A couple of amendments to the series rules.

Handicapping - slightly relaxed from last year - see above.

This season only one reset will be permitted per race - for all divisions.

Race distance will be around 45 minutes.

Blast - I though if I started in January & nobody else got there till November that I would have a chance of winning!

Yes - it is 08/01/13 not 08/11/13

As there has been strong support to keep the Historics (1966 Mod) on the calendar we will be running a double header of two Intermediate Short races at Imola. For race 1 you can pick any car from the 2 Litre range & then upgrade to a 3 Litre beast for the second race. Other than engine size there is a free choice of chassis. (2L cars range from 2.0 – 2.7 litre).
It’s a fun race, unlimited Shift R but you are asked to observe the normal GPL rule of taking a Stop & Go after every reset.
Please note the slightly earlier start time of 8.45.

Race List = IGOR
Server = UKGPL3 - Note change of server
Race date = Tuesday 08-01-2013
Time = 20:45 UK time
Track = Imola
Race length = Intermediate Short
Variant = 1966 – 2L & 3L
Damage Model = Intermediate
Qualifying time = max. 15 minutes

The result is - quite complicated.
There was an imbalance in the number of cars on track.
One Grid One - 4 Lotus v 5 Ferrari - Lotus won 137 points to 135 points (would have been a bigger margin if Hristo had started, but sort of evened out by Raoni's early retirement)
Grid Two - 6 Lotus v 8 Ferrari. My memory isn't the clearest but I do not recall Jens being picked, so his finish is excluded. Ferrari wins this grid 172 points to 148 points.
Combining the grids Santa's Ferrari's score 307 points to Elves 285 points. If we discard the lowest Ferrari finisher on each grid (same number of entrants scoring points) the Elves win 285 to 281 points.
In conclusion both teams won a grid so I'm calling it a 1 - 1 draw.
Any complaints will be largely ignored - but thank you for your participation!

Once you’ve stuffed yourself stupid on Christmas dinner here’s something to keep you amused. A double header fun race on the Moon.

The event will be Formula 2 Spec contest, featuring both Lolas. You can start with whichever one you like but have to use the other Lola for the next race. 15 minutes qualification & Intermediate Short race distance.

It’s a fun race, unlimited Shift R but you are asked to observe the normal GPL rule of taking a Stop & Go after every reset.

Personally I have no idea what the track is like. I’m reliably informed it isn’t too long or difficult to learn, although an anti-gravity set up will help.

Please note the slightly earlier start time of 8.45.

Race List = IGOR
Server = UKGPL8
Race date = Friday 28-12-2012
Time = 20:45 UK time
Track = the Moon
Race length = Intermediate Short
Variant = 1967 Formula 2 – Lola T100 FVA & Lola T100 BMW
Damage Model = Intermediate
Qualifying time = max. 15 minutes

One further clarification - all resets should be followed by a Stop & Go.

A couple of drivers have mentioned the Moon - will try & squeeze in a fun race before Season 24 kicks off.

Just to clarify
East London (South Africa) will be dry & sunny - no snow, rain or other winter type weather.
Specific requests to drive either car should be addressed in writing to the relevant team captain at the North Pole. The Britsih Post serivce guarantees delivery by about February. Altenatively you have a 50% chance of your wish being granted.

Santa’s v Elves
The GPL version of the Battle Royale.

Santa & the team have worked extra hard for Christmas. The reindeers will be knackered so he’s getting some backup in the shape of a 1965 Formula 1, Ferrari. Santa thinks his red Fezza is the best. Chief Elf disputes this & says the green machine is quicker. To settle the matter Santa has challenged Chief Elf to a duel – but they need your help. Will all volunteers please assemble in the UKGPL chatroom at 9pm on Sunday.

Chief Elf (Billy NoBrakes) & Santa (who will it be?) will take turns to pick teams – like sorting out a football match in the school playground. If there are more than 20 present then we will probably open up a separate grid (everyone should get a drive). Listen carefully for instructions – the password will appear in Chat when the teams are picked. You will need both a Ferrari & Lotus set up for East London.

To decide the outcome the race (or races) will each score race points according to the GPL scoring system. We add up the scores for each driver to see which team has the most - Simples.

We will run under Intermediate damage model but each reset will cost your team 5 points (plus a SnG).

