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All members welcome.


Practice: 20:15 (10 mins)
Qualifying: 20:25 (10 mins)
Race: 20:35 (17 laps = ~80mins)

Track: Le Mans Sarthe v2.0  (download here (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3358.msg54520#post_lemans))
Cars allowed: Any GTC76 plus GT40 and McLaren M1A download here (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3358.0).
Time of Day Setting: 08:00
Start: STANDING
Pit Stops: You must make a minimum of one pit stop during which you must take on at least 1 litre of fuel or change your tyres. You cannot take your mandatory stop at the end of the pace lap, or with less than 1 lap to go.
Server: UKGTL S7
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 (https://www.simracing.org.uk/index.php?pid=7).
(3) This race will be run using the UKGTL Skin Pack 1.7.0.0 which will need to be installed prior to racing; please get it from the downloads page (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3358.msg54518#msg54518).
(4) Driver lists can be found on the championship standings page (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R;group=201;theme=5)
(5) 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 pit crew chief has proved most reliable.

I can't believe I'm saying this but............

Any chance we could use P&G for this one?

Now I need to have a little lie down in a darkened room, Nurse, the screens please..........

:lol:

Pretty please?

We really can't decide a series of GTL races with a PnG race, thats not fair to those that are currently conscientious objectors. Patience young fellas and some more news on this front coming soon.

Good point

???
Et tu, Brute?

It does have lots of luverly GT40's and 906's

No no no no no!  ;D

I would be lost with out my panty!?  :lol:

Thankyou common sense has been resumed :)

Err.. for this place is quite remarkable ;)

Can we use rFactor's 2CV mod ?  :jumpjoy:

I can understand W. Tony, i became a P&G lover aswell.  :tt1:
But for last race we should stick with GTL.
And dear Pantys and Vettes and Capris and McLarens friends, be aware with the mighty....
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/2643507620_7386a26ece.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/307469776_60b2bf8d6c.jpg?v=0)

 :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil:


Cheers  ;)

i would have actually joined you lot for this as Le Mans and GT76 is a match made in heaven (even in GTL  ;) ) but i am racing 4 nights in a row already this week from sunday to wednesday eves and i think a 5th night might just upset the MJ-Missus karma  :P so unless she is feeling uncharacteristically charitable towards my simming adventures, i will prob have to pass  :-X

Besides weds eve i'm in a 70's RSR race at Mugello....now that is a rather spiffing combo  8)

Minis at Le Mans - that will really get the slipstreamers going.

Bill

 :lol: Not even I'd drive one there!

Umm the server is only offering minis....  :laugh:

Lol subliminal stuff from Bill ;) Sorted now.

Obviously too subtle. :lol:

Bill

So then, the ninth & final race of UKGTL season 7 & we're rightly returning back to Le Mans.

Minton has all but mathematically guaranteed himself the Drivers Title in front of his other evil twin in Team RVS, Madd-RIP. SBG meanwhile could move up to the runners up spot, if he finishes in at least a 2nd place, but he has managed to build enough of a cushion to be just safe from fellow kerb krawler Ade. But Ade will still need a decent drive as Samb & an in form Oily are hot on his heals! As is PR who won the season six finale here in his seemingly out-matched BMW. Then you've got a string of drivers all capable of getting on the podium on the night & the recent welcome return of Baracus who's a proven pedigree.
But there are many other tight battles further down too, checkout who's near you in the season seven latest standings (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=201&theme=5) & keep an eye out for them in the race, I know I'll be keen to try to come in ahead of Phil & Geoffers while trying to keep Spanner behind me  ;D

In the Teams Championship, RVS have it sown up now despite consistent point scoring from the Kerb Krawlers. The two have now secured 1st & 2nd overall, but 3rd place honours could still go to anyone of five teams! Team Prodigy are currently in 3rd spot on 36points with a three point cushion over us Oldie's... but I'm far from discounting the point scoring abilities of the Ghostspeeds three drivers. It's going to be close as to who gets on that team podium!

Good luck all & enjoy  :)

Ta Legzy  :) Things are pretty much settled for top 3 but nice to see many, many fights below that. Isn't newest scoring system nice?

As I'm going nowhere in standings it will be the GT40 for me. For Lemans and GT40, read pasties and cider ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aik8btPwb_I&feature=related

Especially for you. :jumpjoy:

Bill

Few of us on the server last night had a giggle, remembering this long circuit.

I tried my Capri setup from last season & could barely drive it, default worked lovely though & I improved my old PB by 2 secs after only a couple of laps with a 4:37  :D

Legzy ..you should be working at Autosport :D

Hope to have some company online tonight around 10:30 ish

Dress code - Smart casual

lol... you're lucky SBG doesn't work for FIA. If he did, he'd have already come up with some way of docking you enough points to keep the drivers championship title open for the last race  ;D


p.s. The Mrs is going to be out tonight, so I'll probably be online from about 8pm till late  :)

So a comparison between SBG and Bernie Eccleston and/or Max Mosely probably isnt a good idea then :D ;)

Excellent and useful post Legzy, thank you.  :)

There is a McLaren skin that doesn't allowed me to join the server.
It was the UKGTL one according to Lazlow. Don't know the number or the color tho. Maybe Lazlow could post it, for us to avoid that car, please?
Thank you.  :)

After careful consideration team RVS are putting in a motion to have Pribeiro's BMW banned due to the fact that its too quick.  :o
He must now drive a mini.  ;D

I think we should only be using skins 1, 2, 4 & 5. But I'm happy to be corrected.

