SimRacing.org.uk

Tuesday night is race night ....usually, so to keep things interesting I was wondering?

How about a 55's race around Leipzeig. Circuit is available on Track Database. It has an "Olde Worlde" feel with cobbled streets and grand buildings.

All Ams allowed free S/R and with no Sng required.

Pros allowed unlimited S/R, but they must do a SnG for each reset. That should even things up a little  ;)

Just need a volunteer with the server.
Or of course we could do something entirely different!

Would have been up for anything 55 but I'm already committed to a race with PDLR.  And next week too!

But I like the theory!   :thumbup1:

no Leipzig installed here , so totally new for me, better an easy track for tonight.

How about  Cerne's Wood? 55s...

Server is up

OK Cernes Wood it is..................................but I would like to run Leipzig at some time, as it's a real old street circuit and I want to know if it is stable.

I have run Leipzig before online, mostly back in the day with the Honda, at 36fps. Fun track mate ;)

I twigged to this only minutes before the race start.  Hurriedly installed Cerne's Wood and jumped into a Vanwall.  Embarrassed myself by being 20 seconds off the times of Axel and Clive...both in the 2m01s bracket...with a nasty shunt only three laps in.  Retired to lick my wounds.

Tried a test later offline and after finding my way 'round this fine course, managed a 2m03s lap.  Fun track!  I wanna rematch!  :)

Apologies to all for the late posting for this. I suddenly realised that it was Tuesday and we had nothing planned  :-\

Axel was good enough to fire up his server and as has been said Doni arrived in the last seconds, but did not even have time for a single practice lap. I suspected that he would struggle to be "on the pace".

Axel had opted for the Lancia and I chose the Connaught simply because I had a setup from earlier races that works quite well. It took me quite a few laps to find the fast line and be able to challenge Axel's times.
TBH I was not just on the ragged edge in the race, more like several metres beyond what was sensible at most corners!! I was surprised that the car survived as long as it did with a multiple bounces off the earth banks, until I completely stuffed it when the brakes finally admitted defeat.

Hi there, Clive.  Yes, it was a bit of a panic to make the server at all let alone get comfy with Cerne.  I did enjoy my later laps offline and quite like the venue.

Speaking of our races, who's for getting our old Friday events back on the sked?  I'm game!  :)

If there is enough interest, I'm sure that we could arrange for some "Friday Night is FUN Night" activity, and maybe even some sim racing too!!  ::)

Can members post here if they would be up for a Friday series. This might work well in accommodating some of the interest in different mods, plus we are promised the new GTx mod soon.

We currently only race Sunday and Tuesday so it is logistically difficult to run more than 4 of the available car sets.

We have :-

1955's
65's
66's
67's
67F2's
69x's
GT's
Can Am 66
Can Am 71
Thundercars

and we are promised the GTx's soon, plus there are whisperings of a 1935? series in the distant future.

The GTX will replace the GT mod like it was with the 69s.

Why not make an open Friday series where each registered driver can make one choice of mod+track

As I seem to have planted the seed, let me nominate...

GP65
GP66
CanAm66
GP69x
GT

I would suppose that the GP66 mod is my favourite if only due to the vast array of assorted cars available.  Hard to beat that.
I would prefer the GP65's over the F2's.  Not much difference between them in performance but the engine variety of the F1 cars is a plus.
The CanAm66 mod is a personal favourite having seem them 'back in the day'.
While I find the GP69x mod cars so fast as to be uncomfortable, I can't deny their appeal.
The GT's always provide fun and with the upgunned GTX mod waiting in the wings, it's a natural.

1955
1955
1955

and

1955   ::)

LMAO!!

For someone who, only a couple of months ago, was bemoaning the brake fade and the potential crashfests that were inevitable in any race with these cars, you appear to have been converted??? ???

Does this mean that you have discovered and now enjoy the thrill of sideways driving in 1955 cars ??  ::) ::)

Looking more and more like you every day!!!

The crashfest appears to depend on who I'm racing with.   ::)

I am such a good influence on other members...... :angel-wings:

So I will go for:
65's
69x's
and ...
69x's

I wanted you to make some real proposals like

Sunday 69X - Spa67

Tuesday 67F2 - Crystal Palace

...

