UKGPL Season 20 (2010-2011) Graduates Cup (67) - Mosport - Oct 10

[maddog]

Season 20 is under way, and controversy makes an early showing . . .

I can't say this was an ideal race for myself, or Bernie.  I couldn't connect with the track at various corners, and he couldn't connect at all! 

I've missed races as well, and it's a great disappointment, but always helps to have someone to blame.  If the race had been called off, there would have been many more disappointments, with everyone all keyed up, and ready to race.  If I could've helped out in chat Bernie, I would have.  You saw me join after you couldn't, which suggested the problem was at your end.  If someone here can come up with a magical setting for you, I hope they will. There have always been unforeseen mechanical breakdowns in Motor Racing.  Your participation is required, to show the youngsters how it's done, so don't let reality prevail! 

My plan for the race, was to quickly take the lead from Ross, and pull away for the win.  Things were looking good, right up to the first corner. which I sort of forgot about.  So I reverted to plan B, which
was to explore the countryside, do some sightseeing, perhaps have a barbecue over some smoking tyres, and put in some fast pracy laps in between.  This all worked rather well!

Some classy racing up front, from 67s' virtual unknown, Ross, and rapid Ronnie.   It was the shiny new, one reset rule which saved my bacon, and let me carry on to the finish.  So my thanks to those who brought this about.  And I'm already looking forward to the next battle . . . all except the corners!

[happyal]

My first 67 race in UKGPL, it's been a long time coming.

First off, a massive thank you to Vos for hosting the race, at the cost of his own race. It was a great thing to do for your fellow drivers and most of us are very grateful to you for it.

My race was much better than I expected, my time were about 3-4 seconds faster than my times in pratice. I really don't know were that pace came from, but I was happy with it. I really expected to be last, so I was surprised when I wasn't on the back row. I got off the grid quite well, and really took it easy for a few laps. Once I'd settled I discovered I was 4th in the race, and keeping the leaders in sight. I had a spin which still left in 4th, but on my own. After that I kept my pace steady, M Hunt was much quicker than me, so I let him pass without too much of a fight.

At this point I was happy with my place, I didn't have anyone near me, I had a good margin behind me. Someone in front did a stop and go which gave me another place, I didn't expect to keep the place as the other car was faster me, so I wouldn't of put up much of a fight if I had been caught. It didn't matter much anyway, as my ISP decided to kill my internet connection. I droped out of the race with about 7-8 laps left.

These things happen, and overall I'm very pleased with my first 67 race. I will be doing more as and when I can.

[Al Heller]

Quite an exciting race for me. Was pleased to start as "best of the BRM's" although that was back in 10th place! Got a clean start & comfortably tailed a pack of Brabs during the early laps. Thanks to spinners ahead, I was soon elevated to the dizzy heights of 4th place, but I knew it'd be a struggle to hold onto that in the tank & sure enough I was soon caught by a recovering Bartosz (Brabham) & King Hiro (Lotus). Battling with my teammates was not a good idea so I let them through on the straight on successive laps - they were clearly quicker & I figured any defensive driving by me at such an early stage would have only slowed us all down & allowed Evil Clive & FMG to catch up even quicker than they already were.

As the race went on, more retirements ahead meant I once again found myself back in 4th but with about 6 laps to go I had a bad landing at the jump & bounced off heavily into the hedge. Luckily the BRM proved to be rather strong so I managed to rejoin in one piece but now had FMG's Brabham breathing right down my neck. Discovered that I had incurred minor suspension damage & the BRM was now extremely nervous over the jump so FMG was easily able to sweep past down the main straight. Was concentrating hard trying to catch FMG again, when suddenly I noticed Clive was right behind me. This is where things got a little confusing... only a few laps to go so I was doing my level best to keep Clive's Honda behind - but what I didn't realise was that Hristo's leading Honda was right behind Clive & about to lap us both! I was so focused on watching the road & just keeping that white thing in my mirrors behind me, that it wasn't until I glanced at Prib that I noticed that I was battling with the wrong Waza! Apologies to Hristo who I think understood my confusion - thankfully no harm was done & perhaps this shows that Prib does have some good uses! Once H was past, Clive swooped onto my tail again but our fight was interrupted to allow 2nd place Tommy through & after he went by I didn't see Clive behind so after all that was very relieved to finish 5th.

