UKGPL Season 18 (2009) Amateurs Trophy (65) - Monza (GP 1955-71) - Jan 26

[Turkey Machine]

I think part of the problem with chatting is many people still don't know or don't use the whisper command. Typing / followed with the driver's number (i.e. /#20 nice lap) would send a private message to that driver, so please use that. As for general comments, nobody cares so those are needless. I don't even see the point of saying PO and the likes. Who does it help? Are drivers on the track supposed to make way for people just because they're exiting pits?

As for my race, it once again proved that the handicap system simply doesn't work at all on some tracks and needs to be more adaptive. The fact that I was totally nailing my lines and carrying as much speed as possible, yet others were constantly missing their braking points, running wide, catching slides, but then merely throttle out of corners and still lapping a second and a half quicker is more than enough evidence. I suggest there are different car assignments for tracks on which engine power > anything else.

Anyway, I had some good battles, although it was frustrating to have to constantly lift up in corners to avoid rearending people and then they'd just beat me senseless on the straights. I'm sorry for hitting you, Pod, but you braked much much earlier for Parabolica on that lap than on your previous laps so I was totally caught by that. Tried my best to go off to the left and avoid you, but it was impossible.

As for Fulvio, I was just performing a slipstreaming pass and that's why I moved to the right. It wasn't an intention to block you or something, sorry it surprised you.

Jethro, next time you say "I have bad warp so I won't be getting close in battles" make sure you stay true to your words. Cutting ahead before braking zones and running side by side is quite the opposite. It was good fight anyway. Especially when Tim and Evil closed up on us and we were 4 Wazas fighting it out.

Eventually after all the extreme pushing to compensate for the lack of power the engine finally gave up. It said ignition, but looked more like it lost a few cylinders.

-=Hristo=-

Just as an FYI Hristo, from memory of last night, I only did that once and it was completely accidental when the BT11 stepped out in the braking zone and I couldn't correct it. The lag did seem to settle down somewhat, but I wasn't running nose-to-gearbox with people, just close enough that I could get a decent tow and increase the speed. I lifted a lot in the tows of people, yourself included, to avoid putting myself in the situation where I'd have to make a pass or risk a collision, thus giving myself more choice with regard to position of car.

Unfortunately, positions of other cars meant I'd have collided with either John, KH, or whoever was behind me, on lap 1. If I'd have gone for that gap that was there between the cars, the likely outcome would be all 3 of us out there and then and penalties for myself. John's fully within his rights to report me for it, but there was nothing I could do under the circumstances.

[FullMetalGasket]

I manged to settle the car perfectly into the corner and just nailed it in 3rd right around the outside line abandoning any rev limit..

3rd! 

I never managed more than 10,000Rpm into Para in 2nd! 
Although I did notice from your engine note we had totally different gearing strategy's on the go....
I think my downfall was that my setup was made to maximise lap times, 2nd was long enough to do the entire Lesmos complex safely which left it only just in the power band for para when fighting.
Suffice to say adjustments will be made to counter you for next season 

Also as a side - As I already had the championship in the bag I decided to throw my normal caution to the wind regarding rev limits. I gave the car death from the drop of the flag and it just lapped up the abuse 

Go Go Waza Technology! 

[b_1_rd]

Phil and Steve, how close were you to each other? 0.014 seconds separated you on the finish line!!!

'kin close, i think covers that one! 

