UKGPL Season 27 (2014) Historic Trophy (66) - Moulinsart - Aug 12

[Iestyn Davies]

Lol Paul happens to the best of us

Sadly I missed the race, as I was busy breaking into my own house! Lock seized, couldn't get the key fully in, only one door, no big windows (it's a conversion to a shop/flat)... So, drilled the lock out, with the help of my tenant next door, but still couldn't unlock the door... cue a wait for a locksmith, who had the tool to unlock the door just like that... but too late for me to make the race. I had only just installed the track before I left the house last night! 

[Walter Conn]

The beginning of the race was encouraging for me. I could just stay with the group of cars in front, but then I had a half spin at the exit of the jump. Cookie was following me, and it looked like my half spin caused his race ending crash. I am very sorry. It was a real shame because you had good pace.

In the next few laps, I had a mini battle with Bernie and Bad Blood. It was good fun. However, my front wheel made side to side contact with Bad Blood's rear wheel in the hairpin. I am sorry for not being careful enough in that instance also.

I crashed on my own going over the big jump on lap seven. I enjoyed the race, but I am disappointed in myself for messing up someone else's race.

Thanks, see you all next time,
Walter





  

[EvilClive]

Hard luck Robert. I knew you were faster so I let you pass because my Eagle was never going to compete with your pace and the Brab.

I did no pre race practice so I had to adjust an old setup from Mexico to use here. Just about got it working before qually finished and shouted at myself to  GO EASY!!!! and survive.

I almost got caught up in the spinning cars before T1 and it put me way off line through 1 and 2 where I almost lost control  . That was where Andreas slipped past.

After I let Robert pass me, I watched him close on Andreas. Although I saw you lose it at the Esses Robert, I could not stop or avoid you as I usually take that flat in 4th gear....I really did try because I thought it was going to be the end of both of our races!!!! luckily for me there appeared to be no damage so I set off after Andreas again.
I knew that I could go faster, but he defended each corner and used the extra power on the straights making it almost impossible to attack him  . I watched carefully for what seemed like 100 laps for a spot to make a pass and I decided that there were only 2 places where I might get a chance if I maxxed out the previous corners to get in position.
Eventually he was a little out of shape for the final corner and I nailed the gas over the crest and went around the outside, which placed me nicely for the inside of T1 and I finally got in front. BUt that long straight was coming and his car was way faster than mine  , so I had to push really hard to build a safety net. I just about managed it and then was able to use the rest of the next lap to get a nice cushion.

This track gives you nowhere to relax...even the main straight ( which is actually a curve!!) has that suicidal jump half way along. I like to take a sip of drink during races whilst on the straights...but not here!!!

Grats to Tris who was very quick and to my teamate Doni who drove into 2nd spot and hard luck Paul. next time just keep it simple and concentrate on survival , let the other guy make the mistakes

Also to Andreas with an apology, I think I called you Gerhard in chat??!!! I have not a clue why I did that, I think I must be getting old (er)

[bernie]

I somehow missed the start ( fiddling with set up probable ) so server had me 1 lap down , was supprised to find Paul and David within reach from about L3 Paul gave it too much welly and spun out , not sure what happened to David , they were the only cars I saw apart from lappery . I only got lapped once by Tristan , slowed for him to come by but I was on the wrong line through the Hump, missed the hay bails by a bugs wasser , slid into the fencing , luckily bounced off and went under the bridge sideways . 10/10 for artistic merit , nil point for technical ability   Thought for a moment I had taken the race leader with me , woke me up I can tell you , after that I tried to drive smooth and steady waiting for the rest of you to come by but for some reason it never happened unless evil & co had there cloaking devices on.

Well done to the podium boys and all who made it home in one piece , thanks for the fun enjoyed the track  

[BadBlood]

However, my front wheel made side to side contact with Bad Blood's rear wheel in the hairpin.   

That was just one of those things Walt, I was a bit out of shape and a cheeky pass was on... I reckon the moderator might ignore it if we don't report it...

[BadBlood]

so server had me 1 lap down

I won't adjust your result if that is OK Bernie - wouldn't make any difference anyway.

