Moderator's Report
This opening race of the 65's Season 40 was not always a shining example of perfect driving, although the podium finishers drove clean and fast for the whole race.
Further back in the field there were multiple rear end collisions and some bad re-joins. I have spent several hours studying the replay, watching each driver through the race.
It is sometimes too easy to comment upon other drivers mistakes in which you were the victim, but conveniently forget about the times that it was you who knocked someone else off of the circuit?
The race post says "REPORTED INCIDENTS ONLY TO BE MODERATED" and I will stick to that, although this race probably deserves a complete and comprehensive moderation and the distribution of many more penalty points etc.
Server replay time: 0
Bastian, Tom have been impeded by Will Bennett not allowing them to lap him for the previous few laps( more about Will in a separate section ).
This has allowed Clive to close up behind Tom. Tristan also catches the tail end of this train of what is now 5 cars.
Tristan is impatient to pass and immediately makes a dive for the inside of Clive's car, into a gap which is already closing as Clive heads for the apex. Contact is made spinning both cars off of the circuit. Clive is spun into the tyres but Tristan is sent a good distance into the infield.
Clive regains the tarmac and sets off after Bastian and Tom. Tristan aims his car at the tarmac and accelerates across the grass arriving at the track without regard for any approaching car. Tristan materialises directly in front of Clive and is punted back into the grass requiring an S/R.
There have been multiple comments/reports about Will Bennet's driving in this race and I will attempt to deal with that in this section.
It would be time consuming, and probably pointless, to list every transgression by Will in this race. But there are a few generalised areas for concern.
a) In the first few laps Will's enthusiasm exceeds his ability, and the grip of his cold tyres, causing him to rear end 3 other cars through outbraking himself. Although he tops the rankings in this race for rear end shunts he was by no means alone in this regard.
b) Later in the race Will is involved in incidents during overtaking moves, including one attempt to unlap himself which results in contact and spins.
c) From lap 15 to lap 20 Will impedes the cars of Bastian and Tom ( + Clive and Tris ) which indirectly results in an incident mentioned above.
Although Will Bennet has been registered with UKGPL for approx 12 months, he has not participated in that many races. Pete Bennet, Will's father is a regular driver in UKGPL and has reported that Will has been driving in another sim which does not demand the same levels of behaviour and etiquette that we expect in UKGPL.
At times Will displayed some genuine pace and ability, but there is more to racing in GPL than just posting fast lap times on a clear track. Other drivers expect anyone racing with UKGPL to observe certain standards.
Because Will's actions had a direct effect upon other drivers, and the final positions, it would be unfair not to impose penalties, especially as other drivers have been penalised in this race. Applying any more severe penalties would be pointless as one cannot finish lower than last and it is more important that lessons are learned for the next race.
Advice
a)At the beginning of a race when cars are inevitably closer, tyres are cold and tanks are full of fuel greater care should be taken.
b) When attempting a pass be sure that you give enough space. GPL is notorius for its "collision box" which often will detect contact when none is made, so it is always wise to give more room if you can.
c) A driver must be aware that he cannot "race" and impede cars that are trying to lap him. Unless he is able to clearly pull away from the cars that have gained a lap on him, he MUST give then an opportunity to pass. Please read the Quick Reference Guide on the Announcements page.
Server replay time: 0h01m40s
In the first lap at 1min 40secs T. Bot rejoins the track and hits D. Rainier causing a chain reaction behind involving other four cars that can not avoid the incident in front.
David has asked that no penalty is given