UKGPL Season 17 - Inter-League race - Watkins Glen

Note that this race is at the earlier time of 1900 GMT 2000 BST!

This is the tenth and final Interleague race of our season 17, and will use the 67 carset.  Our guests will be one of the strongest GPL leagues, the European Online Challenge, who are in their tenth year of racing.  Last season's race at Solitude was a clean sweep of the podium for EOLC, with Mark Edelmann the race winner.  John Roberts had our only finish, we would hope to do much better this time out.  Each league is to field nine cars, and there are no chassis handicaps, drivers will be racing to complete the distance and score points for their team.  The race will be on the EOLC server so we may switch chatrooms again- lets have a warm greeting for our hosts from EOLC!

Please be in VROC UKGPL chatroom passworded 'Savage' by 18:55GMT, (You will need to set up a channel called ukgpl if you haven't already done so)
Igor and Race passwords: see above

Server EOLC1
IP address 217.172.189.2

Race date = 12-07-2009
Track = Watkins Glen
Time = 19:00GMT 20:00 BST
Variant = 67F1
Damage Model = PRO
Qually time = 35 minutes.
Race length = 54 laps (complete 49 laps to score points as a finisher)

Chassis assignments will be posted here when finalised:
Lotus
Eagle
Ferrari
Brabham
Brabham
Honda
Cooper
Cooper
BRM

If you'd like to represent UKGPL in this race please post on the thread and advise what chassis you'd prefer.  Driver lists and points scored can be found on the championship standings page

UKGPL Season 17 - Novices Trophy - Race 10 - 65 mod - Monza (GP 1955-71)

And so to Italy- the traditional home of incredibly expensive professional organised sports.  Clutch and Mike will contest the Novices Trophy in front of the fanatical tifosi in our season finale, Brabham to Lotus- who will be Bruce Lee, and who will be Chuck Norris?  Mountside may have slipped too far behind in the team championship though, partly because of the efforts of the renowned Clark-Hill elite transfer unit.

Please also use the thread to set out any changes you'd like to see for next season, especially with the schedule.  We're considering using only 6 or 7 original tracks next season- so if you'd prefer to stay with eight, this is your opportunity to object.  Put your chassis requests for next season in as well- Ferrari have struggled to retain drivers this time, and both they and Honda will look for new pilots in the next allocations.

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.

Please use the updated 65 mod for this race.

The 65 mod V2 update is being used by UKGPL and the updated layout features are very welcome, with the ability to record best lap times at addon tracks and to have 65 specific tracks. The new collision boxes are also a great improvement.  Though the new slipstream code will need extensive testing, the preliminary race seemed to show that it would be a definite improvement in racing terms, without the controversy over its extent, as with the 66 mod.

Thanks to all involved with producing the update.  If the new slipsteam code works as well as it seems it might, perhaps it could help persuade the authors of the 66 mod to rework their code as well!

Please be in IGOR UKGPL chatroom by 8:55 p.m. UK 19:55 GMT
(You will need to set up a channel called #ukgpl if you haven't already done so)
IGOR and race passwords: see above

Server ukgpl5
IP address  TBC

Race date = 7-07-2009
Time = 21:00 (UK time) 20:00 (GMT)
Track = Monza (GP 1955-71)
Variant = 65F1
Damage Model = INT
Qually time = 30 minutes.
Race length = long (23 laps- not 21, as before the 65 patch)

Please make sure that you have enough race fuel to complete the distance!

(2) Driver lists can be found on the championship standings page

Penalties are to be worried about after the race, with the exception of penalties for restarts.  The UKGPL rule is that you have to take a stop-and-go in the pits for each reset at the end of the lap, with the only exception being if your reset was caused by another driver.  The penalty for not taking a stop-and-go is thirty seconds.  

CHASSIS ALLOCATION  If I haven't included you but your chassis has been agreed it's not important, otherwise pm me.

