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Personally I tend to bump into things and mumble a lot but I think we should try Mike’s alcohol inspired idea…

The track comes highly recommended from an evil source but we’re going to squeeze out the ‘surprise’ a while longer to build up your anticipation. Watch this space…
UPDATE : all details now posted, but bear in mind this is a surprise race so there still might be something up the sleeve  ;)

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Server 6.ukgpl
IP address 80.5.200.198

Race date = 18-08-2009
Track =  Jops Siffert
Variant = 65 mod
Time = 20:00 GMT / 21:00 BST UK time
Damage Model = INT
Qually time = 30 mins
Race length = Long - 24 laps

Chassis assignments: single chassis, BT7

Track downloadable here; http://www.f1legends.ch/update/circuits/jops.php (http://www.f1legends.ch/update/circuits/jops.php)

That's really quite pretty  8)

Hmm, random 65 chassis......

I'm betting Cooper  :lol:

Err, sorry to dissapoint, but this track has one major flaw. The jump on the back section, which is immediately followed by a right turn. It is very hard to get this consistantly right and we found in the ADC that it becomes a lottery and it's been dropped from our calendar.

It's a real pity as the rest of the track is great

However, I'll leave you to discover this for yourselves

I guess there's no point courting disaster and it's not too late to change the venue.
Feedback from others once you've tested it would be appreciated...

Is this true in 65s Mike?  Sounds like Mosport in a 67 Lotus.

Think I have only ever done it in a 67 BRM and that was a complete lottery all the way round.

Nice looking place though.

65s are much the same as the rest. You just end up taking the jump without as much brake.

What you do is try and arrive at the crest of the hill with the car pointing slightly in towards the right of the track. The car jumps and lands pointing towards the apex and you are bang on line. If you get this right there is a huge time advantage. However, it's hard to replicate lap after lap.

The safe option is to brake before the crest of the hill, but then you lose time.

It means you can't have a full out race

Well, not really Mosport, but sounds to me it's similar to the tank trap of Monhtlery. ;) You brake much earlier there, so you don't crash out jumping off the crests.

Although a risky pile up area, it wasn't enough to deter us from racing it many times. As long as everyone knows what to expect and slow down accordingly, I don't see how it is a problem. You don't kill yourself just becase there's the slight chance to gain some time by going faster, lol.

I haven't driven this track, but if all it takes is slowing down to go around safely, then I don't mind.

Mike could have a point because whilst H can afford to take it easy on one corner, the bloke that he has just lapped will probably ram him as he slows for the tricky bit.

Best racing is always on the simplest track.

How about if you picked a gutless heap like the BT7?

I will try it out tonight.

 ;) 8) single chassis .. very nice ... would be top of the world doing that with the Lotus63 outa 69mod  ;D
reckon not a big number of drivers are sort of realy familiar with that car. for sure big fun...

OK well to give you some idea my best 65 times are :-

BRM 1.29.1

Cooper 1.29.8

See how consistant you can be running at that pace :)

I notice that Evil registered a time there in April.

Very suspicious.

Does nothing escape your beady eye Loynes!!!!  :eek: :shifty:

I was merely experiencing the stunning panoramic scenic effects...that and putting dents in the undergrowth :-\

Missions assigned by HER are not to be discussed with outsiders. Even if it's my respectful former boss!

Errr.............former boss????

There is a vacancy at SBRC if you are interested?   ;D

Just downloaded this track and tried it in a 67.  Really liked it.  The "May" turn on the back of the track is a bit like T8 at Mosport.  Got to get the braking right but it is no harder than Mosport (mind you I always go wide in T8 at Mosport at least once or twice per race :().  If we didn't consider this track because of "May" then we'd have to consider dropping Mosport because of T8 (not an option IMO).

Think I will need about six months of intensive training to get to that pace Mike.

I tried the BT7 with an unmodified Watkins Glen setup and was doing 1:33 after about a dozen laps, not all of which could be called "clean".