Congrats to H & the 2 Toms for the podium. Shame Vos couldn't join us as he'd put in some good practice for his Works debut & was looking quick - showed true dedication to the UKGPL cause by sacrificing his race to host the Privateers.

 

[Tom van Ostade]

Hi all,

This was the first points race for me in UKGPL, after a last minute decision to show up after I was brutally kicked out of another league race. Thanks to Tim for letting me join the works drivers .

Obviously I was looking for revenge after the disaster in my previous race, but the 1967 Ferrari requires much smoother handling compared to a 1966 Eagle Climax which I'd been in prior, so the first couple of quali laps were pretty wild. After I got to feel back for the car I set a very reasonable quali time, much better than in the practice race we had earlier in the week. It was good enough for P2 with Hristo miles away in P1.

I had a good start but unfortunately not good enough to challenge Hristo for the lead going into turn 1. In the first couple of laps I was glad I had the pace to follow him round until in dawned on me that I was actually fractionally faster! However Hristo kept his cool so the was just no way past, even when I nudged him into T3. Sorry, my fault!

Then I did a little pirouette in turn 2, enough to set me back four seconds. I started to go into hot pursuit mode when I suddenly saw a Honda into the grass at T2 as well! Hristo rejoined just in time and instead of going kamikaze in an attempt to overtake the recovering Hristo into T3, I decided to tuck in behind him. The rest of the race was a copy of the first half, until I made another spin at T2 a couple of laps before the end. Hristo didn't make any more big mistakes so I was left with P2 8 seconds behind. But all in all, I'm very happy with the race and where I ended up .

Grats to Hristo and King Hiro and all other finishers, also in the Privateers race! Looking forward to seeing the replay.

Tom.

[Ronniepeterson]

Interesting comments on the Privateers race.

I Demand a null and void race

perhaps events should be rescheduled for the end of the season in such situations.

I would be happy for the race to be declared as non-championship.

Things go wrong for someone every race whether its their own fault or not. If you start declaring races null, void, resheduled, non championship whatever, I suspect you could end up with complaints and demands every race?

Anyway, well done Vos (on the server and sacrifice) Ross Gilles27 (on the win) and Happy Al (on your first race). Commiserations to Bernie, Fabio and anyone else who had connection problems. I for one hope to see you ALL at the next race.

 

[Rick Nauman]

Congrats to Hristo on another well deserved win!   

My race was a disaster.  I was over-driving the whole way which is a recipe for just that.  Combine that with my reoccurring stupidity of not turning off my screen saver and it's no wonder I did so bad.  Qualified as well as I could have hoped with a new Brabham PB.  But as usual my PBs are only good for mid-pack running.  Start was OK, holding my position, but within a few laps I over shot T2.  A few laps later I was in a run down the back straight, side by side with Tim (I think).  The car got slightly wiggly at the crest and I couldn't gather it in before sliding off all the was to the hedges.  Tim also over cooked it and if that was due to my fumbling I apologize.  I so wanted to keep it clean.  Luckily we both continued but these errors were just the start of many for me.  I almost never quit a race because I'm doing poorly but in this case, sometime after my second black screen, I just hung it up.  Next race I need to transition mentally out of my kamikaze qualifying frame of mind into a more survivable close-to-the-edge but don't go over attitude.  And oh yeah, TURN OFF THAT M$%&ER F&^*%NG SCREEN SAVER!

[Baab]

Congrats to all finishers!

As Sam mentioned we tangled at the start...I had good intentions of plodding round at the back hoping that others would fall off.  However, seeing Sam slow away I moved in front but had to slow given the cars in front (or perhaps I was out of shape) then we made contact and I lost a wheel, shortest race ever.  For my part I am sorry Sam, as I moved across I couldn't see you, think you were coming from behind (ooh err) as we made contact.

I took the BRM since I am still racing with low graphics but didn't want to miss the start of the season, also not great at Mosport, so thought I'd bag some tokens.  However I am listed as DNS in the results but I actually started the race.  Err...so do I get the tokens, or was my BRM choice for nowt?