Ferrari Norbert Roguk Fabio
Lotus Al Vos Mike Scott Vee8
BRM Billy Hezemans Hurtubise JamesRye
BT11 Graham Maestro Clutch Nhance Mark
Honda Bookie Tomd18
Cooper Asbjeurn* Ian* Steve B* Steve B2* Geoff* Bernie* Nicky*
BT7 Aulden Burt* Glyn

*drivers also assigned an Amateurs chassis

65 Mod

These were the 65 drivers
BT7 Bonnier, Baghetti, Hulme (Bonnier drove for Walker)
BT11 Brabham Gurney Gardner Anderson Siffert (Siffert drove for Walker, Gardner and Anderson were privateers)
Lotus Clark Spence Rodriguez Mitter Russo Solana (and Maggs Hailwood Attwood Amon and Ireland for Parnell)
Ferrari Surtees Bandini Rodriguez Vaccarella Bondurant Scarfiotti
Honda Ginther Bucknum
Cooper McLaren Rindt
BRM Hill Stewart

The 1965 season was the last to use the controversial 1500cc formula which had begun after 1960, to the initial advantage of Ferrari.  The 1965 cars are smaller than the 1967 cars and have less torque and hence more grip.  It was claimed that they 'cornered on rails', however this allowed the Grand Prix series to retain the use of circuits which were otherwise to prove extremely dangerous.

The 1965 cars are ideal for those new to GPL as they allow the tracks to be learnt in light reliable cars, however these are also full Formula One cars, and quite fast....  Graham Hill got pole in his P261 in 1965 with a time of 1'30.7.  Jim Clark won the race in a Lotus 33 with a fastest lap of 1'30.6

David Wright's 'Legends' site http://fp.gplegends.plus.com/ has the download of the 2.0.1 version (under 'details') as well as being an exceptional guide to both 1965 and 1967, for those interested in Formula One history.  The 2.02 update is available here: http://www.jamesonline.net/ukgpl/1965mod_PATCH_v2.0.2_Setup.zip

REED RACING WIN CLUBMANS!

Despite their number one driver being tempted from the grid by a man with a faintly East European accent with a promise of ‘beeg raceeng’, and their distinctly second-string driver Jack O’Ferrall being cut up then rammed off the track at the first corner, and passed for third on the last, Reed Racing have triumphed in the Clubmans Cup. Lord Loot was on hand to celebrate the first Clubmans team victory by a single-chassis outfit since season 12.  These were the less exuberant of his tired and emotional remarks after the race:

“Oh I say- good show!  Well this is more like it, dear boys, my great investment of time and money in the future of British engineering has borne fruit and laurels for myself and Burley.  Thanks in no small part to my employment of that master of engine design Mr Gerald Bull, whose sterling efforts I present to you, also our talented and victorious drivers Sam, Jim and Ian- whose absence has been unfortunately enforced this season- who have all contributed their individual triumphs to my trophy cabinet.  We who continue to pay our taxes in the oft-derided belief that British is Best have sometimes been made sport of, but that’s what sport is about and in this our finest hour we bear them no grudges, except that it is bloody odd that our so-called dreadful car can win so many races har har!  Safety first may be for some, but we seek a greater ideal, the ideal of the celebration of society, of freedom from authority expressed at the outer limits of speed, rather than conformism to the new values- of Pinky and Perky's Pop Parade.  Here’s to oil, sweat and gears!  We may have retreated from Suez and Empire, but if it’s the light of the technological revolution that’s wanted in this new era then at Reed Racing at least, we’re all lit up!”

[At this point Loot’s sentences became too long to be properly lucid, and shortly afterwards he stumbled for the first time.]                

Apologies to GBGPL for the confusion over servers, with all the UKGPL server masters present I assumed that the server had been sorted when the Clubmans server was started and the Clubmans drivers were asked to join.  Normally I'd hang around to make sure, but I needed to work on my setup for the Clubmans race.

However it was my responsibility, and I'm sorry that we weren't able to sort it out in time for all the drivers who were going to take part.  Many thanks to Fulvio for providing the race server.

Congratulations to Roo on the win, it was another very close race, and with the final score at 65-60 another finisher would have won the team race for GBGPL.

 

They have rebuilt him... welcome back Pete.

