UKGTL Season 10 Great German Touring Challenge - Nürburgring (Nordschleife) - Aug 2

[Navin R Johnson]

That was great fun as I always love running the BIG tracks Congrats to Paulo and Henry for their great finishes. And congrats to all else that finished the 6 lap grind. Paulo was right on me at the start and stuck with me through the first lap very well. I had a 3-4 second gap when hitting the long back straight and gave all of it back because of that CSL's top end so I was worried that if Paulo could stay with me he might just drive right by me on lap 2 or 3 so I hoped I could gap Paulo a little better in the next 2 laps. I was able to keep the lead but Paulo and I hit the pits merely seconds apart. I think I was too careful getting in and gave some time up there. After getting snookered by Henry's non tire change at Norisring I wasn't going to let that happen again so I went with no tires and also put less than a full tank in the car. I realized I was a bit too short on my fuel up when I exited the pits(showed a little more than 3/4 full on the gauge) so I hoped that Paulo would change tires so I might have a good enough gap to just short shift at 8-9K the rest of the race and not loose to much speed. Once again my XD telemetry crapped out on lap 1 so I had no idea how far back Paulo was and I knew it would be close on fuel so if he did catch up I wouldn't really be able to fight him off. On the last lap at the carousel I saw that Paulo and Henry were coming so I went full speed from that point and just hoped I had enough fuel to make it. Crossed the finish line with .3 left in the tank

[goldtop]

Once again my XD telemetry crapped out on lap 1 so I had no idea how far back Paulo was and I knew it would be close on fuel so if he did catch up I wouldn't really be able to fight him off.

I'm having similar problems with XD. I've tried a fresh download and a reinstall but I'm still losing data halfway through every race. Any ideas?

[pribeiro]

What a race! I still don't like Norsdcheliefe tho.
Once again didn't manage time to practice, yet, I just had time to qual in a nice 6th place.

BMW GR5 has more grip and therefore better cornering, the only weapon I had was top speed against it.
Navin was driving very well, despite my pressure trying to lead him to make a mistake.
As soon as we went to second lap my front tires were already with a high +20 wear  and running always
between orange and red (always been a handicap these tire's wear in CSL). Since then I began to lose some time
to Navin. Pit time and I was scared to see everybody arriving after me and back on track in front of me. 
I add full fuel tank and had to change all 4 tires or I might not finish the race. I realized that the folks only had add fuel, because my pit stop went very well. So, back on track in 5th or 6th, can't remember.
Fortunately, the CSL with fresh tires is a blast and I managed to regain the 2nd position during the pit stop out lap. Sorry Henry and Goldtop if it seemed to be an agressive driving, but CSL was really fast by that time.

For what I saw, henry and GT were having lots of fun fighting each other.

Big congrats to Navin's victory with a superb pace and to Henry, and well done to all. It's always very tricky driving through rally stages without co-pilots dictating notes. 

Cheers

[goldtop]

Fortunately, the CSL with fresh tires is a blast and I managed to regain the 2nd position during the pit stop out lap. Sorry Henry and Goldtop if it seemed to be an agressive driving, but CSL was really fast by that time.

Didn't get the impression of you being overly aggressive at all there Paulo. I stuck to my lines, but you had greater speed in the fast sections and made a nice clean pass. Was a nice clean battle with Henry too.

[BillThomas]

Congrats to podium, shows how slow I am.  I think half the drivers and all the crowd had gone home by the time I finished.  I was delighted to put in a race lap of nearly 20 secs faster than qualifying which it's self was a PB.

Tony and I had a fantastic time racing each other for about 2 laps - real close at times we both made errors and it was a pity Tony broke his suspension near the end of the 5th lap.  I suppose it was to be expected, one or both of us would wreck our cars on that lap.  I've never spent so much time driving on the grass without a cut track warning or major accident.  On some corners I went in too fast, drifted wide and just rubbed along the rail and in other twisty sections I was too fast to stay on the track riding kerbs to the extent I was two wheels or more on the grass at times.  Luckily I pulled far enough ahead to relax and concentrate on riding the kerbs only.  Then I saw Tony went to DNF on Xd and with senyorlobo far enough behind I was able to lift off a bit on the last lap and concentrate on finishing.

Thanks Tony for organising such a brilliant venue, car choice and for our fantastic race.

Bill 

[Wiltshire Tony]

Thanks Bill, our encounters are usually memorable. My regret was that huge thump I gave you up the chuff. I was following you real close and did not expect your braking hence we collided. Other than that it was pretty breathtaking stuff, both having mistakes and swopping places over and over. More like that one please.

Actually I have found that every return visit to Nords is always more enjoyable than the last.

Well done all finishers.

PS my XD went lumpy bits up too.

[BillThomas]

I thought by now you'd have known I'm a slow in fast out of the corners driver.    At least we didn't have any serious damage and you waited until I'd got turned around and moving again.  I don't think you'll have much competion from me in the Capris - I've only ever driven them in a one make races.

I think now, with GTLDK we've exhausted the Ring variants so the next visit will be a return to one we've raced on before.

Bill

[Wiltshire Tony]

I think now, with GTLDK we've exhausted the Ring variants so the next visit will be a return to one we've raced on before.

Bill

Sorry Bill but next season you will be on another variant, the 1970's version 

[Wiltshire Tony]

BTW plans for season 11 are quite advanced and as usual there will be some pleasant suprises (I hope) and more GTL racing action than you ever thought possible.

Anyway there are a couple of spare slots left so If you want to race something, somewhere lets talk ok?

[BillThomas]

I think now, with GTLDK we've exhausted the Ring variants so the next visit will be a return to one we've raced on before.

Bill

Sorry Bill but next season you will be on another variant, the 1970's version 

Wrong again William! (Like I tell my wife "I can't be right all the time"!) 

[Henry]

i would like a few races with the Skyline, Opel Kadett & GT

[Navin R Johnson]

Once again my XD telemetry crapped out on lap 1 so I had no idea how far back Paulo was and I knew it would be close on fuel so if he did catch up I wouldn't really be able to fight him off.

I'm having similar problems with XD. I've tried a fresh download and a reinstall but I'm still losing data halfway through every race. Any ideas?

I've done the fresh download and install thing too with no help.. It never fails in practice or qualy no matter how long they are. But during race it seems to always crap out about halfway through. Sometimes as early as lap 2.. Even on a small track..

[BillThomas]

My Xd seems to play up intermittently so I go on the conservative side on fuel to the pit stop then if I've got no laps shown on the fuel panel, I fill to the same level as for the start as shown in the setup file.  (I usual write the figure on my note pad in big figures, as it's only too easy to get it wrong in the heat of the moment.)  Also I then have to rely on the pit board time gaps and the dash board counter for laps.  Re-installing didn't cure the problem - are there any fixes available?

Bill

[Wiltshire Tony]

Maybe check the XD download web-site?

I also write race info down on a pad, it's an age thing.

[Henry]

laps and gaps are the biggest problems with this tool. i wrote the author a bug report today. i will let you know, if i get an answer.