22nd June - 2 hour Enduro @ Sebring [Archive]

Joel

19 June 08, 14:33

22nd June - 2 hour Enduro @ Sebring

track: Sebring GP Layout (download) (http://www.nogripracing.com/details.php?filenr=1178)
car: any TC-65 or GTC-65, except GT40 (Default cars only - no add-ons)
race distance: 2 hours (~48 laps?)

server password: wnr

qualifying starts @ 5pm UK time (4pm GMT)
race starts @ 7:30pm UK time (6:30pm GMT)
estimated race finish time 9:30pm UK time (8:30pm GMT)

Find the starting time in your timezone here (http://www.worldtimeserver.com/convert_time_in_GB.aspx?y=2008&mo=06&d=15&h=19&mn=30)

This coming Sunday, 22nd June, we will be running the 4th NoGripRacing endurance race, a two-hour race open to any 1965 car type and any driver.

Places will be given on a first-come first-served basis, but first priority will be given to the Sunday League racers, followed by regular WNR drivers.

If you wish to take part please sign up in this thread, and also nominate your probable car type, although you may change car type at any time up until the event starts.

*******************************************

Results - http://www.nogripracing.com/leagues/GTL/results/Fun_Races/2008.6.22_19.31_sebring/
Replay - http://www.nogripracing.com/leagues/GTL/replays/enduro/Sebring%20International%20Raceway_080622_1931.Vcr

epicname

19 June 08, 15:03

im in again. liking these enduros. probably the tvr again and try stick it to the yanks on there own turf. :-D

Snowcat

19 June 08, 15:05

Chapmans Daughter #610 as always. ;)

-)G(-Sawyer

19 June 08, 16:03

I’m in not sure on car yet never raced on this track.

Mogget

19 June 08, 16:22

I'm tempted to drive the Shelby GT350, but I'll have to see what it's like on this track.

Woody

19 June 08, 16:23

Sign me up please, will probably drive one of the slower GTC65 or possibly TC65

Edit: Think i'm gonna have to change car to Cobra Hardtop as I cant drive the slower gtc65 cars fast without falling of the track.

billsmithem

19 June 08, 16:27

I'm in.

Going with the TC pack this race, Alpha, Cortina, or Falcon - haven't driven any of them at Sebring yet.

bobken

19 June 08, 17:11

Sign me up for some more punishment, last Sunday was fathers day and got surprise visit from kids and grandkids so had to bail out. Not yet driven track or decided on car.

Ralph_B

19 June 08, 17:31

Wished I could set a mark with the CSL on Sebring again, but unfortunately no TC-GTC75 allowed.
Haven't driven the Shelby Daytona for a long time - so sign me up with this one, please! :-D

psyfungi

19 June 08, 17:43

I'm in. Might bags the Red TVR please (reserving the right to change my mind)

Mogget

19 June 08, 17:47

If I drive the Shelby GT350, it will be the "white with blue stripes" #807.

Geoffers

19 June 08, 19:11

I'll be there, not sure what car yet, but might try an Elan this week.

rookiedaz

19 June 08, 19:51

Yep, I'm up for a bit more endurance action, but no idea on car. Something midfield maybe, seems to be where the action is:mrgreen:.

smull

19 June 08, 20:31

I'm in, most likely the black cobra.

Matra-Rancho

19 June 08, 22:00

Hi,

I'm interested too.

If there are enough (5-6) slower cars (TC-65 plus Elite/Alpine) in the grid I will choose an Alpine A110 or a Lotus Cortina.

regards Matra-Rancho

marty351

19 June 08, 22:44

Well I had a Fathers day obligation last week.

I will be in the Blue Cobra this week.

grem304

20 June 08, 01:14

I was towing 4 new (to me) cars home last Sunday so had to miss the race. Don't see any conflicting problems for this race though. Not sure what car yet. Might drive the big green couch !

duncan

20 June 08, 08:45

I'm in with a Shelby Daytona.
Thx for this race.
Duncan

Zieman

20 June 08, 10:58

I'm in.

The car remains a mystery for now...

ally

20 June 08, 15:24

Il have another go in the blue elan again.

Nappe1

21 June 08, 22:10

hmmh... it's going to be 9:30pm in EET Zone... I should be back in Kotka on that time, as my bus arrives in 8:00pm.

