UKGPL Season 20 (2010-2011) Graduates Cup (67) - Mexico City - Nov 21

[Samb]

Three Races and three DNF's; all of them crashes  . Arrived once again in a hurry and qualified poorly, about 2 seconds down on my Clubmans time about four seasons back! Made a great start though, passing about four cars on the first lap and proceeded to have a nice little battle with Tim with me following pursuit, but unable to make a move. That lasted for a short while but then Tim decided to give me the place which was awfully kind of him. I then reward that generosity by spinning off a lap later, doing several barrel rolls, but still had four wheels on the car so I kept on driving.

Soon after I spun off again lazily into the gravel, which allowed Steve through. A few laps later I was up his gearbox looking for a way past. Steve got a little sideways out of the hairpin, and I went for the gap after the left-right kink. Sadly Steve clipped the kerb which spun him round right into my path. We touch, and I destroyed my engine in the process but luckily Steve was able to continue. Apologies for hitting you Steve, but there really wasn't anywhere I could go after I committed myself.

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and give up driving the BRM this season. Truth be told I just don't have the pace to keep up with the front-runners and I'm compensating with over-driving throughout the races. For now, I'm going to focus on the Brabham for the rest of the season, keeping in tune with Black Night  . At least, with any luck, the car will help me tame my erratic driving of late.

[Turkey Machine]

S'alright for you Sam. 4 races 4 DNFs for me, and after several brushes with the barrier and a couple laps in the 1:49s, was looking good for 5th in this one when John retired, but the Honda bit going into the hairpin and decided enough was enough. Left-rear wheel ripped off and the car embedded in the barrier on the outside.

Still not finished a race this season. Roll on Combe in the 65s. :/

[b_1_rd]

No problem Sam, I was trying to hold a tight line and allow you around the outside at the next turn, but clipped the inside kerb and spun.  Sorry it ended your race.  If I could have got out and given you the car I would have.  Another naff race for me.

Not sure I can be bothered learning a new track just to trundle around un-competitively at the back again so may take a break for the next one.

[Hristo Itchov]

I've never heard of the next track (what does VIR stand for?), so I think most of us (or all) are going there on equal terms. A download link would be nice, I hope it's not a long track (and I guess Tim hopes for the opposite).

I had a calm but rewarding race tonight and it felt good, because of many problems lately in various races, not just in UKGPL. I tried some setup tweaks during Qualifying and came up with a good balanced solution, though there wasn't time to test it in race trim for more than a lap before the session was over.

It gave me some clues though and I made some tweaks which hopefully were going to work and they actually did. I changed to 2nd gear too early on the start and lost out on acceleration towards T1, so Bob took the lead, but he went off near the end of the lap. From there on I pulled away from Al while looking after the car, especially the tires as I didn't want to cook them too early and struggle with bad handling.

Smoothness was the key it seemed and I tried to do as few corrections as possible, but T1 was always a problem under braking; I think my braking balance and shock settings need a revision. I went into a very good rhythm after a couple of laps and there's nothing more to add really. The race felt a bit longer having to race myself all the way to the end, but a few backmarkers and 2-3 touches of the wall were the wake up call I needed near the end.

Now onto VIR, whatever that is. OH... is it perhaps Virgin International Raceway? I don't know why this just popped up in my mind, lol.

[john roberts]

well there are links on the season thread however ...

http://dixierunners.speedgeezers.net/smogbike/

john

[Tom van Ostade]

Hi all,

I actually managed to survive that one quite unscaved . I brushed the wall a tiny bit on one occasion but didn't have any spins or offs so a steady race for me. Because I was in the busy midfield at the start I decided to take it easy, although it was unfortunate Hiro was slightly slower off the line, which caused Tim and Blood to overtake me into T1. I was feeling quite vulnerable on the outside there but thankfully no one messed up and ran into me . I let the race settle down after a couple of laps. Bob was behind me after his mishap but the Lotus was heaps faster so there wasn't any point trying to defend my position. I decided to put my foot down a bit more after that though, and it allowed me to pass Hiro, and later on I passed Tim and Blood as well due to big or tiny mistakes. I then carried on trying to keep Jethro in range, in case of a spin or something from him. I managed to stay within 10 seconds but that was about it, when he lost two wheels two laps before the end. Bad luck Jethro!! More luck next time. Hristo came by to lap me on what was my second-to-last lap, which was great because it meant I didn't have to survive another lap . So I managed a supersteady race, taking advantage of the attrition to come home 5th. Managed to keep my champ chances somewhat alive . Now back in the Fez for Virginia. Unfortunately that means I'll have to take the BRM again for the Riverside rerun before I can get into the Fez again for the two events after that, but oh well, you can't have it all .

