UKGTR Season 4 Endurance Masters - Barcelona (GP) - Feb 18

[linco24]

Dave, sorry that I got a little too close for comfort at T1 early on.

No probs - I was probably still laughing from when you got tucked up behind me into the final turn, pulled right up in the draft, pulled out... and went backwards!

I don't think it was you weaving in front of me on the front straight trying to stop me getting a tow (which a Viper most definitely does not need against a GT3 Cup) - seemed a bit cwazy! Can't remember who now.

Yeah I thought I was gonna get you on the straight only to get laughed at by the back end of your viper!

Think it was Beholder you had trying to shake you off not me. We had the same car

I'm gutted I only lasted 13 laps....

[Radius]

Grats CeeJay...no one was anywhere near you this season!  ..and that with two DNF's for the Enduro season vs none from your nearest competitor Amazing!

Definitely the Claus (   ) of the field. Brilliant!

[Nevski]

That was a fun race! Missed the last few events due to real life plus the distractions of Rfactor. Decided at the last minute to join this one, and just got into the server before the end of final qual.

Early laps were great with a three way dice between Pribeiro, Mark Jonzo and myself for about 17th place. We all swapped places a few times and traded a little paint until Mark and Pribeiro had a little contact and went off at turn 5. That left me running on my own with a lot of fuel in the car, so I just stayed out and gradually picked up positions as others pitted.

Finally got up to 9th place with about 25 minutes to go when I got the 'tires worn' message, so I pitted on the next lap for new rubber. The race immediately got exciting again as I exited the pits in 13th with Sharky right up my chuff in the M3. It was touch and go staying ahead of him for the next lap or two on cold tyres, but once they warmed (and a GT car cost Simon a bit of time) I managed to pull a slight gap and was doing my best laps of the race in the high 44s.

I then started to set my sights on bernie who was about 8 seconds up the road. Finally clawed the gap down to 2 seconds with a few minutes to go, and just managed to stay in front of Claus on his final tour in order to get an extra lap to attack Bernie, as I was right behind him starting our final lap. Really needed a good exit off the right hander onto the back straight to get a tow and out drag Bernie down the hill, but I caught the kerb and the car skipped onto the grass. That was it then, or so I thought. I guess Bernie must have cooked his tyres because he spun two corners before the flag, only the recover just as I was approaching and contact was inevitable. Order stayed the same then and a well deserved 4th in class for Bernie considering he was driving the Pasta Bolognese special.

Finally, my congratulations to CJ on a dominant comeback in the latter two thirds of the season to snatch the GT championship. Congrats also to Ruskus for keeping CJ honest and really making him work for it. I don't think the Lambo is quite so competitive in the endurance events so Ruskus did a great job.
Congrats also to Leuven for edging out Truetom in the NGTs, despite two poor rounds at the start of the season.

I am really looking forward to every race now with you guys, just about everyone here is very clean and fast which makes the racing really enjoyable! 

[Paul968]

One of those races where everything goes nicely to plan. Had pole in front of Leuven with a decent gap back to the M3s, so I expected the main challenge to come from Leuven's RSR, but he tripped up early on. This left an M3 behind me doing a similar pace but making the odd slip, which meant the gap grew steadily. I wasn't too worried at this stage as we were lapping not much slower than the M3 qual times and I doubted that this was possible with the fuel load I had (to the brim). I left my pit as late as possible in case there was a sudden weather change, and when the gap behind suddenly grew to 53 secs I stopped for a splash of fuel and new tyres. When I came out I had a bit of a surprise with an NGT in front of me, but this was a late stopping Nev who pitted shortly after. I then had a nice gap to play with, so the rest of the race was in car conservation mode, shortshifting and saving the tyres. It would seem that Leuven used the same pit strategy although it looks like he took no fuel, allowing him to leapfrog TT. I certainly had plenty in reserve but I didn't think I could quite make it on one tank.

Thx to everyone lapping and being lapped. I had one nasty moment when Ruskus and Jon lapped me just as I was being flashed through by a Cup car. Luckily I noticed in time and jumped out of the way, but it could have been messy 

Congrats to CJ for the win and championship, who is simply untouchable in this format. Also to Leuven with a strong 2nd half to the season. Now I've got used to endurance I'm really enjoying the extra thought that's needed, and I'm certainly looking forward to the next endurance season. Hopefully I can put in a full season and challenge for the championship.