So, count me in. Again, never even tried Sebring in any game and as I still have not found GTC car which I would like, It's going to be TC-65 car. Most likely that Mini again, as the Abarth is a bit too hands full for two hour race.

Longbeard

22 June 08, 01:46

I'm in with a Black Corvette No: 900, if there are space? :?:

"I try to do the best I can! What is your excuse?" :angel:

michael109

22 June 08, 08:14

Sorry, can't race at Sebring (bloody football) :-(
Spagetti against Paella and Sauerkraut against Cebab ;-)

duncan

22 June 08, 09:50

There is also one enduro on 25th.
Is this one canceled ?
Thx

rookiedaz

22 June 08, 10:38

No, still on, but Psyfungi has included a word in the Wednesday thread that should not be there. If you look, the races on weds are stated as lasting only 30 minutes, and are therefore not enduros;-):mrgreen:.

Mogget

22 June 08, 10:50

I have decided to drive the #851 Jaguar E-Type again at Sebring. That should be more consistent and fuel efficient than the GT350 ;-)

jukez

22 June 08, 12:08

I will try Vette this time. Hope to make it there....

see ya!
-Jukka

HeebyJeeby

22 June 08, 16:02

Listener doesn't appear to be running so can't kick forward to qually, sorry! :-)

bobken

22 June 08, 17:55

Got visitors AGAIN wont be racing, have fun.

Snowcat

22 June 08, 19:34

Oh well, so much for that. :banghead:

Qualified midfield but managed to get a reasonable enough start and not get left behind for once. Apologies to Mogget for the tap but at least He held it and kept going. Lost him for a few laps but was slowly catching thanks to the Elans far higher cornering speed than the V8s. Managed a cheeky undertake on the hairpin and was holding him off for several laps. :whistling:

Unfortunately, a recovering Psy decided to rejoin the road and slice right across the pair of us. I had to lift off and avoid the TVR while Mogget disappeared up the inside and off into the distance never to be seen again.

Made off after the disappearing E-Type but now had Psy's TVR and a Green Cobra bearing down on me with V8 power. The Cobra got through on the S/F line and the sliding TVR was trapped. He caught me on the esses and I ended up revolving into the grass and ending the V8 hunt. You might not have seen sparks Psy but SOMETHING sure as hell tapped me (Wheel jumped and "crash" SFX in the Elan). Shame as it seemed I might have actually had a chance to keep up and maybe cause an upset or 2. :burst:

Next target was a black Corvette (Sorry for forgetting drivers name everywhere :blushing:). Again, it took a few laps to catch him but catch him I did and the hunt began again. No way I could out drag the Detroit muscle but every braking zone and corner felt like a rubber band being twanged between the 2 cars.

But then the Cats notoriously fickle Lady Luck decided She'd had enough of me. Was approaching the final turn at speed and spotted a cloud of Chevvy tyre smoke mid turn. Tried to turn in tight (a wide line would've been suicide) but caught the 'Vettes rear corner and managed to go from 60+ MPH to a standstill within the width his door skin. :scared:

When Elan meets Corvette you can generally bet good money on the 'Vette to win the headbutt. One dead car for me and annoyingly a peeling out Corvette for him. Hopefully it at least had the decency to take a little suspension damage for the pit mechanincs to fix...

*Sighs* Why the hell does fate only let me have a decent race once in every 20 or so? :bored:

ally

22 June 08, 19:41

Not a good one by me either got to lap 27 then pitted came back out lap 28 pressed the downshift twice and blew up oh well:-(

duncan

22 June 08, 19:43

I forgot to change the plr for a manual pitstop.
This damned ai pit crew decided to fill only 1/4 of fuel....
The esc key was the best end.
Cu for a next enduro with an updated plr.

Nappe1

22 June 08, 20:49

I forgot to change the plr for a manual pitstop.
This damned ai pit crew decided to fill only 1/4 of fuel....
The esc key was the best end.
Cu for a next enduro with an updated plr.

good luck with that... As it does not effect on how full you are filled up as you still with AI control on make the decisions on the drawing board shown when you enter the pit.

My race was dull. Same tactics as always, save fuel as much as possible and then take like a storm some front runners while they are having their extra stops. Worked like a charm except every single player who I overtook during their pit stops, pressed esc.

