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RACE SERIES KEY A19=Assetto Corsa, E10=Raceroom Experience, L23=UKGTL GT Legends, LN2=Legacy NoGrip GT Legends, LNE1=Legacy NoGrip GT Legends Endurance races
 
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1  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 The Christmas Special - Le Mans - Dec 29 on: December 31, 2023, 05:25:51 PM +0000
If this was my final race in GTL it didn't quite go to plan!

Le Mans has never been a track that has blessed me with results over the years, so I didn't have much in the way of confidence going in. The car felt loose but fun, just a case of not messing up at any point.

Messed up in qualifying of course, although I doubt I could have matched Erling as he was flying, 13s was faster than I went in practise by a second or so....

Good first laps, was difficult not to get too close as the slipstream was huge, but knew making any attempt at a pass in the braking zones would be dangerous for both of us, so once Erling had got back past me I decided to settle in for the long race and sit back a bit rather than on his tail. Of course, that meant no tow, and this meant I had to try harder, and then on only lap 5 I went a smidge wide on the exit of the Kink, and that smashed the crap out of the car. Race was toast at that point, I knew I would be slow on the straights even with the repairs done, but I was just wanting to finish. Many laps later the dreaded tell-tale gaps coming down in XD made me check the other cars, all frozen on track, so I bailed at that point. Disappointed not to see the flag, I hate quitting out.

Since NoGrip disappeared without trace this has been my home for GTL. That is not as long as others I am aware, but I have been made most welcome, and I thank you all for that. Most names were familiar to me, either from inter league events, or from races at Gamers Crib maybe, but it was a second chance at playing my beloved GTL, and it was most welcome as far as I was concerned. I bought the game on disc in December 2005 just by seeing it on the shelf in store at Game, and went online eventually in late 2006 I think, so I have given it a good go. I'm sad that this will be the end, but time rolls on I guess.

Massive thanks and respect to all I have shared track space and time with, being here has been a joy.

I can't express in proper words my respect for Tony, having done this now for so so long, providing all of us with the pleasure of organised events that must have taken hours or days to sort out. I am very grateful to have been able to have been part of it for a short time in the grand scheme of things. You have been a leading light in the GTL communities for as long as I can think Tony, I am in your debt for your efforts. The events here have been as well organised as anything else I have ever been involved in online, that is credit to you and the rest of the team here at UKGTL/SimRacing.org.uk.

My thanks to Matt for the server for the last year or so, you stepped into the breach as needed, top stuff. Kurt also for religiously providing the results without fail every single time.

I'm still trying to improve if I can, so won't be stopping racing. I joined SCB on Discord thanks to Geoffers a number of months ago, based on them being a good bunch of guys, which they are. Age is no barrier there either, some are far older than I, with the oldest being in his 70s I believe. We have even tempted Clive over, and he is making massive improvements now that he is finding his feet. The RaceRoom events are well supported in the main, and based on that experience I have also entered the ranked championships in RRE, which the racing has been intense in. LFM have just put AC on their online ranking system, and that has many racers on, most events in the Mazda Mx5 cup being fully loaded with 90 drivers per session. I will say being back on a full grid of 20-30 cars does change the level a touch, and it is more immersive in the main. More sims are on the way this year, although whether any will feature heavily on the accessible, friendly, rewarding cars that GTL had at its heart we do not yet know of course. I doubt they will. There is a massive amount out there to enjoy right now is my point, so I would encourage anyone that still enjoys getting on the wheel to keep doing so. Not everything is cut throat out there, and good people to race with still exist.

I would love to spend track time with you all again at some point. If anyone wants my contact details just PM me and I will pass them on. Or, if anyone wants to know any other details on anything mentioned above then again just ask.

