SimRacing.org.uk

Grid/server capacity: 22

Track: Targa Florio (Regular) Download this (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3358.msg241329#post_targa_florio)

Cars allowed: Aston Martin DB4 GT Download this (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3358.msg54518#post_aston_db4)
                       Austin Healey 3000 (Standard GTL car)
                       Ferrari 250 GT SWB Download this (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3358.msg54518#post_f250swb)
                       Mercedes 300SL (Gullwing) Download this (http://www.mediafire.com/file/x24qm4qekj4mz15/mercedes300slCoupe.zip/file)

Car restrictions: Three drives maximum per make. Check your car allowance here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19d942o8NrDxwBfA2CkGTPKyyKkMpYRC0_m592YHSyu0/edit?usp=sharing)

Practice/Car change: ~16:00
No qualifying (random grid) Be online by at least 20:30
Race: 20:40 (1 lap)

Time of Day Setting: 14:00
Start: STANDING
Tyre wear: 2x
Fuel consumption: Normal
Pit stops required: No

Server: simracing.org.uk Wednesday
Password: see above (#post_event_password)

Notes:
(1) It's best if all drivers can make sure they are connected before the Qualifying session as drivers on track during qualifying will not see cars that join after they are on track until they go back to the garage.
(2) Please make sure you are fully aware of the SimRacing.org.uk Rules.
(3) The AI control should be turned off so that you have control of the car at all times, including pitting. Your player file should therefore read
Autopit="0"
Force Autopit Off="1" // Forces autopit always off
No AI Control="1" // AI never has control over car
If you still finding pitting problematic, experience tells us that its less to do with positioning and more to do with approach speed. A slow approach to pit crew chief has proved most reliable.

Special Notes: A long track so please use this https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=12160.0. Cuts will be off for this event. Note early race start time. You will need the in-game start countdown to be turned on.

Drivers who set a time in Practice usually get a preferential grid place, even though it's supposed to be "random"  ::)

I prefer to be "Tail End Charlie" , Thanks........

Bob M.

Just did a decent enough 36.45 here.
Alas, thrice alas, it was with a non-eligible car, viz. the BMW Procar GTO. Almost perfect for the job.
If I'd use my extensive experience here, off the four available cars I'd recommend.... none of them.
It's pure sado-masochism to pick those cars for this. I doubt anyone, including myself, will make the finish.
And that's coming from someone who doesn't hesitate to take the Gulf GT40, the Lola T70, the Alfa 33, or even the Maserati 450S 5.7L to this track.
Actually, scrap that, let's first try them.

First update and backpedalling:
The Ferrari 250 GT SWB is doable. It needs a very oversteery setup so you can pivot that bulk carrier in front of the windscreen around corners with the throttle but it's doable.
Any understeer in those few nasty righthanders is insta-death though.

Next up: the Healey

 I had not noticed that Tony had slipped this little gem into the schedule.  :-\ :-\

Rather ironically, I have been discussing Targa with a fellow GPL'er for the last weeks, because he has taken the time and effort to "learn" Targa and frankly I cannot be bothered to commit that much time even though I am retired.

I fear that this event will be one which I am unlikely to complete, even though it is an historically correct course. There might be an opportunity to do a recce before the actual event, but I seriously doubt that it will result in "knowing" this mammoth course.

Any hope of you posting some times? Just so that I know how far off the pace I am??  :-\

My time with the Fezza 250 GT SWB was 40.41 which is embarassingly slow. Better skilled drivers with setup understanding could likely get that down to 39.00.
I'm only good at getting the cars all the way to the finish  :angel:

40:41 embarrassing huh???!!! and you got to the finish?? ::)  ...........................................if only  :-\

I might give this a trial run this pm and I will post any time for a completed run here.........don't expect any news soon!

Did a 40.50 in the Merc. Again I must admit it's quite a bit better car for this race than I anticipated. It's quite sluggish and awkward and the gears are too short and five gears would be much better but like the Fezza, it's doable. It's probably the safest option too as it's better at braking and turning in an emergency-avoid-the-bollards-at-all-costs after coming in one of the nasty corners too fast.

