SimRacing.org.uk

UKGPL Season 16 - Inter-League race - Spa-Francorchamps

This is the fourth race in our Inter-League season, and will again use the 66 mod.  Our guests will be the international league AtlasF1 Legends, who are based at Race Sim Central.  This race will begin at 2100GMT, an hour later than the previous race, but allow for the end of BST the previous night!  Each club is to field nine cars, and there are no chassis handicaps, drivers will be racing to complete the distance and score points for their team.  Please proffer a cordial greeting to our guests from AtlasF1!

Please be in Igor UKGPL chatroom by 8:55 p.m, (You will need to set up a channel called #ukgpl if you haven't already done so)
Igor and Race passwords: see above

Server ADC
IP address 81.88.37.9

Race date = 26-10-2008
Time = 21:00
Track =  Circuit National de Francorchamps
Variant = 66F1
Damage Model = PRO
Qually time = 30 minutes.
Race length = 14 laps (complete 13 laps to score points as a finisher)

Chassis assignments: I've left this for the team captain to complete, though this has not yet happened..
BT19 Lorenzo
one of the BT11 versions, driver to choose FMG
one BRM, driver to choose between P261 and P83 John
Cooper Hristo
one Eagle, driver to choose between T1F and T1G Phil
one Ferrari, driver to choose between 246 and 312 Clive
Honda Storm
one Lotus, driver to choose between 43 and either of the 33 versions Syd
McLaren Mike B

If you'd like to represent UKGPL in this race please post on the thread.  When you advise what chassis you'd prefer, can you mention whether you've tested a full fuel race setup for it.  We've only completed one season with the 66 mod, and aren't as familiar with it as with the original cars- perhaps we could help each other with setups?   

We haven't done as well as we might have in previous races, partly because of poor preparation.  However these have been the points scored by the team so far:

Lorenzo 31
Phil 29
Storm 26
John 23
Glyn 16
Clive 14
Mike W 11
Art 9

I'm happy to be available for this one, don't mind which car.

The BT11 is at a serious disadvantage, as it's the only non-3 litre in the field.

I'd asked the Atlas team representative if they were happy to race at our preferred time of 2100GMT and they've agreed, so thanks to them!  I've modified the race details above.

While the BT11 is slower, this affects both teams and I'd like to know how it works out in the race.  It's something we might change in future races. 

I'm available for next week. Would like to try something different though so please don't put me in the Cooper or the Eagle.

21 gmt sounds good, count me in.

i'll race .

john

I'm in too.  At least I've managed to finish all these races this season (unlike Div 1).  Second in the points standings, not bad for a slow coach.  "To finish first, first you have to finish"

Or to participate.  :D

Well. after all the the kerrfuffle last time it seems I'm free on this Sunday anyway  ::)

Bung me in the BT11 this time so I can't crash it ;D
Again, if you get more experienced types come along and need my seat, I won't mind being booted out  :)

I'm in!!

Comrades! Bravely we thrust ourselves forward once more, casting aside past slips and indiscretions, and all as dauntless as your humble Jack O'Ferrall!   A brave life, and together quaff, revel and recount our numberless victories!  The asphalt stage beckons!

I'm in. Lotus 43 preferably.

Ok how about this as a provisional team?  I'll put it on the first post, as I've always wanted to!

BT11 FMG
McLaren Mike
T1G Phil
P83 John
RA273 Storm
BT19 Lorenzo
Lotus Syd
Cooper Hristo
312 Clive

+reserve(s)

Fine by me :) , hopefully the old Ford V8 will stick the revs !!! :D

We're still happy to accept further volunteers, especially from drivers that have raced in these races before, though I'll want to confirm all the cars before the weekend.

Also, the race after this will be against BREASTS, and might provide an opportunity for one or two new drivers to race.  Acting as a reserve for this race would help to promote your claim to a seat in the next one.

Finally, there's been confusion before and the team has gone off short.  Once more, the change back to GMT is the night before, and the start time is 2100GMT.  I'd like all the drivers to be assembled a few minutes beforehand and to have full practice runs.  Though this is a 50% distance race, the front of the grid will still be important at Spa. 

I don't know if you have any at all.....but I'll reserve for this race.....got a good finishing record at Spa.

Does anyone have any fuel consumption data for the big Fez at Spa ( or similar circuit)?
I ran the 312 at Watkins Glen but just guessed the fuel load + 20%, and did not manage a finish, so could not verify the figures.

I'll run a practice server tonight at 9:00pm if anybody wants to get a few laps in.  Be in UKGPL chat if you are interested.

