. Although I probably was by being a distraction as you closed on me. I didn't think you had got close enough yet for me to cause trouble. I'm glad that was true.

Rough start to that race. An instantaneous flag drop caught me off guard. Doni was able to take the inside away from me into T1. I was afraid to slow because I couldn't see any place to fall in line behind me. I made it through the first turns on the outside. I was very happy to keep the car going and a little irritated that Doni was playing so tough with me. :) Excellent job Doni holding the inside line! Had either of us made the slightest mistake, it likely would have been catastrophic.

I wasn't expecting what unfolded next. I was looking at Doni in the mirror when all hell broke loose in front of me. I was confused as to what to do. Luckily I found a tiny and rapidly closing hole to get through. Sam was so kind as to keep his Brabham going in a straight line. I said it aloud twice, "Don't move, don't move!" Had Sam turned left any whatsoever I couldn't have avoided him. It's a shame veering to left to miss Sam, put the car in a slide I couldn't recover. After an distant excursion off the left side of the track, I started to cruise back to the track side at a 45 degree angle when I ran into an invisible barrier running perpendicular to the track. Then even worse as I got to the track side I hit another invisible wall. I had to back up several meters to get back on the track. Had the obstacle been visible, I may have been able to avoid all the damage I suffered, and that extremely slow opening lap of 1:51 may have been avoided. :(

After all that, I wasn't sure if the car was damaged or not. It felt slow though and it was reflected in my early lap times. I did notice much later in the race that I was much sloppier entering some of the turns and I couldn't put the power down well through the first two righthanders. Considering the damage the car didn't drive too bad, and I'm very pleased to see Honda take that abuse rather well.

It got kind of lonely early in the race. The only cars I saw after lap 1 were, Pelle's car sitting in the pits and later the 3 cars that lapped me. Pelle's only lap was 12 seconds faster than my opening lap and he did most of it on three wheels. :lol: After my mind wandered and I spun after T1, it was a rather uneventful race.

My commiserations with all the drivers taken out or handicapped by the early fracas.

Thanks guys.


Title: Re: UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Albi - Apr 26
Post by: Billy Nobrakes on May 13, 2015, 10:55:07 PM +0100
Mod report now published.