So, yet another race on last position from start to end with only activity trying to avoid GTC drivers hitting you as the bigger class car meant many cases totally nuts place trying to overtake. Mostly in every single (and there isn't really many of them in this track) corner where Mini is capable outbraking heavier lappers I found someone trying to overtake me. It's a bit stressful to drive with having "Oh please God no... Not here! we are gonna die both!" in every second lap.

or what ever... I am just !#@ slow.

EDIT: wrote some additions few posts later.

Ralph_B

22 June 08, 21:14

Sorry for those, who had misfortune in this race and couldn't finish. Shurely next time it will run better - thumbs up for your!
My own race was pretty good and I really can't complain. 3rd in qually and 4th in race was far more than I've expected against some so damned fast drivers!

Will have to watch the replay, but at the moment I am to tired and will write a more detailed report tomorrow evening, when I'm back from work.
However, thanks to Epicname, Daz and Woody for some thrilling action during race and for much fairness of all others. Was great to race against you!

psyfungi

22 June 08, 21:22

...You might not have seen sparks Psy but SOMETHING sure as hell tapped me...

Maybe I did. Gonna have to check the replay - I threw myself to the outside - no way I'm tapping Snowy in an Elan when I'm blundering my way back up the field in a TVR. Just not right.

Mogget

22 June 08, 21:35

Snowcat has already described the first part of my race. The tap was pretty inconsequential, and the overtake through the chicane was cheeky as f*** ;-) Nevertheless, I felt sorry for him when Psy rejoined the track in his TVR. I watched in disbelief as he proceeded to trundle across the tarmac.....right in front of poor Snowcat's Elan :ohmy: What were you thinking, Psy ? :?:

I threw a "Police, Accident" sign out of the window as I sneaked past on the inside, and set off in pursuit of the G Sawyer/Geoffers battle that I could see in the far distance. After a couple of laps, G Sawyer evidently made a small mistake, and suddenly I was on his tail. We had a pretty good battle for quite a few laps, and I managed to overtake him when he ran wide at the final corner. I never managed to shake him off though, and he looked like he was preparing for another assault as we approached the tight right hander on the back part of the track. To be honest, I think that we were both suffering from worn tyres at that point, and I only just managed to keep the car on the track as I negotiated the corner. However, it seems that Mr Sawyer wasn't so lucky. He disappeared from my rear view mirror, and I saw his car parked on the grass a short distance from the track when I passed the same spot on the next lap. Moments later, he departed from the server.....

I caught Geoffers shortly after that. I'm not sure if he had damaged his car or not, but he seemed to be making a mess of things at that point :-) He was hugging the left barrier on the S/F straight as I swept past, and I thought it was terminal. However, he came back at me shortly after that. Marty temporarily got between us as he exited the pits, before blasting off into the distance. Geoffers got past me soon after that when I spun at the T4 chicane.

Unfortunately, the race became very boring after that. I entered the pits at the end of lap 24, and the car seemed to get stuck in 1st gear as I engaged the pit limiter. The engine was revving high all the way to the garage, and it did the same when I left. I'm not sure why that happened, since I had 2nd gear selected on the shifter :?:

I was completely on my own after that, apart from when I lapped Bill's Alfa. I saw the message from Daz about not getting any fuel from his mechanics (sack the bastards, mate :thumbdown:), but sadly that was the highlight of the second part of the race. After several more laps, I decided to enter the pits and call it a day. I just couldn't be bothered to continue. I was bored, and I wanted to watch Big Brother 9 :-P

psyfungi

22 June 08, 21:47

I'm feeling pretty poorly right now...

Checked the replay and yep, I definitely did rejoin badly and probably collected Snowcat too, although inches in it and ... no, no excuses. :-(

Well... good night.

epicname

22 June 08, 22:16

i enjoyed the race tonight, some good close racing. i didnt hit tab so never knew who i was racing. a few daytonas and cobras though. i messed uo my pitstops this time. came in early around lap 20 and didnt put enough fuel in to finish. nevermind, i made my way up to 3rd before i pitted again. put in 1/4 tank for the last 13 laps and still wasnt enough, ran out of fuel on the last lap . :laugh: good enogh for 7th, so well happy with that.

I forgot to change the plr for a manual pitstop.
This damned ai pit crew decided to fill only 1/4 of fuel....
The esc key was the best end.
Cu for a next enduro with an updated plr.

why didnt u just pit again :?: put more fuel in? endurance races are all about the finishing. too many people hit esc as nappe1 says. u never know whats round the corner or whats gonna happen later in the race. i will only ever leave a race if my car is so badly damaged that the engine wont start the pits can fix everythin else.

grats to the podium :trophy:

Nappe1

22 June 08, 22:50

good luck with that... As it does not effect on how full you are filled up as you still with AI control on make the decisions on the drawing board shown when you enter the pit.