Hi guys :)

I am the AtlasF1 admin. As you know it seems RSC is down for the moment, but in spite of this, we will be at the chatroom as planned. We hosted a practice session at Spa yesterday, pro damage, 15 laps long, and everything went well, so I think we are ready to go :)

We thought about using  specific color for the helmets of each team, so if you agree, we can define this at the chatroom, right before the race.

Our list of cars and drivers is:

Brabham BT19: Arturo Pereira
Brabham BT11: Ran Finkels
Cooper T81: Zorco Kirilian
Ferrari 312: Natan Veksler
Eagle 102: Dick Clayton
Lotus 43: Patrik Lindqvist
Honda: Paul Skingley
McLaren: Claudio Navonne
BRM P83: Pablo Fernandez

Since RSC is down, email me or send me a PM if there is any last minute information we should know in advance :)

Good luck !!

Hi Arturo

Yes there has been some last minute changes.  Unfortunately 3.UKGPL won't be available for the race this evening so Mike Beattie has kindly agreed to let us use ADC's server (IP is 81.88.37.9).  I'll PM the passwords etc to you.  I had noticed RSC was down (it was OK last night).

Nice to see a couple of familiar names in the Honda and McLaren  :)

Cheers

Phil

Hello Arturo, I noticed that you mentioned training for 15 laps in your post and I've got 14 (with 13 to score) as the race distance on the first post.  15 would be 50 mins, but I'm sure it was to be 50% GP distance...?

Thanks Geoff- I'm the only other reserve, we can squabble if the opportunity beckons!

Please can the UKGPL team assemble in time for the full 30 min practice session.  Also, even if on a direct connection, ensure that you are present in Igor chat, as if we haven't got a full team on 30 mins the reserves will be sent on.

Hi guys :)

We raced a 15 laps race because I did not setup the server properly. We know the race will be 14 laps long and that we will need 13 laps to score points. Do not worry about this :)

About some familiar faces with the Honda and McLaren, we hired the best drivers we could get, considering our limited resources. We had a few engines failures yesterday but I guess some guys will treat the engines and gearboxes gently today :D

As it is usual, Spa does not forgive mistakes and also has some blind but fast turns which are extremely dangerous. I hope the flagmen do their homework properly :p

Hi Art

Nice to see you racing on both sides of the Atlantic . I'm sure you will do well , In spite of having Dick Dastardly signed up in the Eagle  ;)

Not racing just a casual observer who will enjoy watching the replay  :)

Good luck from Wigan England  ;D

(that should put the mokkers on it )    ::)

1st qualifying run was a safe banker lap and although my 2nd was interrupted by a spinner it was still a bit quicker. 3rd run disturbed by everyone wishing everyone else "GLA" whilst some of us were still driving so started midpack.

Got away okay and made a couple of places. At the exit of Eau Rouge the two cars infront touched and spun I clipped them and flipped. Race over.

Thanks to all for a great race, in spite of some incidents :)

I qualified in 7th position I think and could avoid the crash after Eau Rouge by slowing down a lot and running over the grass.

After that, I was close to John Roberts and stayed there for about 10 laps. John was much faster at the long straights and I was faster at the rest of the track. Unfortunately, we were coming into Stavelot and I had to brake to avoid rearending John´s car. I spun but was lucky enough to be able to recover with the car in one piece. After I rejoined the race, John was in 4th and I was in 5th, about 10s behind.
FRom then on, I drove like crazy and could come into the last lap being right on John´s tail. I was running out of time to move to 4th, so I tried my move after Masta and before Stavelot. I got the inside line but entered the turn a bit faster than the usual and we teouched. I was launched into the air and got caught by the haybales, game over.
My apologies for the move John. I thought I had no more choices to try a pass. Glad to know you could make it till the checkered flag !!

Thanks to the UKGPL for a great race and be sure we will be looking for the next one :)

Thanks Arturo, please pass on our thanks to the ATLAS team.

There were some cracking battles at the tail of the field too.  I had a race long battle with Dick Clayton and Ran Finkels, swapped places several times great fun.

it's a shame you could not finish the race Art , however i wouldn't have wanted you overtaking me ;)

and don't worry I could feel you were faster me in the bendy stuff and was doing everything i could just to keep you behind .

john

Well it was a rather monotonous race for me with the cars behind dropping back pretty quickly in the opening laps and then I was left on my own, so I tried to enjoy it as much as possible and look after the engine at the same time (had a blow up in practice, so I had fears about it). There were two mistakes on two different laps and they're noticeable in the laptimes, but apart from that it was a rather clean and fast run. I'm surprised how fast the Cooper is compared to the 67 version, hehe. Qualifying was a bit problematic with people coming out of the pits not paying attention to their mirrors or doing it too late which ruined 2 of my flying laps and I must admit I got kinda angry about that. Also in the end I noticed people started talking before everyone had finished their flying laps which wasn't nice either. Anyway, finally UKGPL wins one of these league challenges I think?  ;D

