UKGPL Third Joe Shaw Memorial - Watkins Glen, Silverstone, Monza - Easter 2014

[garethhall]

Surely he will, it's either you or Cliff Richard, he hasn't made his mind up yet

So, the almighty is the mods moral compass. Does that mean we should all drive like James May?

Happy Easter all.

[GregT]

Congratulations Robert, Doni, Ray, and all the finishers! Gimme a break Robert! Your average pace over 33 laps was faster than I qualified! Incredible!

It was fun while it lasted. I knew my gearing needed some improvement but I thought it might work. I was tempted to take the Ferrari but I wanted something faster. And since Joe was from the UK, I thought it would be appropriate to drive an English car. I'm of the opinion now that the only way I can keep the Cosworth in one piece is if I drive the Lotus slower than the Ferrari.

It was a good learning experience. I'm trying to learn to drive all the cars now but I've got a long way to go before I'll have any real confidence in the Lotus, Eagle, and Brabham.

Thanks guys! I appreciate the fun.

[Ronniepeterson]

I was tempted to take the Ferrari but I wanted something faster. And since Joe was from the UK, I thought it would be appropriate to drive an English car. I'm of the opinion now that the only way I can keep the Cosworth in one piece is if I drive the Lotus slower than the Ferrari.

I seem to remember Joe was a bit of a master in the Lotus. But then again he was bloody quick in whatever he drove.

Grats again to Robert and Doni and everyone else who raced last night. See you all at the final round.

[BadBlood]

So much for being holy - did about thirty practice laps, six in qually but couldn't quite hook it up. Blew the engine out of Stowe. Blast and double blast.

[Phil Thornton]

Oh dear, not a good series for me .  Made a stupid mistake at the Glen.  Missed Monza.  Crashed out on lap 1 at Silverstone.  I think it was Andy who spun in his Ferrari at Woodcote and I couldn't avoid him.  Got collected by several others and my engine set on fire, race over.  Sorry Doni, I was hoping to have a good race with you after our lap 1 dice.  Good while it lasted.

[DLogan]

Good fun with Andreas at the Glen, Ronnie at Monza, not so much at Silvy.

Within a tenth of PB, lined up seventh (?), got through lap 1 clean only for engine to go south  :'( limped around for 3 more before all the smoke was gone.  

edit: what was it Colin said? "Simplify, then add fragility"?

edit2: happy 4/20 

[AnGex]

About the same here...the Ferrari lead to a mess where I was involved.  Race over, not got a single Lap, so I am not amused.

[Turkey Machine]

Mostly enjoyed that race, good battling with Iestyn til I made a mistake and he took full advantage. Once ahead he kept pulling away while I made more mistakes. Then made a good one into Abbey with a backmarker to relinquish 2nd. Made it to the flag.

[BadBlood]

Well done to Robert, who is our champion, and to Iestyn for winning 2 out of 3. Either of you would have been worthy winners.

[Robert Fleurke]

Quali was difficult, and the race even more so. Missed the setup and was on ice first few laps, all over the place, then RF started to overheat and had many mistakes and offs during the race. It's a bit disappointing for myself to end this tribute on a lower note on that part. Further, Iestyn discoed while leading the Monza race, and I realize I only won the Trophy due to that. I won it, but Iestyn deserved it!

Finally want to pay respect to the friends and family of Joe Shaw, when I joined UKGPL in december 2013,  I became familiar with what happened reading the forum, and I was touched of course. Even I didn't knew him, I really tried to do well for Joe...it's an honour to win the Third Joe Shaw Memorial Trophy!

[AndyL]

I had 3 races where I survived to the finish.
At the Glen in the end I was comfortably 3rd (or 3rd last of those still running) due to attrition ahead.
At Monza I was last but one, battling to stay ahead of Dave R all race.
At Silvy I was last but one, battling to stay ahead of Dave C all race.

My only incident in 2.5 hours of racing was a big one with 3 others unable to continue and 2 of us lucky to end up in one piece. Coming into Woodcote on lap1 I was close behind Arf's Eagle with Ronnie's Eagle close behind me. I was walking that tightrope that we all fear of not wanting to brake early and surprise the car behind, or brake too late and rearend the car in front, all on cold tyres and with full fuel. Well I got it wrong and went a bit late, had to brake heavy and pull inside to avoid Arf, a wheel on that slippery pit apron and I became a spinning passenger. Phil had no chance to avoid me and Doni and Andreas had nowhere to go. They all couldn't continue. Bob survived a lot of bashing around, but could continue. I was flipped onto my roof, but in the most unfair fashion I was hit again to put me back on 4 wheels. I had some engine damage meaning I could barely get into 5th gear.
Criticism usually comes my way because I am too cautious and brake early - well not this time. I'm very sorry for my actions to end anybody else's race.