Grats Hristo & podium! Also for the Privateers!

Tom.

[Rick Nauman]

Congrats to Hristo for another solid win and to jhalli and Al for your podium finishes!  

I couldn't stick around in chat because I had to feed my neighbors cows before it got dark.  Really!

I got a great start with the Lotus advantage from P6 on the grid and gained two spots on the run to T1.  I had P3 for a couple of laps until some sloppy driving (and Johns talent) got him into my draft on the front straight where he darted past in the braking zone to T1.  But unfortunately it didn't end well.  Sorry John, I wasn't trying to be reckless, but I thought I saw a legitimate chance to get the spot back.  I'm very relieved I didn't end your race.  Your draft and late brake pass got you past me but when you scrubbed over to the wall I thought I might get back under you.  That complex is not an easy place for side by side scrapping and I couldn't hold the right hand lane as well I wanted to.  I was relieved to see you didn't have a GPL explosion.  Sorry for the contact but hope you judge it as a racing incident.

A few laps later I myself scraped down the same armco and let John back past me along with jhalli.  JWalters almost got by too but after some close racing at the hairpin I came out ahead and slowly opened a gap.  The next 20 or so laps to the end was just a matter of keeping it under control.  Try as I might I wasn't going to gain on John or jhalli.  After John crashed out I inherited P4 for the last few laps.

[Michael Turner]

I decided to spend a few tokens on a fast car for this race and chose the Eagle which was probably not a good choice for this track. The top speed and acceleration come in handy down the straight but I'd forgotten how its long wheelbase makes it cumbersome through twisty sections. The Fez might have been a better choice.  I made a good start gaining a place or two but soon had an off caused by too sharp a jab on the throttle (using up my ShiftR allowance) followed by a friendly nudge and I was way down the field. A second off a little while later (same place, cause and result as the first) saw the end of my race.

On the bright side, there were no technical problems for the second race running so it's on to the unknown challenges of VIR.

[maddog]

Amongst the Privateers, I arrived in Mexico city, with a car I felt, was destined for greatness. The Brabham was handling beautifully, and for insurance, I'd smuggled a smoke generator past the scrutineers, which I'd be able to turn on at the entrance to Peralta, every lap.  I figured with this, I'd either blind, or asphyxiate the opposition . . . in the nicest sort of way, of coarse!  So how could I loose?

Though starting from row two, I remained confident, and within a few laps, took the lead.  I had the race falling nicely into place, right up to the moment in which, the engine blew up!  And from that point, it all became a bit of a short shifting blur. But I seem to remember chasing hard after a Lotus, at one point, and Bernie's Brabham at another. And having a vicious Eagle nipping at my heels for half the race, as well as, one or two daring passes in there somewhere?  Anyway, second place was the result, after a tremendous race, and some fantastic battling from those around me!

I'd be more specific, but my computer was unable to save a replay, after the race, though it tried twice.  Evidently, it's been programmed to refuse incriminating evidence . . .  In the heat of battle, Bernie and I had come across what I'd assumed to be lapped traffic.  With a defending car in the way, and not enough track, I'd clipped Bernie's wheel.  So I may owe a Brabham an apology.

One further detail . . . when my beautiful, handcrafted V8 blew up, I got an attack of the red mist, and blew past the pits without a stop and go.  However, in my defense, I did do the go part quite well!  Grumble!  So with a compliance rate of 50%, I'd like to request only half my hard earned points be deducted?  

Anyway, an inspired drive by Ronnie, to take the top spot, and a great fight back from Bernie in third.  And a mention for our new youngster Toni, who signed on just hours before the race, and almost stole the show!  