The bionic implants used to be removable from the Steve Austin dolls, so you could have them beaten up by your villain dolls, then put them back in and he would win.  Not that I had any dolls, but that's how I imagine it was supposed to work.  Steve Austin didn't impart any life lessons though, unlike Asterix, which taught us that men with large mustaches who drink magic potion become more dangerous.  What else is there to know?

There were drawbacks to the Clubmans system, the greatest being that it failed to attract enough new drivers, which is enough to condemn it.

The system never worked in the manner stated, it relied on a complex sliding scale of pitstops rather than forcing drivers to use a slower chassis.  It also failed to reward attendance, so that if a driver won a race easily and then missed two-three, he would then have a faster chassis for a further win.

Chassis allocation has worked well, and should work even better next season.  It's not easy to anticipate who will get faster during the season, or who might drop out.  There are three broad classes of 65 cars:

Ferrari, Lotus
BRM, BT11, Honda
Cooper, BT7

Lastly, whether we have 2 divisions or 3 next season, the intention isn't to handicap fairly, so much as to have everyone happy with their chassis.  I've always been open to having a driver moving to another chassis, even during the season - however the drivers themselves seem to be reluctant to, once they've started! 

I'm not sure what happened to me there...  I'd run a practice race minutes before with Clive and Vos and everything was fine.  I had a GPL problem to desktop in qualifying, and afterwards the Brabhams had developed purple neon tyres!  I rebooted to try to correct it, then I had the same issue a couple of laps into the race.

I've checked my GPL offline, and the Brabhams are fine...? It seems the issue must have been specific to this race?

Had been looking forward to this one... I suppose at least it was kind enough to stop me after two laps, rather than thirty!

UKGPL Season 17 - Inter-League race - Spa-Francorchamps

This is the ninth Interleague race of our season 17, and will use the 67 carset.  Our guests will be our great rivals GBGPL, who have yet to defeat us after two races.  However the second of them last season was very close, with Hristo taking the win in front of Roo and Bosse.  GBGPL have been hampered by the temporary absence of their veteran organiser Pete, we all wish Pete the best for his recovery.  Hopefully one or more of the drivers who race in both leagues will be able to take over responsibility for this race.  Each league is to field nine cars, and there are no chassis handicaps, drivers will be racing to complete the distance and score points for their team.  The usual spirited greetings please, for our guests and friends from GBGPL!

Please be in VROC UKGPL chatroom passworded 'Savage' by 19:55GMT, (You will need to set up a channel called ukgpl if you haven't already done so)
Igor and Race passwords: see above

Server ukgpl6
IP address TBC

Race date = 28-06-2009
Track = Spa-Francorchamps
Time = 20:00GMT 21:00 BST
Variant = 67F1
Damage Model = PRO
Qually time = 35 minutes.
Race length = 14 laps (complete 13 laps to score points as a finisher)

Chassis assignments will be posted here when finalised:
Lotus
Eagle
Ferrari
Brabham
Brabham
Honda
Cooper
Cooper
BRM

If you'd like to represent UKGPL in this race please post on the thread and advise what chassis you'd prefer.  Driver lists and points scored can be found on the championship standings page

UKGPL Season 17 - Novices Trophy - Race 9 - 65 mod - Silverstone

The ninth race in the Novices Trophy is at Silverstone, a UKGPL favourite.  Clutch has one hand on the championship already, though Mike's Lotus will have an advantage for the remaining races.  Nicky's Cooper might be sadly outmatched.

There are often accidents at Copse on the first lap, drivers should be especially careful there and not drift wide on either line.  GPL's Woodcote is reputed to be tighter than the corner should be.

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.

Please use the updated 65 mod for this race.

The 65 mod V2 update is being used by UKGPL and the updated layout features are very welcome, with the ability to record best lap times at addon tracks and to have 65 specific tracks. The new collision boxes are also a great improvement.  Though the new slipstream code will need extensive testing, the preliminary race seemed to show that it would be a definite improvement in racing terms, without the controversy over its extent, as with the 66 mod.

