SimRacing.org.uk

Season 19 Novices Trophy - Round 5 - Westwood Park

The fifth round of the championship again sees the Novices at a different venue to the Amateurs.  This is a new track but quite short so easy to learn.

Reserve drivers should not join until there are only 30 mins of qualifying left.  However, all drivers should not go on track until there is 30 minutes of qualifying left.  This helps all drivers join the server successfully.  Please restrict chat to pit messages only, including at the end of the race until ALL drivers still racing have crossed the line.

Don't forget to use the updated 65 mod for this race.

Please be in the 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 (#post_event_password)

Server = 5.UKGPL
IP Address = ping myjamesonline.net
Race Date = 01-06-2010
Time = 21:00
Track = Westwood Park
Variant = 65F1
Damage Model = Intermediate
Qually Time = 30 minutes.
Race Length = Long (34 Laps)
Password: see above (#post_event_password)

Driver lists can be found on the championship standings page (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=250&theme=6)

We have split the cars into groups based on average performance and split the drivers into groups based on average ability. The chassis numbers for Novices are as follows:

NOVICE CHASSIS GROUPS
1 - Lotus, Ferrari, BRM, Honda
2 - BT11
3 - Cooper
4 - BT7

Each driver has been given a seeding number and must pick a chassis with either an equal number or higher number but not a lower number. For example, if a driver is given a seeding of 2, he must pick one of the cars in group 2 (BT11) but if he would prefer to drive either the Cooper or BT7 he may do so. This means that a driver given a seeding of 1 can pick any chassis he prefers.

**NOTE**
Whichever chassis a driver begins his first race with is the chassis he must use for the remainder of the season unless a change has been agreed with the moderator.

The following drivers have made their chassis choice:

FULL TIME

Driver	Chassis
D-Rock	Lotus 33
NHance	Brabham BT11
roguk	Cooper T77
maddog	Cooper T77
maestro	Brabham BT11
il_lupo	Ferrari 512
happyal	BRM P261
Billy	Brabham BT11
gilles27	Lotus 33
G Poole	Brabham BT11
BookieW	BRM P261
Sharkfin	BRM P261
norbert	Ferrari 512
Vosblod	Lotus 33

RESERVES

Driver	Chassis
Nigel Smith	Honda RA272
karlisss	Honda RA272

The following drivers are still to make their chassis choice:

FULL TIME

Driver	Seeding
Burtoner	2

RESERVES

Driver	Seeding
miner2049er	1

Please use the updated 65 mod for this race which is available here:
Jamesonline.net/UKGPL (http://www.jamesonline.net/ukgpl/1965mod_PATCH_v2.0.2_Setup.zip)

Hi Phil,

Race length of Long is showing as 17 laps on my install of GPL, which I guess must be wrong, as that would be a 20 minute race. Can you confirm how many laps it will be? 34 seems about right.

Cheers,

Ross

Well spotted Ross ;D.  Yes you are correct, 34 laps is about right for a 40 min race.  Don't know why the default race length is 56 for a GP, it should be 112.  We will have to set the 65season.ini file to 112 before we start the server.

Which Westwood is the right one? There are three different ones on the track database...
Thx in advance

Westwood 67 http://srmz.net/index.php?showtopic=3514 (http://srmz.net/index.php?showtopic=3514)

I had practiced a fair bit before this event, what with it being a new track I figured it was an opportunity to get a decent result. After a good qually I managed to get pole and was hopeful of getting through the first lap and pulling away to win.

However, like my last two poles, the start was a nightmare. I got wheelspin and veered left, then had to trundle on the grass as I didn't want to pull back onto the track and hit anyone. This meant I was down to 7th, which became 5th by the end of lap 1 as two guys went off in front of me.

After that I was cautious and tailed Fabio's Ferrari for a few laps before he made a mistake and let me into 4th. A few laps later this was second as I managed a couple of decent overtakes, possibly on Rog and NHance, thanks guys for racing cleanly with me.

After that it all went badly wrong. I hit Pete at the hairpin, after being caught out by his braking point. At the time I got the red mist and just reset my car and went charging back into the fray, when I should have taken a stop and go. After getting close to second placed Vos, I made another error and dropped to 5th. This became 2nd on the last lap after NHance's engine blow and D-Rock causing a 3-car incident at the hairpin.

