UKGTL Season 17 1971 RAC British Saloon Car Cham - Oulton Park - Feb 20

[BillThomas]

Thanks Tony for the Series and congrats to podium.  Set new PB in qualifying but the race was mixed bag with some good laps and some terrible laps after I received two cut track warning which upset my line resulting in lots of visits into the scenery. Spent the first couple of laps battling with Huggy until we had our coming together, I pulled over to let Matt through but concentrated too much on the rear view mirror. When I saw Huggy approaching I tried to pull away to get up to speed and let Huggy through but my left side wheels were in the loose stuff and I just spun the wheels and finished up a few seconds behind Huggy. It was when I was chasing him I received my two cut track warnings which slowed me down.

Then much to my surprise I found I had passed Matt and I had a few laps racing him, my 1275 Mini enabled me to keep ahead of him by sheer power. Then I made a bad exit out of the left hander after the start/finish straight which enable Matt to pass me down the left hand side and maintain the racing line into the almost right hand hairpin leaving me the choice of braking early and take the racing line after Matt or trying to take a tighter line - I made the wrong choice and went off the track, ending my battle with Matt. Rest of race was a disaster with lots of time spent mowing the grass and picking wild flowers. 
 

[55steve55]

Another enjoyable race for me, despite taking the last point in the All Classes Championship.

I chose the 1275s because I found it suited my driving style more than the others on offer, despite having a little too much oversteer for my liking.

I had a mediocre start,  but was very surprised to find myself within seconds overtaking Huggy, Eifel and Tony on the inside, who all appeared to have  stagnated on the startline. Roguk overtook the same three at the same time but on the outside, and we both converged at the first righthander, with Roguk coming away the braver. A few more seconds and I had also taken Matt, who appeared to have got too close to the track edge. Up to 7th without even trying, I thought. Overconfidence took over and I took the next righthander forgetting to change down, and off I went like my Honda Izzy lawnmower, and handed back those 4 places plus letting Bill through, too.

Last place, I can't get further back than that!

Due to others misfortunes, I eventually found myself back in 8th place, with Huggy in my mirrors matching my pace, waiting for a mistake on my part.

The last 3rd of the race found me looking at the back of Evils Imp, but despite my power advantage, I couldn't close the gap.

So, 8th place guaranteed then, until a late downshift on the penultimate lap sent me head-on into the barriers. Cursing/reversing out I heard a car pass, but fortunately it was only Bill unlapping himself. Eifel had fortunately left the track the same time as me, so 8th was thankfully retained.

Well done Ziu, Erling and John for the podium

Ziu has raised some thought-provoking facts about the 970s. They were produced with 970cc and 1071cc engines, which might explain why the 69 model ran a lot quicker than the other 970's. Tony was right to withdraw it whilst there was some concern about its pace. Perhaps it's worth contacting the person who released this model for simracing to see whether the setup is based on a 970 or a 1071cc engine. It might be a case of the right car but, as Ziu points out, in the wrong class.

[Wiltshire Tony]

There should be a Word document in your Mini folder which contains some info  

I want to stay as true as possible to the RL series so I will not be changing anything as we have as close as we can get to a complete recreation of an entire Motor sport series from over 45 years ago.

[Jeep]

Well, that was exciting..

Finally saw a 1:48 in the Mini during qualifying which put me 3rd on the grid behind the 2 escorts. I had seen a few faster 1:48 laps in practice in the Escort myself but couldn't keep it on track for 20 laps so decided to take the 1275 Mini.

Got the worst possible start, without forgetting to actually put it in gear.   I knew Clive's Imp would be off like a rocket and I simply gave it too many revs and was passed 1st by Geoffers and then Clive before T1. Managed to get on the outside of Clive through T1  and take the place back and he then had another go exiting Cascades along Lakeside. Geoffers meanwhile was glued to Erling's rear bumper ahead.

Spent the 1st 5 laps or so over driving the car and despite being able to pull out a gap from Clive I was also losing ground on the front 3. Apexes and braking points were missed several times each lap and I was generally driving like an idiot. Finally settled down and began to make up ground slowly on Erling and Geoffers. Erling eventually managed to break free from Geoffers and I continued to close in only to make some small mistake and have to start all over again. Finally around lap 12 I was within spitting distance but it was hard work even to stay in touch never mind considering making a move. Geoffers was wringing every last BHP out of his Mini and it wasn't until nearing the top speed that I could actually sense I had any advantage despite my extra 300cc. Finally he ran a little wide at Druids and put 2 wheels on the grass and I got the run I had been looking for down to Lodge corner and I was through.

That should have been an end to it but in fact it was only the start. I have no idea how many times we were either level and playing chicken hurtling towards the next corner or we were separated by only a few feet following each other through a turn. I was either staring  through his rear window or had my mirrors full of his Mini. If I couldn't see him he was obviously alongside. I was suffering somewhat with under steer towards the end and another 5 laps or so would have seen me in real trouble with the tyres, but I really didn't want it to end.

Thanks Geoffers, That ranks as one of my most enjoyable races on-line in any sim so far. I still have no idea how you managed to drive around the outside of me at Shell Oils Corner not just once but several times I went into that corner in front, held a tight line only to have you take the long way around and come out with your nose in front. Awesome driving.

Congrats to Ziu for the win who in comparison it seems had a quiet race  and Erling who was about 9 seconds up the road in 2nd. and Congrats all finishers, I'm sure the "All Classes" race won't be as close.

Thanks all.

TTFN
John.

[Geoffers]

Ziu has raised some thought-provoking facts about the 970s. They were produced with 970cc and 1071cc engines, which might explain why the 69 model ran a lot quicker than the other 970's. Tony was right to withdraw it whilst there was some concern about its pace. Perhaps it's worth contacting the person who released this model for simracing to see whether the setup is based on a 970 or a 1071cc engine. It might be a case of the right car but, as Ziu points out, in the wrong class.

The 69 Mini actually has less power than the 68 car, it is probably quicker because it has a 5-speed gearbox & better tyres. Not sure if it is lighter too. Back in the day the 71 Bevan Imp was capable of lapping 4-5s a lap quicker than a 69 970 Mini!

[roguk]

One of my best starts went past 4 cars and was up behind Matt into turn 2, coming out of turn 4 Matt did a wobbly which let me pass, closed up on Clive but was unable to pass, then Tony caught and overtook, watched Clive and Tony swap places a few times, then the power of the Escorts took us ahead of Clive, tried to keep up with Tony but he gradualy increased his lead so concentrated on finishing and staying ahead of Clive who was closing on me.

Grats to Ziu on win

Grats to Podium