I be honest, having been warned about the jump and turn sequence, I was having just as much of a problem with the rest of it.

Its one of those poxy circuits where you have to start the turns before you can see them.

Couldn't you find somewhere flat Tim?

Only joking!  I'll crash anywhere. 

But Mosport should have been dropped long ago!  Or just used for 65s.

Have managed a 31.1 now but Mike is right about the hump on the straight.

Even when you think you have got it right it will sometimes understeer off to the left or land pointing the wrong way and shoot off to the bushes.

I'm struggling with the setup because it wants to swap ends at high speed but won't turn-in to the slow corners.

As they say, the proof of the pudding will be in the fun race!  Or something like that.

Would there be a chance of me running in this one? I was thinking of giving GPL a go again, and this would be a good way of getting to know the old girl once more.

I Steve, good to hear of your return.  I'm sure they will find a space for you.

On the subject of Jops;  the jump is a sod.

I have put my best lap and setup for the BT7 here:
http://forum.racesimcentral.com/showthread.php?p=3985047#post3985047

Of course Steve, you'd be more than welcome.

There have been a few updates since you last raced with us.  You will need to install V2 of the 65 mod which has enhanced slip streaming or you will be at a big disadvantage.  I think the track is great, it has plenty of undulations which I like.  You have to use the scenery (trees etc) to judge where the apexes are for the blind corners, all adds to the fun IMO  ;D.  Unfortunately I'll be on holiday on the 18th so I'll miss it :(.

Thanks Gents. Do you know when you'll be selecting the chassis?

heyyy!!!! welcome back ex Waza!!  I'd be more than pleased to see you on track again.

Shortly  ;)

Don't call me shortly!

Honda spec, right? ;D

Nah!

Please not a "Come as a Waza" party.

And whilst talking Waza, come on Evil, show us your 1:30 BT7 lap.

How do you expect me to make your race hell if you are a clear second a lap faster?  ::)

lol !!!  Where did you get that inside info??????? Is my PC bugged????
It was a private test session behind closed doors and I only did it during a short dabble on GPL late last night!!!!!


Well I thought I should at least try the Banshee Brabham to see how it could be hussled around this circuit, after chasing you with the Wazamobile the other evening. After a few tweaks to the default handling setup and several adjustments to the gearing the little beast started to show promise.
As always, you have assumed that I would have had the mental ability to remember to save the lap!!!!????   :-\    Suffice to say that it was not a "one off" and Prib promised another second could be found in there as a Banzai lap.

If I do some more laps ( a big "if " ) later today, I will try and save it and show you how to drive sideways in a BT7, although I find it a fine balancing line between fast in a 4 wheel drift .. and getting into opp lock and scrubbing off speed with this car  ;D ;D ;)

ahem! cough, cough.......... ::).......make that a 1:29 lap as of now.  It's your fault Clive asking for a replay, cos I went and tried again. ;D ;D
But we don't appear to have the facility here to upload a replay of that lap, which incidentally I remembered to save this time... :punk: :yes:

No excuses!

Just follow the link at Reply #18  :D

Edit:  And a gentleman would hand over the setup too!   :P

1:29 is serious stuff, Evil! Are you sure you're using the BT7, lol. I couldn't better a 29.77 after a lot of effort.

We shall be moving house this week, and at this point, internet connection is decidedly up in the air....so for the time being I won't be able to drive online at all........<gulp>. The tremors are beginning to set in already..:)

Also unable to make any predictions as to when it will happen again so lads, All the best for the coming races....and you'll see me, when you see me. Have fun,
Geoff.

ps: Hope I don't miss too much of the new season....:(

Not that brilliant H, only a 1:29.71, perhaps I should have included the fractions of a second. lol.
 But I think there is a little more time to be gained, if I can hook up a "perfect" hot lap.....racing of course is something entirely different. :o)

http://forum.racesimcentral.com/showthread.php?p=3985621#post3985621

replay and setup are here

Not brilliant, eh? I know a perfect lap would probably give a mid 29, but it's very difficult to pull that off here. Takes a lot of risks, especially over the jump and using those dirty sidelines as often as possible. You're doing great!

