UKGPL Season 20 (2010-2011) Novices Trophy (65) - Albi (1959-80) - Feb 22

[karlisss]

yes its me.
didnt se you. sorry. i already asked miner what to do in situation like this.
i know how to take this and most of corners in trajectory only, otherwise i go out track or spin most of time.
1.seems i have a long way to learn how to play GPL in correct and safe mode in online. But hope Novice races are for that.
2.also while i was a slowest car on track, i couldnt get penalty points cause i let pass everyone, just because them all fly away, but since my laptimes are faster
(albi is 5th race laptme :O ), real headakes started for me.

[Hristo Itchov]

Karlisss, you're most likely focusing too intensely on a specific thing while you're driving instead of keeping a broader attention to what goes on in general. Try to use your peripheral vision to keep a check on your mirrors and to the surrounding area of the car, and also look further up the road so you can react on time if there is an incident or a spun car in front. It's an issue with many people who're new to simracing, as they tend to keep their eyes firmly onto the frontend of the car and miss what's going on around them.

Also, your ears can give you a lot of clues of the position of the other cars, so try to listen for the engines of other cars. You will learn to recognize, just by sound, when a car is behind you or is side by side with you, and that combined with using your eyes and paying attention mentally, can help to have a good overall picture of a large area around your car.

And one more thing - try to develop a habit of checking up the mirrors in the same place on each lap, i.e. on the exit of a given corner. You can try to add more such places per lap and do it 2-3 times per lap, but try to do it at the same places every time and keep checking the mirrors even if there is nobody behind you.

[Ross Neilson]

Had some issues connecting to the server so missed the early part of qually, I was hoping to get on the front row but had to settle for third in between Norm and Ronnie; we were all very close on time but Attilio blew us away (again!).

I knew Norm often struggles off the line and made a good getaway myself to be chasing Attilio into turn one. The first two or three laps were exciting as I was able to use the tow to stay in touch and try to apply some pressure. Then I made an error on lap four and dropped down to fifth. I spent the middle part of the race recovering past Norbert and Mike into third but that was all I could do.

I think I was slightly quicker than Ronnie but the gap was too big and I lost some time in traffic and to a late spin, again pushing too hard. I seem to be hitting my limit with the BT7 now and it just isn't quick enough

Congratulations to Attilio on another impeccable win, and to Ronnie for a good second place. Looking forward to the showdown in Adelaide.

[happyal]

Got a PB in Qual with the help of a tow from Giles27, thank you mate

Got a good start, had a chance to challenge Norbert but decided against it, as it would of been too big of a chance on the first lap, with cold tires etc. So I tried to settle into a race pace. I saw that Hunt was behind me, so I tried to keep a good distance, but he was quicker than me and was on my tail in no time. At the braking points I choose my line and suck to it, this worked fine for the corner at the end of the straight and I go a little gap going into the second, shorter straight. I took my normal line and saw that Hunt was too far behind to try an overtake, I was wrong as he did try it, I will leave it to the mods to sort out.

So from 6th to 9th I went, I had Blito behind me, again he was faster than me but I was confident I could keep him behind if I didn’t make any mistakes. I tried to re-settle into a good rhythm. Blito was right on my gearbox by now, I choose my lines and was doing fine, until the last corner. I made a small mistake where I was watching my mirrors and out braked myself a little, I thought I was still OK but Blito had gone for the gap and I ended up turning into him. Sorry about that, I feel a little silly now I’ve seen it again on my reply.

I think at this stage I think I was last, right behind Nigel and Badblood. I ended up in front of Nigel, I think he might of made a mistake, I can’t really remember how.  I think at this stage I was really annoyed with myself and my lines had gone all over the place, my lap times where really slow. This meant that Nigel was quicker than me was back on my tail in no time. I did what I had been doing most of the race and taking defensive lines into the main overtaking points. Nigel got a great run on me at the end of the straight, I was on the inside and he took the outside line. At the second part of the corner we touched, looking at my reply I think it was a warp contact, I didn’t feel anything and was as far to the right as possible.

I caught up with Bad, I was getting a good run on him on the main straight. I pretty much got a perfect pass lined up, and was braking for the inside of the corner. No problems here apart from the wife thought this would be the perfect time to start chatting with me. I know I shouldn’t blame her but it was under control one moment and next thing I now I was spinning out. Now I was dead last.

Just to rub salt into it I saw Karliss taking a stop and go and coming out just in front of us. I think I had a chance to be ahead of him too. I was now in a 4 way fight, I was hanging onto the tail of the train and was trying to get a run on Nigel up the main straight. At about this time Bad made a mistake and spun, leaving us with a 3 way train with about 2 laps to go. I felt sorry for Bad as he had a good race. This is how it finished, I think myself and Nigel both tried a last minute push because all 3 of us crossed the line almost together, certainly the closest finished I’ve seen in GPL.

[vosblod]

didnt se you. sorry. i already asked miner what to do in situation like this.

Apology accepted, I was a bit miffed at the time.
As Hristo mentions knowing what's going on around you is one of the most important things. Earlier on I had some great fun, in the main because people kept it safe but still raced. One thing that helps me is to practice taking different lines, that way you can vary how you take a corner if you are in a head to head situation.

PS: Just to mention it's not all doom and gloom, I think you've come along really well and could be a contender next season. Don't get too disheartened about picking up penalties, the system is there to help drivers improve their racecraft (if they are willing) however it may seem.

[NHance]

Qually Good.........Race Bad

After the fireball of turn 1 I was last but caught up. It took many laps to get past Bad Blood who played fair & used his Honda Power to good effect. One to forget I think.