Since the 55 mod is very new, I think that it would be a good idea to run some spec races to get people trying some new cars.

I still find myself with limited options for any given race because there is a shortage of setups.  Once I get one of these beasts to do what I want it to I just stick with it.

Personally I like the F2's, despite the fact that most have the FVA engine, it kind of equals the grid and those who take the few alternative cars ( Ferrari/Lola BMW/Brab BT14 ) can enjoy the challenge  ;), I do agree that they are similar to the 65's.

I'm with Doni regarding the 66's and the huge variety of cars with different engine sizes. That can really mix up the grids.

The 69x's are a definite adrenaline rush with all that grip and power. So are the Thundercars, but we rarely use those beasts?

The 55's are the newest and each car presents a challenge in terms of setups and braking technique, which perhaps explains its appeal. I certainly enjoy the extra challenge that these cars present.

The two Can Ams (66 & 71) are a different experience, as are the GT's.

So don't ask me which cars to choose lol.  We have a huge choice of cars and fun to have, GPL has come a long way since 1998 and we have the modding teams to thank for that.
All we have to do is find the time to enjoy it all.  ;)

With full grids, let us assume 1955 will see another Season.  So  . . if more practice races arrive, there are non-championship tracks, and some hundreds more to try.  These extra races were common, in all GPL years, and gave teams and drivers extra practice for big races.  Tracks could be large or small.

Crystal Palace was small and simple, so easy to learn how good driving technique, helps bad brakes.  Pau looks more dangerous for training.

And there are 100+ tracks, good for getting practice at fast 4 wheel drifting, through 1955.  I much like Dijon ( 2 versions ) , and Pacific Raceway ( 2 versions ) .  When you drive these well, brakes should not be a problem.  And besides these, many more wait to be explored. :laugh:

TBH I am a little fed up with the 55s, so I thought to take the not used mods in the break...

Now I got it. So I like the next race with 65er in Assen.  8)

I'd like to see another season of 55's using the same tracks as the last one. 

After I have messed up an attempt at any particular track the last thing that I want to do is to find another one to make a mess of!  I want to go back and get it right.   ::) 

And I just about messed up all of them!

Clive you need to get out more and experience life in the 55's  ;D but I do agree that another season of 55's would be popular.

Andy and myself will have to come and visit again if you don't show more adventure. But seriously ( I am just occasionally  ::) ), there are some tracks out there on the track database that enhance the "period" feeling of driving the 55's that you really should try. Cerne's Wood that we tried on Tuesday was pure 50's atmosphere with no barriers, except trees, and was like racing through Lord Fontleroy's country park.

I suspect that what you are saying/experiencing is a lack of confidence in the setups that you have , or don't have, for the various 55 cars. I have setups that I feel comfortable with for maybe 3 cars that I can use on any track, just by adjusting gear ratios to suit. The others are work in progress ( or not even started yet).
For me racing these cars is all about confidence in how the car will behave, because to be competitive you have to attack the corners on the limit of brakes and adhesion. It takes time to build a setup and then prove it in competition, and TBH I find that there are some cars within GPL that I cannot crack  :-\, the 67 BRM refuses to be tamed to my liking after 15 years of racing GPL. Believe me I HAVE tried!!

First time in the 69s in practice for tonight and they seem very sensitive to setup and willing to plunge off the track at the first brush with a kerb.  Perhaps I just need more laps.

Though it wouldn't enhance the period feeling, if we are going to run 65s and 69s off-season I always wanted to race the 65s on the tracks built for the 67s, like Jarama or Estoril- is Estoril stable online?  Or Zeltweg or Zolder, though we ran Zeltweg during the season.  How about a Jarama 65 Jarama 69 double?

Will there be a 68 mod?  A 65-69 series was anticipated a decade ago.  I always wanted to race the RA 301 and T86.

There was a carset made to look like 1968,  but models used were the GPLEA ones we have in 1967.  And no change in speed.