The Healey was a big surprise. I always found it an awkward car and hadn't done much with it in all the time I own GTL. But it comes really to life here. It's even....fun. Its quintessential Britishness is a definite plus. It almost feels like you're in a 60's or 70's movie, you know the type. I'll have to have another go though to mention a time because I hadn't reduced the fuel or picked the longest gears in my attempt. However, that's not imminent as my back has put an embargo on more Targa this weekend (did some GT40, Lola and Mazza's too  :laugh:)

1st attempt at Targa  :scared: :scared: :scared: using the Healey.

Basically it was all point and squirt, because I had no idea where the road went around the next corner. Plus, every time that I thought I knew , I was wrong!, and stuffed the car on one of those tank traps, or plunged across a grassy meadow.
 I guess that there were maybe 8 "offs" and I clocked a 45:20. So if I can control my urge to force the pace ( fat chance!!  ::) ) there might be a 42:00 'ish time in there.

I cannot see how I could learn the whole course in the next 2 weeks, it would take more hours than I care to spend on it. But maybe a couple more runs will allow me to recall some of the more distinctive sections. I felt that I had the straight bits nailed down, so if I just learn those corners...................................... ::)

Wait, your very first attempt ever? In any sim? Any car?
Oh dear. In that case, no, you're unlikely to master the track like you would an ordinary one in the alloted timeframe. Even after hundreds of Targa runs over the years, I still have moments of 'Hold on, where am I?  :scared:'

But on the other hand, the Targa's difficulty per mile, so to speak, is actually rather low. There are maybe ten or twelve points you really have to remember because, as you experienced, they lead to heavy, often terminal, crashes or off-road excursions which are very hard to climb back out off. Outside of those it's rather predictable in that it's mostly a sequence of left, right, left, right and so on. One tip I can give is that when you see black and white chevrons, you really need to break because they always indicate tight corners which in these cars are 2nd or even 1st gear. Another tip is never to relax. The kink in the very long straight is hazardous and the very last section can be tricky too. I don't know how many times I have overshot the lefthander at the car park from which you set out and ruined 35-40 minutes of effort.
It is tough, but for me at least the satisfaction of a good run on the Targa has no comparison.

TBH, not my first ever attempt at Targa. I have "attempted" a couple in GPL and not exactly covered myself in glory  ::) and I think we did an event in GTL a while back where I totalled a Lotus Cortina inside the first kilometre, then went and had a beer.  :-\
There are sections that kind of look familiar, like the villages? and where there are a load of pink flowers?, plus the long straight of course. But, I have no real idea of where I am or what happens next. It just feels like an exercise in absolute concentration and reaction, and very exhausting. Give me 10 laps of Nürburgring anytime  ;)

 I had assumed that those chevrons were a warning sign, and dropped a gear each time I saw them. The problem of course is that it could be a very tight 45 degree corner...or a 180 degree with a big drop or those car killing concrete posts!!

1965 Targa Florio:

https://www.facebook.com/GTCars8A/videos/407955193085092/ (https://www.facebook.com/GTCars8A/videos/407955193085092/)

Of course well known, but one more teaser: Targa Florio 1972.

Vic Elford explaining how to drive the track  ;D ::)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF_oF-ZMhD0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF_oF-ZMhD0)

 8)

 :blink:
This is next week already?
[Cliché]Damn, time flies[/Cliché]
I haven't even decided on a car yet.  :scared:
Hold my calls, cancel my appointments. Nothing but Targa for a week.  :devil:

Just completed my first lap in the Healey, after 4 aborted attempts, time: 41.44!!!!! :(

Would it be ok if I (re)joined you guys for this one ? - Nutty tracks have a certain irresistibility to me..   :)

 :thumbup1:

It would be a pleasure to see your car vanishing into the Sicilian sunshine Erling, you have been missed  ;).

