UKGPL Season 38 - CanAm Fun Races - Road America - Dec 27

[Cookie]

As long nobody gives away the PW of this race to drivers not reading here, there should be no problem.

When suddenly like at the GP in Zeltweg unknown people are on a GP server not knowing any rule - that sucks!

I will write in iGOR comment "rolling start"

[maddog]

. . . . and many, like me, run in more than 4 leagues, I myself participate in 6, in this reality, the possibility of confusing the rules is great.

A chat message after practice ends, is a good backup.  A small confusion may be no turn 2 can be seen.

We have had other start versions tried in past years.  I think the big problem, was cars arriving at the 1st corner at many different speeds.
A streached grid does this.  All European racing started very close together in the 1960's.  Mostly nowhere to go, left & right, so only forward and back to consider.  Ukgpl instead gives some space all around for some excitement.

Rolling starts were for Can-Ams but also for ALL North American racing.  When F1 went to race in USA, they were told only a rolling start was allowed.  F1 drivers laughed and said, 'Standing start or no start.'  They were some of the best of their time.

[Doni Yourth]

Starts are always a bit of a crap shoot.  You can make up or lose a handful of places by Turn #1.  Rollers versus standing starts offers no guarantee of avoiding catastrophes.  See Indy, 1966 & 1973.  As well, a grid start can lead to disaster.  See the Mosport CanAm, 1966 or the Canadian GP at Montreal, 1982.

As long as all runners know the procedure and behave themselves, our planned start for these Road America races can go off without dramas.

[Phil Thornton]

I've had a go at setting different cockpit views using Lee's "GPL Head Movement Patch" as Axel suggested. I've kept the default 78 degrees FOV, but I moved the drivers position back a little. I think it helps when trying to judge the apexes and the width of the car. Not sure if I'll be able to lap any quicker but hopefully I'll be able to drive more accurately and make less mistakes.

[Doni Yourth]

I just tested an idea that struck me as I went to bed last night.  After the field pulls away from the grid in an orderly fashion and cruising to T3, wait til you go under the Alpine bridge before throttling up.  It took about 12-13 seconds to arrive there from the exit of T3 at a speed of 60mph.  The instant that the bridge structure overhead went out of view was my go signal.  Planting the throttle, I was able to get up to about 150mph before having to shut down for T5.  This might prove a safer start procedure with everyone obliged to wait til the bridge overhead is gone from view before hitting the gas regardless of when the row ahead starts to accelerate.  This should, if everyone follows the procedure, provide an additional space-time cushion for launch and arrival at T5 at speed.  Comments?

[Phil Thornton]

Good idea Doni, but whilst the bridge gives a clear point at which to press the throttle, it does mean drivers will have to try hard to adhere to the rules. I'm not suggesting drivers will cheat, but the opportunity to try to gain an advantage will be too tempting. A few milliseconds of throttle will make yards of difference at the braking point for T5. Moreover, drivers are quite likely to be watching the car in front and go when it goes rather than wait until the bridge.

At the exit of T3, drivers will be constrained by the corner itself. They will hit the throttle as soon as they dare, that point won't be determined by a marker but rather the traction from the tyres. This takes the judgement out of the drivers hands, they will not be tempted to "go early". So I suggest the exit of T3 is the best option (notwithstanding that T2 is an almost imperceptible kink).

[Doni Yourth]

Oh, of course, Phil.  I was merely suggesting a possible alternative to the T3 go point.  I'm cool with that.

Looking forward to some beer & brats in Elkhart. 

[Phil Thornton]

Oh, of course, Phil.  I was merely suggesting a possible alternative to the T3 go point.  I'm cool with that.

It's Axel's choice, he is organising the race,  but as a good moderator he will listen to suggestions.

Looking forward to some beer & brats in Elkhart. 

I'm cooking Cumberland Sausages and having a glass of Cabernet Sauvingnon. Beer and Brats would be nice too ?‍?

[Enrique Farina]

I want to enjoy today, it's possible ?
  thanks

[Cookie]

Yes of course, you are welcome 

but read racepost:

we do a rolling start!

[GregT]

"Works" drivers will not use works cars.
So only privateers can use the M1B 361ci and Lola T70 359ci in the CA66 race and the M8F and T260 in the CA71 race.

That still leaves some good cars for the Works drivers.

I think I'd like to try these races. I'm ill prepared and out of practice so I'd hope I can get my act together in qualifying.

[fpolicardi]

Freeze at 5 laps to go in 66 

[Doni Yourth]

A little over-anxious to make a pass there, Ricky?  I would think so.  You had me easily out-gunned on the left the lap prior.  So why? 

[Phil Thornton]

Freeze for me too    Leading by 4 seconds with 4 laps to go. It is very rare for me to be leading an open race so very disappointing.  Hopefully have better luck in the 71s.

[PaulV]

Freeze here too.....   didnt realise at first it had frozen as I was going so slow anyway.. I coudnt tell the difference LOL!!!