My gratitude, respects and good wishes to you all.
2  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 The Christmas Special - Le Mans - Dec 29 on: December 29, 2023, 09:39:50 PM +0000
I lost connection on lap 32....
3  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 HRDC Academy - Oulton Park - Dec 4 on: December 06, 2023, 10:26:20 PM +0000
Yes, I did not feel confident to try that pass on the brakes into T1 Erling, there just wasn't enough of my car in front, or the extra braking performance over you, for it to have been a clean pass. So kind of stuck around looking for a way past. Really enjoyed the close racing though, having such small cars meant we were very much nose to tail for corner after corner, awesome fun. Can only be done with a consistent and smooth driver in front  thumbup2
4  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 World Touring Car Trophy - Yas Marina - Nov 27 on: December 04, 2023, 09:49:52 AM +0000
Enjoyed the series, all the cars were nice to drive in their own way, and it's been a couple of years since I did a series that followed the F1 circus so that was good.

Had planned on a last hurrah with the Sierra, so stuck with that. Was watching onboard with Ziu in practise, so his pace in qualifying was no surprise at all, and I knew I had some left in the car. One low fuel run got me the pole, which somewhat decided the order of things going forward....

Short run to turn 1 meant that as long as I got the car off the line at all I should be ok, and so it proved. From there I had to keep the Mercs off me until the straight, where the power of the Sierra meant I could naff off good and proper.

I didn't bother overthinking the strategy this time, just filled the car to the brim, stopped when the tyres had cried enough punishment and I was losing laptime I stopped for new boots and to put enough fuel in to get to the finish. This meant I was flat chat all race, not done that much this season as it has been about strategy, but this one was a case of using the speed of the car to do the job.

Been a long season, but nice to do I thought. Many thanks as always to the efforts that Tony has put in on this, I do appreciate this takes time and energy to get done and I am very grateful for it. I Am Not Worthy thumbup1

Grats to all that took part. thumbup2
5  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 HRDC Academy - Castle Combe - Nov 20 on: November 22, 2023, 06:30:27 PM +0000

When Daz emerged from the pits right in front of me I saw an opportunity to sneak past him, Daz however, put up a "robust" defence and at this point I would like to say "eased" me onto the grass with a gossamer touch against my driver's door. Whereas a few seconds later, I found myself climbing out of the back seat and turning my crash helmet to face forwards again whilst my blurred vision recovered!!!
  

Yep, gave you the outside knowing you would hang around out there like a teenager round a local shop, thinking I'll hold it tight on the apex if I back off a bit, and then completely ploughed into the side of you at what felt like a speed that had not abated in any way not even halfway around the corner. Not my finest hour Clive, huge apologies, but not in any way intended I assure you!
6  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 HRDC Academy - Castle Combe - Nov 20 on: November 21, 2023, 09:16:36 PM +0000
As Erling said really, nice and close in quali, and even though I was on race fuel when I set my lap I couldn't see this being anything other than a proper battle to the flag, which it was but not in a door to door way.

That was proved early on, as whilst in the tow there was no chance for to shake Erling off, and only the errors he referred to made the gap grow. And, for me, at least on the setup I was running, I couldn't quite keep the car where I wanted it to be, it was always threatening to be too playful and lose drive, keeping Erling very much in the mirrors.

Saw that I was catching Tony, and decided to pit on the spot to avoid the traffic for a little longer, tactical genius at work I thought, particularly when I exited a couple of seconds in front of Clive and with clear track to run in. But, the gap stayed pretty constant in this part of the race, pushing was causing me grief with the car, so consistency was what I was trying for, and mostly getting, but I was not closing in at all. I was however pulling clear of Clive, and homing in on a couple of backmarkers, Tony and Kurt in what looked like a good old scrap.

The issue with a fast flowing track like this is it is often hard to make up time if the guy you are chasing is in rhythm, which Erling obviously was, and very easy to lose a second or two from only one corner of being held up when lapping. Tony and Kurt did nothing wrong at all, but whilst I was able to get past Tony on the start/finish straight(ish) I was not going to be able to catch Kurt. As I tried to adjust the line on the brakes to ensure a good exit, the car just let go a fraction too much at the rear on the way into Quarry, and round she went, losing 10 seconds at least. I still think Tony was behind me waving his right hand slowly and chanting 'this is not the corner you are looking for' in a Obi Wan Kenobi voice....

