UKPnG Season 8 Grand Touring Championship - Albi - Sep 5

[Mogget]

Someone mentioned lots of chicanes. Driving muscle cars through chicanes is not an enjoyable experience. In fact, driving anything through chicanes is not enjoyable. Chicanes are rubbish......etc. I think you get my drift.

NOTE: This is not a stab at Matt's track selection skills. It is a criticism of lazy track designers with no imagination.

[Walter Conn]

I had my first practice today. The track is a challenge, and it feels rewarding enough just to be able to stay on track. I tried the Alfa first, but I had two lost connections. So I rejoined a third time in an Escort FVA, and had no problems. I also tried a Mustang, and I think it is a nice drive on this track. It might be a challenge if the tires get overheated, but I like it all the same. Maybe I should use hard tires in the back on the Mustang? 

[phspok]

There is one double chicane. Hit it too hard and you will lose time, get it right and you will gain time.
I also don't like chicanes, they are usually there because when the track was designed the cars were
not as fast. This one does it's job.

The 1st turn could be described as a chicane or a double corner depending on your outlook on life  
In fact any corner anywhere could be if you ignore the straight bit between the curvy bits  

Anyroad up. I believe it will produce a close race so it's there.  

Server is running on our official one at the moment,. Please post if you get discoes, I prefer to use it
as it is more dependable than mine, which is very good when it's good, but seems to have a wobble now and then.

[Walter Conn]

Good race everyone! I was sorry to see Kaifos was bumped into the sand early into the race (narrow race track?), Postal had what looked like a lost connection. The most fun for me was chasing down Alex. I was trying to hit every apex and really work for every tenth. I was able to reach his bumper, but could not do anything more. Finally on the last lap, I was able to make two overtake attempts. We even crossed the finish line side by side. Thanks for the race, and I am looking forward to the next one.  

[Clive Loynes]

The Alfa 2000 did me a treat last night.  I jumped a couple of slow starters when the lights went green and was quite comfortable in 3rd spot behind Ed and John.  Then they started to "play" and after a few exchanges of paint I found myself in the lead!  John seemed to let me through so I was a bit worried that he might have had a car problem but from the way that he came up the inside at the end of the straight my fears were allayed.  Then he let me through again!  Just go for it John!  I'm never so happy as when I see you with a nice 20second lead!  ;-)

Ed seemed to let me through too so what he though he had done to me I have no idea.

John started to pull away and, after a few laps of close attention, Ed veered off to the right after the last corner.  Peace at last!

 

Not for long though, as I now saw that Geoffers was after my 2nd place.  He also passed me at the end of the straight, my braking into there must have been crap all race, but he did it well and stayed on the grey bit afterwards, which was a surprise.

I had a go at getting back past him but in the end my front left tyre had vanished.

Grats to John and Geoffers

[goldtop]

Decided to take the stang based on the thought of what it would be like to be stuck behind one. It worked a treat and provided some great racing and entertainment. I had a quick look at the replay and I had a real "Trulli Train" going for most of the race   Unfortunately after some great racing Alessandro tried to sneak up the inside on the final bend which spun me round and allowed others through losing my 4th place. I tried to chase back, but pushed too hard and put it in the wall....end of race.

Good fun while it lasted  

[Animal Ed]

I`m so dissapointed. 

First had disco in qual than in the race but nothing to do with our "usual problems" ... my dsl router finally died last night (funeral was this morning - throw it in garbage) and let me down from what was looking like promising race.

Start was good and I was confident that keeping John`s pace is no problem (maybe because of 30ish bhp more) so I decide to let him be for a while.
Than I saw Clive closing and just thought how good brakes Alfa have ... must go in front of John and pick up the pace.

Than mistake in second chicane when both John and Clive pass me.

Now we coming to the part what make Clive still confused ... after slight paint exchange between them, I pass them both when John slow down to let Clive go by (probably John considered that move as unfair) and immediately felt guilt for taking advantage so I let them go in front of me (need good doctor to cut that out) ... again, confident that it`s not a problem ...

Than my second mistake - I noticed that Clive slow down too much in last corner forcing me to back of so I need to find right amount of distance before last corner. Maybe I was too close or Clive didn`t start to accelerate yet but evasion manoeuvre under full throttle send me into half spin.