All, in the hope of an incident free race, can I point out that my Pantera has to brake very early and
is basically female! Needs a little TLC before it yealds it's best !  ;D

How about no overtaking until after the corner before the first straight, lap 1 !?   ;)

Panty on cold tyres is a challenge! :)

Very impressed by some of the times last night and I would prolly be lapped in the GT40. So, against the flow of Pants and Cwapris, I will bravely/daftly go with the Chevette. Even you Pants lot will have to look out for the early braking Chevettes :) So lets be careful out there tonight, I could do with having one race without being rear ended. Its been a while :)

Alright................but can i use this one? Can i?  :laugh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFcwErTjVX4&feature=related

Just a bit teasing.........the action begins at minute 2.00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm7rUbx9l-o

&

I agree & would also like to add that I'll be in the Cwapi tonight. It doesn't accelerate as well as those dirty Pantys or Vette's, so if you'd be kind enough to allow for this by waiting patiently behind while I get up to top speed... I'd appreciate it very much 8)  ;)


p.s. It's also worth a mention to be steady off the line tonight! We seem to have more problems at the start of GTC76 races then any other due to people trying to get the power down to quickly with these beasts cold tyres! Please practice a few standing starts before joining the grid, for every-one's benefit.

Hehe, there's going to be queues of cars putting up clouds of tyresmoke in the pitlane practicing starts during qually.  :D

Still not sure I can make it tonight but hopefully I can and I'll manhandle the Pantera round without a single laps practice.  I managed 2/3 of a lap in a NoGrip race here many moons ago before I binned it, perhaps I can last longer, or perhaps not......

I was hoping you'd take that spangly red Corvette out again Steve. I had an absolute joy following you for ages here last season, as you entered every turn/chicane sideways... it was like a demonstration! Fantastic!

Damn, just found out that the night out I'd committed to going on has been cancelled (bloody customers), so I'll be able to join you after all. At the back. Haven't done an ounce of practice yet. What's going to be kindest to me here, apart from a wheelchair?

Top Five Countdown:
5) The Cwapi will probably be the most popular choice on the grid, in terms of speed/ease.
4) Escort is about the easiest drive, but wont be the quickest on track.
3) 906 can be very quick/easy if you like it.
2) The more powerful BMW is quite straight forward & a good all round package. (EDIT-quick, but only PR is its master ;D)

But my top recommendation to you Phil, is the 911. I see you took it at Watkins Glen last August & did well, I loaded up my 911 Watkins setup & barely had to touch it & had a nice car with some decent times.

Or if your a Team Oldie driver I'd heartily recommend the Porsche 914

He's lucky he's not one of you green Podgy boys, I'd have had to suggest the light weight Panty/Cwapi or maybe the green Corvette  >:D


Besides, FIA have introduced a new rule, the Podgy team  have to pit twice tonight & drive in reverse!  :o ;)

 :) Yep, I enjoyed that too!  But everyone seems to be getting quicker here so I think I'd get left behind in the red number, and I've never really liked the green monster one.


Quite how PR manages to make it go so quick I'll never know, I know it should be fast but I can't do much better than the less powerful Alpina one.  PR is a beemer god.   8)

And we'd still beat yer

Le Mans  !!  ;D ;D

i'm sorry but this is a missed opportunity to drive the 935's  ;D

fear not, i will be in an RSR if i get the green card from my ill girlfriend  ::)

Cheers for that Legzy. Just got in so I'll give them a go now.

I am so sorry guys, totally my fault, all the carnage at the start.  Thought I'd got the start just right, and shifted to 2nd and had too much throttle and started spinning.   :-[

Cause I'd launched Ginsters sideways I waited behind him while he recovered and that must have cause more problems, although the cars would have hit him instead of me.

Sorry.  Amazing how I've just done exactly what Dan did in the same car a few races back here.  Wasn't even trying for a mad start, just a solid one in line with everyone else.

Had no praccy and didn't realise quali was hoptlap (even i recall reading it!  ::) lol)

quali'd with no time at the back and had a terrible start followed by weaving through the stationary cars and hit the wall at the porsche curves followed by tapping Alex van V.......really sorry mate, you already looked like you had suffered a crash then i think you lost your front bumper when i made contact  :-\

shame i love 911s and le mans but should have gone for the pantera.....i was killed down the straight lol on power  :laugh:

My race ended with a nice engine failure! Thanks for the season and race, guys! And grats whoever the podium are!

