UKGPL Season 38 (Spring 2021) - Lime Rock - Jul 18

[Phil Thornton]

Season Break 38/39 - Fun + Test – 1965 F1 and 1966 F1 - Lime Rock

This is a double-header to see if the new Track Gap Freeze Fix has solved the problems we used to have with the Lime Rock tracks. For the first race we will be using the 65s on the short Lime Rock Park track which to this day is regularly used for Sports Car racing. Lime Rock Park is a natural-terrain motorsport road racing venue located in Lakeville, Connecticut, United States, a hamlet in the town of Salisbury, in the state's northwest corner. Built in 1956, it is the nation's third oldest continuously operating road racing venue, behind Road America (1955) and Willow Springs International Motorsports Park (1953). The second track, Lime Rock Mountain, is an imagined extension to the real track. It incorporates many of the original features but the longer lap has a few more challenging corners, longer straights and provides an opportunity for the faster 1966 cars to unleash their power.

This car/track combi had several problems that got solved by the new
Track Gap Freeze Fix Patch v.09
Put the .xml in the ../GPLSecrets/GEM+/Options/ folder and activate it in GEM for all mods!

Race 1

Race list	=	iGOR
Server	=	UKGPL04_60fps
IP address Server	=	86.6.125.152:32766
Password	=	see above
GPL Mod	=	65
Damage model	=	Intermediate
60fps Patch	=	60fpsV2newmod
Track download	=	here
Track directory	=	lime
Qualifying starts	=	20:45 UK time - 20 minutes
Race starts	=	~ 21:05 UK time
Race length	=	25 laps
Replay	=	here

Race 2

Race list	=	iGOR
Server	=	UKGPL04_60fps
IP address Server	=	86.6.125.152:32766
Password	=	see above
GPL Mod	=	66
Damage model	=	Intermediate
60fps Patch	=	60fpsV2newmod
Track download	=	here
Track directory	=	lime_mc
Qualifying starts	=	21:25 UK time - 20 minutes
Race starts	=	~ 21:45 UK time
Race length	=	14 laps
Replay	=	here

Handicapping:
There will be no handicapping.  Drivers have a free choice of chassis. Unlimited number of Shift-Rs are allowed with no need to make a Stop and Go.

This is a fun race so incidents will not be moderated but please drive carefully and with consideration for others.

Please, excepting emergencies, no chat until Session Completed in qualification. No chat in the race until ALL drivers still racing have crossed the line

[Leo Menegucci]

Nice combo for testing and what a great surprise is the mountain circuit, nice flow and challenging with the 66s.

Bet that in the classic circuit it will be very close and entertaining racing.

[Pete Bennett]

I didn't know the Mountain course at all. Some tricky sections and this will make an excellent double-header on Sunday. See you there. Thanks for organising.

[Phil Thornton]

Practice server is up on iGOR (not that I expect anyone in the UK to practice on such a sunny day when the British Grand Prix is on but if anyone is concerned about their connection it is best to resolve any issues well before the race start).

Both tracks are on a loop and whilst it should be possible to join the server in either car set, I suggest drivers only join Lime Rock Park with the 65 cars and Lime Rock Mountain with the 66 cars.

[maddog]

Good to see 2 test Servers, but Lime_mc is currently running 65's instead of 66'ers.  While the alternate Server has Wilmot which already runs well online.   An alternate freeze fix test would be Pic-du-Midi, amongst the many.

[Cookie]

[Phil Thornton]

but Lime_mc is currently running 65's instead of 66'ers.

Yes, but I've configured the server so you can join the 65 race with the 66 cars. So just select the appropriate car set in iGOR as per Cookie's post. I've had to do it this way because it isn't possible to loop with different mods in IGOR, just different tracks.

[maddog]

The twin track arrangement became apparent.  Confusing for a non-standard runner who decides to join us, without further research.  A fiendish method to get them to read the rules next time, perhaps?

[Cookie]

But there is another problem; hosting with 65 limits the car slots to the original 7

So I can't choose the little Fez...

You have to host 66s and allow 65s

[Phil Thornton]

Opps, thanks for the tip Cookie. I'll remember that for next time.

[Phil Thornton]

Well I think that counts as a successful test. I don't think anyone had a screen freeze but if I am mistaken, please post here.

The first race was very hectic. I got caught up in the L1 T1 incident. I just couldn't avoid the spinning Ferrari and I ended up dead last. The server seemed fine except for Leo warping a bit (which apparently doesn't happen on other servers but I've no idea why UKGPL_04 is a problem) and a bit of warp contact between me and Francesco (sorry Fran, I checked the replay and it look like warp to me). It is a very tight track and hard to overtake.

The second race was a bit more civilised. It is possible to get past on the mountain version so there was no need to climb over the lead car's gearbox trying to  find a gap. A good track for racing so provided Tris and Cookie (who both retired) didn't have screen freezes we could reinstate this track onto the calendar.

[Doni Yourth]

I only had time to do the Mountain course and from my point of view, it came off OK with the exception that Leo's image jumps about far too much when within a couple of car lengths.  Far too dangerous to stay close behind such a warping image as it can lead to a disco.  Fulvio, too, mentioned that Leo's image was pretty shaky.  This is a repeat of my being close behind Leo on the last lap at our recent Goodwood round so it's hardly a one-off.  Fix it, pls.

TY for hosting.

[francesco]

of warp contact between me and Francesco (sorry Fran, I checked the replay and it look like warp to me). It is a very tight track and hard to overtake.

From my replay is similar to the Silverstone incident between Hamilton and Verstappen.

[Pete Bennett]

Thanks for organising these races. Lime Rock is a super track, especially in the 65 cars. I've only ever tried to hot-lap in the 67s before but this was a LOT more fun. My usual tactic of qualifying near the back paid off as I was able to avoid the pile-up of T1. I threw away third place as I missed a gear going into T1 without about three laps to go, Cookie could sneak by and take the place. 

The 2nd race was not so much fun. I couldn't get the Lotus 43 hooked up and I made a mess of L1 and L2. I had a lonely few laps at the back and couldn't get any closer despite my efforts.

As a format, I really like the idea of short double-header events like this. Lots of fun.

[EvilClive]

Grats to the podiums and to all who took part.

So pleased to see that the new Antifreeze Patch is working on the tracks that we had to abandon in the past because of instabilities. There are a few other old circuits that I would like to see resurrected that were just as enjoyable. Why is it that the tracks that promoted great racing were the ones that were unreliable lol

I had fully intended to actually do some practice for these fun races, just to get myself dialled back in to Lime Rock, but it was just too damned HOT !! so I joined the server with a blank setup. The holes in my setups showed up as soon as the tyres got hot and I had to try and control a rear axle, on both cars, that was intent on exiting every corner before the front end !! Add to that, no allowance for slipstream and I was driving cars where I had to back off on the main straight to avoid over revving and then tip toe around T1 ( on both versions of the track ) to keep the rear end in place.

Despite my self inflicted handicaps its was good to be driving Lime Rock again, for me it is up there with Goodwood and Castle Combe for great 65 races.

Bring on Le Mans Bugatti in 66's and 65's, another double header maybe?