[Jure]

Well, that was a great race, full of... surprises 

After eventful quali session without getting in a single clean lap (and on tyres that lasted for one flying lap anyway  ) race started with typical Jure attitude: "finish the race and do not race them on cold tyres, this is your learning season".

Due to high track temperature I've decided to start the race on medium fronts, hard rears and dear lord they felt like driving on ice, could barely go below 1.40 if at all. Big mistake, defensive driving cost me a spin in first few laps and off they went - rest of GTs. (BTW, would be interesting to know what tyre rest of you guys were using).

Once wheelcart class drivers came into play nightmare started. PLEASE stay on your racing line, please please please.  Was driving dead last in GT class, so I've figured hey, take your time and pass them while on power, not on braking. Or so I thought. Turns out NGTs were, once again, trying to be way 2 gentlemanly and voila - 5-6 spins frustrated the **** out of me, argh.    Not to mention a certain M3 driver that pulled in front of me while braking, put me in a maaaajor power slide and then passed me again. U cost us both chunks of time, m8 (not that I know who it was  )

Mid race (started on 100 L of fuel and with shortshifting in low gears due to hard&cold tyres it went on and on and on and on, think I've pitted on L29-30) my race engineer and myself came to a conclusion no tyre change is needed, which should put me out of the pits in front of 2 guys racing some 15-20 secs ahead. Or so I thought. Stupid ignition button didn't work. Again. Therefore all the time gained due to no tyre change was lost since no fuel was going in. No comment, this is happening way too often for comfort. Plus I took on 24 liters of fuel more then needed to finish the race. Argh.

Caught up one of those US built car-wannabees (viper or something, guess it was you Gizmo  ), took my time (was aware of NGT championship battle although I didn't know who's who, so was extra careful not to get in the way of NGTs, hence was prepaired to lose time in order to make clean passes) but nooooo, Gizmo had same gentleman attitude. Big mistake. Whammo into the back of the plastic V10 truck engine vehicle. Was pondering on giving myself a stop&go penalty because whatever you did - my fault, you were in front, so no worries, m8, I guess we're both to blame (my plan was to pass you out of the last turn). 

Etc etc etc. 

Anyway, just finishing itself is not bad for a race driven with infected left eye which left me half blind and in constant need of eye moisture - had a cup of Chamomile tea on the table to do the trick    You know, put left finger into a tea cup, put finger into the eye, rinse, downshift for T1.

We must be insane. 

Congrats to champs, youfast b******s. 


P.S. I guess it's time to start campaigning for a 180 minute super endurance championship (with mandatory 2x5 mins pit stop). Sprints suck. 

[Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer]

Thx to everyone lapping and being lapped. I had one nasty moment when Ruskus and Jon lapped me just as I was being flashed through by a Cup car. Luckily I noticed in time and jumped out of the way, but it could have been messy 

LOL, I had a comedy moment trying to let you by on the main straight. Flashed to let you know I was aware you were going past and looked over to find that your fancy pants German rubbish was unable to make any headway at all against my "truck-engined" lump and had to lift off to ensure you got past.

[Paul968]

LOL, I had a comedy moment trying to let you by on the main straight. Flashed to let you know I was aware you were going past and looked over to find that your fancy pants German rubbish was unable to make any headway at all against my "truck-engined" lump and had to lift off to ensure you got past.

I thought you were taunting me Dave - 'go on then, see if you can get past' 

[linco24]

If I can just add something. I didn't want to interfere in any way to the battles for titles last night and yes I did take extreme measures to let people past. Judging by the comments that was a bad idea. My off, which ended my race, was down to me being nervous and trying a little too much to be quick. The difference between the GT3 Cup and the GT boys was big. I felt like I had no time to take a corner or two and let them past on power.

Regards
Colin

[Jure]

hmmmm. that gives me an idea. how about a fun race in which NGT drivers race GT cars and vice versa? I think that would be the best way NGT class drivers would get to know GT class point of view as per lapping goes.

