UKGPL Season 21 (2011) Historic (66) - Monsanto Park - May 24

[EvilClive]

Utter rubbish from me tonight 

Massive appologie for the contact Clive, you braked even earlier than I anticipated and I had no way of slowing enough or even swerving due to the crest 
I expect heavy modding when I get back next week as it was totally my fault....

(Maybe it's a good thing I'm leaving the country for a bit! )

Oh!! it was you, was it!!??   lol I did wonder who had taken me roughly from behind

I probably did brake a little cautiously as my practice for this race had showed that my setup did not handle well for the first 2-3 laps until the tyre temps came up to racing levels and around here there were too many places to lose a wheel.

I was genuinely surprised to be second on the grid. ( not surprised to be behind Hristo). I was slightlycautious off the grid trying not to make contact with my team mate, intending to allow Hristo to rush off in to the distance.

The honda was very heavy and slippery on cold tyres and I was trying to be very smooth and safe for the 1st lap.....but

[maddog]

It was good to finally race, on a track I missed out on, last Season.  There are tracks to challenge even the best of us, and this is one of them!

I found some space in practice, and followed Hristo around to nab a PB, for a 4th on the grid.  Couldn't remember how many finished last time, but it seemed caution would be best.  Except I found myself quickly up to 2nd, and with an angry Brabham on my tail, though I'd no idea why?  So I flailed.  It showed some skill from Frizzo, not to catch clobberitis, during my vain attempt to stay ahead.  He was a lot faster.

Next up was Tim, and this time my desire to stay ahead, needed more than a hint.  So, put my car sideways across the track.  Amazingly, a flick of his finger, and the Braby was pointing the right way again, but some car lengths behind him?  Methinks there's more to learn about this racing lark!

I was settling down to a race pace, when FMG gave me a second chance to delay him.  A touch too much reverence on my part perhaps, as I left him an opening, by way of flailing wide into a bale.  Rather than giving me the finger, the bale grabbed me with both hands, and I was finished.

[blito]

I love your reports Mr Maddog, I so envy your grasp of the english language..

[Hristo Itchov]

I love your reports Mr Maddog, I so envy your grasp of the english language..

I second that. 

My race was a good one (for a change), without any big mistakes on my part and without feeling impatient as usual, so I could let the concentration sink in and let my subconsciousness drive the car most of the time while my mind was occupied with other things, interrupted from time to time to check on engine's oil temp and the pit board. 

Evil looked set to follow close at the start and even mount a challenge, considering the strength of slipstream in these 66s, but unfortunately former Waza took care of him and opened up a void in my mirrors which is never good for my motivation. The car handled well though, the track flowed nicely and the race felt shorter as a result. My only worry was seeing all those retirement messages and that it could enforce a rerun if screen freeze was proven to be the cause for most of them, but seems that's not the case.

Evil, you clearly have the pace for at least 2nd place or higher this season, but some bad luck there... hope it changes around soon!

[maddog]

. . . I so envy your grasp of the english language..

Maybe so, but when it comes with a greater grasp of the scenery, I ain't too 'appy!

[Ronniepeterson]

Sorry bout the crash, ronnie...couldnt do anything about it, you were on my tail... was running pretty good before that, idk where that spin came from. Some bottom out at t1 or something...my setup was too low i think.

No problem these things happen when you are racing. You were unlucky because you were racing well and deserved a good finish. Better luck next time.

[ivandjj]

Sorry bout the crash, ronnie...couldnt do anything about it, you were on my tail... was running pretty good before that, idk where that spin came from. Some bottom out at t1 or something...my setup was too low i think.

No problem these things happen when you are racing. You were unlucky because you were racing well and deserved a good finish. Better luck next time.

I was delighted with qualy since it seemed that i wasn't warping. By the end of qualy i sort of knew which way the track went but not where to push and where not. Prolly still dont know

Starting slowly and carefully paid off, as Phil spun in front of me, but i could just squeeze by in one piece. Ronnie went by few laps later, but it seemed that i could just about hang on. After some close calls with Ronnie and some with only myself, decided to let Ronnie go and try to finish. That was great decision, but thinking that VW van could be driven thru wasn't.

When i came on the scene Ronnie was riding a strawbale on the inside, spun s.' braby was facing me in the middle, so i went on the grass, thru some gendarmes and right bang in the unfortunately solid VW van. Ripped a wheel off, game over. If i knew it was solid object, i could've possibly avoided it. For succesful life, always assume the worst.

Anyway, im very appy that my connection is now working. Not appy with solid VW, but thats part of racing at Monsanto 

I liked the track very much and didn't find it difficult. Westwood was slow torture in comparison. And i liked patched 66 braby very much. Hopefully i'll appear at some more 66 races. Best mod by far, imo.

Did anyone notice me warping? Ronnie? 

[Ronniepeterson]

Did anyone notice me warping? Ronnie? 

If you were warping I did not notice. Tough break losing a wheel. If I was not stuck on top of a strawbale I would have popped down to help you fit the spare! Better luck next time.

[G Jonsson]

The moderators report is published including a new "must read" from Paul "Badblood" Withfield.

Göran

[Hristo Itchov]

The moderators report is published including a new "must read" from Paul "Badblood" Withfield.

Göran

Great read, Paul! Goran, you say Tim is penalized, but it doesn't seem reflected in the result (no red numbers and stuff).

[vosblod]

Great read, Paul! Goran, you say Tim is penalized, but it doesn't seem reflected in the result (no red numbers and stuff).

Just fixed that.

Just to clarify why Tim still retains 25 points for 6th despite the 3 place drop; the new 50% cut-off means anyone below this threshold is not counted into the race results. Hence Tim cannot drop to 9th if there are only six drivers ie there aren't any places for him to drop.

[ivandjj]

Interesting and informative report. But i'm still confused with, a) who is which Blo(o)d, and b) how many different Blo(o)ds are there 

Generally, this nick system is, well just . I mean, going wheel to wheel with Ronnie Peterson and Arf Arf Arf  LOL
 

[BadBlood]

Great read, Paul!

Thanks H. You'd get more of a mention if you had more exciting races!

Ivan. To clear up this whole bloody business - Tim (Vosblod) was the chief when I joined and I originally named myself Badblood as a bit of a joke - joke was on me though because I had read his name as 'Vosblood'. D'uh.

Once I had the name I stuck with it and then came across another driver Sam Blood. So my clever little pun didn't quite work out how I expected but I answer to Badblood, BB, Paul, 'Oy you' or pretty much anything else...

Hope drivers are enjoying the race report. Feedback is always welcome: Too much/little detail. Too much/little humour. Like/Don't like. etc etc

It takes ages to do and I have to watch every lap of every driver so crashing out early helps (Thanks Clive, Jason). Not starting is even better (Cheers Juha). It does make me laugh though some of the antics you guys get up to. I am also amazed at some of the skill on show and it is instructive to see how different drivers can take totally different lines and yet have times that are so close. If you want a laugh though, watch Sky, Ronnie and Ivan at Clover Leaf on lap 10 and witness Sky's amazing persistence in the face of a gap too small for the car!

[Ronniepeterson]

If you want a laugh though, watch Sky, Ronnie and Ivan at Clover Leaf on lap 10 and witness Sky's amazing persistence in the face of a gap too small for the car!

I'm still laughing now at that idiot Ronnie who rather than bide his time until the straight had to get up close and personal at the bend with Sky. Poor Ivan never stood a chance and to cap it all Sky ends up the lone survivor through sheer persistence in the face of the impossible!

Great report Paul, still hope to see you on track mate.

[BadBlood]

Hope so. It was funny.