Than whole world start flickering. Miss first chicane because of that, than two white Alfas start to disappearing and appearing in front of me untill everybody just vanish ... 

[Mogget]

There were several ghost images of your car on the track just before you vanished for good, Ed.

I was never quite quick enough to do any kind of damage last night, but that may have been due to the tyres. After last week's frustration when the worn out front tyres on my BMW cost me a podium position, I decided to play it safe and stick to the medium tyres on the Escort. That was clearly a mistake, and it was only after the race that I realised that I had managed perfectly well with soft tyres at Mid America in the same car. That being the case, I just had to stick at it and see what happened. I guess that P7 wasn't too bad in the end, but I need to start making some better decisions!

[johnw]

Now we coming to the part what make Clive still confused ... after slight paint exchange between them, I pass them both when John slow down to let Clive go by (probably John considered that move as unfair) and immediately felt guilt for taking advantage so I let them go in front of me (need good doctor to cut that out) ... again, confident that it`s not a problem ...

I thought that was why you let us past again - very gentlemanly I was going to say thanks in chat after the race, but you'd disco'd. Shame.

The move on Clive wasn't supposed to be a move at all, just me getting the braking wrong when defending off-line! Nevertheless, there was contact and it disadvantaged Clive, so it would have been wrong to keep going. Maybe, given Clive's reaction, a bit of team orders are called for next time

Great fun in the first half, and a good selection of close cars. I liked the chicaines, you can push it a bit, but always with the threat of disaster if you do it too much

[Hotkeys]

. I liked the chicaines, you can push it a bit, but always with the threat of disaster if you do it too much

I second that opinion John. I often wonder why many of the talented drivers are so displeased with chicanes, narrow city tracks, oddly twisted curves, tracks with 'hidden' turns and bends or sometimes just a brand new track. A challenge is bound to improve your skills......

Stig
(Unskilled wheel man )

[Geoffers]

Good car/track combo Matt, even the chicanes were entertaining.

Result was better than I expected after qually. I had the speed but kept making errors & spinning the car. At the start I was 5th just behind Frex but he had a big moment exiting the second chicane early on handing me 4th place. I thought that was the best I was going to do as John, Ed & Clive were pulling away but they started squabbling amongst themselves which allowed me to catch up.

John got ahead & started to pull away & I was just able to keep pace with Clive & Ed. A few laps later Ed spun at the final turn giving me 3rd place & over the next few laps I was able to close on Clive. I had two or three looks at getting past but wasn't close enough & then got a good draft up the long straight & managed to slip past on the brakes, although I must admit I thought I had left too late & wasn't going to make the corner! 

Put in a couple of good laps & pulled out a small gap but then made an error at the second chicane & gave Clive a chance but I think his tyres were past their best by then & I could ease away again. Very pleased with 2nd place. 

Congrats to John & Clive  & bad luck to Ed after some good early laps.

[IvanStanchev]

This one was one of my favourite races so far. I tried the P&G 3 mod last week and quickly became one of my favourite. Wondered which car to drive and decided to run with the ALfa. This track is fantastic for this type of car. Practicing offline made great times so i was confident about the Q. The start was a little scary I haven't driven on such a narrow track with so many people but had no problems except going from 3rd to 8. I became chasing Alessandro and Goldtop who were battling all the time. Made several mistakes and got overtaken  by Frex. After several laps he spinned and i became chasing Alessandro and Goldtop again. After 15 laps i think they made mistake and i was up 4th but had to slow down not crashing into them. Animal Ed quickly passed me but got disconnected so i finished 4th. Congrats to the winners!

[frex]

Frex had a big moment exiting the second chicane early on handing me 4th place

Yes, that was the first of several "moments" - various 2-wheel escapades and minor spins, each dropping me further and further back 

No matter though, bcos it was non-stop action all through the field and always someone to battle with - a great event and really enjoyed it.

Congrats John, Geoff and Clive; cyu next time.

[Wiltshire Tony]

We are still in need of donations to help us clear this quarters cost's. If you are a regular driver, enjoying these events, then please, please, show your appreciation by contributing to our cause.

[Alessandro Tancioni]

We are still in need of donations to help us clear this quarters cost's. If you are a regular driver, enjoying these events, then please, pleashhhhe, show your appreciation by contributing to our cause.

is very funny to ride with you mates , how could send a donation ? it is a pleasure to participate