My race was dull. Same tactics as always, save fuel as much as possible and then take like a storm some front runners while they are having their extra stops. Worked like a charm except every single player who I overtook during their pit stops, pressed esc.

So, yet another race on last position from start to end with only activity trying to avoid GTC drivers hitting you as the bigger class car meant many cases totally nuts place trying to overtake. Mostly in every single (and there isn't really many of them in this track) corner where Mini is capable outbraking heavier lappers I found someone trying to overtake me. It's a bit stressful to drive with having "Oh please God no... Not here! we are gonna die both!" in every second lap.

or what ever... I am just !#@ slow.

I have to add something, after all I have now calmed down a bit...

To be honest, I don't even know what my position really was in finish. Last 2-3 laps I just drove blandlessly on 4th gear and with 3000 rpm, as it did not make any difference if I was one minute or 2 laps behind next driver.

This was a sort of shame as the race went until that point as well as it could have gone. Before race, I had total of 25 minutes of time to get familiar with track, find setup and ran for qual time, as I downloaded the track just minutes before joining. Anyways, I was in Qualify 4 seconds slower than next guy, but I knew that I could easily slice off time from that while the race goes further and I get better grip to the track.

Even though I never went to the limiter on laps between 2 and 8, I still was reaching next guy. Fuel estimate was 22 laps for Mini and saving fuel paid off this time as I pitted not until lap 26. More amazing, I obiously was able to save some tyres as well, as I did my fastest lap on first stint on lap 24. On laps 19-29 I saw people pitting, Including some GTC drivers positioned next 2-3 spots in front of me, so after my pitstop, I kept pushing and did 2-3 fastest laps on a row.

I was keen to wait when GTC cars would start hunting me down. Instead, they decided to press esc. This really pissed me off. (and this is the reason why in F1 Venue Championships you get always bonus for finishing the race. at least 2 points for finishing, no matter your position.) I still kept quite good rythm, as I was 58 seconds to next guy, of course hoping that He would need to pit once more. That did not happen.

On lap 40 I was up in arm pits full the race. When you are using more your "No Problem" button than gears, it starts to feel pointless. GTC drivers missjudging their car capabilities in certain corners did not helped at all the steam I was gathering while being as only purpose to slow down where and when ever I was, if I saw a car even on horizon.

Ralph B's (no bad memories mate.) try to overtake on that hairpin chikane after curved section was the last straw. I outbraked him a good margin and turned in by swearing at the same time loudly. After the chikane I pulled a side givin him a space to overtake. Yet, this time it was my turn to overestimate his car performance, as we were in next corner before he reached me. And again I totally losed my nerves thinking that "Okays, you don't want to overtake. That's fine then" and closed the door not giving a darn what happens behind.

This continued one more corner, which after I drove swearing like a maniac several meters out of the track yelling "You wanna see Mini cutting some grass, eh??" and Ralph B at last overtook me. Nevertheless as I saw no "Thank you" from my several straights out of the line and out of the pace driving, I decided to call it a day, slowed down, switched 4th gear and kept rpm in 3000 next 3 laps. In finish line I had try my own stunt which I have practised to perfection... 180 degree turn with hand brake, without losing the speed... of course it failed miserably this time.

I left the server without saying a word.

nevertheless, congrats to podium... whoever those were.

rookiedaz

22 June 08, 23:06

I was completely on my own after that, apart from when I lapped Bill's Alfa. I saw the message from Daz about not getting any fuel from his mechanics (sack the bastards, mate :thumbdown:), but sadly that was the highlight of the second part of the race. After several more laps, I decided to enter the pits and call it a day. I just couldn't be bothered to continue. I was bored, and I wanted to watch Big Brother 9 :-P

Race report tomorrow, but just want to say 'Thanks then' to Mogget for the highlight of his race being my retirement:thumbdown:, charmed I'm sure;-). Also, surely you could have gone to the garden to watch the grass grow, or watched some paint dry, both of which would have been more entertaining and worthwhile to life than turning on that turgid rubbish foisted on us by channel 4 every summer:mrgreen:.