To get a 1968 Mod made, you need a team of specialists.  There has been more enthusiasm generated by making things new, and different. :cowboy:  We'd rather make a 1955, than a 1968. 

Because there are so few working on projects, 1968 may sometime seem less time consuming than others.  Meanwhile, 1967x gives a choice of physics, with speed increasing during the Season - 1968 minus a few m.p.h.   

Are you dropping a sneaky hint here Martin? about a backroom project to do an "X" update option on the original 67 cars????!!!



Meanwhile back at Cunning Ploys Ltd UK's secret bunker, a plan is hatching for some fun races.

I am proposing a 30 lap 65 mod race at Silverstone, for Pro's and Am's together, but with added value. muhahahaha >:D

All drivers who currently run in Pro are required to take 3 SnG's. These cannot be taken on the first or last laps. (lap 1 or lap 30)
One SnG to be taken between laps 2-10 , one between laps 10-20, and the other between laps 20-29.

All drivers currently running in Am's do not have to take any compulsory SnG's.

Shift/R's will require an additional SnG which must be taken within 2 laps as per our usual rules.

All of the above will result in increased traffic in the pitlane, so there are a few rules to cover that:-

1) There is no pitlane speed limit...BUT,
2) NO overtaking in the pitlane. This means from the moment that you leave the main circuit until you are fully back on the main circuit, you cannot pass any car in front of you.
3) The procedure for taking ALL SnG's whether as a handicap or after using a Shift/R are the same, because all cars will be stopping for the same period of time ( approx 1 second).
4) The first car that enters the pitlane will drive to the far end of the pit stalls and perform his SnG.
5) If you enter the pitlane and there is a car already stopped, you perform your stop behind him, remember that you cannot overtake so you will have to be sure that the car in front is moving off BEFORE you nail the gas. Some drivers might be quicker or slower than others!!
6) If a line of cars enters the pitlane together they will follow the lead car and perform their SnG's and leave the pits again in the same order.
7) These rules apply for ALL stops.

Yes Clive good idea, why not give the pitstops some sense and use the GPL Pitstop Patch (http://gplmotorworks.gplworld.de/) for refueling...

I wouldn't fancy the job of moderator on this one.

I thought that I would try and keep it simple for a first trial run. No-one will need to d/load and install anything to run this race.

Gareth
"I wouldn't fancy the job of moderator on this one"

Actually not too difficult, justneed to look at the laptimes for each car and I am sure that drivers in close competition will know if someone misses a stop. And anyway UKGPL drivers are such gentlemen that they would never cheat  ::)........would they??
Also that is why I set the "NO OVERTAKING IN THE PITLANE" rule, Everything should run like clockwork!!! lololol.

You could have 65, 66, 67x, 67 then 69?   The 67x mod isn't really an online mod?  You wouldn't have the RA 301 and T86 either, the '68 season' would be the Kyalami 68 cars?

The 1955 mod might be more exciting for specialists, it is already made though!  A while ago there was a suggestion that the 68 mod was unpopular because it would be another winged mod, though this was before the 69 extra mod.  It would include the first McLaren wins, that is somewhat exciting?

If you are going to handicap by previous driver lap times, why use stop-go when you could use chassis handicaps?  Over thirty laps won't there be an issue with faster cars closing and it not being clear what track position they have?

Perhaps it is just too ambitious to have a multi-season competition?

Apologies Jack, perhaps I did not make my intention clear. I was not proposing a whole series, just a single fun race for this Tuesday evening.

The idea was to try and keep the Am's somewhere near the aliens after 30 laps. I fully appreciate that faster PRO drivers might find themselves having to pass Am drivers more than once during the race.  Think of this as more like an experiment, rather than any plan for the forthcoming season.  ;) ;)
 It might all end in a massive crashfest, but there might just be some interesting racing to be had.





 

The best way to make improvements is by testing for improvement.  :D This only works well if enough come to test.

For anyone who has not heard of 1967x for GPL, you will find it ( 7 individual to choose from ) here  :   http://srmz.net/index.php?showforum=186   The cars and physics change during the 1967 Season, but no Online paintwork.   Designed for the 99% who only race offline.