[popabawa]

I think the overall consensus (from what GT drivers have said in the past) is to be predictable and stay on the racing line. That minimises the chance of a misunderstanding and potential contact.

[linco24]

I think its best for me to stay within the Academy events

[John]

sorry Dave,that was me weaving.
i thought i saw 2 GT cars in my mirror and moved over.
Only the 2nd car was Dave.
Didnt realise until to corners later.
Anyway,closed the gap on dave only to get blown away by the raw power of the viper on the s/f straight.
It was like that for a couple of laps,then managed to get past him.
Due to Dave slowing to let a car past.
When we hit the s/f straight,i felt there was enough of a gap for you not to get past.
Although i know you would have been all over me entering turn 1.
So i didnt want to give you the chance of a tow,or you would have gone past as if i stopped.
Anyway, we had a bit of a coming together because i braked earlier as i was off line.
Which made me feel bad when i looked behind and saw you sitting there.
So after a few seconds of calling myself a prat etc.
I decided to slow up and let you through.
In the process of slowing up i all almost went off the track,dont know how i managed that.
Dont know if your were flashing your lights at me when you went past to say you prick or thanks for letting me through.
Anyway sorry for that.
And apologies if i slowed any of the others down when i was lapped.
Tried my best to stay out of the way.
Not used to getting lapped so often.
And it was bloody hard to get out of the way when there was 3 of you at the same time.
So decided to put my wheels on the grass to get out of the way.

[Truetom]

Well done, Legends!    Not enough for a championship, but all the same, we were ok. 

Seems like we did our homework for the last race - I guess lack of time caused Shark to be left without a setup    (good move, Pops!). I qualified 3rd, after Paul968 and Leuven. I mean - AFTER! Great time for both of you!    Was expecting you both to sail away but Leuven made a mistake early on which enabled me to go past. About a 1/3 into the race Leuven closed the gap, but at the time GTs were lapping us. I was a bit nervous as I didn't want Leuven to slip by in the GT tow, so I added a bit too much throttle in the right bend and my a$$ started to move outward. Corrected it, but lost speed which caused a touch with Leuven and he bounced off the wall - fortunately back onto the track. Sorry, was not intentional. I set M3 to be a bit oversteary throughout the race which meant it was a bit too much at the begining. 
Anyway, I managed to stay in 2nd place (saw in the replay that Leuven had three offs in the first half of the race  ) and the gap was about 17 seconds when I pitted. Had 67 l of fuel at the start, all meds. Did the same in the pitstop, not lost anytime messing in the pits, just pressed "enter". When I came out I was sure I was in front of Leuven, only to see I was wrong. Did you take any fuel, Leuven? Your pitstop was certainly quick (must work on tactics,  must work on tactics, must work on tactics  ). I guess we need to Ross Brawn. 
I pushed for a while, but since the gap didn't close fast enough and I couldn't get into pace with GT obstacles  I decided to conserve tyres and went to bring in 3rd place in the race and 2nd in the NGT championship. Even if I did catch and overtake Leuven it would not mean anything for the championship. I might have made a mistake and lose everything I worked for.
What is NOT nice to see is lose the NGT team championship for the measly 3 points.    But congrats to sneaky Team Shark all the same.    Was nice to have direct duels on-line, it adds volumes to racing and the purpose keeps you going. Well done, Shark(s)! 

I guess we were all a bit nervous in the race, as to not interfere with the outcome outside of our class. I hope I was letting GTs by ok, though I was sometimes unsure when to do it. I know this coin has two sides, Jure. I guess this is unsolvable situation, we'll just have to be patient and cautious. 

Congrats to Leuven for NGT championship - the board says it all, you deserved it. Must say I learned a lot in this season and I'm glad I came close enough to you aliens to snif your ...    ... exhaust. Great pace, Paul, uncatchable. 
Nice, close battles in GT class as well, even the fastest former Peunguin Jon_M was not quick enough. Good season for CJ and Ruskus, grats to both, respectively. And Team Shark, of course. 

TT

[Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer]

Dont know if your were flashing your lights at me when you went past to say you prick or thanks for letting me through.

Bit of both.

[Paul968]

Could you do a lapchart please Ruskus?