I cannot commit the mental energy to "learn" Targa, let's call it old age ? But I might do a practice run sometime between now and Wednesday and hope that I can remember a couple of landmarks  :-\

Your always welcome here, no need to ask.

As far as I remember, just had my first ever completed lap here (including two offs which cost about 2 minutes to come back on track)
in around 44:25 using the Gullwing.
Concentration drops in the latter part of the track ...  :P ::)

Looked more like a bit faster tourist drive through the landscape  ;D

At least no oncoming traffic, no donkeys, no cattle and sheep and no spectators on the track  :D .

Objection!  ;D  ;)

Just kidding of course.

Just had a real nice run which decided me on the car and proved that 40.50 was indeed very slow.  :angel:

Thanks guys; much appreciated  :)

Lol Clive, I may just as well be vanishing into the Sicilian countryside, something that's very easy to do here, at this most unforgiving place  :o

Still not managed to finish a lap here  ::)

Just to say, please fast guy's, don't wait for me to finish (unlikely) before you began congrats chat etc and please leave before I finish if you want to. No offence will be taken.

Although I understand that modifying one's car in this series is forbidden, Arnold has taken it upon himself to install what he calls "essential accessories".

I took a peek into the garage last night, just to see what he was up to, fearing instant disqualification when we arrive at the circuit this evening.

His mods were not obvious at first ( which is unusual given that the use of a large hammer and a short length of scaffold tube are usually involved!!).

He has welded oversize towing eyes to all 4 corners of the car, and an extra large loop to the centre of the roll cage to, as he politely puts it, "speed up recovery from countryside excursions". I don't think that these items will prohibit my taking part, but.............he was also keen to point out his brilliant adaptation that runs along either side of the car.  ::)
He has also welded small extensions to the front and rear bumpers projecting at 45 degrees on each corner. Between these there are multiple strands of ultra heavy duty knicker elastic going all around the car. He claims that this device will help the car stay on the tarmac instead of sliding into posts/trees/rocks etc, by bouncing the car back onto the track.  :o

P.S.
Mabel has texted to say that she will not be in Scicily this evening. She has made an emergency appointment with her doctor. She is distraught that her underwear is constantly falling from her body in embarrasing situations, which she feels can only be explained by sudden and profound weight loss......................
I thought it better to stay silent  ::)

Hi nice one Clive

ditto quote Tony (Still not managed to finish a lap here 

Just to say, please fast guy's, don't wait for me to finish (unlikely) before you began congrats chat etc and please leave before I finish if you want to. No offence will be taken.)

Tried last night and thought i was doing quite well got to 41 mins and then destroyed the car hit an invisible wall were it looked like the road continued, on replay it seems i should have turned left by a police car just hope i get this far and remember to go left.

 I too have come to grief on that same concrete police car, both in GTL and GPL.  :-\

And Rog, I hate to tell you this but you were only about 200mtrs from the finish!!!!! which makes it so sickening after 40+ minutes of effort???!!!  :death: :death:

It is the same car that you pass on the short drive from the pits to the start line.

Hey Clive, I hope Arnold has used the FIA approved fire resistant knicker elastic, otherwise the scrutineers will throw it out!

Yes, that's the 'lefthander at the car park' I referred to earlier. Been there, done that many times. And it's indeed very near the finish.
There's a big blue road sign there indicating the junction which is very suitable as a reminder. It's placed too much forwards to use as a braking point but that late in the lap it's better to lose a second than to die in sight of the chequered flag.

If Arnold is involved...who the heck knows what he used?????  re-cycled violin/guitar strings woven into a form of webbing?? Would that produce a fireproof material ??

Although the circumstantial evidence does appear to link him to Mabel's alleged weight loss, I am not pointing any fingers.  ::)

Warm up lap buggered 30mins in because surge protector....  :cursing: :censored: :wacko: :helpsmilie:
Targa, such fun  ;D

Having problems with the game not responding. No buttons work, will try again.

Hi well that was fun waited for start then got kicked.