My engine blew 2/3rd's of the way into the first lap  >:(
Not happy as it had survived several hours of testing with those gear ratios without so much as getting a bit warm, in fact I don't think I've ever blown the 2.7l  :-\

What makes it worse is that I had a nice stable setup to allow me to pick up anything that was dropped from further up the field (Think I was up to about 10th when the 'ignition' let go  ::) )

Well, I could imagine that, and my intentions were not to stay on your exhausts for long. It was fun anyway John. No worries. For the first 10 laps, I could have tried a pass but I think I had little chances and so I decided to wait till the last lap. Another choice could have been if you had made a mistake, but I know you and that chance did not seem possible. I was pretty comfortable running on your exhausts, which allowed me not to use the throttle at 100% and so to save some fuel ;)
It was great to race with you John, in spite we tried to make things difficult to each other. This is racing, right ?? :)

yes it is .   :)

john

Thanks to Mike and ADC for hosting this event.  Though we split the front of the grid with Atlas, this time more of our front-runners survived the distance.  Its the first time we've run a GP event so I'd be interested if you have any more comments on GP level, I know Tim was disappointed with his engine, but the finish rate is similar to other shorter races we've had.  It's hard on the possibly unlucky individuals who lose engines, but the team's finish rate might reflect their engine management?   

The provisional scores were :

UKGPL five finishers 18+17+16+15+13=79

Atlas three finishers 14+12+11=37

The margin seems fairly conclusive, so well done to the UKGPL team, and to Hristo for a victory and best lap.  Commiserations to Atlas, who competed fairly and in a very good spirit, we'll look forward to the rematch!

The next race is the first 'derby', against BREASTS....

Disapointed yes  :yes: but it may have been some random factor, or I might have ever-so slightly gone above my normal rev point for the 5th to 4th transistion at the end of Masta....

Dunno which but I've taken it on board and am trying something very different with my gearing for tonight's '66 race at Lemans  :)

I've no problem with GP rules I might add - this was either random failure or an error on my part - or a bit of both - either way it adds to the challenge.
I just need more experience at this level  :-[

A bit late with my view on the race, as I have been working stupid hours since Monday morning ( again!!).

First of all, apologies to Patrik  Lindqvist for causing the incident that put him out of the race. I forgot just how slow the big Ferrari is to get away from a standstill if the revs are not wound right up. As a result I found myself crawling across the racing line just as he arrived at the corner, I had planned to be 50 mtrs down the road and on the inside of the circuit before he got there :-\.

A great race with Atlas really looking forward to doing it again.

I could not believe the brutal straight line speed of the big Fez. Even though I was only using 80% revs in 5th gear to protect the engine and allowing for 95% with a tow and for overtaking, it seemed that everyone else had the brakes on!!!
I managed to get one clear lap in Qually which catapulted me from 15th to 3rd on the grid, with only the threat of carnage at Eau Rouge to contemplate.
After allowing some temperature to build in the tyres so tha there was at least the possibility that the Ferrari would turn when I got to a corner instead heading straight out into the Belgian countryside I slipped into 2nd spot behind Hristo.

It was obvious that I had far greater speed on the straights than Hristo (or Patrick who was behind me) but I did not want to risk any contact with Hristo by attempting a pass. As a result, Patrick got alongside me approaching Masta and I tried to leave room for him on the inside ( but 2 abreast is not really an option through there) and I clipped the armco spinning me into the fencing .

Fortunately there was no damage and a huge gap back to the following cars so I was able to rejoin.

Over the next few laps I used the huge speed of the Fez to reel in Patrick, Paul and Lorenzo who were enjoying a 3 way battle ahead.
Unfortuately as I got within tow distance, approaching La Source, the jostling for position amongst them caused some early braking and although I avoided Paul's Honda I clipped the kerb on the inside and launched myself across the track and into the haybales taking Lorenzo with me ( sorry Lorenzo).
A couple of laps later we came across Paul and Patrick at Masta where they were recovering from an incident and both Lorenzo and I were able to slip through.
 I attempted to offer Lorenzo's Brabham the benefit of the tow from the Ferrari on the faster sections to build a gap back to Patrick. Not sure if that helped or hindered Lorenzo, but it was an interesting strategy and the gap did widen.

Then I had a moment of blindness and went wide at the top of the hill, where my rejoin caused Patrick's race to end.
Maybe next time i just get myself in front and keep out of the way???  a good plan with only a few minor flaws............... ::)

From then on it was a cruise to the finish, but if Patrick had survived it could have been very exciting!!!

Thanks again to Atlas.