Qualie'd 11th with a second to spare only to find I was then having to start from the pits (?).  Came out, to see the grid had pretty much left me behind although it sounds like I missed a fair bit of carnage (one smoking wreck that I could see).

Spent the first few laps having some fun with a gaggle of Panteras, before pitting a lap too early which caused me to run out of fuel on the last bloody lap!  Oh well.  Tyres were shot long before that anyhow.

Great job Oily and Spanner, and well done to all those that finished.  It's been great fun joining in this season.

Cheers, Ross.

Cwap and no worries Steve. I wish that was bad as it got for me :'( After that got back up to 4th only too spend 3mins in pit fixing something. Then started catching up again, only to suffer a pc freeze and, although I was lucky to come back in game, it wasn't Lemans as I remembered it. Sure there wasn't upright sections, like walls, along Mullsane before I left. Whenever anybody got close I just let them by as I didn't want my trip to ruin anyones race. Another crud race through no fault of my own.

Be back to congratulate winners when I've simmered down :)

Well that was all going to plan at one point managed to get up to 5th before my stop. Totally F88ked up my stop by not turning off repair damage so a stop that should have taken 35 secs took a minute and a half    :(,   Race was screwed by then and to top it all off i had to make a splash and dash one lap before the end.    Maybe could have got a podium .

First few laps was great not sure who i was battling with but there was 4 or 5 of us , i was getting some mega slip streams down the long straights ..great stuff guys.   :) And also SBg who i had a good battle with, it was tough trying to see through the smoke screen plus it was wrecking my fps.

Grats to PR on the win ,Oily and Geoffers for getting on the podium  ;) and to my teamie Matt for an amazing fastest lap of the race 1.24.xx  , blows the lap record away by 2 secs.  Big up ya chest!!!

Another great season of GTL thanks to SBG and everyone who took part. I think P & G should take over IMO its just shite that theres no Escort's, Beemer's , Capris and Pantera's.



Cheers

Had a nightmare of a start Steve spun his Panty into Ian who then smacked me and to make it worse I then got shunted over the pit wall!

Just about got around a lap with no spolers and a badly braking car to the pits but was sitting around waiting for repairs , fuel and tyres for 2 minutes, result......stone dead last by a looooooong way, nearly thought about quitting but my co-driver.........' The Red Mist' slapped me and made me drive my ass off or face the shame!

I just went for it, putting quali laps in to make up time and it worked, slowly started reeling in people, sometimes a couple at a time so that by the time I had to stop for fuel on lap 14 I was up to 10th, a quick tyre change and some fuel and got the hammer down once more, basically I just nailed everywhere even taking the corner before virage indy flat out sometimes, caught up my teammate Dan and Ian fighting for 10th and managed to squeeze past Ian (just read your post which explains it) before Mulsanne and then got past Dan (which explains why you were there too  :D ) at the end of it, Ade moved over on my all time pb lap of 4.24.7 and I was almost past Phil before we crossed the line to finish in 9th.

Really enjoyed it and apart from the pile up on the grid everyone drove impeccably,

Congrats to Pribeiro on another Le Mans win and also many congratulations to Dan on winning the drivers championship.

Also congrats to the 2nd and 3rd drivers and to the runner ups in the team championship.

Bring on the next season....it can't come soon enough!! :)

I think it was amazing that I even finished that race!

I was on a pretty solid quay lap, probably would have got somewhere around 4:37 but alas I slipped off the track in the last esses and although I thought I'd be able to keep going, I got tapped up the behind which took me off and there was just not enough time to do another two laps. Therefore I started the race near the back of the grid.

I got off the line solid enough with everyone else and as I had a little more speed than the guy in front I thought I'd go down the left where there was a nice gap. All looked good, nice clear gap in front....or at least there was -- suddenly I found myself ploughing into a couple of stationary cars. They just popped out of nowhere  :(

As you can imagine, my car was in a bad way, though I kept going for a few laps but was finding it hard to keep up with the cars in front. I figured I'd try my chances with an early pit stop in the hope that the mechanics could fix it well enough to be drivable....not a chance; it felt like I was driving on jelly!

I had massive understeer during acceleration, massive oversteer while coasting, and once the tyres started to go off the thing became really unstable. I was wobbling around like crazy through all those esses and to be honest, I'm surprised I kept it on the track as much as I did. I'm even more surprised that I actually finished the race.

I've certainly learned much during my first racing season (well, half season) and I guess if there's one thing I can take away with me is this; Unless you anywhere near the front of the grid, don't even bother trying to overtake on the start. And, as SBG has said many times, patience, patience, patience.

Let's hope my next season is more fruitful. :-D

That start was so weird. Pulled away with nothing in front of me then bam, I'm driving into someone elses accident. They just appeared. So really sorry to whoever I hit but nothing I could of done. Screwed my race anyway as I had suspension and body damage.