????? Really not sure what happened at the start???
Joined the grid after waiting patiently in the chat room. A few resets just to get the % up engine on tickover, pick up revs …3-2-1-GO and...……...Nothing??!! no engine noise from my car, no forward motion, no gear changing.. just cars vanishing into the distance and silence  :'(

"Sorry" to whoever was in the Merc stuck right behind me, but my car was going nowhere, so I quit  :(

Hope you all had more fun than me.

Killed the car after the second village.  Those walls just don't move at all.  I think my record still stands, no finishes at Targa.  I was in last place  on the track anyway so no problem  Grats to the podium and all who finished!!!
I had a  hard time getting on the server after I left to change skins.  GTL kept crashing but I think my PC has seen better days on these long, big load tracks.  See you all later, Thanks for the races!!!!

Bob M.

NP Clive.

Finished the lap in about 43:30 - 44:00   :) but had the feeling that I was alone on the server  ???

No problem, Clive, there was plenty of room and still 72 km to go! Damn shame for you, though.

Very meh lap from me but even 40.09, my best lap here in this car, would only have halved the huge gap with Coyote. I 'virtually' chased Geoff for many kms in the sense that I saw his name label popping up now and then before a hairpin but I never got closer. And then I saw some skidmarks running up a hill and figured that was a no comeback situation for G.   :-\ Took it home with more care than needed and now I'm damn knackered again, lol.
Sorry for everyone who got unlucky and big grats to Coyote. And thanks to Fulvio for letting me pass.

Targa is such a huge track we always run the risk of anomalies occurring and tonight was no exception. Roguk apparently won the race whilst never leaving the pits and Clive was on the start grid but never moved. I need to massage the results so that they reflect what actually happened.

Replay is posted.

@ Roguk & EvilClive - as your cars didn't leave the start line you will not be debited for this drive, but you will not receive any points.

Results corrected. Please shout out if you see an error.

As I finished my lap (in about 43:30 - 44:00) and if Geoffers went off I would have been in fourth place.
After I crossed the finish line there obviously nobody was still on the server and/or visible for me so I left the game immediately.
My XD didn't work roughly since Roger left so I can't say anything about ranking.
XD told me that Bob was still in game behind me and Geoffers still running in 2nd place  ???

I am quite happy to credit Kurt with 4th place if you want to amend the results Tony.

My race went quite well for 85% of the lap. Having been awarded pole position I headed off in the lead but soon had Erling on my tail, held him up for a few corners & then pulled over to let him past, he was clearly much faster so no point in having someone behind distracting me while trying to see which way the next corner went. As Erling disappeared into the distance I continued in 2nd place expecting Targa expert Dom to soon catch up, drove for many more miles (sorry kms) & there was still no sign of him, it wasn't until we got to the section with the first set of hairpins I could see his name tag about 5-600 metres behind. Further on at the next hairpin section the gap was about the same & so it went on at each successive hairpin.

At one point I ran wide at a corner & mowed down a whole group of spectators, there must have been a few casualties  :o, but fortunately there was just an open field behind & I was able to regain the track about 100m further on with minimal time lost. Eventually got to the downhill section back towards the coast, the bit I am least familiar with (I don't often get that far!), & it was here that it all went wrong, had a couple of warnings when I got a couple of wheels off track but then one RHer caught me out & I hit a tree & killed the car  >:(.

Congrats to Erling (great to see you back  :thumbup1:), Dom & Fulvio  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Commiserations to those who had misfortune.  :(

Results revised in light of the comments preceding this post.

My night wasn't without incident. First I had a few dropped connections so I left to reset my router. On my return the same thing happened and I also lost mouse functionality. I could move the mouse arrow but could not click anything. So I did a full reboot of my PC and replaced the batteries in my mouse. This seemed to fix everything so I waited for the vote and ended up in 2nd place on the grid (not what I wanted at all). I concentrated in letting the other drivers pass me as best I could and set of after Kurt. Then realised that in all the excitement I had forgotten to load my setup so I had the wrong settings, the wrong fuel and the wrong gearing. Thought I would continue to see how far the fuel would get me but after several comedy "off's" I eventually hit a small concrete post thingy and ripped a wheel of the car so race over. Well done all finishers and great to have Erling on the track again.