Grats to Iestyn for some very fast runs in true Joe style, but Robert takes the trophy for being close behind Iestyn and finishing all 3 races. Rob you will have to reconsider coming to Goodwood now.

[dave curtis]

Then made a good one into Abbey with a backmarker to relinquish 2nd. Made it to the flag.

I'm guessing that was me then (although I thought I'd inadvertently collected Rob) but it was defo at Abbey. I obviously just misread it/got it totally wrong at that time & place.

Apologies.   Especially as it sounds as if I cost you a position.  

Unfortunately lost the replay, as machine blue-screened after the race when I'd returned to the menu (same at Watkins Glen, one I'd returned to the menu after popping the engine a few Laps in).  Although, difference now us that machine currently does not boot.  Something else for tomorrow then.


Ok, so I was out of my depth.  The early retirements gave me a bunch of places, but I was last of the runners. Was then trying to cling onto the back of Andy "-34" in case of any major mistakes. Of course there weren't any;  as this was not a junior race.

Cheers all,
Dave.

[EvilClive]

I was pleased to have been able to make the start of at least one of this years series for Joe. As I was merely making up the numbers I opted for the Eagle, a car that I rarely have the opportunity to use lately.

Lack of practice and a suitable setup meant that qually was spent beating that car into submission, but not quite!  I final banzai lap moved me from 10th on the grid up to 3rd and at least within sight of Jethro and Iestyn who both looked ominously quick.

I took things very gently for the first 2 laps and was relieved to see that Robert was doing the same behind me. This allowed me to sit on my own piece of tarmac and just concentrate on getting clean lines through the corners. Up ahead Iestyn was harrassing poor Jethro and I wondered for a while if they might get too close to each other , but I would have done better to concentrate on my own driving because a wheel dropped onto the grass spun me around and put Robert right on my gearbox.
I think Robert and myself made more errors in  the next few laps than we had a right to survive, and when he spun out of Copse I raced through and set about the task of closing down the leaders, if I could  .

That was when the Eagle proved that it had not been beaten into submission and started to bite back. At 95% pace it was OK, if a little unsettled at times. At 100% it was looking to throw me off the track with sudden violent kickbacks from the steering. It was one of those kickbacks that fired me off at Abbey and I found myself trying to enter one of the sheds there, which did nothing for my steering geometry. Race over.


Huge grats to all of those who took part. The series was a fitting tribute to Joe's memory, and the racing was at a level that he would have enjoyed and been involved with at the sharp end.

Really tough luck on Iestyn who lost out through a disco at Monza. But tough as that is, it is one of the hazards that we simracers have to contend with that Real Life racers do not.

Congratulations to Robert who won through consistency, ironically something that had a huge hand in the success of both previous wins of this trophy, maybe there is a message there??

Thanks to Paul for organising and once again thanks to everyone for making this a fitting memorial ( in our own way)

For Joe Shaw.

[Doni Yourth]

Congratulations to Robert on a fine display of sim driving to take the top honours.  Well done.

A splendid run for Iestyn to claim 2nd in the chase despite a disco from the lead at Monza.  Cruel, that.

Grats to Andrew for scooping the final podium slot.

My races?

Watkins Glen > very lucky to score a P5.
Monza > ditto to claim P2.
Silverstone > very unlucky to be shunted out early.

It would have been quite an honour to place on the podium for this memorial to Beefpie but 'twas not to be...

[Robert Fleurke]

Tough luck Doni, you were still having a good chance to win he Trophy prior to the Silver race, with your consistency. Also well done Andy, sometimes things happen, but I admire your consistency and ability to finish races no matter what happens.

Pretty emotional overall win for me. Have never won anything in my life individually, and with the Memorial it gives a special taint to it. Surely this was about Joe Shaw, but I also like to spent some words about other persons.

Recently a GPL Funliga member died, Jörg Rohde, didn't know him but he died suddenly in his 50s, and like to pay respect to his family and (simracing) friends.

Also want to express my sympathy with Clive who seems to have things going on in private life, and Greg with his ill father. It was great to see you guys in the race(s).

This one was for Joe Shaw, and also for my late dad and my missing sister. And for my evergoing strong mother, despite what misfortune she had to endure during her life, and being a kidney patient having malignant skincancer, giving me the example how to deal with adversity, and enjoying life nevertheless.

Thanks UKGPL and especially Paul for keeping Joe's memory alive.