THE question Evil, is how many perfect laps are you doing in a row?

Any more that 5 ?  :)

Firstly we'll be using the BT7.
As regards the track itself a bit of mixed feedback. In view of this being an off-season race I think we should go with it and see what happens. No harm done and, if it works well, one we could come back to in future...

Lmao  I don't do ANY perfect laps!!!  I think it's part of the Waza code  ::).........If I did, I might be more succesful ::) :-\

He is doing too many of them for my liking.

No matter how hard I pedal, I'm lapping in the 31s.

Evil and Alain are solidly in the 30s with the odd 29 for goos measure.  I think it's the first two corners that do for me.

Evil's setup is better than mine.  Much more stable.

Ta

I did 15 laps or so, none of them really perfect, but my last 4-5 ones were quite on the limit, but never within good consistency gap. I think most time is won by turning ideally into the blind corner with the jump without going too wide and following the dark groove to a T.

Then there's that slower right which you have to get a proper entry for even if you sacrifice the previous corner. And then the penultimate corner where it's very easy to go wide and lose chunks of time. All in all I think early braking and early acceleration is the key, and sticking to the insides as much as possible.

Hard to be consistent though. Race is gonna be tough.

Well, I'll reply to you Geoff! Good luck with the move, not fun at the best of times.  Hope it all goes well.  I'll see you on track when I'm back.

Quite right to admonish us!!

Sorry for not replying Geoff, hope all goes well ..pack the steering wheel very carefully.....and when you get sorted come back and race again mate coz you will be missed.

hi Geoff ,
hope all goes well and you will soon be able to start race online again .
and off course hope you will like ya new home and feel comfortable in there ..

Good luck with the move.  Looks like we'll have an Aussie track in the mix to make you feel at home, so make sure you unpack your PC and wheel first  ;)

As luck would have it, I have tomorrow off so figured I might take a swing at one of the Summer Surprise events.

But then I see it's JOPS.  No thanks.

See you for S18!

And BTW, the ADC is already ramping up for the September Inter-League gig.  Driver pix are well along and practices already scheduled.

Good Luck on the move, Geoff!  :)

Doni

Don't give up, Doni! If you can grit your teeth and do Jops, there's nothing else that can stop you ever after!

Full details now posted on the initial race thread - remember it's a surprise race so there still might be a little something  ;)

We have to race backwards or in reverse gear or on 3 wheels?  :o

What a great race! Really enjoyed that. The Jops circuit is a wonderful place to drive on, in the 65s at least   ;D Qualified 4th on the grid but thanks to Tim's shenanigans, I was in 3rd place instead. For the first 2 laps, I was chasing Mike with H nipping at my heels. Eventually I made a mistake, and let a few cars through. After that, I was chasing the cars infront and began a race long battle with Clive which was epic fun. We were both squarely matched and enjoyed plently of sideways action. It all ended sadly when Clive had a massive tankslapper out of the first corner towards the end of the race. I was mesmerised by this, and didn't bother slowing down for the corner infront! I hit the wall and severely damaged the car, and was forced to yield to Clive. The next two laps were eventful, but I was pleased to reach the flag.

Unfortunately, it seems my internet wasn't up to standard this race and I can only apologise to those affected by my car warping. You'd think that my broadband could cope with a game designed for a 56k modem! Never mind, I can safely say the wireless and some ethernet adapters working at the same time, is out of question next time round  :angel:. See you all at the next race.

Great fun that.