[AnGex]

....

Also sorry to Andreas for spoiling the start of your lap in qualifying, my bad, and not like me.

No problem at all, Ronnie. There are no points in Qualifying. 

The heavy Cooper was a bit too much under steering in this difficult track. Sorry if I stand in the way of someone because of that. Glad that we got this track behind us.

So long
Andreas   

[bernie]

I like to take a sip of drink during races whilst on the straights...but not here!!!

Ha Ha Ha ! Can we all see the picture of the cocoa spilling out the side of your mouth with the G force 

[Robert Fleurke]

Congrats Tristan, Doni and Clive, and finishers/scorers...

Glad to see you could continue Clive. It wasn't hard luck though, just bad driving on my account...you had nowhere to go, it was my own fault...was running too close behind Andreas not knowing how he would take the "S" and then got caught out...need to learn from this...

[BadBlood]

It can be difficult when drivers of different standards are on the same track - I try to stay off line and slow when possible to get others past but it can cause confusion. Tris caught me at the fastest part of the track but I didn't fancy going over the leap side by side but that does mean you compromise your own lap...

At one point I held Cookie up because I was pulling left as the track bent right (just before the banked chicane) so that Cookie could take the faster line - unfortunately he had already committed to going left which I realized too late. So both of us trying to be helpful and we nearly had a tangle... it can be hard.

You will just have to do a "Vettel", Rob and go pole and streak away.... easy peasy. I do the "anti-Vettel". Qualify last and watch them streak away.... 

[bernie]

On the subject of back markers being lapped I think it best for the backmarker to stay on his normal racing line , perhaps slow a little to help the pass but only when the faster car has commited to the pass , otherwise wait until a suitable straight after a corner and slow .

Any change from the normal line can only cause confusion , but its a matter of common sense and a bit of patience from both parties .


The thing is to PANIC SLOWLY 

[Robert Fleurke]

I think Bernie is right, the best place to be lapped is going offline on a straight and slightly slow. But whatever one does, make sure making your intentions clear, don't make it a last second decision to change lines or so...show your intentions on time...

Passing in general is best setting it up out of the exit of a corner, and eventually make the pass stick being alongside enough to claim the next corner holding your line. It's often hard to pass into corners, but there are exceptions when both cars are cooperating rather giving than taking room.

The best thing is when you get to know drivers, how they drive and behave, so you can anticipate on that.

As Bernie said, common sense and patience, and keeping a cool head must prevail in order to avoid unnescessary incidents, for both parties.

You will just have to do a "Vettel", Rob and go pole and streak away.... easy peasy. I do the "anti-Vettel". Qualify last and watch them streak away....  

Hehe. I'd rather do a Ricciardo It is more satisfying to have good fights at the front. Sadly denied myself another good fight with Tristan. First half lap was great going side by side, but the screendrops leading up to the bend straight made me decide to let Tristan by to stay safe, but then bottomed out...made an awkward rejoin as well in hindsight...sorry for that but happily everyone went by safe...

If we all make sure admitting to our mistakes, and learning from them, we will have less incidents for sure. But it's racing and incidents will always happen.

I will keep on working on my close racing skills, used to be very good at it especially in N2003, but ofcourse in road racing the speed difference are greater and sometimes does catch me out...it will get better I promise

Cheers

[Walter Conn]

Thankfully, the first two races have been on really long tracks, and it takes longer to be lapped. When we get to the shorter tracks, I might practice with the AI set to .5 in GEM so that I can learn what is best depending on the track.

[Cookie]

Well Walter, I was not such distracted by your spin,
I think something must have been damaged before at my car causing this final crash
After the T1 crash I stuck with the nose in the fence and came free just before Bernie left the pits.
No bad feelings Arf³
I have the feeling there is a bug in GPL that does intensify the tow of a slipstream under braking,
so if you are following a car close into a braking zone the car still accelerates when you brake!
I had several incidents of this kind myself...

[Ronniepeterson]

Grats to the podium of Tristan, Doni and Clive.