Norm H

[Artiglietti]

I was rather worried before the race, since due to the layout of the track even starting from pole I would have been easy prey of a more powerful car on the long straight before DD. So, I was strangely happy to see (er..hear, actually) it was Ross who was following me after the start. When he spun after a few laps, I only just managed to stay on the road while watching what was going on in the mirrors. At that stage I had Ronnie behind me, but the gap was already just above that crucial 2 secs threshold, so that he couldnt really get a decent tow from my car, and I was able to use those few tenths I had up my sleeve to keep him at bay for the rest of the race, if only just.

At the end I thought I had racked up a solid amount of points over Ross, but he and his buzzing thing had managed to recover to the last step of the podium, although not without a truly titanic battle with team mate Mike...

That gives us the mother of all showdowns at Adelaide, where whoever finishes ahead takes it all. No pressure there!

Grats to the podium boys, see you in 2 weeks.

[BadBlood]

Qually Good.........Race Bad

After the fireball of turn 1 I was last but caught up. It took many laps to get past Bad Blood who played fair & used his Honda Power to good effect. One to forget I think.

Norm H

yeh, sorry about that Norm. Bit pointless ruining your race given I finished last:( but I enjoyed it at the time

[Ronniepeterson]

While Attilio probably appreciated me finishing ahead of Ross I also have sympathy and respect for anyone buzzing around in that BT7. For myself I just could not get a really clean lap in during qualifying but was happy to start 4th. In hindsight my sluggish start meant I avoided the mayhem at the first corner with least two cars stepping out of the way for me. Fortunately for the championship this did not involve Attilio and Ross, but I would be ling if I said I was not slightly disappointed when I glanced up at Prib (sorry guys). While they squabbled for the first few laps I set off in pursuit of them and was making some progress when I came upon Ross recovering from a spin. Unfortunately for him I know at least Mike was not far behind me so he would have his work cut out getting back to me let alone Attilio. I had a go at chasing down the speedy Cooper but it was mission impossible. He had the speed and I was caught in no mans land with no tow for pretty much the rest of the race. I settled for second and settled into a steady pace while monitoring the progress of Ross behind me. Hats off to anybody I passed, even when involved in their own battles I was treated well. While I had a lonely race I still think this is a great track for racing and I hope we return sooner rather than later. Best of luck to both of you for the final race.

[maddog]

My race was destined to be a disaster, from the moment I arrived.  The car lacked basic grip, and at a track, with so little time separating the pack, this was a recipe for impediment.

I struggled to get a position at the rear of the grid, and soon found myself challenging HappyAl through the frantic opening laps.  The door was shut firmly in my face a couple of times, but I confess to committing an error, and understeering into his rear wheel at the entrance to Virage du Parc, where we briefly parked.  Sorry Alistair - we must stop meeting like this! :'(  

Carried on without too much debris, but started seeing red, again!  At one point, I had a trio of squabbling Ferrari's occupying my path to victory.  I actually managed to pass all 3, during their discussions at one particular corner.  But my car soon decided things were going too well, and swapped ends on me.  Thereafter, I was doomed to follow Blito in, you guessed it, his Ferrari.  I managed to draw alongside once, in a fair fight, but he was just a bit too good.

Not my best performance, but I noticed an interesting thing about these cars . . . they look so much better in my mirrors - especially Ferrari's!

[NHance]

Bad Blood - you were not ruining my race you were fighting to hold a legitimate position which you had earned. You have to use all the means you have which in this case was the superior power of the Honda.  Ok sometimes I have mentioned about deliberately letting others through but that is because I was playing the long game of trying to secure the highest possible position in the championship. Points for say 4th or 5th are better than a crash & points for 14th. That's all gone now anyway.

Norm H


 
 

[blito]

Thereafter, I was doomed to follow Blito in, you guessed it, his Ferrari.  I managed to draw alongside once, in a fair fight, but he was just a bit too good.

I`m flattered! I`ve never been described as "too good" before"

Now then, to put across my version of last nights action...

Paul - I will be generous and agree that i was in your blind spot on both occasions, however i will say that Hristos advice to Karliss a few posts ago might help you prevent making the same mistake again.  A few laps after our clash. I found myself in the reverse of the situation, with Fabio in my blind spot. I knew roughly where he was and that I needed to give him space. Note that it didnt end with a crash. Also, Paul, when I attempted to pass you at the end of the straight on lap 2, I was fully aware of your impending loss of control and was able to avert a potential accident.
Hristo, would have been proud of me!

Al - another blind spot issue, but perhaps excusable seeing as Fabio was right with us too and there was a lot to take in. It was great to have four cars all battling it out so close though.. bloody good fun.

Martin -  LoL !!!! You might have been fast last night, but boy, you were wobbly! Still, was great fun and somehow we kept it clean! It was good racing with you

karliss - I know you`ve been getting some flak lately for penalties but when I passed you last night you seemed very aware of what was going on and avoided the urge to close the door on me.... You doin all right Kid

Oh and a special mention to Nhance for the comedy burning car at L1 T1 ... couldnt resist giving you a little nudge

Roll on adelaide!

[Hristo Itchov]

Also, Paul, when I attempted to pass you at the end of the straight on lap 2, I was fully aware of your impending loss of control and was able to avert a potential accident.
Hristo, would have been proud of me!

I sure am, in fact I think that proves you're ready to move up to Amateurs (which BTW I hope would be renamed to something else next season, lol)!  

[vosblod]

(which BTW I hope would be renamed to something else next season, lol)!  

All suggestions on a postcard to other Tim although I will veto WazasRule Division

[Hristo Itchov]

Hmm, OK then... how about HERdivision?