Well done to Oily for bringing home the big points  ;D and thanks to all the TP boy's for a great season. Sorry Oldies, maybe next time eh?
Thanks SBG for all the hard work behind the scenes sorting stuff out for us muppets, it's appreciated, loads.

A bittersweet end to the season. The results suggest I had a pretty good race, finishing 5th a managing to set a new record for the Mclaren - although I managed a 4.29 in practice an hour earlier. However, I wasn't happy with the way I drove this race. I had far too many spins throughout the race. I reckon I may have finished 3rd if I could keep the car on the road.

After qualifying 4th, with a conservative lap, I put the power down at the start and I fear that from looking at the replay, I may have given Steve a warp assisted nudge across the track which resulted in chaos behind me. I can't stress how sorry I am  :-[. My internet connection was simply appauling for the first few laps. I hadn't any idea just how bad it was as the competitors I was racing seemed fine and fluid behind me. This isn't the first time my internet connection has let me down in GTL - not to mention my computer's anti virus software that keeps minimising the game! It was also a catalyst for the mayhem at Bayfront Park as well as other races which messed up people's battles. It is really such a shame as I'd love to continue racing in GTL, but if my internet keeps persisting shoddy quality at the start of a race, the most vital point, then I may have to pack my bags and stick with GPL.

Back to the race itself, well, I was in 2nd for a short while when Pribeiro shot away into the distance and I was fighting the back end through one of the corners and Dyno clipped me as I was trying to correct the car. No harm done really as I probably would have spun round without his aid. Rejoined in 4th and stayed there, about 3-4 seconds off the pace of my qualifying time, until the 9th lap where the tyres had lost all their grip which made the Mclaren even more of a beast to handle. I then spun again as the second chicane down the Mulsanne straight, and was down to 5th. Pitted the next lap and was down to 9th. Then I spent the rest of the race in catchup mode and other people pitting and passing a couple others, I was up to 5th again by the race's end. Only spun once during the second phase of the race  ;D.

So, overall then, my first season of GTL has been reasonably enjoyable. If the internet hadn't cut out during the Nurburgring race I reckon I could have finished the season in 4th place, but 7th is still not too shabby for a first attempt. Yes, I've made plenty of mistakes, but that's why I'm a sim-racer and do not get paid for such a task  :). Ah well; I may attempt a few races next season but if my hardware/software combination keeps letting me down, then I'll call it a day. Thanks to everyone for a brilliant season and some excellent clean driving which made the duels throughout the races particullaly enjoyable. See you all at a later time.

Lost my network connection right at the end on Practice on what was already a full server! :taz: Had to restart PC & was just hoping I'd be able to get back in! Yup, got my slot back... 28th spot of 28  ;D.

What was not so good was that I had less then 8mins to complete an out-lap & a timed lap  :-X Gave it my best shot, nailed them both but only got to the last curve before the final double chicane  ::) So started 21st on the grid.

After the grid carnage (with half the cars being invisible to me) which I was lucky to get through unscathed, I was up to about 15th. From then it was just amazing racing, I was flying & had some tremendous battles. For the life of me I couldn't shake Minton in his slower 906, your corner exit skills were on top form & you totally filled my rear view on every straight, back to back for about 3.5 laps! Despite that pesky Dan, I managed to get myself up to 6th(?) on lap 5 for about 20secs, but Spanner & me managed to have a little rub under turning & braking & span. He very kindly waited while I recovered from the wall & the sand & followed me for the next lap. My car wasn't right but I thought it was OK to continue... I should have pitted. On the next lap, I briefly relaxed & it span itself under braking & I hit two walls! Had to limp round to the pits & waited for the repairs that took 3+mins. Rejoined in 24th but car still wasn't right after full repairs but was fine to push on. Sadly I just couldn't get with in 2 secs of my best lap time so far (still 5 secs off my PB from night before).

Gradually picked people off again & eventually finished up a decent 14th. But it was a case of the one that got away, as I feel confident a top five finish was on the cards for me tonight. Never mind, I still had a most enjoyable race  :)

Well done to PR on the win again, Oily for his continued recent good form & Geoffers for just holding off Lazlow's challenge for 3rd.

Well done to the Prodigy boys on getting 3rd team overall, it's been great competition this season & I've very much enjoyed the banter with Oily/Tony & the guys for much of the season 8).  But we'll be taking no prisoners next season, so look out because these Oldies are learning new tricks  ;)

Well done Minton, Madd & Ginsters on the season podium  :euro:

Thanks to all the drivers, it's been great fun. The close & considerate driving plus the regular banter are why I love it here. I hope to see you all in my rear view again soon (very soon, I'm hoping we'll be doing something next Thursday?  :D).

Massive thanks to SBG, who's done it all & had to stand up to all the questions etc on his own this season. You have done yet another marvelous job sir, hats off to you. But I'm not sure you can get a bigger tribute/compliment then, the last six races of this GTL season have seen six 100% FULL grids in a row. Amazing. :notworthy:

Made a mess of qualifying, forgetting that I had only 15 mins to get a time in. I span off on my first hot lap, but rather than carrying on, I went back to the garage & mucked about with my gears and ran out of time to get a decent grid slot.

