UKGPL Season 20 (2010-2011) Graduates Cup (67) Privateers - Monza (GP 1955-71) - Mar 6

[vosblod]

I think we may have rather overdone Monza as the closing event (Grads / Ams / Historics / Spec). May be an idea for the Mod team to look at the calendars before the start of Season 21.

But then we had quite a few calls to run the same tracks together rather then lots of different ones simultaneously...

[Al Heller]

What an exciting finish to the season - it felt like we were re-enacting one of the classic Monza races of yesteryear as Hristo pipped me to the win by just 2/100ths of a second... with all the drama of the last few laps I'm not sure whether to feel happy about grabbing a last-gasp 2nd or disappointed at just missing the win (I guess a bit of both if I'm honest).

Qualified 5th but got a flier off the line to slot in 2nd behind Pelle - I really hoped there would be no contact with Bob who I knew was nearby but his car kept disappearing & reappearing thanks to lag so I just held my line & hoped for the best. (I know Goran had similar problems with running wireless Bob but he solved it by boosting the signal - maybe that would help? You can't beat a super-long cable though...) Anyway the lag made trying to race Bob extremely difficult as his car would suddenly hop several meters across the track or momentarily levitate into the air so when he came up the inside at Lesmo 2, I had no choice but to yield & take the widest line possible to avoid any warp contact. It was a similar story when I was trying to retake 2nd but after a while Bob eased ahead anyway & next I came under pressure from FMG. After a few laps, FMG had demoted me to 4th but soon after Pelle disappeared from the lead & I was back up to 3rd. With Hristo only 3 seconds behind & two-thirds of the race to go I didn't fancy my chances of holding onto that last podium place but I just tried to keep lapping consistently. It was very tense as H clawed back a few tenths every lap but I suspected that he might be having problems with the Honda's tyre temps so I just tried to keep lapping cleanly.

With a few laps to go I was surprised to see Bob disconnect (bad luck Bob) which elevated me to 2nd place & starting the last lap about a second ahead of H I thought just one more clean lap & I should hang on - naturally that was the moment I made a slight error going too deep into Lesmo 2 which was enough to give H the chance of a run on me into Para. I thought I might still be able to snatch it back by taking the inside line & blasting for the line with Lotus power but I was also very mindful that I didn't want to outbrake myself & slide into Hristo - not sure wiping out his championship on the last corner of the last lap would have gone down too well... Anyway in the end we crossed the line virtually together but H nicked it by 2/100ths which must be one of the closest finishes in the UKGPL archives!

In all the excitement of the last lap, I had no idea that FMG had gone off so we were actually dicing for the lead. Tim's misfortune proved quite kind for me though as it meant we both finished on equal points for the season - but I ended up taking 3rd in the championship thanks to having, yes you guessed it, one extra second place...

Congrats to Hristo on taking the championship - shame Tommie wasn't able to race. I'd also like to especially congratulate the once-great Clark-Hill team for finally breaking the Waza stranglehold & taking the Works Team championship - our first team championship in a senior division   

[EvilClive]

I think the fact that I also used this track for the GT fun races has given everyone an overdose of Monza.

I certainly found myself lacking in enthusiasm for yet another flog around the circuit last night.
I know that there was call to use the same circuits at around the same time, for all mods at the beginning of the season, but frankly I find the driving style for each of the mods so different that they might as well be different tracks.

 It is just the repetition of the scenery and  lines through corners that I find boring.

Last nights race was a fitting end to a poor 67 season for me. Too many dnf's early in this season removed any chance of a higher finish.

I had a race long battle with Juha also in a Waza, from Curve Grande on lap 1 right to the flag.
He had the edge on me for speed ( I think he was running slightly more aggressive gearing) but I could just about stay with him and not overstress the Honda in the slipstream.

His one mistake at Lesmo 1 allowed me through, but I was too careful with my engine and allowed him to re-close the gap and regain his position just 2 laps from the end.
I have noticed lately that if I can use the last 500 rpm before the red line in all gears I can trim some serious chunks off my lap times. It does require some serious concentration on gear changes to avoid over revving and a need to watch the oil temp.

So maybe some extra practice on the 67's which I admit I have neglected lately, might serve me in good stead for next season.

Grats to Hristo for keeping the Wazas at the top in the Premier category for GPL and to all who have made the racing such good fun this season.

The number of fast cars on the grid lately has become very noticeable, which can only be good for UKGPL!! keep it up guys  

[Hristo Itchov]

I'd also like to especially congratulate the once-great Clark-Hill team for finally breaking the Waza stranglehold & taking the Works Team championship - our first team championship in a senior division   

Ah, I had a feeling there is something SHE might not be pleased about. 