I chickened out of completely reversing the grid - the time differences gave images of carnage followed by a mob lynching  :death:
I settled for a little tweak of swapping drivers round in pairs - just to add a bit more spice with the single chassis. Nobody's tried to lynch me yet so think I got away with it  ;)

Anyway it was mostly quick boys tonight so spent my time clunking around near the back. That said I had quite a few good dices, mostly consisting of someone suffering from the misfortune of trying to get round me. They all ended in tears - mine. BUT it was great and I didn't finish last (sorry Bill).

Pleased these summer races have gone down well and it's been a good experience to mix with the faster drivers. Don't forget one more to go...

That was a strong race which I was not sure I had chances to win after seeing Evil's lap time in his preparation and then Mike's unbeatable lap time in Qualifying. I was already on the edge but he still managed to gain a few tenths which was beyond my understanding.

Unfortunately for him the pole put him 2nd on the grid (!)  :o but I didn't know that until later, so I thought he missed the start as my car was sat on the pole.

I had a cautious start and willingly let whoever attacked by in T1, which dropped me to 3rd. After a few corners I closed in on the car ahead, which turned out to be Sam's, but it became clear passing would be very difficult on this track, with no real braking zone around the lap.

Sam was warping which prevented me from attacking more aggressively and the leader (who I thought was Evil) was slightly pulling away, so I tried an attack in one place and luckily for me, Sam tried to brake too late and went wide, which promoted me to 2nd.

Much to my surprise it was Mike in the lead, lol. He was very fast, but once I caught up his draft I was able to close up the gap and put some pressure on him. I was expecting to realize that even if I went ahead he could've easily passed back, because overall he probably had a bit better speed, but for some reason he went in defense mode and so we fought quite hard for a couple of laps.

I just couldn't get through though, there was no place where Mike would go slower and he could carry more speed on the outside lines whenever I attacked. I kept putting pressure on and at the same spot where Sam went wide, Mike braked too late as well and lost the rear around and that was it.

There was no time to rest as he recovered 5 seconds behind and with some backmarkers making it a bit hairy during lapping he managed to close the gap and in the last few laps he was about a second back, almost catching up in my slipstream.

It was a very close call in those last laps, but somehow I managed to stay ahead. Great racing, Mike!

Thanks for organizing this spec race, was quite enjoyable.

-=Hristo=-

Very enjoyable track. Made a really good start for once & found myself on the tail of the fast lads in 7th place. Sadly my ambition overtook my ability & I was trying so hard to catch up that I misjudged the hump & ended up amongst the pretty flowers watching everyone stream past. Got "humped" again (if you'll pardon the expression) the very next lap so ended up down in 14th place. Great fun after that though with some good battles with Tim & Peter on the way back to 10th. Towards the end, I realised I didn't have enough fuel to get to the finish, but luckily saw Hristo lapping people so eased off to let him through at the last corner & save myself another lap - just as well too as I finished with 0.4 gallon left..

Great idea to run identical chassis & interesting to see the almost perfect split in laptimes & results between the Div1/Am drivers & us novices. Anyway congratulations to Hristo & the podium. And congratulations also to Tim & co. for organising the summer fun races - very successful.

Yes, that was a good race and a fantastic FL by Hristo.

A quick lap at Jops depends mainly on two corners T1, where you have to take some grass on the inside and get the angle right so that you are powering over the crest, and then the infamous Hump and its aftermath, which is best taken as H says following the dark line.

Hopefully you now see that at best this really is only a 65 track, with more power the Hump just gets harder and it becomes more of a Lottery. It's a good Fun Race track, but please don't put it in any Championship.

Thanks for organising it and also thanks to those who I lapped, not one of you hindered me in any way, that really is appreciated.

