UKPnG Clubmans - Weather and Pitting Test - Oulton Park (GP 1954-72) - Jun 2

[Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer]

I have now added (to the 1st post) the link that you can generate your own weather files from & instructions are here.

The link is now there - you need to set P&G races as GTR2 in LM2i and not weatherless GTL...

[Legzy]

I have now added (to the 1st post) the link that you can generate your own weather files from & instructions are here.

The link is now there - you need to set P&G races as GTR2 in LM2i and not weatherless GTL...

I was going to wait to see how this weather test race went, before adding all the weather info as a permanent feature of P&G  
But you've saved me asking the question on how it's done now ta

[Mike Cook]

I did a little running and car setup for a couple of cars.

DRY:
1:46.x in the Jag E-type Lightweight 5sp

WET:
1:51.x in the Jag E-type Coupe (though probably a 50 in qualy)
1:51.x in the Ferrari 275 (though probably a 50 in qualy)

these wet times were on a drying track so not sure how accurate they are.

[phspok]

Spanner is right, there are not enough track sections at the gradient changes, it's a ski jump down to cascades
and after the esso hairpin  it gets very violent. In the wet in a power car it's hard to keep it on the track
in the less powerful cars it's not so bad, and not really a prob in the dry.
It is a pet bug of mine that people spend ages doing fabulously good tracks jobs, then spoil it with either
too many (Mid Ohio) or not enough (Oulton) sections.
IMHO of course. end of rant

[Samb]

I agree, the bumps are certainly a challenge but I find taking them straight with hardly any steering helps a lot.

Anyway, onto the times. I've only given the Jag (Lightweight 5 speed) a quick spin in the wet and managed a 1:49.9, before spinning off a lap later  .

[spanner]

Luckily( ) I cant make this race now. I did manage to slowly get the hang of it and managed a couple of timed laps in the 5spd lightweight jag managing a 1,50 in the dry. Was sorely tempted to miss it anyway especially with it being wet.

[Manteos]

Hi guys, i made a faw laps with the 275 GTC:

DRY: 1.47.118

WET:1.49.887

Misty: 1.48.6xx

Unfortunately i had some troubles with FPS in Oulton, don't know if i'll be able to run here... Track is very fun! Never tried before, but it's a lot much fun than the boring Snetterton, even if more difficult! I hope to solve the FPS troubles for Tuesday! See you soon guys!
 

[goldtop]

Is it just me who finds this track almost undriveable? There's too many sudden elevation changes that throws the car into the barriers at the slight hint

I too had some problems with stability while testing various PnG cars through the elevations at Oulton. The heavier cars seemed to fair worse and were particularly difficult down through Cascades.  I was at Oulton yesterday for the BTCC and the cars didn't seem to have much trouble getting through here. Fortunately there is a crossing point which gives a great view of the run down the hill. Sure enough, that troublesome bump on the right hand kink is certainly there and looks very similar to the game.

[Legzy]

NOTE - I've updated the 2nd post in the thread to suggest a DRY target time of 1:49 in a car available to you. (Despite the fact I can only do 1:50's & am about a 1:54 in the wet I think it was )

This is one of the more challenging tracks, so more important to me then your lap-times tomorrow are:
1) Making sure people are happy driving in wet conditions for the season ahead?
2) Getting an idea of the impact of the wet on 'clubmans' racing?
3) People get another practice at the P&G pitting technique.
4) Most importantly, that people enjoy it!

NOTE Two - Weather: Damp start (30% wet) but set to very variable weather (& upto a maximum 60% wet).

[goldtop]

Just had an hour in the Elan.

In the dry with race fuel  low 1:47s but nowhere near perfect laps

I've been trying to use motec to help setup, but only of any real use for brake balance and rpm. Suspension and tyre readings seem to be way off. Is this usual with PnG?

[Wiltshire Tony]

As I have never driven a "wet" race before should I be practising using the max rain expected i.e. 60% rather than the initial 30%?

[Legzy]

As I have never driven a "wet" race before should I be practising using the max rain expected i.e. 60% rather than the initial 30%?

What a great question & one I have pondered myself when preparing for GTR2 races on a regular basis Tony.

There is no correct one size fits all answer. Some people will have more time then others & will be able to practice properly at a few different levels of wetness. Meanwhile others like myself... (who suddenly find they have no time for practice anymore )... will hope to do a couple of dry laps, do as many "30% wet" laps as I can & make sure I squeeze in a couple at "60% Wet" laps to get an idea of the different braking points & if the car is suddenly going to start doing something new/undesirable etc.

That's the best answer I can give to that one.

[pribeiro]

As I have never driven a "wet" race before should I be practising using the max rain expected i.e. 60% rather than the initial 30%?

Better be prepared for worst.
Anyway, wet race means: soft suspension, less tire pressure, less camber, less pressure
on throtle exiting corners, avoid curbs, etc.
To be more gentle with throtle, brakes and wheel helps a bit.
I didn't have a chance to make a lap on wet track with P&G yet tho. 

[BillThomas]

I have got the weather conditions OK for practice but I can't get wet in a race.  Can the weather be set for a race or do we need to practice pitstop  etc in the dry and a wet track in practice?

Bill

[goldtop]

Choose Race Weekend from the main menu and you should get the race options page. You should then be able to set the weather with the second slider down on the right hand side. I usually uncheck the practice and quali sessions and go straight for a random grid position.