SimRacing.org.uk

Round nine and it's off to Belgium for the classic Spa circuit, has everyone been saving up their tokens? In the Privateers, and being no mathematician, I'm pretty sure Ronnie already has it wrapped up although other positions are up for grabs. Over in Works Hristo leads by a margin but I think Fulvio still has a possible shout.

The Works will run on PRO Damage and Privateers will run on Intermediate Damage with the allowance of ONE shift-R reset. No Shift-Rs are allowed in practice unless authorized by the moderator. A Shift-R (fault or not) MUST be followed by a Stop & Go. A Shift-R for tyres/fuel is not allowed. Any driver taking more then ONE Shift-R OR failing to take a Stop & Go will be disqualified from the race result.

Race List = IGOR
Server(s);
Works = UKGPL_Gpg
IP address = 62.195.32.131
Privateers = UKGPL_T7_2
IP address = 62.149.202.168
Race date = 28-08-2011
Time = 21:00 UK time
Track = Spa (67)
Variant = 67F1
Damage Model = Works; PRO / Privateers; INT
Qualifying time = 35 minutes. Don't start until 30 mins left on clock to allow everyone to join.
Race length = 50 minutes (laps 15)
Password: see above (#post_event_password)

Driver lists can be found on the Works (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=302&theme=6) or Privateers (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=303&theme=6) championship standings pages.
The track can be downloaded from : papy original
Add-on’s available at : http://srmz.net/index.php?showtopic=143 (http://srmz.net/index.php?showtopic=143)

NOTE:
In view of the track distance the initial full moderation will only apply from the start to the end of Malmedy on lap one.

Please be in IGOR UKGPL chatroom by 8:50 pm UK Time

Reserve drivers should not join the server(s) until there are only 30 minutes of qualifying left. Please restrict chat to pit messages. Moderating will be by reported incidents only, however the moderators reserve the right to review any incident with a particular emphasis on lap one. The aim is to review the race the following weekend so incident reports should be submitted within five days of the race (ie the following Friday). We're hopeful most incidents can be resolved amicably and recommend a days deep breath with a replay review before posting. A sorry in the forum won't be taken as an automatic admission of guilt by the moderators. There will be FULL moderation of lap one regardless of whether you submit an incident report.
The Works will run on PRO Damage and Privateers will run on Intermediate Damage with the allowance of ONE shift-R reset. No Shift-Rs are allowed in practice unless authorized by the moderator. A Shift-R (fault or not) MUST be followed by a Stop & Go. A Shift-R for tyres/fuel is not allowed. Any driver taking more then ONE Shift-R OR failing to take a Stop & Go will be disqualified from the race result.

With the token system chassis strategy will be a factor. A driver must have sufficient tokens for the chassis he drives in the race.  Any driver who does not have sufficient tokens will be disqualified from the result and his tokens will be set to zero.

Chassis costs;
Lotus 20 / Eagle 17 / Ferrari 15 / Brabham 10 / Cooper 5 / Honda 3 / BRM 0

To see your current tokens hover your mouse over your total points on the Works (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=302&theme=6) or Privateers (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=303&theme=6) championship standings pages. Ten tokens will be added when you cross the start line.

There are two 67 Championships, namely Works and Privateers. The driver split will be;

WORKS drivers

Arf Arf Arf	Baab	Beefpie
Evil Clive	Fulvio Policardi	Tim FMG
Hristo Itchov	ivandjj	John Roberts
Rick Nauman	Sam B	Tom van O
Jethro W	Karliss (R)	Will Tway (R)
Goran Jonsson (R)	Artigliette (R)

PRIVATEERS drivers

Bernie	Billy	Blito
Hannah	Fabio L	Mike T
Mike (miner)	Nigel Smith	Ronnie P
Ross N	Skymole 2173	Vosblod
Paul (Badblood) (R)	Steve Bird (R)	Happy Al (R)
PaulWBird (R)	Martin (Maddog)	Geoff Heard
Dave Rainier (R)	Allan Davis (R)

67 Patch: The 1.3 Release of the 67mod can be used.

NOTE: Please ensure you join the correct server, due to the way we import if you start the race on the wrong server your result will not count.

REPLAYS
Privateers server replays will be posted in the usual place after the event. Works will now be posted at http://grandprix.xs4all.nl/ (http://grandprix.xs4all.nl/) . When downloading please check the timetable for other races and DO NOT download while another race is being run.

