UKGPL Season 28 (2015) Works Trophy (67) - Willow Springs - Jun 7

[Billy Nobrakes]

Season 28 Works Trophy - Round 7 – Willow Springs

Round 7 will take place at Willow Springs International Motorsports Park. It is located in Willow Springs near Rosamond and Lancaster, California. Willow Springs is a historic race track, in existence more than 60 years. It is the oldest permanent road course in the United States. Construction began in 1952, with the inaugural race held on November 23, 1953. The main track is a challenging 2.5-mile (4.0 km) long road course that is unchanged from its original 1953 configuration. The interesting elevation changes and high average speeds make it a favorite of many road racing drivers.

I believe this is the first time that UKGPL have raced here - so records are up for grabs.

Race List = iGOR
Server = UKGPL_9
IP = 37.157.48.87
Race date = Sunday 07-06-2015
Time = 21:00 UK time (21:00 GMT)
Track = Willow Springs (willow)
Race length = 36 Laps (50 minutes)
Variant = 1967
60fps patch used   = 60fpsV2newmod
Damage Model = Pro
Qualifying time = 30 minutes

Replays Available here

Driver lists and token rules can be found on the championship standings page

Moderating The red zone will be fully moderated. For this event the red zone will be from the start to T7/Wing's Leg on the first lap . Other moderation will be on reported incidents only.  However any incidents that occur in the red zone that are not reported by the drivers may be reported by the moderator.  This will allow all affected drivers the opportunity to present their case before the incident is moderated.  This should ensure there are no surprises when the moderator's report is published and hence appeals will be less likely

The chassis token system is explained on the Works standings page. Please ensure you choose a chassis that is within your budget, which can be seen by hovering the mouse over your points total in the standings.

Please restrict chat to pit messages including at the end of the race until ALL drivers still racing have crossed the line.

[Phil Thornton]

I've just installed my new router so I've set up a practice server just to make sure I've got all the port forwarding correct.  If anyone could spare some time to connect to UKGPL4 via IGOR please do so and post here to let me know how you got on.

Cheers

Phil

[DLogan]

...post here to let me know how you got on...

Seems all good.

[Phil Thornton]

...post here to let me know how you got on...

Seems all good.

Great, Thanks Dean .  I've got fibre broadband now (40MB Download 10MB Upload - latency unknown) so UKGPL4 should be OK as a praccy or backup server.

[DLogan]

...I've got fibre broadband now (40MB Download 10MB Upload - latency unknown)...

Not bad. Still on cable here:



Local competition (Bell Canada) is stringing fibre around the city, but their tested speeds are still DSL-ish (about a quarter of ours) and the only thing worse than their actual DSL speeds (maybe 10% of ours) is their customer service  . Maybe someday they'll realize they don't have a monopoly anymore.

[JonnyO]

  I sorry Peterson.   ....my stupid mistake in first lap.

[Ronniepeterson]

 I sorry Peterson.  ....my stupid mistake in first lap.

No problem Jonny and thanks for trying to wait for me to get going again. Unfortunately, for me at least, the Brabham is a sod to get going from a sandpit without blowing the engine. Started going the wrong way as well and thought I might be DQd. Hopefully better luck for us both next time.

Message to Greg. You do know its quicker if you stay on track  

Grats to Robert, Iestyn and Pelle.

[Robert Fleurke]

Was a great race for me. Led Iestyn initially before I made a mistake on Lap 3. Went in just too hard in T5 and went wide and lost out on the exit. Iestyn easily could pass me on the outside into Sweeper. Greg who was close behind went wide at T9 after that.

Whole race chased Iestyn in the Lotus. Looked like he struggled with tiretemps, that allowed me to stay in touch. He had the sheer pace, I was more consistent. Was planning to push last 5 laps, still had some hope on a late race pass. Felt I arguably could push a bit longer than Iestyn, before falling off the LF cliff getting too tight.

However unfortunately Iestyn ran into  Andreas who spun in front of him at Budweiser Balcony, giving me a 2s lead with 4 laps to go. Could manage the lead to the finish running mid19s.

Probably wouldn't have been able to pass Iestyn on merit, but we will never know...pretty happy with my drive in the Brabham, surely Iestyn struggled...I did loosen up the car which really helped in the longer run when the LF gets quite hot...