Kind of knew the game would be up with that, but as always was game to carry on. Had Clive and Fulvio to make my way past, banging doors terribly with Clive when my car understeered for Great Britain (really sorry about that one Clive!) in the quick right hand 4th gear corner halfway around the lap or so. Let him go back in front, managed to make my way past properly a lap or so later, then was catching the Kurt/Tony battle that was still raging away. However, this time they conspired to almost take each other out at the final turn, Kurt having a good wobble with Tony waiting for the inevitable to happen, and the gap in the middle appeared like the Red Sea parting and I was through it before Tony could perform any more perfidious wizardy....

I did make some ground up late in the race, but Erling was comfortable to not have to push by that point. I was on the limit just clawing back a couple of tenths here or there before that, so taking back the whole 10 seconds or so was never going to happen.

Great race Erling, super consistent, well deserved win.

As said before logging off, I did feel the tyres went off far more here than at other tracks, higher track grip maybe? Last couple of laps were essentially a drift car.....
7  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 HRDC Academy - Croft - Nov 13 on: November 15, 2023, 09:16:41 PM +0000
Was a very short pitlane in my defence...

Quite liked this version of Croft, never seen it before. But the little Austin was lacking grip here compared to the last 2 events, involving the spanner boys doing what they could to find me some grip. Worked out in quali, chipping away to a decent lap.

Was a case of seeing if I could hold Ziu off in the first couple of laps, then what gap could I pull on him given he would have no penalty. Thought holding first would be tough, but one by one the crashes happened and I was left in a fairly lonely 1st place.

Did do my best to throw it away with about 12 laps left, but had enough time to recover, thankfully with the damage being no problem.

Car is hilariously daft, bucket load of fun!
8  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 World Touring Car Trophy - Mexico City - Oct 30 on: November 01, 2023, 11:15:03 PM +0000
As Erling states, this was interesting stuff, although I was far less sure of the result than him by the sounds of it. First time that I can recall doing this layout, and given I have not watched F1 for a number of years now some of the sections were a bit of a surprise, but overall I quite enjoyed the layout.

Firstly, I went as hard as I could in quali, and was satisfied to have any gap on P2, thinking of how that might work in the race. That was then wiped off, as Erling pulled out a fab lap to take pole, hmm...

Ok, well, 1st gear had felt a little short, but I found it could be lengthened. Thinking that might give me the extra length in that gear for the nadgery stuff, I was sat on the grid not quite convinced of how the car may launch, but fairly sure I could outdrag the Merc to the first turn given how long a run it was. Nope, Erling seemed to get a proper launch off the line, whereas I did generate some wheelspin in first, then change to 2nd without seeming to make a dent, and I could not do anything other than draw alongside knowing I would be beaten to the corner on the brakes.

Plan number B then.

Knowing Erling would go long as the tank on the Merc is quite big, it was just a question of whether I would have to change tyres or not, and whether I could force him to use more fuel and tyre than he really wanted. From behind, all I could do was apply pressure for the first few laps, his speed was too great for me to get close enough on the straights to go through. But, as the fuel load started to go, my car got lighter and a bit quicker, and I did close in and move past. At this point I had 2 choices. Go hell for leather, and be certain to change tyres for sure, or try to ease the wear rate, which up till now had been pretty bad but not catastrophic. I ended up pretty much doing neither, the gap I had pulled wasn't very big, and the tyres were wearing too fast to not change them. Low 53s was the best I could manage, and the car was slowly going slower lap by lap.

I did have an ace up my sleeve. On lap 18 I pitted. I didn't want to leave it too long as I wanted to give myself enough time to catch Erling, knowing for sure his pit visit would not involve tyres. But, crucially my visit would only involve a very short fill of fuel, as I had started with full tanks and had around 8 laps of fuel left when I pitted, so my stop would be reasonably quick as I only needed to add a 5 laps or so of fuel along with the new tyres that were required.

Short fill done, and in a lighter car than I had started the race with, and on new rubber, I was now doing low 52s. When I left the pits the gap was massive, 66 seconds I think, but I had given myself 11 laps to chase him down. Every lap from that point was on my limit, knowing that was what was needed to catch the flying Merc.

As Erling said, he left the pits with around a 10 second lead, but I was taking 1.5 seconds or so, and there were still 7 laps to do. I was also banking on his car going slower not faster due to the worn tyres...