You were not the only one with mouse functionality problems Tony, I did & I think Dom did too. It is similar to what happened when we ran Targa at NG some time ago, it seems it could be related to the track, because of the size of it, it seems unable to cope when it gets to around 10 players & randomly throws people off the server & causes others to have operational problems.

Yeah, much as I love the Targa, it isn't really suited for online racing. There are always problems with it. When I won over at NG -this reminder being the the main reason for this post  ;D- the game froze immediately after the finish too just like it did in practice here. Now I'm going to watch the replay of the lap from the real Targa expert: Coyote. This should be good.

Congratulations to those who completed the course and to those who had the energy left to lift the champagne.

I have to confess that after the long build up and trepidation about battling the infamous Targa Florio, to not even get across the start line was a rather deflating  :-\

Thank you Tony for the dispensation on the car usage  ;)

Interesting comments about mice not working properly as I was frantically changing re-chargeable batteries during practice because I could not get the darned thing to work!!!

Thanks Geoffers & Tony.

I think it doesn't make sense to post the race result this time as Roger is posted as winner and so on  ???

Glad that I could finish the lap, but had a lot of issues and offs during the second half which fortunately didn't have any consequences.

 :)

Some of you where talking of weird happenings on the track, I remember when Kurt came up behind me to pass my video got choppy and flickered.  It continued until he passed me and got on down the road and then was fine again.  Guess my video card is too old to handle it.  The rac e was fun while it lasted though, just too much for my old PC and my old brain cells.......

Bob M.

I liked Roger's average speed for the race 4800+ KPH!!!!!!! :o

First of all a big thanks for the warm welcome yesterday!  :)

I needed a break when I stopped, but after doing this every week for 5 years, I must admit it felt very weird not having a weekly race to prepare for. Quickly found something else to waste the saved time on though  ;)   Was surprised to find I didn't miss the racing all that much, but did miss you guys, the forum and the amusing race reports.  Could still sneak past for a peek and read them, but not quite the same when you're not part of it yourself.

Anyway, the Targa race was one I had looked forward to at the beginning of the season, so wanted to at least do this.  A bit rusty since I hadn't touched GTL since stopping, so needed a fair bit of practice. Surprisingly I could still remember many bits of the track after my intensive training last year - despite my memory being more akin to Swiss cheese these days..    Tried all the cars.  Quickly dropped the Ferrari: it was nice enough early in the lap, but horribly uneven front/rear tyre wear made it more and more difficult to handle as the lap wore on.  The Aston I found the hardest to drive here, without being the quickest, so didn't fancy that one either.  Was between the Healey & Merc then.  Liked both, but really love driving the Merc, was a little bit quicker in it and prefer the sound, providing you pick the right car. Dom, I believe you had one of the quiet ones.  Try mine or Kurt's, if you care about the engine noise - it will be a revelation!  :)

Very sorry that so many had problems - not least Roger & Clive, who didn't even get a chance to drive.  Eased past Tony after the start and set about chasing Geoffers.  He quickly let me past, and I just had time to think "Ah, that's very kind of you Geoff", when it hit me like a bolt of lightning: "He's surmised there's a better chance I'll wreck my car if I'm let loose, instead of following a more cautious driver!!"  A most devious scheme that almost succeeded, as I did have a few close calls, and blunted a front wing on a wall late in the race.  Joking aside, it was very kind of you Geoffers, but I would have been perfectly happy having to try for a real pass somewhere  :)

Grats to Dom & Fulvio for filling the podium and commiserations to all who met with misfortune & problems.  Dom: you're way too kind - I'm certainly no Targa expert; just too stupid not to try pushing it, and occasionally I get away with it   ;D

After the warm reception, it would almost be rude not to give it another go, so I'll try to tune in again next week  :)