Designed by Jules de Their and Henri Langlois Van Ophem, the original 15 km (9.3 mile) triangle-shaped course used public roads between the Belgian towns of Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot. The Belgian Grand Prix was held at Spa-Francorchamps for the first time in 1924. Eighteen Formula One World Championship Grands Prix were run on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit's original configuration, which was boycotted by F1 in 1968, before the revised circuit banished it to the history books in the late 70s. Over the years, the Spa course has been modified several times. The biggest change saw the circuit being shortened from 14 km (8.7 miles) to 7 km (4.35 miles) in 1979. Since inception, the place has been famous for its unpredictable weather. Frequently drivers are confronted with one part of the course being clear and bright while another stretch is rainy and slippery. The circuit probably demonstrates the importance of driver skill more than any other in the world. This is largely due to the Eau Rouge and Blanchimont corners, both of which need to be taken as cleanly as possible to achieve a fast run onto the straights after them, which aids a driver in both a fast lap and in over-taking.

GPG server set for 15 laps Long race.
T7_2 already is.
Ciao

Many thanks Fulvio.

Not going to make this so I relinquish my hopes of third in the championship.

I may be home to sneak over the line and pick up tokens for the final race.

Tragic race for me.  I had connection issues in qual but managed a half decent lap.  Took it easy from start and chickened out of several chances.  Unfortunately I then spun in a fast section and Sam hit me and we both retired upside down.  Don't think there was anything you could do Sam so sorry about ruining your race.  I must have been in the slippy part towards the edge...or on the grass...gutted.

Bob.

After others misfortune, Arf spun at Le Combes and H lost some cylinders, but still running at the moment in 3rd, I got the lead on Clive. At six lap engine popped nonetheless I was babying it :(
Night

This was an enjoyable race for me despite the fact I don't really like Spa. I qualified third which was about right and although Bernie beat me off the line he went wide at Les Combes and I settled in behind Ronnie and Sky.

My race was a case of being quick enough for second, but just making little mistakes every time I got close, and dropping back again. With two to go I was closing on Sky when I went wide at Stavelot and let Bernie through. Sky then blew his engine restoring my podium spot, but I didn't have enough time to catch Bernie again. Still not a bad result after the disaster at Sandown.

Well done Sky on pole and Bernie for a canny run to second. Biggest grats to Ronnie though who took the title with a fine win.

No worries Bob, it happens. I should have reacted more quickly to be honest but I really had no idea where your car was going as it was spinning so violently. I took my chance and darted to the middle of the track. Turned out to be a foolhardy decision from me  ::).

That race was a missed opportunity. I made 3 places on the opening lap and with H retiring, a possible win was for the taking but sadly it was not to be. I had a similar accident in S17 at Spa. I think the circuit just doesn't like me  ;). Congrats to Clive for a fine win. To finish first, first you must finish, as they say.

Who said I retired?  ;D

Now that I see this division doesn't have the 50% race distance rule though, maybe I should have...  ::)

but you do have to pay for the car in tokens so i believe that in some ways negates the 50% rules

Yeah, but I mean I could've retired right after Fulvio did and spare myself doing 8-9 laps on half the cylinders, lol. On the other hand, it was an interesting experience and gave me a more detailed view of Spa corners, which might come in handy.  ;)

Well, as I said, all good things come to a (quick) end, or so they say..Took advantage of the thin grid and of Hristo's self inflicted Honda to snatch pole, survived a long first gear and a wobble at T2 to keep the lead, at the beginning of the second lap the engine started spluttering and I realised half of my horsepower had ran away in the bushes, and that was it. Watching the (short) replay I was actually wringing the neck of the thing and more often than not hitting the red bar while shifting, so I suppose it serves me well, although I always feel theres more than an element of randomness in these early engine pops. So, who said pro mode was cool around here again ::)?!

Pity I didnt stay on with the half cylindered Ferrari though, I could have had a 'smokey' scrap with H othewise  ;D ;D!

Grats to Clive for a wisewazawin and to H for the championship, see you at the next one  :).

I personally think, the Ukgpl drivers association, shouldv'e gotten together, to boycot this race.  It's too dangerous!  To me, Spa consists of minutes of boredom, interspersed with moments of terror!  And they often relate to, moments of error, which often lead to car lightening experiments, which only lead to disappointment. 

Without a decent 180mph draft, I started from a reluctant, mid-grid.  Then, for the second race in a row, 1st lap, I left a left side wheel a few inches beyond it's traction.  It was 'mestup'.  The car snapped around, and splattered off into the side of a house, which some fool had carelessly left there!  To my surprise, most of the following pack stopped by, to offer their condolences - arriving in their one's and two's.  It is said that imitation, is the sincerest form of flattery, so I was flattered, as well as splattered!  >:(

I reassembled, with race already ruined, and clocked in some laps, in a sort of high speed trundle.