Thanks to all involved with producing the update.  If the new slipsteam code works as well as it seems it might, perhaps it could help persuade the authors of the 66 mod to rework their code as well!

Please be in IGOR UKGPL chatroom by 8:55 p.m. UK 19:55 GMT
(You will need to set up a channel called #ukgpl if you haven't already done so)
IGOR and race passwords: see above

Server ukgpl5
IP address  TBC

Race date = 23-06-2009
Time = 21:00 (UK time) 20:00 (GMT)
Track = Silverstone(GP1952-73)
Variant = 65F1
Damage Model = INT
Qually time = 30 minutes.
Race length = long (24 laps)

Make sure that you have enough race fuel to complete the distance!

(2) Driver lists can be found on the championship standings page

Penalties are to be worried about after the race, with the exception of penalties for restarts.  The UKGPL rule is that you have to take a stop-and-go in the pits for each reset at the end of the lap, with the only exception being if your reset was caused by another driver.  The penalty for not taking a stop-and-go is thirty seconds.  

CHASSIS ALLOCATION  If I haven't included you but your chassis has been agreed it's not important, otherwise pm me.

Ferrari Norbert Roguk Fabio
Lotus Al Vos Mike Scott Vee8
BRM Billy Hezemans Hurtubise JamesRye
BT11 Graham Maestro Clutch Nhance Mark
Honda Bookie Tomd18
Cooper Asbjeurn* Ian* Steve B* Steve B2* Geoff* Bernie* Nicky*
BT7 Aulden Burt* Glyn

*drivers also assigned an Amateurs chassis

65 Mod

These were the 65 drivers
BT7 Bonnier, Baghetti, Hulme (Bonnier drove for Walker)
BT11 Brabham Gurney Gardner Anderson Siffert (Siffert drove for Walker, Gardner and Anderson were privateers)
Lotus Clark Spence Rodriguez Mitter Russo Solana (and Maggs Hailwood Attwood Amon and Ireland for Parnell)
Ferrari Surtees Bandini Rodriguez Vaccarella Bondurant Scarfiotti
Honda Ginther Bucknum
Cooper McLaren Rindt
BRM Hill Stewart

The 1965 season was the last to use the controversial 1500cc formula which had begun after 1960, to the initial advantage of Ferrari.  The 1965 cars are smaller than the 1967 cars and have less torque and hence more grip.  It was claimed that they 'cornered on rails', however this allowed the Grand Prix series to retain the use of circuits which were otherwise to prove extremely dangerous.

The 1965 cars are ideal for those new to GPL as they allow the tracks to be learnt in light reliable cars, however these are also full Formula One cars, and quite fast....  Jim Clark won the 1965 British Grand Prix from pole in a Lotus.  His qualifying time was 1:30'8.

David Wright's 'Legends' site http://fp.gplegends.plus.com/ has the download of the 2.0.1 version (under 'details') as well as being an exceptional guide to both 1965 and 1967, for those interested in Formula One history.  The 2.02 update is available here: http://www.jamesonline.net/ukgpl/1965mod_PATCH_v2.0.2_Setup.zip

Best of luck Steve, hope that you're able to recharge your GPL batteries while you're abroad.  You've been a regular on the grids, and I know the Soggies will miss you.  At least you've a win (from last season), and a taste of the champagne to take away with you!

Thanks to Luca and the GPFun drivers for another great race, and congratulations on the result.  A captain's performance from Hristo got him to the top step of the podium but Gianluca and Enrico joined him, and sadly for UKGPL retirements due to mechanical failures down the field meant that GPFun67 had a slight edge in this very close contest, 79-64.  We hope to race you again this autumn, in our season 18!

The results from all the races this season are here: https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=LM2R&group=209&theme=6

The password will be posted in chat.  Please can drivers be prompt, as we have to join as a team before GPFun.

I've put the team up on the first post, as Hristo had it last.  Is it a Honda that we're short of?

If you don't have all the cars, how will you see the liveries of the others....?  I suspect that the entire folder is necessary... these were the original instructions: https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5739.30

Can our team confirm that they have the liveries installed and working before the race please, as it might be difficult to sort out at the last minute?