UKGPL Season 21 (2011) Novices (65) - Watkins Glen (Classic) - May 17

[NHance]

OK the thought that I may have disappeared from the screen hadn't ocurred to me. We have had a grid load of BT vans in our streets installing cabling for superfast broadband but that doesn't solve the whole network. There was 7 races of frustration in last night's posting. Nov's has had a bad run of lap 1 incidents of late. Its never the same offender either. I am always aware of having cold tyres. If I upset anyone I appologise as if I had an issue with anyone in particular I would take it up with them via a PM not in a public forum. Just didn't want to write again qually went ok ---- by the end of lap 1 I was last. Hoped it would focus a few minds.

I would never deliberately take anyone out of the race.

Race report - after ploughing into someone else's accident & a 2nd s&g I was lapped by the car that finished I think 6th & I followed him for a lot of laps at 3 sec gap all the way to the finish where I had 5 gals of fuel left I think. So I was thinking what might have been. That just ramped it up a bit more.

Final moment. My brolly girl who I always refer to as the small but perfectly formed one at our house, or Mrs H to you, gave me a cuddle & said, "never mind Norm its only a game" Thanks love. But then she added " maybe your just too slow & getting in their way". UMMMMMM

Norm H

[Clutch4]

Don't mean to pop my head round the Nov Division Door but thought i'd pitch in.

Nevermind Norm. In my opinion in Novs, either qualify on the front row and clear off asap, or if you don't qualify well, be confident you have the pace to hang back and try to pass people one at a time over the course of the race and see where you end up. If someone's having a go in the first couple of laps, let them go, you'll either catch and pass them later or they'll be long gone and its saved you the stress of defending for 40 minutes.

To be fair, at Pro level, i've found that in general there's not much passing on the first lap, if any. (though maybe thats because i'm at the back). I find i'm braking 50 metres earlier than normal and shifting a gear lower as the opening laps are so much slower and everyone is being cautious as there's no Shift R.

Anyway, you'll be alright. You've got the pace to compete so age is just a number, you just need a bit of luck. Remember, Mark Webber and Johnnie Herbert were always regarded as unlucky Drivers in F1, but they both got the odd victory in the end. No need to smash up the Mountside Racing Motorhome just yet. 

[BadBlood]

It is good advice from Clutch. If you look at the replay Norm you will find that Norbert got a good run into the loop and keeps a tight line. Discretion the better part of valour?

It is difficult to advise because I am driving at the blunt end where the nose cones aren't quite so sharp but by being careful I made up five places on lap 1 with a 1:24!

A for Mrs. H's comment, that made me laugh. My wife spent a couple of minutes watching me be lapped by all and sundry a few months ago and just said. "Why do you like this so much? You're not very good, are you?"

TBH I am not sure why I like the ritual humiliation so much but you are much better than you showed in this one. Next race is always going to be better (at least it is in my imagination...). See you next time.

[happyal]

A for Mrs. H's comment, that made me laugh. My wife spent a couple of minutes watching me be lapped by all and sundry a few months ago and just said. "Why do you like this so much? You're not very good, are you?"

My wife unplugged me

[BadBlood]

LOL - You were just in front of me Al and behind Jason so you lost two places - could have been worse.

Wives and GPL eh?

Just comparing this season with last. Last time out I had a 15th and 12th, this time a tenth and eleventh. Improvement, yes. But last year at this time I was just ahead of Karliss. One of us has improved a bit more than the other wd mate.

[DuFossa]

I saw the result that my country is unknown. Me and Jonny are Brazilian. Please add our national flag. Tks. 

[vosblod]

I saw the result that my country is unknown. Me and Jonny are Brazilian. Please add our national flag. Tks. 

Hmm your GPL player profile shows Brazil and so does the GPLRA report so it should pick it up.
Will look into it and let you know.

[maddog]

Hi Francesco!

is it posible, that previous race time wraps was affected, that one car run ontrack before 30min mark?

Don't think so, this is what Fran regulary does...  
Cheers
Axxel

We do not start to practice for the race at 35 minutes, so please wait until 30 minutes - Ok?

[maddog]

Tragedy once more reigned supreme, at the track where nightmares are made - the bloodsoaked section of road they call . . . Watkins Glen!  A Novice moderators Hell, and not my favorite spot.

After slipstreaming my way to the rear of the grid, it took less than 10 seconds to tangle, and mangle Roguk, off the start line.  A car further up the grid had bogged down, and each in line had reacted by braking a bit harder.   It was akin to the fantom traffic lights, that plague the motorways around London each rush hour, with a touch of warp thrown into the mix.

The erratic driving seemed to continue, from all within my sphere of influence, including myself.  And things concluded, with a Honda sweeping gracefully across my line of fire at the esses.  Winding up, facing the wrong way on a blind bend, I decided to cut my losses, and bailed out.    

[BadBlood]

I REALLY REALLY tried to avoid you - honest!!

TBH I would have preferred you to retire a fraction earlier

[il_lupo_mannaro]

The Glen is one of my fav tracks (my only two wins in UKGPL races were both scored here) but I can't be satisfied about my race.

Qualify was quite good with the 4th place, just after the three quickest ones: well done guys.

At start I stripped the racing green paint from Axel's Lotus and I climbed on 3rd place.
Unfortunately it didn't last too much, as in the 3rd lap I was pulled out by Axel on the loop.
But I didn't get any damage and I fell on the track so I could continue the race.
A nice fight with Norbert ended too soon because of a mistake exiting the loop.
For some laps I was packed between Axel chasing Norbert and Karlis chasing myself.
Then Axel went wide out of track at the 90 and, without taking care of me, he immediately re-join the track and I really cannot do anything to avoid him. Karlis was also able to pass me.
Getting back on track I was really nervous so I made a couple of mistakes, the bad one on last lap, and I finally finished on 6th place.
Good to know, I scored my new PB.

Grats to the winner, to the podium, to everybody raced and to the race organization.
See you all at Aintree

[maddog]

TBH I would have preferred you to retire a fraction earlier

I have noticed you have some clout around here, but don't suppose you're able to be in 2 places, at one time.  Unless of course, you're warped.

[BadBlood]

... so I made a couple of mistakes, the bad one on last lap,

I know. I saw you. LOL.

@Martin - yeh - that is a tough one. Any clout I do have usually results in a penalty

[Cookie]

Then Axel went wide out of track at the 90 and, without taking care of me, he immediately re-join the track and I really cannot do anything to avoid him.

I really never left the track! I went wide but my two right tyres where allways on tarmac! Check the replay!
You had an easy opportunity to avoid this kick! Just lift a little!

I am really sorry for the first incident! But this one is yours...

Axel

PS: Wait and see the incident is under moderation...

[karlisss]

my pole lap not in blue color ...