The race was OK, but I made far too many silly mistakes, it felt like pass someone, go off, they pass me, pass them again, go off etc....

I pitted around half distance, wanted to leave it a couple of laps later but I was desperate for a "slash & dash"  ;) so just refueled and repaired the bodywork whilst I had a tinkle. Both driver and car felt better after that but I soon pranged it again.... Grrrrrrr.....  >:(

But at the end my back and legs were starting to ache. I was hoping I had been lapped twice and could get it over sooner, but no chance.

Thanks for the racing, I enjoyed my first season and am looking forward to the next season, either GTL or PnG.


Agree with Tony 100% there. Thanks SBG for looking after us!

Sorry to whoever hit me at the chicane on the first lap. I spun going in and with cars bearing down decided it was safer to stay put rather than move one way or the other. (Figured a stationery target was easier to miss.) Well someone clobbered me. Sorry if that caused you any problems.

Reason I've missed so many races this year is due to medical crap. Severe recurring dizziness. Desperately wanted to make this race as my last Le Mans race ended with a system crash, so I had unfinished business. Spent the first half of the race not feeling too bad, having a fairly epic battle with Veldhoven. Then the second half it's a good job I was on my own as I felt very ill and almost had to quit twice but tried to keep going and ultimately

blah blah blah... Like anyone will read this anyway.

We ALL will buddy.
Sorry to hear your having a rough time of it!
Hope your on the mend soon.  ;)

Had good news and bad last night!  ;D

Quali lap was too slow!  :(

Blistering start ! saw that GT40 going sideways and steered to the right to miss it and I was gone! in 3rd! with everybody else nowhere!!  ;D Perfect start !! ;D

Put in lots of good solid laps, let Dynosaur and Mr Oily past as I was not gonna risk any incidents when I was doing so well and Team Oldie needed the points!

The bad news! Just clipped the grass while braking for the twisties at the end of lap 9 ? and hit the barrier hard!
Car was damaged but carried on. Was then up to 3 seconds a lap slower. Took Legzy's advise and pitted earlier than planned to see the extent of the damage! Ooops 40s aero, 90sec suspension! Took the gamble and did not repair them!
Hung on and scrapped 6th! Was flying in practice so should have done much better!
( Gambling on the suspension was a big gamble as I had a similiar problem here in a 906 once, only for it to give up totally a few laps later. )

Wow, how things/people have improved since last year! In that race I was doing 4.35's to 4.40's and lucked a second place but laptimes of everybody have come down hugely! Managed a 4.30.5 in practice, my PB!

Big thanks to sbg for another awesome season. Must take a lot of effort to pull this together every week with excellent track/car choices. As Legzy said, adding a Teamspeak server for some extra banter is also adding to the fun!

Whether it is GTL or PnG next season, I will not miss it for anything!  ;D
( Don't tell the missus!  ;D )

 
Thanks to all, great fun, close racing

Rollon S8  ;)

Samb
"Dyno clipped me as I was trying to correct the car. No harm done really as I probably would have spun round without his aid."

I was correcting your possible spin there, Samb!  ;) Maybe a "Sorry" is not in order this time, eh? Glad you were able to continue, but your warping was the reason for the clip. I felt I was a bit faster than you at the time, so I tried to make a clean passing maneuver, but one time you were far and the second time just in front of me, lag was quite massive, so it wasn´t easy.

Thanks for SBG and everyone, this was my first full season, really enjoyed the races with you guys! Bring on season 8!  ;D

That was top draw mate, i was an inch from your bumper at some stages . ;D

Samb, you need to look at that warpin!
I was running with you quite closely but avoided actually racing you as I didn't want to get warped off.
It wasn't bad, just enough for me to be more wary!?
Sounds like you are aware of it anyway!

M.

Okay, after watching the replay I can now make a proper apology to both Steve Holmes and SBG. Honestly, when I looked down the left of Cooper, the track was clear. Being a left drive car I certainly had plenty of time to see two parked cars, but they were just not there, so I floored it. I don't believe I have any problems with lag, I always restart PC and turn off any background apps I don't need before a race, so don't think there's anything more I can do.

So, my apologies for ruining both your races, if they weren't already ruined.

On a happier note; thanks to everyone for the great racing, it's been a big learning experience and a lot of fun to boot -- even driving 80 mins at Le Mans in a lump of jelly. Congrats to the winners and a big thanks to SBG for managing the events.

I have to say that I've been really enjoying the PnG races, the cars certainly feel much better than in GTL, so I hope a full season will be held.

Looking forward to the next season, if you'll all still have me!

Don't be silly, this is an amazing and friendly community, ofcourse we all read.  :)
I wish you fast recovering Spadowski.

Congratulations for your season win Dan.  :notworthy:
Congrats also to the vice-champion Madd.  :notworthy:
And to the last podium place, our beloved races organizer, Mr. SBG.  ;D
Well done to team RVS title.

