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Pm WT for series download

Practice: ~19:20 (60 mins)
Qualifying: 20:20 (20 mins)
Race: 20:40 (22 laps)

Track: Spa-Francorchamps 2012 (GP), Belgium

Car restrictions: Check your car availability here

Time of Day Setting: 14:00
Start: STANDING
Tyre wear: Normal
Fuel consumption: x2
Pit stops: May be required

Server: simracing.org.uk Monday
Password: see above

Notes:
(1) It's best if all drivers can make sure they are connected before the Qualifying session as drivers on track during qualifying will not see cars that join after they are on track until they go back to the garage.
(2) Please make sure you are fully aware of the SimRacing.org.uk Rules.
(3) The AI control should be turned off so that you have control of the car at all times, including pitting. Your player file should therefore read
Autopit="0"
Force Autopit Off="1" // Forces autopit always off
No AI Control="1" // AI never has control over car
If you still finding pitting problematic, experience tells us that its less to do with positioning and more to do with approach speed. A slow approach to pit crew chief has proved most reliable.

Special Notes: None.

Results and replay now posted.

Love the Sierra - on the right track, and this one is ok for it.

No hope of challenging the aliens based on laptimes in qual, but got a better launch than Geoffers, sneaking ahead at the start.  Shortlived though, as he reclaimed the position at the end of L1. His move brought me close to a standstill, helping Matt close up. A couple of close laps having to stave off his advances, before I slowly stretched the gap.  Was losing 2 secs a lap to the alien in front, so soon became relatively lonely.

Early undercut stop from Daz revealed that he obviously wouldn't change tyres, but he was out of reach either way.  Stopped halfways myself, being joined by Matt & Mr. Evil in the pits, indicating similar strategies.  Had about 10 secs gap to them after the stop, while the aliens were still far ahead.  Surprised then to pass Geoffers in the pits late in the race. Had a 5 sec gap the lap after, which he closed fast. As the race was nearing the end, I gave it all I could, to see if I could stay ahead.  Geoffers got real close, but then appeared to have a moment, getting on the grass, which gave me a few precious seconds breather.  He dropped further back, so must have had more issued, and I finished an unexpected and not quite deserved 2nd.

Grats to Daz & Matt, commiserations to Geoffers, who should have been competing for the win.

Thought the Sierra would be a good option here, but went with my first decision months ago to take the M3. I knew I would lose on the flat chat bits, but that car is so fast in the corners that I fancied it might be good enough to hold its own.

Which looked about right initially, practise times were all quite close between the top 4 really. Then quali started and Geoffers unleashed the beast to set a really good time. I had gone as fast as I thought I was able to, but on full tanks not low fuel. Worked on the gearing, and also made some suspension changes, then took most of the fuel out for a proper banzai quali run, and pipped him late for pole. It was a decent lap, I was happy with that one.

Felt sure I would not be able to hang onto the lead for long, my only thought was hoping one or two might bog on the line. I think that may have happened, given I had some space at La Source, which then lead to charging as hard as I could through Eau Rouge and Radillion to try to stay in front. As it happened, I did have a gap, and it went to plan.

Once Geoffers was in second, he ramped up the pressure, closing in little by little. I had decided to run low fuel to help with the start, and also to try to put pressure on the tires of the Sierra, knowing from my own experience that they can go down in grip quite quickly. Pitted early with a 4 second gap or so, came out 7 seconds behind Tony. Had to be patient to find the gap I needed, Tony was covering the lines well, but I knew I needed to get on with it, losing time here would give Geoffers all the space he needed, he was lapping 2 seconds faster than me at this point. Once through I could keep that down, was then a case of seeing how quick his pitstop would be, and whether I was in front with a gap to defend.

That ended up moot, as Geoff then pitted a second time, from which point it was a case of not being daft on tyres that were starting to wear a bit.

Was good fun, Spa is probably my favourite track, probably....M3 was just fantastic here.

Grats Erling, another consistent run, and unlucky Geoffers.

Thanks Kurt