UKGPL Season 26 (2014) Professionals Trophy (65) - Oulton Park - Feb 4

[Turkey Machine]

Oh well, at least i made it round the first corner this time..but not much further.

Totally my own fault. just caught the edge of the grass after T1 and under no real pressure, slid into a tree.

The softest DNF i've ever had. Poor.

Put myself in much the same position and made it worse with a couple of bad mistakes at unforgiving places, Island bend caught me out and ripped a wheel off on the hoardings. Figures that at a track I like and can push I can't actually a) get a clean lap (both with traffic and error-free) in qualifying, and b) can't finish a long race.

Makes it 1 race finish in 65s in 9 championship starts.

[Wiltshire Tony]

My car stopped going BRRRRMMMM so I did the washing up.

[Robert Fleurke]

Quali was exciting for P3, Ronnie got me after my first run. In my second run I'm able to do a PR 36.50, and back in P3. Tristan and Uli were scorching the track and too fast. Same in the race, Tris and Uli slowly drive away from me, and Ronnie and Clive close behind me. Ronnie makes a mistake I think after some laps, and then I have to run alone to the finish, keeping an eye on the gap with Clive behind me. Very solid race and consistant, and max result! Very happy with that, but not with Tristan's and Uli's pace  

Very fast pace Tristan and Uli, congrats both, well deserved, too bad of the spin Uli, but nevertheless a splendid drive in the Fezza! Also well done finishers and lapped cars thanks for the room!

[BadBlood]

My car stopped going BRRRRMMMM so I did the washing up.

LOL

[Cookie]

When I clicked on the green button for the grid, my race was ended...

[Doni Yourth]

Nice drive, Tristan!  Grats!

Additional kudos to Uli and Robert for scoring P2 & P3, respectively.  Good job, fellas.

I had a decent race excepting the fact that I was shunted off on L1 getting innocently involved in the Dean/Norm melee.  Oh, and tangling with Tony as he spun in Druids a couple of laps later.  Plus, oh yeah, spinning in Druids a couple of times on my lonesome.  

Profuse apologies to Gareth.  He voluntarily fell on his sword to avoid me in one of my spins in Druids.  I'm pretty sure that his car was trashed after that as he had subsequent offs and retired shortly thereafter.  Bad luck there.

Pretty pleased to cut into the low 38's in the Honda.

Just scanned our GCR's and didn't find any notations re qualifying etiquette.  Do we have any?  If  not, let me write some.  We need 'em and the sooner, the better.

Doni

PS: I was just scanning my 'preview to post' when I noted Axel's post.  Very bad luck there, amigo.

[Arf Arf Arf]

Wow....weirdest DNQ ever. Fell asleep just before the race, due to jet lag!

Just woken up at 0330......can't see me getting back to sleep, so maybe i'll prcatice for Sunday's Works race........

[Ronniepeterson]

Grats again to Tristan , Uli and Robert.

I was happy with my qualifying pace but a little concerned with my upcoming race pace.  A few races on the practice server earlier had shown me that my tyres would last about six laps before melting if I tried to run too fast. Sure enough in the race I could stick to Roberts gearbox but at a cost. A few spins later and I had fallen back into the clutches of Clive and Natan. Fortunately they survived my balletic manoeuvres, just, and things settled down into a chase after Clive for 4th spot. I had a few more spins here and there again but regardless Clive had me under control and so I had to settle for 5th with a constantly pressing Dean not far behind me.

Slowly getting used to the BRM but it is a tail happy/tyre hungry beast in my hands at the moment. See you all at the next one.

Better luck next time Axl.

[Wiltshire Tony]

Just scanned our GCR's and didn't find any notations re qualifying etiquette.  Do we have any?  If  not, let me write some.  We need 'em and the sooner, the better.

I was starting a lukewarm lap when I passed the pit exit and someone entered the track. They then sat on my rear trying to pass me at every opportunity. Why? It's not like their going to get a time is it? All they managed to do was put me off my lap. If that was the object, well done, it worked. 

