UKGPL Season 25 (2013) - Watkins Glen - Dec 29

[Billy Nobrakes]

As I know some of you have an addiction to GPL here’s something to keep you going during these long dark nights. An endurance race with the original 67’s at Watkins Glen – fill you tanks for a whopping 68 laps / 75 minutes of racing. The actual race will start at 9.15 with a minimum of 15 minutes qualifying – or slightly longer if Cookie starts the server early.

Free choice of chassis – except Works standard drivers are requested not to take the Lotus or the Eagle.

The race will run with Intermediate Damage & a maximum of one reset is allowed which must be followed by a compulsory Stop & Go in the pit lane within two laps of the Reset.
It’s a fun race – no moderation, but usual racing etiquette should be followed.

Race List = IGOR
Server = UKGPL8  
Race date = Sunday 29-12-2013
Time = 21:00 UK time (21:00 GMT)
Track = Watkins Glen
Race length = 68 laps
Variant = 1967
Damage Model = Intermediate
Qualifying time = minimum of 15 minutes

[Walter Conn]

I look forward to participating in this race preseason test. 

[AnGex]

Sorry, have to miss this one.  But wish you all Good Luck and fun! 

[Billy Nobrakes]

Just to clarify - every driver has one reset available. If you want to use that as a fuel stop it is your choice BUT please be careful that your reset does not interfere with anyone else. Probably best to avoid the pit-lane as you will have to take a full stop & go.
Hope that's clear.

[Robert Fleurke]

Too bad...already did sign up for a GPLRacer F2 funrace @ Snowitude...otherwise I'd be there...

[GregT]

I'd like to join this race if there are enough spaces available.

[BadBlood]

Had TERRIBLE cough over Xmas. Felt like I could give this a go and came to join late... too late!

Thought it started at 9:30 - READ THE POST!

Lol.

Hope you all had fun. Registration open for Season 26 by Jan 1st.

[Cookie]

Shame, I discoed just after the last practice lap and had no time to rejoin,,,  :'(

[DLogan]

And this race was a prime example of why shift-r's are a part of the game. Loud bits of the Honda decided they wanted to be free, while still on the grid, at about 6.5k rpm, tho I hadn't revved the engine past 9250 (redline is 11.5k). 

Go ahead, try to convince me that that (my race ending right there) was a fair result, and completely indicative of my pace and skill. 

Had some fun gaining spots back. Up to 5th with 15 to go, one lap down, about what I expected, but then "73 laps" worth of fuel ran out after less than 60 wtf?!. 

[Tom van Ostade]

Bit of a last minute decision to jump in after the GPLRACER F2 event, but even though I had lots of offs I had a good pace and 3rd isn't too bad . Not my favorite track, but any practice will do after 2 years off . Hope to join you all again the coming season.

[GregT]

Shame, I discoed just after the last practice lap and had no time to rejoin,,,  :'(

That is a shame. It made the start a lot easier for me and probably the race too if you can say 68 laps has any relation to easy.

That race really tested my concentration. I had a few lapses and a couple spins but other than that I drove a pretty good race.

I thought that was a strange choice of cars Dean. I doubt I could finish in a Honda.

It looks like the new video drivers fixed my monitor problems. I'm sure glad about that!

Congratulations Colin! You drove an excellent race! He made few if any mistakes.

Thanks everybody.

[BadBlood]

And this race was a prime example of why shift-r's are a part of the game. Loud bits of the Honda decided they wanted to be free, while still on the grid, at about 6.5k rpm, tho I hadn't revved the engine past 9250 (redline is 11.5k). 

Go ahead, try to convince me that that (my race ending right there) was a fair result, and completely indicative of my pace and skill. 

Had some fun gaining spots back. Up to 5th with 15 to go, one lap down, about what I expected, but then "73 laps" worth of fuel ran out after less than 60 wtf?!. 

You clearly just don't have the necessary WAZA sympathy. SHE would not be pleased. Never happened to me that my engine lets go on the start line at the Glen when I have qualified on the front row 

[Turkey Machine]

And this race was a prime example of why shift-r's are a part of the game. Loud bits of the Honda decided they wanted to be free, while still on the grid, at about 6.5k rpm, tho I hadn't revved the engine past 9250 (redline is 11.5k). 

Go ahead, try to convince me that that (my race ending right there) was a fair result, and completely indicative of my pace and skill. 

Had some fun gaining spots back. Up to 5th with 15 to go, one lap down, about what I expected, but then "73 laps" worth of fuel ran out after less than 60 wtf?!. 

See my first race at Adelaide with HER oversight. Ran out of fuel with 3 laps to go. Now when taking that THING for a lengthy run around a track I always put way more than the guide in, as the Honda's a thirsty engine.

[EvilClive]

Grats to Colin and the podium, and all those who finished. long races like this are a different ball game and require a different approach I have always found.

My game plan started well, in fact better than I had anticipated as i was not concerned with getting a good grid position, figuring that places would be gained if I could lap reliably in the high 1:06's with full fuel.
With Axel's unfortunate disco I was quite near the sharp end as the race started and settled down to steady lapping in about 5th place, in a comfortable space with no-one directly in front and no-one chewing on my gearbox, so that I was able to concentrate on controlling a heavy Honda  and preserve the tyres.
Well, that worked for about 4-5 laps!! Then gremlins intervened and my graphics were freezing momentarily and then recovering, which is not good approaching The Loop and the inevitable happened, although I almost "saved" it before dropping a wheel over the edge and smacking the fence.
I regained the circuit but something got bent in the steering dept and I was just considering a Reset when GPL crashed to desktop??     what was meant to be an endurance event hardly registered as a trip to the shop!!

For those who found the Wonderful Waza ( Honda) a little thirsty...yes it is VERY thirsty!!!  As a general rule I add an extra 20% of fuel over the indicated race length more when the track has long sections at max revs and maybe a little less at somewhere like Monaco. This makes the white whale live up to its name in the early laps as the extra weight compromises performance and stresses the rear tyres. Also the engine will indeed rev to 11.5k, but I try and max out at 11k otherwise I find the oil temp rises to dangerous levels and if you reach 260F then your engine is going to display all of its component parts to the watching crowds.

[Walter Conn]

I started the race cautious enough, and I can be proud of my opening few laps.  On the eighth lap, I lost my concentration and went wide at the Big Bend corner. I spun several times, and I stopped facing the wrong direction. I might have re-entered the track in a dangerous way, as I was a bit wobbly afterwards. I apologize if I messed up anyone else's race at any point. Then I started pushing too hard which caused more off track excursions. I was a lap down from the leaders in record setting style. I did try to give the leaders room as they passed. I started to regain my composure with 20 laps to go I think, and I had a nice drive to the finish. Thank you to my fellow competitors for allowing me to race. I had a great time, and I have even more respect for this game.