UKGTR Season 6 Upper Sprint - Hockenheim (GP) - Nov 20

[Simon Gymer]

I had an absolutely brilliant race that was so much fun (nearly as much fun as the shanigans afterwards with FreQ and Ruskus after everyone else had left  ).

Changing to the Lister was the best thing I've done this season. It felt alive and light and "fun", even though it still sounds like a hair dryer. Qualified in 4th with 0kg of ballast with the usual aliens ahead of me. Struggled for pace a little bit early on which let RoadRunner get by, but eventually my paced picked up and picked off RoadRunner as he ran wide into the stadium.

The top 5 were pretty close together for the first 25 minutes which was just awesome. Unfortunately FreQ's car had been warping a little since the pace lap and when it got quite bad at one point we let him know and sportingly he pulled off into the pits. Shame for you as it was a good race for all.

With a couple of laps to go I managed to start putting Paul Richards under pressure in his Saleen. The Saleen was stellar down the straights and without a mistake I didn't know how I would get by. I can't even remember how I got past Paul, but somehow I did and without knowing it I was right up behind Jeff with 1 lap to go. Had a great last lap battle with Jeff, but I couldn't quite overtake him and we finished 1-2 and very close together after 40 minutes of racing.

I know Jeff had 40kg ballast more than me, but it's nice to have come so close. Overall I enjoyed actually driving something more fun than before as it really added to my racing experience instead of taking it away. Next time I think about taking something American someone please slap me!

Results updatificatified. Now with added rightness.

Thanks for getting me out of deep doodoos on that one.

[Aagramn]

Shame I missed this one, I like Hockenheim, but I was busy sorting things out for my imminent move.

[Paul Richards]

That was a great race last night! Qualified in 3rd and was using the same race setup I had for the endurance (with less fuel) so thought I would be defending right from the start given the company I was surrounded with on the grid. I decided just to push really hard from the off and see how it went!

Car felt great and I was able to keep in touch with Ruskus and Freq and while not pulling away from RR and Simon I didn't have to defend. It was clear though that the 5 of us at the front had very similar pace and it was going to be a very long 40 minutes! After half distance I began to close in a bit on the front two while Simon was still easily in touch with me. Freq than had his warp moment and sportingly pulled into the pits so I started to chase Jeff. I was closing in but Simon was getting more and more menacing behind me   . With a couple of laps to go my rears tyres lost loads of grip and I was struggling to get out of turn 2 onto the back straight where my car was quickest compared to the other two. With that advantage reduced a bit Simon was very close and I got very ragged in the stadium section which heated the rears up too much and then had a poor exit of turn two putting the power down and Simon was past down the straight.

He was flying at this point and was quickly on the tail of Jeff. I tried to stay in touch hoping their battle would let me close in again but the race ended and I couldn't stop a Shark 1-2 which could have been 1-2-3 if it wasn't for Freqs housemates eating his bandwith!

Congrats to Jeff and Simon for great drives and well done to teamies SBG and Stew on solid finishes again.    

[Xtreme]

Thanks guys for a good session!

It was my first race in UKGTR and I am impressed with the driving I have seen!

I think I am a bit out of you guys leauge but it gives me a goal to work to, to ensure Im am up to speed.

Its a silly question I suppose but I will ask anyway, any chance of turning on Automatic gears!?

[Jure]

Its a silly question I suppose but I will ask anyway, any chance of turning on Automatic gears!?

It'll make you go slower on a long run, can't be that precise, sometimes you want a late shift, sometimes an early one (especially under braking)

Anyway - I hate this track, boring beyond belief, was still in an "baaah, I won't drive it" mode an hour before the race.

Couldn't stay away, of course. 

Uneventful race, wing10 got the best of me, no way I could keep up, got closer in the twisty bits just to see sbg, tt & co drive away on the straights. Gave up after 15 or so laps and just cruised home.

So... what's Sugo like? Any pointers?

[Tibernius]

Could do with a few more still and why not, as GT1 offers the best races week in week out.

Any room for me? I've never driven GT1 except a few laps with the lambo.

[Simon Gymer]

With a couple of laps to go my rears tyres lost loads of grip and I was struggling to get out of turn 2 onto the back straight where my car was quickest compared to the other two. With that advantage reduced a bit Simon was very close and I got very ragged in the stadium section which heated the rears up too much and then had a poor exit of turn two putting the power down and Simon was past down the straight.

I figured your tyres must be dying. I was almost counting on it in the Lister which had low tyre wear no matter how I slid the the thing around. I knew that if I kept in touch until the last few laps my Lister would not be dropping any pace but the heavier cars like your Saleen would be and I stood a chance of making some last minute places.

[Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer]

Any room for me? I've never driven GT1 except a few laps with the lambo.

There are perpetual reserve spots free in upper sprint - I don't know why I bothered with registration for it.

[Simon Gymer]

Its a silly question I suppose but I will ask anyway, any chance of turning on Automatic gears!?

No chance for GTR2 no I'm afraid.

Are you using a wheel?

[Xtreme]

I Wish I was using a wheel!! Maybe I will treat myself for the holidays.

Use a game pad at the mo, so i will just have to struggle on.

[Tibernius]

I Wish I was using a wheel!! Maybe I will treat myself for the holidays.

Use a game pad at the mo, so i will just have to struggle on.

Go for a LogiTech wheel, very good quality and fairly cheap. I use a driving force which I bought about 3-4 years ago.

[Mark J]

Sorry i missed this one. House sale/buying is consuming all my spare time and patience  

[Simon Gymer]

Use a game pad at the mo, so i will just have to struggle on.

If you can find £40 you can get a good value for money wheel/pedals like the Logitech Formula Force EX.

Logitech Driving Force Pros are about £65 and the best Logitech wheel very recommended if you can afford it is the G25 at about £150.

It is recommended that you use a wheel to play GTR2 or GTL or RACE 07 with the aids off. It'll greatly enhance your experience and allow you to control the cars properly.

[Tibernius]

If you can find £40 you can get a good value for money wheel/pedals like the Logitech Formula Force EX.

Logitech Driving Force Pros are about £65 and the best Logitech wheel very recommended if you can afford it is the G25 at about £150.

It is recommended that you use a wheel to play GTR2 or GTL or RACE 07 with the aids off. It'll greatly enhance your experience and allow you to control the cars properly.

Unless that's all you can afford I wouldn't go with the Formula Force EX, it is pretty much the same as my current wheel, which doesn't turn enough for proper control of the car.

[Truetom]

I have the FF EX and I'm afraid it would tangle my arms if it turned more than it does. 

TT