One word also to mr_oily and his great second half season.  ;)

Qualifying went well, despite my conservative driving, taking in mind that i must take a front place
on grid to mantain contact with the high powered cars for the first lap on the long straights.
I really thought that almost everybody had the same strategy on qual session, therefore,
i wasn't particulary euphoric with my pole.

Good start but Samb's Mclaren, overtook me on the first long straight, as i predicted.
However Samb was warping too much and the race was long, so at the slowest sections
i rather prefered give him a litle room to avoid any contact.
On 2nd lap, before Dunlop chicane i managed to pass him, i believe Samb made it easy for me
probably because he aware of his lag issues. Thanks for that.  :)

A downside of the CSL cars is the fast front tire wear, Le Mans with so many fast corners needs
all the front grip we can have, even more than rear grip. So i knew that i couldn't made any mistake
for the first 8-10 laps when the tires began to degrade. And i didn't! However, before the first
pit stops the gap for the 2nd car was only less than 10 seconds. You know...a mere spin can brake
this gap easely.
Late pit stop for me (lap 14) as i like.  ;D Loaded 5 laps of fuel (safe amount, you never know)
and changed all four tires. Everything went well untill the finish with a safe gap for the driver behind.

Thank you for the backmarkers, once more very gentlemen.
Well done to all finishers and big respect for those who went to pits to repair and continued racing.  :notworthy:

A huge, big, large, enormous, gigantic, immense, monster, monumental, measureless, stupendous
THANK YOU to Ian for the priceless work and Simracing.org.UK for allowing us
to have so much fun and a place for our hobby once more.  :-*
Thanks to all drivers that had attend also and made our nights so pleasent.

Cheers

P.S. Please, don't let us wait for to long for GTL or P&G....or both.  ;)

ditto ditto ditto  O0

..... one of the strongest leagues running.... and an excuse to use the gear stick on this g25  ;)

I was beginning to wonder if you'd hooked yourself on :-\ ;D
Still buzzing after last nights race, what a belter!  8)

Had a great race, right up to the moment where I crashed and totalled the car!!
Can't seem to keep up the old concentration levels for a complete race these days - maybe too many miles on the clock?

Anyway, thanks to my 'young' team mates - your enthusiasm is infectious and makes it a pleasure to turn up.

Also MASSIVE thanks to Ian for all your hard work - We might all moan and bitch and complain and whinge and whine all the time, but we really do appreciate the fact that you have once again put together a season of the finest racing challenges to be found anywhere on the internet - at a mere fraction of the cost of some of your rivals!!

See you all next season.

And oh, Spadowski - everybody reads everything on here.LOL


TC

Having looked at the server replay this morning I know if I was moderating my spin you'd be completely innocent Samb, no contact there I can see, just high levels of incompetence from me, as seems all the more common in recent months.  I can only apologise again to the half dozen or more people whose race I spoilt.

Seems the Steves are cursed on this forum (all the best mate), I've got my own issues with a chronically ill missus to contend with, making my racing and my mood inconsistent for many months. 

Just hope GTL doesn't get dropped entirely.  I'm finding the P&G cars inconsistent right on the limit, and I like consistency, my driving's all about precision rather than balls-out sideways stuff (except when I'm just having fun  :)), so I struggle to totally 'get' P&G.  Was hoping for at least another GTL season to get my head together and wrestle that drivers champ off Dan.  ;) ;D

Be that as it may, hearty congrats to Dan, and to Ian for running such a great league, long may it continue, hail Caesar 'n' all that.

You probably saw I did the same thing Steve off the start so don't worry. I stupidly flat-shifted into 2nd and it spun me round on the grid, but being last I just provided laughs. Noobie errors are commited by F1 guys every race and loads in real racing so 'chill Whinston'  :laugh:

Weird? I don't know what happened.  I could only see about 4 or 5 cars on the grid - I thought a load of drivers had had problems or had been CTDed.  All of a sudden cars appeared in front of me - I avoided some and I think drove through others.  I must have gained about 10 places from cars I hadn't even seen on the grid, no ident tags, nothing to indicate cars in front of us. 

I then went backwards as cars  pasted me then I threw it all away at the second Mulsane Chicane.  A Capri passed me into it and then braked hard I nearly hit it in the middle of the chicane, taking my attention off the corner and I hit the left hand barrier bouncing across the track to hit the right hand.  After that I had a few more battles and offs into barriers.  My pit stop was then a long one to repair the damage - I wasn't sure if it was just my tyres or suspension so I played safe and repaired.

Came out last and stayed last until the end, the tedium broken only by keeping an eye in the mirror and trying not to break up any battles in progress.  Not what I'd hoped for at the start of the evening - keeping out of everybodies way and avoiding car damage.

Thanks SBG for an excellent and varied seasons racing.  Hope we're able to maintain both GTL and P&N racing here for the future.

Bill

Most enjoyable race. Mostly because I could drag the Volkswagen Porsche around consistently.