Race List = IGOR
Server = UKGPL8
Race date = Sunday 23-12-2012
Time = 21:00 UK time (21:00 GMT)
Track = East London
Race length = 30 Laps
Variant = 1965 Ferrari & Lotus only.
Damage Model = Intermediate
Qualifying time = max. 30 minutes

I think the chassis selection works like this.
Brabham, BRM, Lotus & Ferrari - have a car in every year.
Cooper has a car in every year, but for 69 it doesn't have any wings, so you will have a disadvange.
If you want the Eagle (66 & 67) then you should take the BT7 for '65 & the McLaren for 69
If you take the Honda for 65,66 & 67 then you can have the Matra 69.
For the eagle & Honda it is not exactly the same team, but this but this should give a good spread of cars that with different performance levels that even themselves out - unless you take the Cooper.
Assume that the 1966 will be 3L versions.
(This is Cookie's series & he can change it if he sees things differently)

Stupid game.
Got the dreaded square wheel on the BT11 - after downloading the patch which was supposed to fix it.
Switched to the Lotus - spent quallifying trying to get the gearing. Last qually lap the game went into limbo & by the time I had aborted & rejoined I was locked out.
Hope you guys have a good race.

Pierre - apologies for the misunderstanding on my part! It is, nonetheless, a very good track.

Tristan - Replay should be here http://ukgpl3.dyndns.org/inc_replaysS23_js.aspx

Looking at the various comments the mixed grid wasn't the best idea. I tend to find that grids of less than 10 cars feel a bit empty. We ran the same format at Bremgarten without any complaints. Perhaps the layout of this track (particularly the pit lane exit) was an unfounate combination.

Personally I think the F2 is a great mod & the plan is to run them again, taking into account some of the lessons from the debut season e.g. handicaps & mixed grids.

RACE UPDATE
As we seem to comfortably fit all drivers on one grid both the Lights & Heavys will probably be on UKGPL3 for tonight's race.

THIS POST IS FOR THE LIGHT & HEAVY RACES

The F2 season draws to a close at Jops Siffert, a fantasy track in the Swiss mountains as a tribute to Jo Siffert. Like so many of the legends from his era, Jo was killed racing at Brands Hatch in 1971.

The championships in both Divisions are pretty much decided but that doesn’t stop us going racing.
The top three runners in each division are restricted as follows.
LIGHTS Hristo – Ferrari or Brabham BT14. Goran  & Evil - Ferrari, Brabham BT14 or Cooper.
HEAVY Phil Thornton – Ferrari or Brabham BT14. Rainier & Dave Cutis - Ferrari, Brabham BT14 or Cooper. (Hint to Dave C – most people would not take the BT14 by choice).

The series will be run on two separate grids; The Lights (on T7) & the Heavys (on UKGPL 3). Please ensure you join the correct race. The Driver list is shown below & the Championship Table can be found here F2 European Tour

Unlimited resets are allowed but every Shift R must be followed by a Stop & Go in the pit lane. If you Reset on the last lap a 30 second time penalty will be awarded.
Incidents should be reported in the usual way.
In line with other divisions the races will be subject to full moderation in the red zone which will be to the apex of the Scherrer corner. The Moderator may chose to investigate any other incident, in addition to reported incidents & red zone incidents.

Please note that for Season 23 UKGPL has introduced a system of penalties within each series for drivers accumulating yellow cards – see here
Penalty Points. Drivers incurring these penalties will receive a PM advising when a penalty has been applied & what race it should served.

LIGHT	HEAVY
Al Hellar	Badblood
Alex Barresi	Bernie
Cookie	Billy Nobtrakes
Evil Clive	Dave Curtis
Fulvio	Francesco
Goran	Geoff
John Roberts	Giovanni
Mark Barresi	Il Lupo
Nicky Ickx	Jonny O
Ron C	Phil Thornton
Robert John	Rainier
Magic Arisoulle	Jonny
Clutch	xxxxx
Blito	xxxxx
Hristo	Paul Bird
Arf Arf	Rog UK
Natan	Derek Flint
Skymole	Miniblood / the Mayor
Raoni Frizzo	xxxxx
Tom G	xxxxx
A Monteiro	xxxxx

Race List = IGOR Server = UKGPL3 & T7 Race date = Friday 07-12-2012 Time = 21:00 UK time (21:00 GMT) Track = Jops Siffert Race length = 26 Laps Variant = 1967 Formula 2 Damage Model = Intermediate Qualifying time = max. 30 minutes

Mexico has never been a great track for me. Survived with one nasty spin & blowing an engine on the second to last lap – being the last race of season though it best to take a SnG & cross the finish line.
It’s been one of the best 67 seasons that I have participated in – partly because the grids have been nearly full.
Congratulations to Rainier for taking the championship, pushed all the way by Phil & had they been a bit more consistent Hendy & Cookie were / would have been up there.
Also, well done to the Black Night Racing Team, Rainier, Dave Curtis & Fabio. Having four drivers regularly competing probably gave us a bit of an advantage.
Whilst new mods keep arriving there is something very special about these original  67 monsters & the challenge of keeping all that power on track (most of the time).