[Turkey Machine]

Had I actually bothered to do some practice and been in the mood for this I would have taken something other than the Honda to blow off steam (which cannot be driven in anger under any circumstances). Bad week, bad weekend.

[Hristo Itchov]

Had I actually bothered to do some practice and been in the mood for this I would have taken something other than the Honda to blow off steam (which cannot be driven in anger under any circumstances). Bad week, bad weekend.

But you're not allowed to take something other than the Honda! 

[bernie]

Found my Lotus set up very twitchy on light fuel for qualifying,(which

isn't my strongest point) that and traffic had me sat in P4

For the championship I had to finish 3rd or above which was looking a

bit iffy with 2 known fast men in front plus the new guy "cookie" in

the eagle and Maddog Martin lurking over my shoulder.

When the little man waved his flag I made a cautious start but poor

fabio in front got all sideways and lost it. (shame matey on your home turf

too )  I had to run around him and had my head down inside the cockpit

waiting for the bang , felt sure it was all over there and then but

fortunately ther's plenty of room on the Monza pits straight so I was

able to get away cleanly in the event, athough not the case for those

further back , including Mike my team mate .

Martin making one of his flying starts jumped me and 3 other cars

before curva grand which left me in P4 I think, but soon after cookie

decided he didnt like the track and took a break at Parabolickup which

gave me P3 where I needed to be , all i had to do now was hold on to

the finish ,simples ! Had a scare when I came upon Martin parked up in

Lesmo 2 , my car didn't want to stop and steer at the same time and I

just made it round the front as he was starting to drive off again ,

actually caught my tyre but luckily no harm done , just lost a bit of

time but was now P2.

My car came good in the later laps and was able to reel Ronnie in but

back markers and a shortage of laps intervened , think Ronnie had a

close shave too looking at the replay .

So thats me , must be the luckiest UKGPL champ of all times , I didnt

win the championship as much as Ronnie fell foul of the points system

but I'm sure he will make up for it in future seasons to come .

Martin too was very quick and showed us all how to drive fast , just needs to

calm down a tad and not keep giving me places  . Great season , enjoyed

the racing . Thanks to all who took part . See you next season if I'm still around


Oh and BTW , did I mention that the Soggies Rule 

[bernie]

Grats to another Champ too , well done H , quite a race you had there 

[Hristo Itchov]

Grats to another Champ too , well done H , quite a race you had there 

Thanks, Bernie, grats to you and the Soggies as well. I knew you still have what it takes!

[maddog]

Practice for the final event of the Season, was a highly competitive and close knit affair, with all the contenders needing their wits about them.  Only a tenth of a second, separated the first three on the grid, while I lurked innocently back in 5th.

The rocket attachment worked well, and I was 2nd into the first corner, and 1st at the end of lap 2, when Ronnie got onto the marbles, entering The Parabolica.  He was soon hot on my trail, and eventually errorized me at the Lesmos.  Once passed, I decided to spin broadside across the track.  Skillfully grabbed 1st, just before championship mode Bernie came flying past, and bent my nose all out of shape in the process.  He was unscathed, and didn't even slow down to wave!  So thence proceeded undaunted, to a very good mid-race tussle with Billy for 3rd.  This entailed, conjuring up a strategically placed back marker, to finally settle the matter.

Towards the finish, I became aware of a newly revamped Cookie, who'd jumped from GT mode, to join us.  I'd luckily just enough space, without equaling his pace, to hold onto my place, 'til the end of the shortened event . . . or so those chickens I'd counted, thought.  But with only a second to hand, approaching Parabolica on the last lap, a despicable thing happened . . . my engine started coughing - and in all the sunshine too!  "Blimey, not again!!" The price of that wretched high octane just keeps on rising!  Grumble!

I held my speed, as best I could, as Cookies Eagle closed on it's prey, and managed to limp it safely over the line, just in time - survived to fight another day.  Bernie survived to win another championship, and Ray won yet another race.  And I think we all proved ourselves, worthy of another plate of Spaghetti, and a spot of Spumante.  Bravo!

Now, had that G27 Ronnie promised arrived, it all could have been very different!  

  

[il_lupo_mannaro]

First of all: grats to Bernie, the Privateers Champ, to Ronnie, that won five races and lost the championship for only three points and to Martin, that grabbed the Championship bronze medal at the very last race.
Grats also to everybody raced and to all the Mods

...and in the end I was able to turn a possible hat trick into a complete disaster!