Don't know what happened at the start. Everybody around me on P16 just got cleanly away from the start and suddenly, out of nowhere a black Pantera appeared. Did a Marc Lieb against the pit wall but continued on ...

It was very unfortunate.. just a minor tap when I steered in. Lost the bumper in the start melee so my aero-pack wasn't really optimized  ;)
Thanks for waiting. Would have flashed the headlights but they were also broke ...
Pantera... neeeh, somebody has to keep Stuttgart honours high!
and Epic it was! Tried to slipstream on the straights and win some time in the corners but couldn't match your speed on the straights. Thanks for flashing the headlights when you entered the pits, very pro. Hope to see you in S8 again.

The it was time for the pitstop. Inspired by Team Joest und Herr Dokter Ullrich I calculated the laps I could drive with the initial fuelload (the straights are perfect for this) and the fuel I had to put in to finish the race. With this cunning plan I could minimize weight. So in the pits I went. Saw that my suspension was kaput but didn't do any repairs. (hauling a damaged car around is totally i the spirit of Le Mans). Filled just the amount of fuel I needed and off I went.. perfect pitstop... NOT!
I didn't saw that the pitboard shows the total amount of fuel in stead of the fuel added so I came 10 litres short. Feeling a total idiot I pitted again for a splash and dash....  :-[

Also had some nice skirmishes with my teammates Sandor and Tim. Great to see all the different GDC cars out on track!

Thursdaynight racing has become my usual fix so I want to give a :clap: for sbg

Lapchart (http://uk.geocities.com/bcl03z/GTLlapCharts/LeMans16-04-09/index.html)

Just wanted to give a 'big up' to Oily, he managed to get himself from 25th to 5th by the end of the 1st lap! :o
& a sorry to Spanner, I tried to give you room mate, but watching the replay I think I could have done more. Thanks again for waiting :)

May have been me that passed you Bill, so apologies if I caused you problems, I didn't realise I had, but I'll check the replay.  My set-up meant I was struggling badly with understeer.

Cheers, Ross.

Here's hoping things improve and we see more of both of you next season.

Gotta say congrats to both Matt and Dan for basically doing a clean sweep of trophy's. Also nice to see Dan take a slower car last night to add to the fun :) Well done you two. Also good that we had a few different winners this season and especially nice to see PR do his normal Lemans thing. The best thing, for me, has to be a general improvement in standards and attitudes on last season. Think that is best illustrated by your reaction to the unfortunate incidents at start last night  :angel:

There is a lot of work behind the scenes that goes unnoticed and my thanks go to Pete and Dave for all their help. Our season wouldn't have been possible without the incident moderators and I have to thank JR who undertook most of the burden, and boy did we provide him with some fun :) He'll look forward to Lemans review I bet.   

Thanks SBG, but eventhough I didn't enjoy this season, still need to thank you for the hard work setting everything up.

It's a good thing if I've got nothing to mod, so no need to provide me with anything ;)

Sorry Ross it was not meant as a criticism of your driving merely a statement of fact.  :oops: I brake early turn in and accelerate, you had to brake somewhere and with a sharper angle had to be slower than my optimum line.   :yes: Didn't have time to compute that in real time, racing incident.  :sweatdrop:

Bill

Not entirely sure what happened at the start though by the sounds of it nor did half the field though i do remember Madd infront so i'm sorry for what ever happened but i'm sure someone came across from the left. I think i actually rolled the car  but seem to land and get going but the front was completly caved in but it still seemed to handle ok. I dont know of you lot were taking it abit too easily on the first lap in the Panty's but I suddenly found myself up in 5th but somhow went off on my own through the uphill RH at the begining of the twisty bits dropping back a couple of places. Couldnt beleive the speed of SBG's corvette who went straight by, and had a good tussle with a few guys Minton, Legz and i think Phil in the Panty.

Sorry about that nudge Legzy, i wasnt trying to make a move i just didnt want to loose too much ground so tried to stick with you but i probably misjudged my braking on the tighter line and while trying to keep one eye on the car and one eye on you i just gave you a bit of a nudge which into this corner just tipped you round.

After that it was a bit lonely with no one around me  and after my stop where i could have been stationary for a couple of mins based on the repairs it was quoting but just changed tyres and filled up. i expected Phil and Madd to come steaming up behind but they didnt so again had a lonely drive to the line.


Big thanks to SBG for the organisation of this series and i think the grids have shown how popular GTL still is with an increasing number of people believing the hype of PnG. Power to the people Yeah? :punk: ;)
And i'll echo those thanking this whole site for creating the community we now have :'( I love you guys, group hug?

Oh no, no worries Bill, I just don't like to mess anyone's night up!  Actually I had a look back at the replay and it wasn't me.

Cheers, Ross.

Great end to the season for me with 2 3rd places after nearly quitting after Ricard ??? ( got a bit 'drama queenish', sorry).

