UKGPL Season 27 (2014) Works Trophy (67) - Sachsenring - Aug 3

[Iestyn Davies]

It could be chance of failure.. but without the hard-coded temperature bomb aspect that makes the Honda unique included

Here.. missed my Q chances, so an entertaining drive through the field to 3rd, leading the BRM train. 2nd once Rob's engine went, and once we got to half distance (points), I checked out minus a wheel. I'd been cruising the last 3 laps since Rob retired, then the 'thought of doom' - "How many more laps do I need for points?", followed by "Made it.... *concentration ceases*.... Crashed out!"  

Grats points finishers, unlucky non-points finishers. I was thinking to my self that a 30 or 20 minute race would be enough here.... I think 6? laps is the Int Short distance. I'm coming around to 50% for points from a logical aspect (most realistic), but now thinking we need shorter distances.. finishers can drive all day, but the other half of the field is really struggling (although cold tyres are damn hard.. mine were blue all race here  ).

[EvilClive]

Grats to Tris on being brave enough and confident enough to use the Brab, and to those who got on the podium or finished.

I did not express a preference for the 50% rule as I could see  pro's and cons on both sides of the discussion and I am NOT advocating any changes to the rules now. I am merely having a moan 

Ironically the very reason why I could see the 50% rule being a little harsh on some drivers was inflicted upon me last night. Driving very carefully on lap 1 with full tanks and cold tyres ( like Iestyn, I had found it impossible to get heat into that rubber even in extended runs during qually?).  The plan was to concentrate on survival around this circuit and I had the Cooper set up with high gear ratios and very soft suspension to take me comfortably to the end.
But I was taken roughly from behind whilst trundling along at my own safe pace       and never even completed a single lap  .  It looks like the perpetrator did not complete the race either, but if he had been able to continue and score points with the 50% rule, that would have felt very unfair.

I suspect that is why so many people took "low value" cars here last night, as the chance of throwing away valuable tokens was quite high. 

[Doni Yourth]

Quite right, Evil.  There was no way that I was going to spend a single token on this venue so the P115 it was.  Even with a paced, very careful drive, there was every chance that I'd shunt off.  It was paramount to get at least to 1/2 distance to score points so that's the path I took for the event.

In pre-race, I could cut qualifying times repeatedly that would have had me starting as high up as P6 but decided to bin those efforts and default to the back of the grid.  This is a beautiful circuit spoiled, imo, by the builder who placed far too many 'traps' to catch the slightest error and punish the user.  I don't know if it's typical of others but I find that any car I drive here lurches about like a drunken sailor.  There must be trace elevations along the roadway that simulate bumps or pavement seems that when I encounter them have my ride slew sideways without warning.  A positive nightmare!

As expected, I came across quite a few fallers.  Cookie's was the most spectacular as when his engine failed and he made a move to park, I came along to see him attempt a Moon Launch.

I'd blundered right from the start in having my pit board set for optimum viewing for a Lola T70 as per the Friday night heats @ EFX.  I forgot to change it back to standard for the Sax67 go.  Could only see a fraction of the left side of it and had to use my 'Look Right' button to get the full view.  Very unnerving.  After being lapped by Tristan...super drive, btw..., I allowed for that in the chase of Andreas but got it wrong.  Thinking that I was on my last lap, I pushed too hard and pruned a corner off at the far hairpin.  Right on his tail at the time.  Sigh...

Grats to Tris, Tim for a fine drive in the BRM and to Andrew for a good P3.

Glad that this one is in my rear view mirror.

[GregT]

Darn! If I were allowed profanity I'd have plenty to use. Internet was down for 4 days!

Congratulations Tristan, Tim, and Andy! I wish I could have been there too.

I was looking forward to this race. It's an incredibly difficult track. I wonder if it may be the most difficult. I was going to use the Ferrari since it was the only car I thought I might be able to finish. I thought I might do well here. From looking at the lap times, I had another rare opportunity to get a win.

I got some good practice during the week. I got down to 2:33.37 with an ideal lap of 2:22.2* showing at one point. I was easily able to qualify the car in the high 33's on Pro damage. I never completed 20 laps in my practice though but that had something to do with pushing the car as hard as possible. It looks like I wouldn't have needed low 2:34's by lap 4 and 2:33's by lap 8. And there were still 3 turns I hadn't really figured out that would have made 2:32's possible. I lost 2 or 3 engines in qualifying practice but none in the Pro races I practiced. I usually just wrecked after about 12 laps trying to get into the 32's.

It's disappointing to miss the race and even more so to miss such a good opportunity. It also ruined my plans for which car to use where. Hopefully though, I'll be back for Rouen.

No Attilio? I was hoping to put more pressure on him this season. I'm getting faster and I'm better prepared than last season. 95+% of my laps at last season's start were in the Ferrari. Now I've got more experience in the Eagle, Cooper, and BRM. Plus a little more in the Lotus and Honda. Maybe one day I'll learn to drive a Lotus on Pro damage. That day still seems to be far away though.

Take care guys.

[Robert Fleurke]

Sorry to hear Greg. Haven't seen Attilio lately. Hope he will show up for at least some of the races. Also Killer Miele expressed interest doing some races.

[Robert Fleurke]

Very nice mod report Phil, thanks.