[FullMetalGasket]

Monza's good for that   
Fulvio pipped me last season by all of 0.036 of a second ( )

Shame the Waza train exploded and fell to pieces before the end this time out, as it looks rather spiffing in the replay 

[john roberts]

well it sounds like most of you had a great race alas that was not the case for me .

qually went well with 3rd thanks to a fine gent in a brm for giving me a tow and so to the race ...

got a good start and was soon alongside Tim who must have slightly bogged down at the start and was chasing KH , must have got a better exit than him out of lesmo2 because coming out of ascari I was besides him on the right on the run down to para .

on the run down the straight I stayed to the right because I could not see KH , what happened next really shouldn't have . I was overtaking the lead car on lap one and had out braked him on the inside into para... to then be rear ended by another car , did they really think that they could overtake both 1st and 2nd place cars in one swoop ?

but then again it's not the first time this season that i've had my race finished like that (it's not even the 2nd or .... ) .

john 

[Phil Thornton]

After a spin I managed to recover to catch Phil but his driving allowed me few chances of getting through.  I did manage twice, I think, but I didn't drive defensive at all which allowed Phil back each time.

I knew you were faster than me Steve so once I got ahead because of your spin I had to drive a defensively to try and keep the position.  Keeping the inside line for Parabolica and Lesmos to force you round the outside was my only chance.  I did keep it very tight to give you room, drifting wide would have risked contact and would have been unfair.  Despite my tactics you still managed to pass me round the outside at Lesmos (twice!!).  The tow on the drag down to Parabolica was so good even I had the chance to overtake on the inside.  I've you'd kept the inside line at parabolica (quite fair and within the rules) I wouldn't have been able to drive around the outside (as you almost did on the last lap!!).  Defensive driving is allowed in UKGPL but blocking isn't.  I think there was one lap at Curva Grande when I drifted at bit wider than I wanted and might have blocked you a bit but apart from that, I think it was a pretty clean dice. 

Looking forward to resuming our battles in Season 19.

[b_1_rd]

Sorry Phil, I can see how my comments may have read.  I wasn't criticising in any way.  What I was trying to say was that you're driving was skilled, calculated and clean.  I couldn't have driven like that lap after lap or I'd have ended up going off.  You held your line lap after lap and it was quite impressive without making any mistakes to allow me through.  When I did manage to get passed with a move that, for me, was a little ambitious (overtaking is not a strong point, but I'm working on it) you got back almost instantly.

It was great driving on your part.

[EvilClive]

Woohoo!!  just looked at the completed Championship table  

As we all knew Tim had already stamped his name on the top spot for HER, but my win at Monza and a few reasonable finishes in the last few races has sneaked me into 2nd!!!  SHE will be pleased..I hope, coz I was amazed!!!
Especially as the WAZAS have comprehensively taken the Team title as well.

I feel a glass ( or two) of saki coming on.............

[Phil Thornton]

Sorry Phil, I can see how my comments may have read.  I wasn't criticising in any way.  What I was trying to say was that you're driving was skilled, calculated and clean.  I couldn't have driven like that lap after lap or I'd have ended up going off.  You held your line lap after lap and it was quite impressive without making any mistakes to allow me through.  When I did manage to get passed with a move that, for me, was a little ambitious (overtaking is not a strong point, but I'm working on it) you got back almost instantly.

It was great driving on your part.

Kind words Steve   All I was trying to say is that is how I think GPL should be played.  Over the years we've developed rules at UKGPL to encourage tactical driving and discourage rash irresponsible behaviour.  GPL isn't enjoyable as an "arcade" game.  Being punted off on lap one because of someone else's stupid mistake is a real pain.  You have the race craft but like me you lack the outright speed.  Hopefully we'll get quicker but if not we could drop down to the Novices for Season 19.  There are a few more drivers at our level in that division so instead of fighting for last place we might be competing for a podium .

[b_1_rd]

Personally I'd prefer to stay up in Am's as I think the best way to improve with anything is to play someone who is better, and I have a whole grid full of better to play just now.  Hopefully might pay off eventually.

[Phil Thornton]

Personally I'd prefer to stay up in Am's as I think the best way to improve.....

You'll have the choice to pick which division you want when registration for Season 19 Opens

[miner2049er]

Finally got around to doing the moderation which completely slipped my mind, so the standings are now finalised.

Please all read the moderation comments, especially those involved in the only reported incident.

[Turkey Machine]

[Hristo Itchov]

We need more Jethro clones for the new season, just in case.