Le Mans race was great for the first 4-5 laps with a whole gaggle of us fighting over the lower top 10 places  :thumbup2:. Eventually sorted itself out when Spanner & Legzy argued at Mulsanne Corner. I then ran virtually alone for the rest of the race, gradually moving up as people pitted to 2nd. After the stops were completed I was surprised to still be 3rd but I was well behind Mr Oily & only had a few seconds gap to Laslow.

The last 3-4 laps I just concentrated on not making any mistakes & driving as smooth as possible. Laslow was gaining but not fast enough to catch me I thought. Last lap approaching Porsche Curves he was getting very close & we were coming up to lap Alex's Porsche. Alex kept out of the way but in watching him I missed an apex & ended up on the grass as Laslow sailed past. Fortunately he too got a bit agricultural in the last part of the Porsche Curves & I was right on his tail into the double chicane. Laslow was a bit fast into the last bit & bounced over the kerbs & ran a bit wide on the exit & I got the inside line & just beat him by less than a tenth. Great finish  ;D

Congrats to PR & Oily. Also congrats to Dan, Madd & Ginsters in the drivers championship & Team RVS in the teams.

Thanks to Ginsters for organising a great season  :thumbup2:, look forward to the next one. And if I get all 'drama queenish' again, give me a  :wetfish:

Cheery guys, goes without saying but a big thanks for all your organising efforts from this end too - still feel very fortunate to be involved in a grid that can generate such a high standard race after race while still keep keeping things fresh. Although it frustrates the hell out me not to be able to take  that next step up in performance my weeks wouldn't be the same without the UKGTL/PnG circus and it's great to have such impressive benchmarks to aim for each outing :)

You'd think I'd never been here before with my lax approach to getting out for a hot lap in qually - thought I'd wait for some of you to leave me some clean air but got caught napping and plonked on the back of the grid for my efforts. Maybe it was justice as I'd not taken a more livelyy chariot, but being in need of some healthy team points  in the finale it was a no-brainer to jump in the Capp-ree Ghia.

Nice and easy off the start, cars were appearing from nowhere so it was a bit sketchy as to whether I'd make it but got lucky and threaded it through to come out the other side much better off.

Some good close racing in the early laps and before I knew it I was sat in my least favourite position, behind a team mate! Luckily for me Dyno was tanking it round at a rate of knots and more than keeping me on my toes so I tucked in and played nice for a few laps. A spin from the Mclaren in front (SamB?) left us sitting a surreal Prodigy 2 and 3 on merit (well, mostly ;)).

Unfortunately my little brain hit capacity trying to read my PD monitor and think about fuel strategies and with it came a few mistakes on the same lap, dropping me right back from my teamie. Knew my best bet to launch a safe attack would be in the pits so went about a banzai in lap and I think it was both that and a fairly rapid stop that gave me the leapfrog. Absolutely gutted to see Dyno's engine let go, hard luck mate - what could have been!

Second half was just a case of bringing it home in one piece and hoping the mighty PR would slip up to the tune of about ten minutes or wotever the gap was LOL. One day you're going to have to reveal your secret because no amount of studying your hot laps gets me any closer...KERS? Nitrous? Apparently they dipped those CSL's in acid to bring the weight down, maybe yours just had a double dipping. Whatever your secret, massive congrats, a well deserved win.

Too many thank you's and congrats but hats off to Lazlow for almost bringing the Panty home in third, Geoffers for nicking it at the last hurdle, the RVS boys for making me sick every meeting, Ross for a solid first season and a big thanks to all of the Prodigy boys for some great team work, particularly in the early few races, brining us a nice third overall.

Last but not least, big shout to the Oldies, always a giggle - great having you guys, Ade and the other regulars on TS this season and having it all to play for coming to Le Mans was a pleasure.

Have to say though chaps, while us greenies were busy getting in the zone I did question your preparation techniques when i noticed some of you in the pitlane during practice....

(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/papasmurf001/men_old.jpg)

LOL...you know, somehow I thought they'd be older ;-)

Actually I did want to add one thing, although I'm sure you regulars have done this before, but I'd love the idea of having to make a pit stop.

So please, a PnG Season with mandatory pit stops

:-D

Pit stops were mandatory in this race, as they are in all endurance races. Did you not make one?

For sure I made a stop, and this is why I would like more :)

From the comments I've read, it really shakes things up and makes people think. I just think having them in all races would be cool.

Someone's obviously been spying on the Team Oldie works outing.


TC

Why is the guy 3rd from left wearing SOCKS!

And that guy's ring looks like it's seen a lot of action........

Nice find Mr Oily, it's just a shame our Oilseal was taking the snap or you'd have seen the full team relaxing! You youngsters are too wet behind the ears to understand  ;)
(http://media7.dropshots.com/photos/514210/20090418/124747.jpg)
Obviously that's Tinman. Made of Tin, he has to be slim to avoid unnecessary ballast  ;)

The guy wearing socks is Blunder... need I say more  ::)
But how can you see from this angle what state his ring is in? ??? ;)