One moment of terror, was heading down towards l'Eau Rouge, while lapping Hannah, who'd kindly backed off, to let me by.  I chose to squeeze left, then chose to brush both walls, while entering the corner, without slowing to extract the debris.  But aside from a few such scares, nothing happened rather rapidly. Right up until I ended it all, by throwing myself at the armco, approaching la Source, with just a couple of laps to go.

It seems more entertainment was had, towards the front, with a good scrap for second.  While at the head of the class, it's another superb win from Ray, our worthy champion.  But, as predicted, for some of us on this day, havoc reaped it's revenge !

More frustration for me on a very mixed weekend. After Friday's PSC disaster I was very (too..) cautious off the grid and 2 or 3 cars got past. Then there was a terrifying few seconds as we passed Baab and Samb doing their synchronised death dance.

I was then very surprised that the pit boards told me I was 3rd and then 2nd as I hadn't seen any incidents to account for the others who'd been just a bit in front of me. However it was all too much excitement for me, and I made a stupid mistake to spin at Les Combes and that let Fulvio or Clive through with the other right behind me. I overcooked it through Malmedy and ended up on top of the hedge on the left. This was nearly game over, and it took me 30/40 seconds to get the car back on the tarmac, by which time everyone else had disappeared.

After that I was just trying to chase down Clive, the only remaining runner (with full power). I kept quoting James May from Top Gear from the episode where they try to take old supercars to a lap dance club - "Come on Hammond (Clive), do the decent thing, and run out of petrol"**  ;D

However, not only didn't he do this, he was mostly matching my pace, so that was it really. Most impressive thing of the night was how many laps Hristo's car could p**s oil and smoke  into the atmosphere without exploding. I knew he was just waiting for Fulvio to retire and therefore secure the championship - congrats for that!

I should have been faster than Clive, and indeed lap times back this up, but I need to improve my race-craft, and that's where Clive was stronger. I still feel that was defeat snatched from the jaws of victory though. As Jeremy Clarkson said in same episode referenced above, "I was expecting to finish the evening in a different sort of hedge"......

Apologies to those for whom the TG references will be meaningless...

Arf


** those in the UK will realise I watch too many repeats on Dave.....

I have to confess that Spa has never been one of my favourite circuits. I just cannot hook up a good lap around here.
Hristo posted a 3:15 in qually and although I never profess to be as fast as Hristo, I would normally have hoped to be able to get within a couple of seconds on a banzai lap, but not at Spa!!
Despite running a low fuel quali setup and taking the engine revs over the suicidal 11k mark in all gears, I barely managed to break the 3:20 laptime. Just where I lose 5 secs is a mystery to me, as I am flat out just about everywhere and pulling 198mph before Masta and exiting that treacherous bend at around 175-180mph??
So I started almost at the back of the small grid surrounded by Eagles, Brabhams and Lotus....this is not looking very promising  :-\

i got a good start and jumped one car before Eau Rouge ( always a risky move!!) and survived to press on towards les Coombes with Samb's Brabham snapping at my heels. He was obviously quicker and was able to use my slipstream down towards Masta to pass. I was not going to contest that move on Lap1 with cold tyres and eased of to be sure of a clean line. Fulvio was behind in an Eagle and making his usual calm start but building up his speed.
Bab and Samb mamaged to finish their race early by mutual consent and I was up to 4th momentarily, but I lost momentum by going on the grass to avoid their melee and Fulvio swept through. I decided to press on as 4th place might net me some nice points if I could survive the next 14 laps. Fulvio was getting away but only slowly and I could not push any harder in the fuel heavy Honda without melting the rear tyres so I did my best to keep Fulvio in sight even if I could not challenge him.
Then we passed Arf parked just after Les Coombes ...3rd place??? and Fulvio was still just about in sight.  I had thought that Arf had trashed his car but was to realise later that he was still very much in the race.

Then Shock!! Horror!! the gap to Hristo who had been miles in front, was reducing rapidly and I saw the smoke before I saw the stricken Waza on the run up to Les Coombes....2nd!!! and Fulvio was just visible at certain points of the track.

About 11 laps still to go and some nice points on offer, if I could protect the Waza mobile and its tyres. The fuel level had reduced and I was able to push a little harder without heating the tyres quite so much and the gap to Fulvio stabilised But I was still very careful to keep the revs below 11K and the engine temp below 250F.

Then I see Fulvio running very slowly down towards Stavelot!! his engine had blown and I was now in 1st!!! and not even half distance!! :o. Arf had got himself going but was still a long way behind and I did not know if he had suffered any damage or if he was still able to run at his qually speed, because with about 9-10 laps left to go he could be closing at approx 4 secs a lap!! Hristo had obviously opted to trundle around in the hope of picking up some valuable points for 3rd place, so the race was now between Arf and myself...and there was a long way still to go.