[BadBlood]

Shame to miss it (sure you didn't miss me:D) but I was nursing a sick Guinea Pig so I got some 'GP' time I guess.

R.I.P. Snowy - my daughter is VERY sad.

[Turkey Machine]

Oh, forgot to mention a couple things.

Bob: look at your rejoins please, this is not the first time myself and others have had to take avoiding action to avoid a collision with you.

Starts - everyone was very civilised on lap 1 into T1, both chicanes and the hairpin. Kudos all around I think.

[Al Heller]

Was mulling over blowing a stack of tokens on a speedy chassis for this race but then remembered that Mexico has never been kind to me, so decided I'd better play it safe with the mid-priced Brabham. Very pleased with qually - a 48.1 which matched my Brab PB & put me 3rd on the grid. A clean start gave me a grandstand view of Hristo & Bob's rather-shortlived battle for the lead & once Bob went off, H hit the Bulgarian Boost button & simply disappeared off into the distance, leaving me in a lonely second place. Sadly I wasn't going to be left alone for long & I could see Rick & John gaining on me, but then something happened to them & I had some breathing space.

After almost 20 laps, amazingly I was still in 2nd however now both Juha & John were reeling me in quickly. Frustratingly I had no response - looking at the race laptimes my fastest was a second off my Q time I can only explain that by the fact I must've been taking it way too easy into T1 - mainly because T1 had ended most of my previous visits to Mexico so I was scared of trashing it there once again... Either way Juha was soon right on my tail & we had an exhilirating battle for several laps before he finally pulled ahead with a nice move into T1 (where else?) John underlined my relative lack of pace both out of the last turn & into T1 by passing me in the same place a lap later. Was gutted to drop out of the podium places so near to the end, but then John had a big crash after clipping the armco & that promoted me back to 3rd. Unfortunately I went off avoiding his car & must've lost at least 10 seconds which meant Rick's Lotus was now bearing down on me fast. A couple of worrying laps seeing Rick charging toward the first hairpin as I headed off in the other direction ensued so I was very relieved to keep my concentration & hold on to 3rd until the chequered flag.

WD to Hristo for a dominant win & amazing pace in the Honda - also to Juha for great pace in the Coop & to all the other finishers, especially Rick who made me sweat at the end.   

[Ronniepeterson]

Congratulations to the other podium/finishers in the Privateers race. Once I got in front I hoped I had the speed to stay there in the lotus but prayed every lap that the engine did not blow (I had never finished a race in the lotus before, ever). With no prib due to raster v1/v2 issues prior to the race I approached every car in front of me with due caution. On the plus side I had no idea how close the chasing pack was at the end. Nonetheless getting prib up and running is a priority. Well done that man Toni on a superb debut.

[Billy Nobrakes]

Not one of my favourite tracks but pleased to see the chequered flag for the 2nd time this season. Can thoroughly recommend BT service which gives me a solid connection, having now extricated myself from Orange who are about as useful as a 67 BRM with a bad set up.
Well done to Ronnie with a qualification that I’m guessing would not have disgraced the Works grid. Maddog, Bernie and newbie Toni were not too far behind so I settled for a mid-field spot. Took it rather to easy on the approach to T1 giving up about 3 places in the process. Was expecting the Armco’s and polos to collect a few scalps but the guys in front ran a tidy race and after 28 laps of  hard effort I was only able to move from 6th to 5th.

[kinghiro]

poor overall performance with small mistakes here and there and not finding the flow. I was determined to respect but not fear those horrible things around almost all the bends but I started to fear them quiet early in the race. result was sloppy lines( so sloppy I actually span because of it once) and poor laptimes. The good thing was I managed to finish the race and 6 th was better than my qual position.I think Mexico is a track that usually craves some casualties and that affected my race.Kept thinking "not me not me" and it affected my race on both good and bad....a race I more or less aimed for survival not racing even that was not what I had in mind on the startline.Lol I was looking so much in the mirror in the start so I braked one tree to early. lost two spots there.(Tom as well)sorry for that Tom