Server doesn't seems to be connected to an sTracker...? Anyway, the cars feel very fast around here. Managed to get into the high 1:09's in practice. This will be fun if everyone can keep it relatively clean, but that isn't usually a problem here.
You know I only choose good mods And the Stracker issue, we're working on it. Will post here when the issue is solved.
The password has been reset for raceday. Can be found here https://www.simracingonline.co.uk/racing/eventinfo/1022 Let's make this a good one fellas!
I've arranged for a fireworks display to be shown in my hometown to celibrate the winner of this first race.
All set up for streaming. I think I have resolved the time zone correctly... but I'll be on the practice server just to be sure.
The practice server has only 3 of each car and all the Foci are taken so I can't get into my selected car. EDIT: Tricky James switched out of a Civic. I'll... uh... wait over here. :lol:
1st race of this new Championship Free practice: During free practice it became clear that the lap times were going to be close. In fact, I was surprised at the pace of some guys. But then again, I selected this mod because it is made for close racing. Quali and the races were going to be hard. Very hard Qualifying: Knowing I could do a 1.08.4 I was taking it easy for the first few laps. Sort off get a lap in before you go finding the limits. But then Alex thought I necessary to drop a 1.08.7 in there. Yep, Had to go all out to beat that. Slowly creeped up to his lap time when Martin also planted a 1.08.7... What's up with these guys? Saved the last stint to do a blinder. Was on track for a 1.08.4 but messed it up in the last chicane 1. Alex, 2. Martin, 3. Roy Difference between 1 and 3, 0.052 sec BTW, we had a field of 11 cars. A few people didn't show or left early. Race 1: This promised to be a hard fought race with times being so close. To be fair, there were 4, maybe 5 drivers that could win this first race. Lights went red, and GO GO GO! I had a perfect start which had me go alongside Martin by the time we reached Redgate. I had the inside line, but still had to give him racing room. It went down beautiful with me gaining 2nd position. Having the momentum I was closing in on Alex through the Old Hairpin and Starkey's. Got a very good exit out of Mclean's thinking I could catch the draft down Starkey's Straight. But as luck would have it I made a small error through Coppice giving Alex the gap he needed to be able to relax. From then on we were both on the limit of our own talent and the cars ability. At the end of the 1st lap Alex had a lead of 1.2 seconds and we finished the at 1.3 seconds. WOW During the 17 laps I was chasing Alex Martin tried to do the same to me, but halfway through he lost a bit of pace and had to let us go. I'm guessing he had a good scrap with James Bird after that because they were very close at the finish too. All in all this looked like it was a very clean race. 1. Alex, 2. Roy, 3. Martin Race 2: This review will follow later
It's RACE REPORT TIME! First, I missed you guys. It's good to be back. I must say, I do like the double-race format, because it does make for some good racing, but I also miss the element of strategy that comes with outrunning everyone on fuel consumption. Having to match people on pace is a new thing for me! Everyone here is really close in terms of time as well, so that's great to see. RACE 1 The first twelve laps were largely a parade. Then I caught up to a battle with Mert, Dzintars, and James H. I tried to hassle James into a mistake but he was absolutely unflappable. Then going into the last lap I got a huge run on him into T1, and we had just the best door-to-door battle all the way down the hill, but I had to let him go at Old Hairpin to avoid knocking us both out, and that was that... especially after I then pushed the car into the sand at Coppice. In the end it was a clean 8th place in a field of solid drivers, so I was pretty pleased. RACE 2 ...and then suddenly 8th place in the finish became 3rd on the grid, and it was time for race 2. There's a certain urgency that comes from the knowledge that everyone behind you is faster than you, and I think it rattled me a little. I lost out on a side-by-side battle with Islam, and then James H and I got together going into Schwantz. I could have sworn I was giving room, but looking back at the replay it's pretty clear I turned in on him. So, sorry, James. I tried to get on a better line for the next corner and ran out of both track space and talent. So the last-to-first challenge was on! I immediately found Alex wide in the chicane and made up one place. I then found myself in the familiar position of chasing Rob. It seemed like every time I'd catch up, I'd get flustered and bobble the car, and have to do it all over again. Also the heat in the room and the fatigue of the second race seemed to be taking a bit of a toll on me. I'll know to crank the thermostat down a couple of degrees for the next race day. By the end of lap 3 Alex had caught me and I let him by, because I knew he was seconds-per-lap faster than me, so there was no sense holding us both up in a pointless battle, when we could instead chain up and chase down the traffic ahead. A few more mistakes on my part meant that I didn't pass, or even really challenge, Rob until lap seven, and then my mirrors were full of James H... until I slid wide into the sands of Coppice again, all by myself, and surrendered the place. Oh, well. By lap 11 we'd caught Damien, who seemed to be having severe lag issues, as his car was blinking and warping all over the place. That didn't really hold me up, so much as force me to settle down and stop pushing so hard, which actually improved my situation overall. So I just followed him around for another lap or so, until he went wide at Coppice. (Go figure, a blind, uphill, off-camber turn over a crest is difficult. ) With that "pass" made it was mostly a question of hanging onto the car and my waning concentration until I could drag myself past the checkered flag. SUMMARY So... a "fair-to-middlin'" finish (as we say here in the colonies ) feels like a pretty good achievement given the caliber of drivers that we have here. It's good to be back. Now I just have to go download and learn Croft.........