[Turkey Machine]

@Baab: It's whether you crossed the S/F line or not that counts. Mods will likely check the replay to be sure.

[vosblod]

Replays are in the usual place http://www.jamesonline.net/ukgpl/. I've checked the Privateers replay for Sh/R's and it looks like you are all au fait with the new rules as nobody took more then one and those that did make use of it took a SnG.
I realise that, after the server problems last night, legitimate concerns have been raised regarding the server situation. There are two potential ideas on the horizon which may or may not come to fruition but, as an immediate measure, we will make sure we have UKGPL_5 as an emergency standby server for the Sunday races.
Incident reports by close of play Friday if possible.

I took the BRM since I am still racing with low graphics but didn't want to miss the start of the season, also not great at Mosport, so thought I'd bag some tokens.  However I am listed as DNS in the results but I actually started the race.  Err...so do I get the tokens, or was my BRM choice for nowt?

I've had a look and I'm afraid you ended up on the bank BEFORE the start/finish line so sorry but you have no tokens yet.

[Hristo Itchov]

I've had a look and I'm afraid you ended up on the bank BEFORE the start/finish line so sorry but you have no tokens yet.

You mean he has 10 tokens, right? And would he get another 10 when he crosses the line at the next race?

[Baab]

Hmmm... as H says I should have at least 10 tokens.  Text from Grads 20 page says I get 10 for 'starting' the race.  Does this mean because I didn't cross the line I didn't actually start the race?  Wasn't thinking enough to limp across the line minus a front wheel!!!!  Pretty funny that, gotta laugh    Suppose I'll know for future but don't plan on making a habit of such early exits!

Cheers,

Bob.

[vosblod]

You mean he has 10 tokens, right? And would he get another 10 when he crosses the line at the next race?

I should have at least 10 tokens.  Text from Grads 20 page says I get 10 for 'starting' the race.  Does this mean because I didn't cross the line I didn't actually start the race?  

Well it's not happened so far but yes technically you didn't start the race so the system does not recognise you as starting your season. It would be the same as someone joining the wrong sub-division (ie Privateers or Works) then realising in qually and leaving. If you look at my tokens they are sitting at zero too as I did qually but didn't start. Effectively, due to it being your first race, you have been treated as not 'starting the season' yet. It's one of those things to do with the first race you enter.

In reality yes you have ten tokens de facto. As soon as you do your next race and 'start', ie cross the line, the system will treat is as 'starting your season' and your initial ten will be there (plus ten for 'starting' the race) ie you have not lost your initial season start tokens - hope I haven't made that sound too muddled  

[BadBlood]

Actually I am with Bernie - not cos I think he is right but cos I had to miss it but I did fix my leak (wasn't the washing machine in the end) just a faulty isolation valve. Only been leaking for six months or so. I've had a look at the times and I reckon I would have joined my teammates in the Hondas - Nigel is too fast for me but I might have squeezed in next. So in the fantasy Privateers I'm off to a flier...

[Turkey Machine]

Hmmm... as H says I should have at least 10 tokens.  Text from Grads 20 page says I get 10 for 'starting' the race.  Does this mean because I didn't cross the line I didn't actually start the race?  Wasn't thinking enough to limp across the line minus a front wheel!!!!  Pretty funny that, gotta laugh    Suppose I'll know for future but don't plan on making a habit of such early exits!

Cheers,

Bob.

You weren't around when I got around that in the first ever Graduates race!

[Phil Thornton]

Bernie, glad to see you've got your blood pressure under control.  I know how frustrating and annoying it can be when you can't join a race.  I'm having a few connection problems myself these days.  For the Watkins 1948 warm-up race we did I had a message like "Your connection has too much latency" or something similar, but after repeated attempts to join I eventually got in.  I've never had that before.  When I did join the connection meters were nearly full scale. 

I also get a lot of web pages timing out too.  I think it's time I changed my ISP but it might be a case of "out of the frying pan and into the fire" if I do.

The main server T7_2 is pretty solid so any problems with that are probably down to client connections (like mine).  The other servers aren't quite as good but I expect the mods will normally run a few practice sessions so people can test their connections well in advance.  I think the situation with the servers for the last Grads race was an exception. 

Sorry you missed the first Ams race, hope you can make the rest.