I knew that Hristo was pushing towards the end, as I've never seem him up the grass as much, dust everywhere  :)

I had no option, you were so quick in those left-right combos after the hump, I was always falling back there when you were in the lead. My car was understeering a lot at that spot (which probably helped elsewhere) so rally style had to be introduced. :P

 :) ;D
Did got an excellent start , transmitted me into the real fast drivers field.
Haunted by much faster Evil then till second last turn at L2 , where we touched each other after I recountered into the entry of that turn. Could make my way back to the cars now in front , but mismanaged  a pass by out off slipstream into T1 saying the greens and flowers a short hello. Luckily car was still ok and after a couple of laps I was close behind C.Loynes and for numbers off laps we did have an really great race . I was slightly faster but couldn’t pass by save anywhere. Especially at T2 it was hard for me to reduce my speed early enough to avoid touching. Unluckily later on at those T2 Clive  did spun a bit more then usual and I hit into his  car , lost my front left tyre ( sorry for that man , but wasn’t really a way ).
Did an shift –R an enjoed the rest of  this fantastic race.

Again thx to all and special thx to Vos for making this great event taken place .

Grats to Hristo  and Mike for some stunning pace out front, I was within a couple of tenths of my PB and could not match the times you posted in qually. A clean lap at Jops with so many on the grid was hard to find and my only clear run without errors took me up towards the front of the grid but even 3rd spot was stolen from me  by the "twist"!!  lol

Must confess that the grid switch fooled me completely ::) I was a little late getting to the grid and recall thinking that Sam appeared to be in front of me " how strange??", must be prib playing up or lag or something, but then switched my attention to the starter.

Totally messed up the  start and theought that was how Sam jumped me into T1 with Nicky and Tim hot on his heels. As a result of being swamped for turns 1 and 2, I was off the racing line and losing ground to the leaders that I was never to recover. ( not that I am confident I could have lived with their pace last night!! :-\)

Once the race settled down and I got the Banshee Brabham wound up, I closed on Nicky and was caught of guard by his wobble as he mentioned which knocked him off ( sorry nicky ) that gave me targets of Tim and a recovering Sam.

After a couple of attempts at squeezing past Tim I eventually made it , only for Tim to vanish to be replaced by Sam with whom I battled for the rest of the race. As he says, we were quite evenly matched although I could see where I was quicker but his lag deterred any marginal moves that might have resulted in tears for both of us. That's no criticism of you Sam, you were not to know that you were doing a very good frog impression at times  ;D
I think we had 3 or 4 laps to go and I was once again behind Sam ( we had swapped 3rd place a couple of times through the race) and was looking for an opening to sneak through again before the finish.
Turn 1 as Mike says is all about maximum attack and using all of the road, except on this occasion I used just a little bit too much attack and about 100mm too much road. My outside rear wheel went onto the sandy stuff and the tail stepped out as I had already planted the right foot. This kicked off a monumental tank slapper that I thought I had caught, until it whipped me sideways once more and off to the left of the track where a huge crunch announced the presence of a telegraph pole.
I thought   "that's it race over...pillock!!" but the car still had all its wheels and the engine was still running, so I gingerly poked it onto the tarmac and gave it some welly towards T2 fully expecting a sudden lurch to left or right under braking.

But no, everything was perfect even if I was now destined for 4th spot at best...or at least I thought thats where I would be until that sneaky Sam launched himself out of the long grass at the outside of T2  in an attempt to ambush me!!! It scared the c**p out of me !! I was not expecting that!! I thought he was miles away by now!!

It soon became apparent that Sam had suffered some serious damage and could not match his previous speed and I was able to cruise home in 3rd...hard luck Sam, because I am not sure which of us would have crossed the finish line first had we both survived to the end.

Thanks to Tim for organising and to everyone who took part, I feel vindicated in suggesting the circuit and agree that it is probably best suited to 65's.  Yes, the passing opportunities were limited last night but I think that was partly due to the single chassis element where the field divided down into ability bands and drivers were at their max speed in identical cars. So there was not enough diffence in  
top speed vs handling that might be the case with a mixed grid which would offer more opportunities perhaps.

All in all great fun and thoroughly enjoyable ;D ;D ;D   Thanks Tim