Monza, my home track: I know it better than my wife's body (but don't tell her...)

As usual, on Saturday I was able to set my new PB, 1.28.372, without any trouble while on Sunday I was hardly able to set a perfect lap during the qualify.
Anyway, 1.28.645 was not so bad but Ronnie grabbed the pole at the very last second for only 1/100!!

OK, hat trick was gone but I could still win the race to secure the Championship third place but... the cold tires? the dirt side of the track? Probably it was only the shock for the pole lot so, after the green flag, the disaster happened...

I guess it was the wortest race start in my whole career: nothing more to say about the race, as my concentration suddenly disappeared...

FL of the race will be the only good thing to remember of my race.

Martin did a fantastic race indeed: his third place + my 8th one = I lost, and he won, the podium of the championship...

OK, Season 20 is over, I can't complain about my results on it and I really hope Season 21 will start soon.

See you all on track!!
 

[Ronniepeterson]

First up congrats again to Bernie a deserving champ.

Well that was nail biting. Its was bad enough knowing I needed to win and Bernie to finish anywhere but second but then life got a lot more complicated. First two new drivers were suddenly introduced, one capable of a win, one who might need lapping. Don't panic focus on qualifying. Only that went pear shaped, as half the field vacated the server which was showing only a 21 lap race distance instead of the anticipated 33. After a short delay which seemed like an age we were immediately back into a shortened qualifying and living with a shortened race distance. Focus its the same for everyone get on with it. Traffic was a problem in qualifying and it was only with the last lap that I managed to steal pole from Fabio by 0.01s, sorry. Reasonable start, surprised to see Fabio disappear but not surprised to see Martin closing rapidly. Mistake at Paraboica and Martin pounced for the lead, fortunately I recovered quickly, fought off a fast approaching Cookie and setoff in pursuit. A lapse from Martin at Lesmo and I was back in front. The rest hopefully would be down to lady luck. But no, with Bernie luck rarely has anything to do with it. Another masterclass from the champion elect as he secured second and closed me down. Race victory was mine but the championship spoils went to Bernie.

At the end of the day the real congratulations go to not just Bernie but everyone, all the Privateer drivers, moderators and UKGPL for another tremendous season which I for one thouroughly enjoyed. Looking forward already to the next, thanks guys.

[Turkey Machine]

Had I actually bothered to do some practice and been in the mood for this I would have taken something other than the Honda to blow off steam (which cannot be driven in anger under any circumstances). Bad week, bad weekend.

But you're not allowed to take something other than the Honda! 

H, after the last 10 days I've had the Honda would have made me more angry. Blessing in disguise I fear that I was not in the mood for civilised racing.

Grats to Bernie on a consistent championship.

[b_1_rd]

Congratulations to H and Bernie in their respective championships.  Also a well done to Ronnie in Privs for a close second.

Very chuffed to see CHR taking the Team title, not sure I made much of an impact on team points but nice to at least be part of it.

well done to everyone who took part, both works and privs drivers.  Not sure when or what I'll be doing next season yet, will have to see how things develop.

[Baab]

As some of you have said, an unhappy end for me, bloody internet.  It occasionally drops out for some unknown mysterious reason, but this has never happened during a race before...that I can remember at least.  I was starting to get a bit worried that the engine may go since I was revving just past 9k at the end of each straight, from about half distance I was changing gear at about 8800, with little effect on my lap times (as far as I could tell).

Sorry about the warping, I have since checked my core.ini and found some odd settings.  I changed them then raced a friend and he reckoned it was much better.

Al got a rocket start and surprised me off the line, but I was happy to sit behind.  Expected H to be on my case straight away, but luckily for me, he seemed to have his hands full...for once.  Al got a bit loose at the 1st lesmo on L2 and I moved alongside, expecting to have the door closed, but he gave me room (due the warping it seems) and I was through.  I felt the pressure for a few laps then was able to pull a couple of secs.  Pelle was in a race of his own though and was pulling away handsomely, nothing I could do.  I was then surprised to see Pelle disconnect, perhaps similar issues to me, or pushing too hard?

With the lead I then saw Tim 4 secs behind me, the gap stayed constant for a number of laps before it came down to 3 secs, then up to 5 secs, phew!  The gap seemed ok and for once I wasn't making silly mistakes when all of a sudden I saw a full L bar (latency?) and my race ended 1.5 laps early, gutted.

I have been in some good positions in a few races this season but things haven't gone my way and I am still searching for a maiden grads victory. Pleased to be making it to the end (almost) of more races though.

Cheers,

Bob