We always assume that lag is not your fault. Unless Your ping was way high from the start (which it wasn't). We have to write this down as a racing incident.
This series is shaping up to be a brilliant series already, even after just 2 rounds. Pasha, no need to apologise to me for race 2, I think it was just one of those things, I felt the first contact but lost sight of you and couldn't see you about to flash across the front of me. I thought we'd both got away with it until that point. I'm looking forward to racing you this season - always door to door, wheel to wheel but always with respect. Roy, after watching the highlights, it might be worth reminding everyone of the punting rules and safely returning to the track too. Disappointing to see some of the more "Experienced" drivers taking absolutely no notice to either on more than one occasion to be honest. Look forward to seeing you all at Croft. James H.
James, I had the same observation about the behaviour and race etiquette. I will be reviewing the full race starting Tuesday.
Free Practice Felt off the pace overall playing around with set ups however I have little idea on what to do with setups over all so just stuck with default setup... Tried a low fuel run at the end and surprised I was on delta for a 1.08.5... Quali Went out to get a time in and logged a 1.08.7 to start with and then pitted to regroup. Played a bit with tyre pressures which i shouldn't have done and due to various reasons i was not able to find another clean lap however pleased to bag 2nd of course - the top 3 so very close! Race 1 Terrible off the line and headed into T1 compromised on the out side. Dropped too 4th tucking in behind J.Bird and sticking close. Lap 2 and Bird went wide at T1 and i was back through and then focused on closing down the guys ahead - Alex and Roy. As i did so i was having to watch the front left as it was over heating - i shouldn't have messed with the pressures... Realising by mid race i was not in a position to catch the front guys i spent the rest of the race managing the temp on the front left. It distracted me enough to fall back to Bird once again and having to keep myself in check to finish on the podium for 3rd. I planned a pressure change for R2 which worked out better. Race 2 Started a bit better off the line and found myself again on the outside for T1 and this time got tagged at the rear and sent out into the gravel dropping to the back of the field. Recovered and made my way back, cars were tangling with each other ahead and before i knew it i was back in 4th and chasing Roy in 3rd. Close racing and positioning ensued after a few laps i had a good exit out of the final chicane and got a look down the inside on T1. I took an early apex as a result of the inside line, Roy on a late apex and we made contact - much to my regret - at the time i felt from the view i had inside the car it was a door handle bang and I had the line I checked the replay which showed my early entry resulting in climbing the curb, under-steering and whilst it may be a racing incident it wasn't my usual standard I was committed at the time however on review of the replay and the standards i hold myself too i probably should have relinquished the place. Now in 2nd and worrying about the contact with Roy who had dropped to 4th as a result of our contact i had to focus on the task at hand. I closed in on 1st place - Damien who was very determined in his defense. I had a run into the final turn but he squeezed me hard to the inside i had to back out or it was heading for contact... I switched back to the racing line too enter the final chicane however Damien was comprised on his entry which met the same piece of track i was needing - i tried to steer away, slight contact was made however Mert then slipped through took the lead and eventually the win... Caught Damien again however found myself off in the gravel having to avoid contact so that was the end really of the second race - had a battle with Alex in the final stages and he came out on top - fair play. Bit of a crazy one that... Apologies again to Roy for the loss of mirrors! Karma played its course i guess! Martin
Just a quick shout to Pasha for the live stream of the first 2 rounds at Donington. Only got round to watching it a few days ago and was very impressed - a good following watching the races and v. good commentary throughout. Top stuff! James
Aw shucks. Thanks. Hoping to cover the rest of the races as well. <shameless_plug> And if you like what you see, I will also have streams going most Monday and Tuesday nights for SimRacingSystem, and fortnightly on Wednesday nights for the Chris Haye community races. </shameless_plug>
