Endurance Championship - Season 3, Round 3, Imola - 2nd July

[Truetom]

Great race, Louis! You grabbed NGT pole at the end, very nice, very quick for this track version. Was folowing you for some laps in the race, saw you were driving on the limit, so I just waited for your mistake. It took longer than I expected, just working myself up to push you a bit, then you took that chicane wrong - just a bit too much throttle, eh?

The trouble then was that GTs and NGTs were a bit mixed and I didn't know where Louis was. So I was running from every folower until I found out it was a GT! 

Was trying to scare Jamera in his F550 a bit to the end (  ), he was faster but didn't let him through right away. Saw you flashing lights and such, getting impatient, mate. Then I decided to not make you too angry, as we could both be off. 

Jam was then driving a bit slower, so I could keep up. Switched my lights on, braked late, accelerated agressively, etc. Man, I could almost see you watching your rear mirror 

Sorry, was a bit fed up by the track by then 

As for the track version, I also trained on the other one, as we have the next TPG race at it. That track is a bit less bumpy, yes, especialy that downhill brake morale killer  - sweated every time I braked there tonight, very dangerous. Come race to TPG Louis, we can make another duel there. 

Too bad Gerald left earlier, no Bernie and no Jon - I was a lonely Pingu. 

Grats to Ruskus for a GT win. 

TT

[popabawa]

That was hard. The combination of that track and the heat really made for a really difficult race  .

Qualified in 3rd getting close to my PB but as the race started I just couldn't pick up the pace to the same level I was managing in practice, the car just felt completely wrong. I managed to keep Dan Minton at bay for a few laps until he made a nice move to overtake.

Dan was pulling away quickly and Don and Mark Jonzo had disappeared by then so I'd almost settled for 4th place after about 15 mins I kept plugging away though and was really surprised to come out after my pit-stop only 10s behind Dan. That proved to be a bit of false hope though as I made a complete mess of being lapped and lost about 10s on the next two laps.

I'd definately settled for 4th at that point as I was still struggling with the car really badly so decided to play it safe and just bring it home. Sorry to see Dan by the side of the road with about 15 mins to go, I'd already been lapped by Truetom and Luis by then.

A completely undeserved 3rd place in the end, I drove terribly.

Grats to Trutom, absolutely stunning race mate 

An apology is due to Nick Phillips for our mix-up when you came to overtake. I eased off to let you through but I'm not sure you could have seen me properly

Pops

[Nick Phillips]

Hehe no problem Pops, I was following you up the hill and then suddenly realised you were backing off and tried to get around but went around - I was driving on ice anyway I think by that point.

Wasn't expecting you to lift off which threw me, but as I say no problem.

[Luis Branco]

Was folowing you for some laps in the race, saw you were driving on the limit, so I just waited for your mistake. It took longer than I expected, just working myself up to push you a bit, then you took that chicane wrong - just a bit too much throttle, eh?

It was when I was trying to lap Gerald. I saw him in front before the last chicane and took the exit narrower trying to put the car in the inside for the taking on the exit. As I turned right harder then I should and drifted. Had almost to stop to avoid hitting the pit wall. I silly mistake by me, as I should have taken it a bit wider and would lap Gerald before the S. That's where I blew it
I'm sure will have a nice fight again in Anders race 

[picnic]

Replay and Provisional Results posted, sorry for the delay

*Edited by the society for working URLs* 

[Jeffrey]

Unofficial lapchart

[Simon Gymer]

Sort of glad I wasn't able to take part looking at those astonishing times.
1:51 in NGT! Geeez! I had done a 1:55 in practice at best.

[popabawa]

Just wanted to add that I thought the new starting procedure worked like a dream last night, all the NGT's seemed very closely bunched.

I think Ruskus put the limiter on a bit earlier than in previous races, that worked well and it also worked well was that he told everyone which corner he was going to put it on during warmup. Good thinking Ruskus, maybe that should be incorporated into the rules if possible?

It definately adds a bit of tension in those first few corners being so close knowing that even a slight mistake is going to cost you a place!

[Jeffrey]

Just wanted to add that I thought the new starting procedure worked like a dream last night, all the NGT's seemed very closely bunched.

I think Ruskus put the limiter on a bit earlier than in previous races, that worked well and it also worked well was that he told everyone which corner he was going to put it on during warmup. Good thinking Ruskus, maybe that should be incorporated into the rules if possible?

It definately adds a bit of tension in those first few corners being so close knowing that even a slight mistake is going to cost you a place!

Thanks, but not all credits to me. Rich A came said to put it on after the corner before the last chicane. That was either the fast right hander or after Rivazza. We decided with the last option.
It's a good idea to mention it before the race (end qually because then most are in pits), and maybe also on the spot. I did that in GTL and I think it worked for the people with in car chat on. No surprises then when everybody slows down.

[Adam Parle]

Was all set and ready to go in this one when I was told in no uncertain terms by the wife I had to go look after my little'un.  Fair enough, he was really grumpy in the heat, so took him out for a spin in the car, and he soon fell asleep.  Could have done a few laps at the end of qualifying, but by that stage my head really wasn't in it and racing for 80 mins would have got my in the missus bad books too I think ... ho hum.

[Rich_A]

Was a good race, made small mistake at chicane which allowed Ruskus and Mo through.. they pushed very hard after that, could just about keep them in view but then I spun at chicane again due to some crazy wheelspin. Continued for about 55 mins but tyres were shot and little damage made car slower .. !! Had Mo behind me for a few laps which was cool but then saw him spin off going into Rivazza.. 1m45 is very reasonable race pace here imo, push much harder and make mistake or wear tyres too quickly.

[Nick Phillips]

I think Ruskus put the limiter on a bit earlier than in previous races, that worked well and it also worked well was that he told everyone which corner he was going to put it on during warmup.

I would also like to add, without wanting to cause an arguement, that given we had been off for three weeks, and the rules had changed in the meantime, it would be appreciated if admins confirmed the rules rather than telling people to be quiet. I know we could check beforehand but do not understand the objection to the discussion.

I am used, in other leagues, to admins giving everyone a low down before the race.That's all.

No offence meant

[Jeffrey]

I think Ruskus put the limiter on a bit earlier than in previous races, that worked well and it also worked well was that he told everyone which corner he was going to put it on during warmup.

I would also like to add, without wanting to cause an arguement, that given we had been off for three weeks, and the rules had changed in the meantime, it would be appreciated if admins confirmed the rules rather than telling people to be quiet. I know we could check beforehand but do not understand the objection to the discussion.

I am used, in other leagues, to admins giving everyone a low down before the race.That's all.

No offence meant

Yeah, that was weird. Somebody asked what the deal was with the cutting rules. So somebody replied and said: always 2 wheels within the white lines.

So I went to the rules (alt-tab) to check and all it said was:  "Drivers must at all times keep at least two wheels within the boundaries of the track."
And track defined as tracksurface plus painted curbs.
But when I said that in game-chat, I was told not to discuss it in there. Which was nonsence, because there was no discussion, all I did was pass the rules.
There was no talk whatsoever about what is track or not, only the rules as they are in Simracing were stated in the chat.

[Truetom]

About the rules discussion: I reminded as to the cutting rules, and then Ruskus said it was two wheels on the curb. Ok, np, I don't think that's a discussion. Also, that was during a practice session, not quali. And it lasted for, what, 30 sec?

TT

[popabawa]

I agree,  I didn't think we were discussing it either. Ruskus clarified what the rules were - better to do that before the race than after surely?