It was a relief to get in the the tow and pass more than any sense of triumph I can assure you. The Holden is quite friendly to drive, not really got any bad manners at all, but that was really warm work at the wheel!

Grats to Erling, great race pace in the Merc!
9  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 World Touring Car Trophy - Austin - Oct 23 on: October 23, 2023, 09:47:52 PM +0100
Looks like the server dropped me with a couple of laps to go.
10  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 HRDC Academy - Silverstone - Oct 16 on: October 18, 2023, 05:23:31 PM +0100
I was just totally lost on how long the drive through would take Erling, so had made a plan and was sticking to it. I've made a mess of several races elsewhere recently by trying to change plans a little bit on the fly, so erred on the side of caution. I'm guessing each pitlane will be different, so this time loss will differ at each track.....
11  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 HRDC Academy - Silverstone - Oct 16 on: October 18, 2023, 02:55:28 PM +0100
Hope that all goes well Kurt!

As said in chat, I had been in a Z4 GT3 car on the Sunday night racing I do, so jumping in this was so, so different. Enjoying the variety!

Initially used the Brands setup, but it was really loose at every corner, and trying to do the worlds best waltzer impression on the brakes at the end of the National straight, so some adjustments were definitely required.

Made some changes and it felt much better to me. Uploaded it if anyone needs one going forward.

Made a bit of a mess of the first couple of laps, and Erling was all over and around me. Pulled myself together, knowing a gap of some description would be required, and got my head down....Now, I had no idea how much time would be lost on the drive through, so had just decided to bite the bullet and do it at halfway to at least be able to know what I could maybe claw back. Ended up coming out in P2, only a few seconds behind Erling. Set about catching up, and then a good dice for a few laps before eventually making a move properly stick. By this point the rear tires were starting to feel a bit worn, surprising given that the car essentially has no power! Kind of had to manage pace for the rest of the race due to the rear being loose, but was good fun all the way.

Quick word for Robbie. I think it was 4 times I approached you to lap you, short lap so it happens more of course. Just wanted to thank you for seeing me coming, and giving all the correct room to go on by, really courteous driving thank you.

Grats to Erling, consistent as always. I think the gearing difference may be worth looking at, as my car was able to pull alongside without too much drama, and that's nothing I was doing.
12  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 World Touring Car Trophy - Losail - Oct 9 on: October 09, 2023, 10:38:42 PM +0100
Sorry chaps, moved my parents into their new home over the weekend, and had to sit and have dinner there tonight as a thankyou. Mrs. Daz said I couldn't say no.....
13  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 World Touring Car Trophy - Losail - Oct 9 on: October 09, 2023, 01:09:10 PM +0100
Uh-oh, been flat out all weekend so not even turned a lap yet!

@Clive - watching it in MotoGp over the years has convinced me the reason they run it in the dark under the lights is because it is actually that bare....
14  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 HRDC Academy - Brands Hatch - Oct 02 on: October 06, 2023, 10:28:34 AM +0100
Re any handicap system, happy to give anything a go on my side that has benefits for all in terms of throwing some curveballs in for randoms sake.
15  UKGTL / UKGTL Races / Re: UKGTL Season 23 HRDC Academy - Brands Hatch - Oct 02 on: October 03, 2023, 02:01:44 PM +0100
Funny little car, and well suited to the shorter format of Brands I thought.

As noted by others it is a little happy to play with its own tail, but I quite like that in terms of it suiting the way I drive. What I did find was that whatever suspension setup it has on it did mean that once the thing was a little sideways, it would happily sit there just spinning any drive away, so I bumped up the power side of the diff to 60% which seemed to help actually get out of the corners even if it had slid out a bit.

Had to work to find a lap, and then got a good launch to keep Geoffers off my tail. He then had his moment, leaving Erling leading the chase, but then he disappeared leaving Clive at the head of the charge. Held back some speed as I had no idea what the tires would do, and did a bit of a Prost approach of only going as fast as I needed to, helped by the dramas others were having behind me, all good fun though.

Sorry to hear others had problems.
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