UKGPL Season 16 (2008) Novice '65 - Spa (1967) - Nov 4

[happyal]

I'll race anywhere, I might be slow but at least I'm willing

I've found the races great fun this year, I hope next season I won't have to learn so much and be able to get onit quicker. I really need to make sure not to lose my head and try to keep it on the track this race.

[Storm_Cloud]

Certain cars (espesially the Honda) seem to blow engines for a hobby if you keep them wound right up for long periods, As I practice offline in Pro realism I generally get through at least 4 engines while setting up for each race 
This shouldn't really be a worry for us as the '65s are run at intermediate damage model so should be fairly bombproof - I've yet to kill an engine when actually racing in them* 

Can't comment on top speeds yet as I won't start on my setup till tonight....


* Shame the same can't be said for my '66 driving 

It is definitely possible - I blew the arse off the Lotus at the last race at East London.

[FullMetalGasket]

I'm curious what sort of top speed are people getting and what are the chances of engine failure in this class with too many revs?

I'm still working on my setup but my current top speed is 171mph at the bottom of Masta 
That's at 12,000rpm mind so I may yet fine tune things for safety, It's good for a 3:40.4 or something at present though on the 'safer' gearbox

[norbert]

I´m afraid I can´t make it to Spa this time.
Real shame , was actually looking forward to it.
Knowing the track (learned it for the pre season race ) and thinking of concentrating on driving practice.
Well , sometimes the real world TM just strikes you without warning.
Can be quiet nasty.
Managed somehow ,the day before East London ,to twist artisticly on my left knee
(in the brotherhood known as the breaking-joint ).
Two days later : double size -triple pain
At least the wive forced me to the doctor
Meniscus
 
Not shure I can make it to Rouen , but hoping!!!!!

Wish all of you a good race and hopefully see you around

Norbert

[Storm_Cloud]

169mph, or 171mph with comedy pressure / camber settings - probably more is possible as that was an outlap. I just need to see if I have time to fettle the setup to work at high speed or whether I stick with the old one I used preseason.

[b_1_rd]

Hope your feeling better soon Norbert.  I was wondering where you had been for practice.

All these people dropping out, I might stand chance of another novice podium 

If only I could stay on track long enough. 

[EvilClive]

[/quote]
"On this subject, with this race we reach the mid-season point at which I'll start planning next season.  The chassis allocations should be easier after a season's racing.  I'm also tempted to introduce Clermont next season, we might have Clermont as a preseason race.  Other than that, any suggestions are welcome.   
[/quote]

Just did a 65 race at Leipzig and was very impressed with circuit, easy to learn and some nice wide bits in places for overtaking. Well worth considering IMHO.

I agree the cooper suffers from straight line speed constipation but makes up for it in very predicatble handling. Unfortunately at Spa it is the "speed " issue that really clobbers any chance of a fast lap.

The BT7 seems better equipped in the velocity stakes and outguns the Cooper here. Well at least it certainly leaves me trailing!!!

[happyal]

Really sorry to hear that Asbjeurn Tverberg and Norbort won't be able to make it tonight, it’s always fun racing you guys. Hope you both sort out your problems and get back to us soon.

The Notice race looks like it might be a bit thin on the ground, I hope I’ll be able to have a good clean race with someone.

My top speed is about 169mph too, but only for a blink of the eye.

Looking forward to tonight and wish you all well.

[miner2049er]

I can get my Honda up to 167/8 briefly but only if I'm quick through Masta which I rarely am. I always tend to take the more cautious approach as the customary 360 puts 12 seconds on my lap time.  

Happyal, I think we could become closeley acquainted at some point during the race.

The Honda just feels really gutless here, but by my own admission I can't yet keep my corner speed high enough to prevent having to accelerate all the way back up to full speed after every corner.

I really need to put more hours in than I have got to perfect the whole high speed sliding thing.

Also, Tuesdays aren't really working out for me. My 3 year old has bathtime and bedtime which rarely runs to schedule so I either have to put up with race interruptions or get her in bed early. Just my luck she woke up during practise for East London. My wife has busy Tuesdays too which doesn't help.

I intend to make every race but may have to drop out at short notice.

The only issue I would have with racing at Nurburgring is that a race would get very lonely. Almost to the point of being a solo player practise.

I'd like to try the Milwaukee Dirt Mile as a season finale.  

[FullMetalGasket]

I can post up my Honda setup if you like - only trouble is I have high tyre pressures, zero toe in/out and odd cambers and diff to try and help compensate in the corners so requires some precision to be fast with.

Personally I love this setup in terms of handling, but it does lack slightly in the out right grip department and requires you to steer with the right foot. I'm still happy to post it up when I get home if you like though, will put up the short ratio version, that should help you if you slow a lot for corners and you shouldn't over-rev it down the Masta straight 

I tend to change pretty much bang on 12,000rpm here as I worry about extended periods beyond the peak power range. She seems good to 13,000 on most tracks in 1st,2nd and 3rd for short periods (no more than half a second is my own rule), but even 3rd is quite long at Spa 

[Clive Loynes]

Hard luck Norbert,

You could always drive using just one foot! 

Sure you could do that at Spa.  In the BT7 I only seem to use the brake three times a lap.

[EvilClive]

As a driver of the Cooper....please explain this "braking" concept at Spa!!!!!!

[FullMetalGasket]

It's that thing you do involving the other pedal to slow quicker for la source 

[NickyIckx]

  bad luck Norbert ,

what about using auto-brake inside GPL settings ?

will give you a phone call tonight.

stay tuned
Nicky

[john roberts]

Clermont would be a great race in the 65 season .

john