In the previous races my errors have only affected myself, whereas tonight I really screwed up Pete's race. He was good about it afterwards when he had every right to call me all the names under the sun (I'm sure you did at the time Pete!).  Hopefully this time I will learn my lesson and calm down a bit - no doubt I will get a penalty for not SnG'ing.

Anyway well done to Vos who is very consistent, and hard luck to NHance who would have won I think, without the engine trouble.

See you at Mosport if they let me back onto the track!

Ross

A win so very pleased ;D, more so as I had to hit the grass on lap 1 following a spin in front which left me at the back.

My lack of practice didn't do any harm as, starting from 11's, a high 10 put me 7th in qually. As I got to know the track, I was picking up 10's / low 11's in the race.
No spins plus others going off slowly pulled me up the grid until I found myself in 2nd. With double figures left I saw Ross was behind and, with his times, I was expecting a battle before the end. Then he dropped back which left Norm up the road with a comfy lead. Bad luck on the engine blow-out Norm, it gifted me first but **it happens.
I was not quickest by any stretch but best average lap time (according to the report) did it for me, well that and Norm's misfortune.

Some really good racing by all drivers at this newish track Westwood, swopped places several times, last lap just passed Nhance at hairpin for 2nd place when D-rock braked late and took us both out gilles27 cruised past to take 2nd place LOL thats racing.
Grats to Vos for win and gilles27 for 2nd, commiserations to Nhance a few 100yds from finish to go from 2nd to 4th. See you all at Mosport in 2 weeks.

Westwood has to go down as one of my least favourite tracks. Couldn’t find a set up that really seemed to work & no major surprise to start on the back row of the grid. First few laps were OK then I made mistakes on three consecutive laps – found some rhythm again until around lap 20. When I went off track in 2 places I’d never come off before I decided enough was enough ~ it was time to retire.

Well done to Vos on the win and those who managed to tame the track. Hope we won’t be racing there again any time soon.

GPL is only a game, but......... .Nice handy 2nd to Pete gave me time to plot strategy when I saw pole man Ross coming decided to give him plenty of room if he tried to pass knowing that  Pete would not be so obliging when he caught him & a crash may ensue. It did, so on lap 16 I inherited a nice big lead until I passed the pits on lap 29 when the engine died. I must have been over revving the engine at some point although well before then I had backed off for a cruise to the finish. Shift R, did a lap, Vos passed me. Came out of s&g with 4 secs lead over Rog, D Rock & Ross but with cold tyres & full tanks they were on me by 3 corners. Managed to hold out until the last lap when there was a crash at the hairpin which I'll leave to the mods. depends how they see it.
I was totally gutted on the night. This was my best chance yet of a win but I must blame myself for the engine blow up.
Anyway well done to those who grabbed their opportunities & got a podium & must mention my team mate Clutch who got 2nd place in the Ams - his best result yet I think
I'm over it now after all it's only a game. ;D
Norm H  

Really pleased to qually 3rd ;D behind Norm and storming Ross in Pole

Really like this track. BUT it somehow seems to be able to keep catching you out. You either out brake yourself at Marshals at end of the long straight or get a rear wheel on the grass in a corner at Carousel or Valley and round you go. Really Tricky

Sitting on the grid I decided more people are going to make more mistakes here than most places so to play it cool and staying on the black stuff was going deliver some good points

Flag goes down and Ross promptly drives off the circuit into the Pits?  ???This leaves a clear track in front and with a stonking start I get passed Norm and into 1st by T1 :jumpjoy:

Carry on tip toeing round and after a few laps I can see in Prib Norm and the others are losing time which I assume is due to a wobble here and there

Excellent I thought keep on the track and Im home and dry

I knew Ross was likely to reappear sooner or later as he was so quick in qually. Lo and behold he appears in Prib back in 2ndand closing fast by over a second a lap. I know I will have to let him past and hope he falls off later.

Driving the long straight and approaching Marshall’s I expect Ross is going to out brake me and take it sooner rather than later so braked a tad earlier staying on the left hand side to give him room

Bang!!! One up the rear end and we are both off. Yep you’re right Ross, I did Tut Tut :cursing: a lot to myself at the time. 