Bad luck Iestyn, still  a good podium. Grats to Pelle for his first podium in UKGPL! Good job finishers, this track is a real tirekiller. Tough break DNF's.

[GregT]

Congrats Rob, Iestyn, Pelle! Excellent times in the Brabham, Rob. I thought Iestyn would get away from you.

That was a tough race. Iestyn passed Rob and I closed on Rob before the final turn on lap 3. I wasn't prepared for a little extra speed with no way to throw the car into the final turn without a collision. Luckily I kept the car on its wheels after hitting the banking. I wasn't so lucky that the car had been damaged. The next two laps were very tricky. After that I was able to run decent for a time, but the car was unpredictable. Around the middle of the race, without doing anything to hurt the car further, the handling changed drastically for some reason. From then on I spun regularly. I think I had a total of 8 spins. Yikes! When I spun again after the spin that gave Pelle 3rd, I wanted nothing more than the race to end.

With my car damage there was one positive note. I only had to worry about my tire temperatures for a short time after I spun the car. With an undamaged car I would have had to pace myself to keep the left side tires from overheating. I was also pleased that I had set two fast sectors early in the race. It was looking like I had a chance to keep up with Rob and Iestyn much longer than I had anticipated. The car was handling nicely.

Fourth isn't bad though. Only one place lower than the reasonable expectation of 3rd. Looking at the drivers and tokens, it's a shame I blew what was likely my last chance at a podium this season.

Message to Greg. You do know its quicker if you sty on track 

Your car was like kryptonite. Every time I got somewhat near it, I would spin. Sorry about getting so close when I finally lapped you for a brief moment. Pelle was on me by then and I was getting desperate. Nice job keeping your cool with cars lapping you on both sides.

This did make it difficult to keep the car on the track. I used enough opposite steering wheel lock to last me for several races.

Leader of the race starts lap 3

4m43.160s
Gregory Taber - spotters reporting:
minor problems with left front tire.
medium problems with left front suspension.
minor problems with left rear suspension.

Thanks for the racing, guys. It's on to Silverstone! It's a track I'm rather weak but I look forward to trying to get a better understanding of it.

[Pelle_B]

Big Grats Rob & ID 

Finally, a good result here at UKGPL 
Zandy: Honda engine kapow 
Albi: Lost a frontwheel in the big crash (Honda)
Brno: EOLC had an 8 laps race at the Nurburgring & I fell asleep during the break 
Mexico: Eagle engine kapow 

Race on EOLC, F1 on TV & race here.
Willow: Unfortunately no break & no time for training before the race. In the qual was copied a Zandy setup & put on my Ferrari...a little stress to build setup & learn a new track. No expectations for a top ranking, but good to learn the track...& have a little fun.

Race:
Started as 9, was lucky to take some positions at the start...unfortunately went down again by the crash between Jonny & Ronnie. Little shame with the accident because...on server replay, it looks like a warp, there is no contact.

My setup was not good, gearbox was completely wrong & big trouble keeping temp down on the left front...big surprise when Pribluda say, 5 
Evil is kind, turns around & lets me drive past, now 4 
GT in Eagle...but hey, now I see something blue...it's...yes, it's GT there waiting for me 
Huge surprise I end up on the podium

Thank you all for really good entertainment here at Willow 

[Turkey Machine]

This place needs lap to get your eye and setup in order, and I lacked this for many reasons. As such, 20 minutes qualifying was all I had to get my bearings, and determine how shot they were.

Lap 1 was good, start was a blinder and I nearly crapped myself into T1. Smiled into T3 Lap 1 and tried keeping it on the black stuff. Then the going got tough. I found the BRM quite liking the sand, and not liking the black stuff... quickly went 2 laps down and eventually gave in.

On the plus side, I have a perfect dictionary definition of the word "futile".

How was the grid BTW? Kinda made up based on the existing 2x2 staggered to make it 1x1 loose and UKGPL friendly.

[Billy Nobrakes]

Mod report published.

[JonnyO]

I agree with the punishment.
I hope that Ronnie truly apologize
It was a gross error of mine.

[Ronniepeterson]

I agree with the punishment.
I hope that Ronnie truly apologize
It was a gross error of mine.

Absolutely no problem Jonny.