[MagicArsouille]

Hi

Very good fun in qual and race ......I was Happy whith my pôle 3mn before the end of qual....1.35.719....go in the garage to full up the tank and do some laps whith race configurations..... !!  well done Uli  ....1.35.632 !! nice lap !....this shurely will make a exiting race.....and it's append !....thx  for the fight Uli, the Ferrrari is fast as you and I know it will be a big problem to over pass you whith out risks.....the only way for me is to put the maximum pressure  again and again and hope for your mistake.....was realy hot sometime and fun all the time ........after your spinn I was a little more relax but still watching Prib. to see where you are.....

thx all , c u at Monza

[EvilClive]

Just scanned our GCR's and didn't find any notations re qualifying etiquette.  Do we have any?  If  not, let me write some.  We need 'em and the sooner, the better.

I cannot recall if there are any guidelines about qualifying,
 but in my mind it is VERY simple.

1) When you exit the pits, do so carefully and be absolutely sure that you are not going to block someone who is already on track. DO NOT BLAST OUT OF THE PITLANE AT FULL SPEED DIRECTLY ONTO THE RACING LINE!!

2) If you are on an out lap......allow anyone to pass even if you have to stop or go on the grass. Just get out of their way as soon as possible.

3) If you have made a mistake and your current lap is compromised , allow anyone to pass even if you have to stop or go on the grass.

But probably the hardest thing to accept is...

4) If you are on a fast lap and you catch a car in front who is going slower, remember that if he is on a qualifying lap he is entitled to complete that lap, even if it means that your lap is spoiled. It is tough to accept when you have done 3 blistering sectors and look set for pole position and a WR, but because you are faster it does NOT give you precedence over someone who is doing his best to post a good laptime.

[Doni Yourth]

Well stated, Clive.  And sympathies to Tony for being hounded remorselessly by someone on their outlap.  Sheeesh!

Actually, a very simple method of joining the track free from causing distress to others and placing one's self in a nice, comfy hole in traffic is readily available.  Let me compose a few lines re the procedure and I'll be back later today with the skinny.

Doni

[Cookie]

Just scanned our GCR's and didn't find any notations re qualifying etiquette.  Do we have any?  If  not, let me write some.  We need 'em and the sooner, the better.

I was starting a lukewarm lap when I passed the pit exit and someone entered the track. They then sat on my rear trying to pass me at every opportunity. Why? It's not like their going to get a time is it? All they managed to do was put me off my lap. If that was the object, well done, it worked. 

Hm, now I play the advocate:

What if I am doing a last stint to get a better time with 2 mins left, have obeyed all etiquette rules leaving the pits,
but find a lukewarm cruising car in front after 2 corners?

I would try to pass as soon as possible...  (and the passed driver could be clever to use the slipstream to improve his time!)

[NHance]

With ref to qually procedure. Apologies to Robert Fleurke. I stayed wide & slowed at Lodge thinking you would go inside but it didn't work out that way. My time was ok but had a few offs & 2 Ferraries went off in sympathy when they saw me . It didn't go well an omen for the race.

I am always amazed at others speed on cold tyres mine were only warm after almost 2 laps. Had a lap 1 wheel to wheel impact with Dean which I am not reporting ('cos I think it was 50/50) but Dean can if he feels hard done by ( or Doni). Doni got the worst of it as he could not avoid my spinning car. They both got away before me so I was 12th & last of the runners. Doni had another excursion with I think Tony so I was in front of him again but I spun a 3 sec advantage away at Island bend & after that the field just drove away from me. I lost all rythem & only finished 8th as others dropped out. I had some really poor laps.

With Clutch out on turn 2 not Mountside Racing's finest hour. Well done the podium. The qually lap times are unbelievable. Not to worry, having a bad one & still finishing 8th is an achievement. On we go.
Norm H

[Wiltshire Tony]

Just scanned our GCR's and didn't find any notations re qualifying etiquette.  Do we have any?  If  not, let me write some.  We need 'em and the sooner, the better.

I was starting a lukewarm lap when I passed the pit exit and someone entered the track. They then sat on my rear trying to pass me at every opportunity. Why? It's not like their going to get a time is it? All they managed to do was put me off my lap. If that was the object, well done, it worked. 

Hm, now I play the advocate:

What if I am doing a last stint to get a better time with 2 mins left, have obeyed all etiquette rules leaving the pits,
but find a lukewarm cruising car in front after 2 corners?

I would try to pass as soon as possible...  (and the passed driver could be clever to use the slipstream to improve his time!)

You would still get a poor time cos you LEFT THE PITS