The next few laps involved a lot of "prib watching" at certain points of the track to see where Arf was closing, and by how much per lap. After 2-3 laps it became clear that he was gaining, but at a rate that might not be quick enough to catch me before the flag. Except of course that once he got a sniff of slipstream the last few hundred metres of advantage that I had would vanish. So I was forced toup my pace slightly and still watch the tyre temps.
Lap after lap he gradually closed and with about 4 to go I passed the pits thinking " I've done enough he cannot catch me now, if I just maintain a steady pace!"...........then I promptly relaxed, forgot about the overheated tyres and screwed up Eau Rouge totally!! I was fired out over the crest and flung into the barbed wire fence, but miraculously suffered no damage. BUT! the gap was halved and now I was in serious trouble if I wanted to win this race.

I tied another knot on my fundoshi, lowered my white headband a little more over my eyes and launched the Wazamobile up towards Les Coombes!! If Arf wanted the win he was going to have to fight for it!!
The next lap was crucial, I had to prevent Arf getting his faster car anywhere near my slipstream, so I pushed hard but without stressing the engine trying to carry more speed through the bends after Stavelot up to La Source. I think luck was with me because Arf must have had an incident of his own as the gap suddenly grew by a few hundred metres and that was all I needed  ;)
My penultimate lap was the fastest of the race for me and I was able to back off and cruise the last lap to the flag and a totally unexpected win at a track I still don't like!!

Grats to Arf for keeping the pressure on and to Hristo for dragging his Honda around to a Championship winning 3rd place.

Looking forward to racing on a proper circuit next time......where are we going?

Started - spun off - raced a bit -spun off - raced a bit more - spun off again - da de da da !

get the picture   :)

somehow finished up P2 plus F/L (no prizes for that though , just smug satisfaction )

Grats to Ronnie for the win and Champion

Grats to all others who finished , hope you all had at least half as much fun as I did  ;)

See you soon in Dutchland  :)

Nice to get the win and the points to secure the Privateers championship.

Sky put in an excellent qualyfying lap to take pole and I settled for a place alongside on the grid.

From the race start I settled in behind Sky with Ross in close attendance behind. On the first lap when Sky made a small mistake I took my chance and slipped past and put in a few fast laps to try and break the toe of those behind. It was then a case of not making any mistakes, going just fast enough to keep the persuers at bay and keeping my Lotus engine in one piece. Fortunately the trademark of my championship push did not let me down and I stayed on track and drove consistently to wrap things up nicely. Unfortunately for Sky his Lotus engine did go pop (tough mate you deserved better). But congrats to Bernie and Ross on second/FL and third spot respectively.

PS Next season Martin, next season...........

Well done Ronnie, but next Season you'll be in Works.  ;D ;D

I wasnt too much optimistic after the quite lucky pole, wich was just a case of not blowing the engine... I was quite avare, that if driving propetly, with no speedshifting and whitout pushing too hard, I would end up sixt or seventh at best. So i started driving at the maximum from lap one, keeping the engine at the brink of destruction and more that few times almost lozing it, dangeriously clipping the grass... It was all ok for 10-13 laps, and after that Ross and Bernie, who were obwiously driving at leisury pace by now, started driving seriously and closing in like lightning... I however had no way to push harder... I tried, and blowed the engine. Didnt want to bother with shiftr stopgo and all that... tho it might have been worth it to atleast finish over hannah... she/he is getting on my nerves already.

Absolute shocker for me.
As Spa is a real power circuit I splashed out on the Lotus. Did some mid week pactice & clocked 3.23s. My best quallifying lap was what I though was a warm up at 3.26. The race just got worse - stuck in a bush going through Malmedy costs me my one Reset. Never got as far as the pits to SnG as I misjudged the nameless nasty kink before Le Carriere, ran up the bank & performed a perfect backflip. Unfortunately this is motor racing not gymnastics. On landing I managed to dive bomb the following car - not seen the replay but I think it may have been Hannah or Mike J. Apologies rendered for my ineptitude.  

I think it was me, but I was only doing 1 lap to pick up tokens. No harm done.

Saw you coming Billy... And then going at Malmedy. Hope I didn't put you off with my Fiat 500 pace! fun race (sort of) nice start and then met all my friends as they went past. Different race when you are twenty seconds slower...

Maybe maybe not. :-\  :laugh: Lets see what the mid season review brings in terms of any rule changes and/or balancing more fun with less serious racing for next season. Besides this one is not over yet. See you at Zandvoort

Well said Ronnie, and an excellent choice for next Seasons champion!  BTW, let me know if you have any problem's with those directions, and make sure you arrive before racetime, every fortnight. :-*

Race moderation now published.