Don’t know how late you braked Ross, but running as quick as you were, next time recommend you either take the other side of track on the entry to the turn or wait a few more bends. This is the learning Div, so s*** happens and you only learn by your mistakes. So no hard feelings (honest)

Rejoined but had lost the rhythm and kept going off on my own or sympathy spins.

Great Choice of circuit Happy to come here again

See you all at Mosport

I just downloaded the track less than two hours before the start of the race.
I really wondered that, with a slightly modified default setup, I was 5th on the starting grid... :o :o :o
Unfortunately, the race was not so good:
I began hitting Nigel's Honda on the back when he braked earlier than expected at the hairpin (sorry :-[);
when I found myself on 3rd place after few laps under Ross' pressure I finally made a mistake;
then, trying to fill the gap from Ross, I made several mistake and, finally, I ended the race on 7th place.

IMHO, Westwood it's really a nice track for such 65s cars.
Grats to everybody raced, especially to the winner: WD Tim!!

See you all in Mosport!

Oops there were 2 collisions on the last hairpin. Anyway I'm pleading diminished responsibility on the grounds of post traumatic engine blow up disorder ;). Opinion on the track seems to vary. Well my set up was different from usual so perhaps that's the key. I don't like short tracks or too much messing about in 1st gear,  twice here, & coming up at Wigram also.
 
I would have preferred Schottenring, (which I suggested pre season) where I see my team mate described me as the "Absolute Master".  This is due to the fact that I learned it to a good standard & "talked him round it" one day months ago resulting in a Honda powered PB. However before you AM's start quaking in your driving socks I must point out the PB would have got me 7th on the Am's grid just where Clutch was after a single race day reccy.

Norm H

"Hey maddog, we missed you at Westwood - where were you? It was an eventful race!"

Hi Ross!

I suffered an accursed dis-nettification, this past week, so missed out on all the fun, wheel banging, and general mayhem at the hairpin, from the sound of things.   If ever I'm in the neighbourhood of the real track, I'll know which corner to watch from!  Further grumbling here ; https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=7919.0

Looks like a small field of competitors - maybe the narrowness of the track?  I've been impressed all season with the use of mirrors, and have yet to be involved in a lapping incident. The consequences wouldn't be as dire as an empty track, next season.  So, I think one or two 'fo-pas,'would be alright, but not every lap.

The best way to find a good racing line, and consistent laptimes for me, has been with lots of laps.  I only ever do that when there are other drivers to watch, race with, and read about.  So I hope one or 2 who stayed away, read this.  I've never heard of a Gpl driver getting slower with more practice.

I'll hope to gaggle amongst the masses at the next round, and perhaps attempt to create an immunity to gremlinitis.
                     :hammer:

Very sorry to whoever I hit on the last lap incident, NHance I think it was. I braked a little to late and tried to swerve to the grass but I wasn't quick enough and clipped you, sending myself into a barrel roll.

Two straight races now where I had a car capable of winning but couldn't keep it on the road, hopefully I'll have better luck at Mosport.

Shame about your networking issues - it's been a cracking season in Novices so far, I think there are several of us all evenly matched. As Vos showed, keeping your nose clean pays dividends.

I don't think the field was that small compared to other events. There are usually 10 or 12 of us, obviously it would be nice to see a few more but there's some good racing to be had anyway. But with it being a new track perhaps some folks were put off, as it would need more practice time to get up to speed. Now that the summer is here there is fun to be had OUTDOORS, shock horror :-)

Anyway I am planning on doing the spec race at Zandvoort, hopefully see you there if you sort Virgin out. Last time they tried to sort out my connection, just over a year ago, I got fed up with them and went to Sky!

Ross

Race Mod Published.

Stat update after round 5. Double win in the statmeister race for Vosblod who took both the high climber & the consistency prize from Westwood, though RogUK still heads both tables overall.

Perfect consistency score from Westwood would have been 170.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AwMtMND4F-o/TBeB9gtLgpI/AAAAAAAAAKA/7Y8zLgX10jk/s1600/Novs05.png)