UKGPL Season 24 (2013) Formula 2 Trophy - Riverside - Feb 3

[ed76]

before the practices  I was not very confident, I'm not very fast and my victory in Reims owes much to the fury of my enemies.
Finally, the race went well I was even on the provisional podium for a few laps.
I finished fourth behind Bill after a fun battle, a little disappointed to be doubled while I avoided an accident  in front of me

Congratulations to dave

[Pierre D]

I'm sorry for both Fabio and Ed for the trouble I caused when I spun at the V9 (17th lap). I haven't had any problem with this turn during practice but pressure got me I guess .
As far as Billy is concerned, a six-pack of any decent cream ale will do 

[BadBlood]

Well I wasn't meant to race so I snuck a few laps in while the wife wasn't watching. Good fun. Spun it off and thought I'd better do the housework before I got caught...

[PaulV]

I am unable to download the replay for the HEAVY race.   does the server upload replays automatically or will it be available for download later?

Paul V.

[BadBlood]

Nope. It isn't automatic. The replay is automatically saved on the Server's local disk (in this case UKGPL3) and then has to be put into the appropriately named archive because the website is static.

It worked for me last night so I don't think there is an error. Can you access the report pages under 'Archive Name'?

You could go straight to the FTP site here. The Heavy replay is the file named S24_F2_R02_H_2013_02_03_Riverside.rar

What error message are you getting?

[EvilClive]

After much delving into the depths of my computer over the last week I think ( hope!!) I have killed the gremlins that caused me to freeze and disco in recent races.

Because I never had a problem off line, I had been "testing" my changes by joining on line servers whenever I could and running as many laps as possible. As a result Riverside 71 saw me complete quite a few laps and I used the time to tweak the setup on the Lola BMW, which for some reason I quite like??.
I think that this was the first time for a long time that I have actually achieved some pre race practice and it showed I think. I set my grid time on race fuel and was quite happy with 3rd spot and the knowledge that I should be competitive if my PC behaved.

With Hristo on pole and Raoni 2nd on a staggered grid I was effectively where I wanted to be...behind Hristo, because I was confident that I would be quicker off the grid than Raoni with his keyboard start.
Sure enough, T1 and I was on Hristo's tail with Ronnie pushing from behind. I had run far too many laps in testing on full tanks and cold tyres and it helped me easily follow Hristo through the initial laps. Slowly we edged away from Ronnie, although the draft down the long straight allowed him to close the gap slightly.
I'm not sure if Ronnie had a moment somewhere but H and myself built a gap and I was happy to allow H to dictate the pace so that we did not fall over each other and slow ourselves down. My setup certainly allowed me to brake later into the tighter corners and hold a tighter and quicker line, although Hristo's Matra seemed to have the edge on initial acceleration. But it was easy to stay with him using the tow down the straight. In fact even when I made a small mistake I found that I could close the gap before I got to the straight  
I had geared 5th for the slipstream and it appeared to work rather well as a couple of times I kept my right foot planted and cruised past the Matra.
So,with half the race still to run and if neither of us made a mistake, it was all going to be decided on the last lap  .
Both of us made tiny errors but not enough to change anything.
With 5 laps to go Hristo seemed to be pushing harder to try and build a gap because he knew that I was sitting on his tail and waiting to pounce on the last lap
With just 2 laps to gowe were still nose to tail across the line and as we approached T2 I glanced at my fuel level   I could not believe it, so I looked again fuel pressure was down to 50psi and only a gallon of fuel left!!! The second look caused me to miss my turn in for T2 and I ran the wrong side of the polos across the sand as Hristo powered through the Esses.
Hristo was a gent and slowed to allow me to catch him, but I could not hope to run at full pace and complete the race so I slowed and short shifted for the last 2 laps crossing the line with less than 10 psi of fuel pressure, but a comfortable 2nd place.
it might have been better, but I trusted the fuel consumption for the F2's and even had a theoretical couple of laps spare, but it seems the cracking pace consumed more?

Grats to Hristo and thanks for some great racing..it might have been my day if I had enough fuel to challenge on the last lap, but "if's" dont count lol.

I hope that this race proves the gremlins are dead and I can enjoy some full races without problems at last.

[Nigel Smith]

Well, I managed to qualify 6th on race fuel and was happy with the feel of the car, so my optimism was high.
But- a safe first lap and the it all went t**s. Saw the mess at T6 and slowed to miss Geoff, unfortunately his car slid sideways and I got tangled in his wheels- hence my slow speed when you came across me Billy. Not your fault mate and it wouldn't have been too bad but lady luck put me on top of a straw bale
After my shift-R, stop'n'go the red mist descended and I threw it all away again at T6.
Early bath and watch the Superbowl.

[PaulV]

Hi Paul,

downloading now thanks.  had no error messages i just couldnt see the replay, Light one was there.

had some PC issues earlier anyway, had a power cut at home and PC had crashed.  got all up n running again but couldnt see the PW for the race.

I twigged later that the powercut had logged me out of all the UKGPL sites/pages.

all working now.

Thanks,  PV

[BadBlood]

Ah OK. The upload is manual so there is a short period where the Lights has been loaded but the Heavies is not yet available.

[PaulV]

no probs, might understand all this a bit better soon.

thought i might bring the test server home from work and plug it in at home just to test it. still not sorted my new broadband at the workshop yet.

Paul V.

would at least see how it performs if nothing else.

[Boggy]

Hi all
Many apologies to Paul V. for the rear end not seen replay, were there problems ahead of you?

Boggy 

[Ronniepeterson]

I'm not sure if Ronnie had a moment somewhere but H and myself built a gap

I did Clive but not until I exited the last corner on the last lap  :'(

First up grats to the podium of Hristo, Clive and Dean L.

After a good start and clearly some issues for some of the faster guys behind I settled into a a rhythm in third. I was never going to hang onto the back of Hristo and Clive who were having a battle royal up front. Sure enough towards the end of the race Dean chased me down. After a brief scare for him getting used to my lines and breaking points he was back for the kill at the end of the last lap. With the finish line in site and Dean breathing down my neck, I put the power down to exit the corner. But my tyres cried enough and a kiss of the wall gave Dean the chance to secure that final podium spot. Sure it hurt a little to lose it so close to the line but you were clearly faster so well done on a great drive and comeback.

See you all at the next round.

[Rainier]

Grats to David R - another win for Black Night Racing . Also to Rog, he & Rainier had too much pace for the rest of us.

Do not forget our team mate Fabio "il lupo mannaro" !
During the 13 or 14 first laps it was a very hard fight between Rog, Fabio and me ...until my 2 opponents collided.
Then it was easy for me !

Now, the Dino Ferrari is waiting me for the next race 

[PaulV]

Hi all
Many apologies to Paul V. for the rear end not seen replay, were there problems ahead of you?

Boggy 

Hi boggy,   i was following Pierre D into the corner, slowed behind him as he was sliding a bit. hung back and let him gather things up again.

I had seen you in my mirrors but you seemed to be a fair way back.  next thing i knew... BAM !   

Paul V.

[Boggy]

Hi Paul
Yes it was my best run through the esses and it surprised me a bit how quickly I caught you! But obviously must be more careful not to be taken by surprise again
Cheers
Boggy