-)G(-Sawyer

23 June 08, 02:51

Well after a good start I had some fun laps with Geoffers he got me after a few laps as I was struggling with a lack of grip, once Mogget catched up I was having a ball. We had some real close and clean racing. This is where I hoped to be in some nice close midfield racing but my night took a dark turn when my game locked up and that was that.:thumbdown:

I turned off my broken PC and went downstairs to watch Top Gear and do some heavy crying with bottom lip out.:crying:

:-(:crying::angry::angry::crying::-(

epicname

23 June 08, 08:34

Nappe1

23 June 08, 09:26

@nappe1

dont worry, i'll be in a cortina on wednesday so that should be some good racin with your mini. i do agree people shouldnt hit esc.

as for lapping, i find it hard to judge sometimes. not sure if the car infront is letting me past. i dont have the in car chat turned on. i find it way too distracting and normally head off the track while im reading it. so i dont know whats going on a lot of the time. i also dont have buttons mapped to my wheel for quick chat.i only have 2 buttons on my wheel. one is the speed limiter and the other is look behind as i dont use mirrors, coz my pc cant handle mirrors. thats why u never see me saying sorry or thanks during a race. and my keyboard is no where near me either :-(

i had a similar last few laps to yours. i was miles behind the car infront, loosing time each lap, i had no tyres left and was running out of fuel rapid and i was a lap ahead of the car behind. so i just drove slow to try and conserve fuel. who ever was in the alfa must of been wondering what the hell i was up to.

hope i didnt cause u any trouble lapping u, i normally give u a flash of the lights to say hi. (lights are mapped to a paddle) more important than chat :-D

EDIT: at first, this reply isn't targetted towards you, but more like generally to all who drove GTC cars. I don't recall anyone (except Ralph B, but that has more to do with my state of mind than particulary worse behaviour than anyone else...) doing something especially wrong, but that is also understandable, as I knocked "No Problem" button something like over 50 times during the race, so I was passed so many times that I can't pick anyone particular doing wrong.

yeah, well the problem isn't chat nor even the mirrors, but more like the fact that there is some terrible corners in Sebring, which are driven in totally different line with Mini (as being FWD) than any other car on track, so overtaking would be preferable on straights. Reason for this is the fact that while it might seem to you that I am off the line and waiting overtake, I might be in fact on my own line waiting to turn in to apex to get full throttle as soon as possible when apex has been passed. In this case, There's great risk of hitting each other as the driving lines between RWD and FWD cars are like mirrored and lines cross in apex and at least in one of the corners, the guy coming from back is in 100% blind corner, so if that happens, I don't even know what hit me.

I do give room, as soon as I see that it's viable and it's not going to ruin your or mine race. There's plenty of straights where any GTC car can pass Mini.

Also, if you don't try suicidal overtake in corner that looks and works like a swiss army knife (small but deadly in wrong hands), but instead wait until the corner ends and blast on next straight, it makes living to me as well as you much much more easier.

and as I said, I am not that fast in Sebring, so shorter the race is, worse is my result, I think and so I am not expecting much from Wednesday's races. 12 laps isn't that long.

Nevertheless, my racing logs (according to race analyzer) I have won total of 15 races during last 2 years when racing online from several hundreds of races, so in any race I think having a good race if I place well compared to competition and basically having good fights during the race. neither of those happened during yesterday's race.

Mogget

23 June 08, 10:22

Further to Nappe1's comments, I would like to point out something about lapping people. Simply put, if I am not at least level with the guy being lapped before the braking zone starts, then I hold back until after the corner. Like Nappe1 says, you have absolutely no idea if the guy in front is preparing to take the corner using the racing line, or moving over to let you through. So why take the risk ? Just be patient, and overtake on the next straight.

As for my premature retirement from last night's race, I can only apologise. With hindsight, I shouldn't have competed in the race at all. I don't particularly like Sebring, and two hours is a long time if you end up driving on your own. I enjoyed the endurance race at Daytona RC, but that is a much more interesting track. Maybe I was more enthusiastic because it happened to be my first ever endurance race ?

I will think carefully before deciding whether to compete in future endurance events (is the track interesting ? do I have enough enthusiasm ? etc).

@Daz

I didn't mean that I was happy that you had retired. I meant that seeing a chat message appear at the top of the screen was actually more interesting to me than the racing at that time !

I apologise if you thought that I was having a laugh at your expense. That really wasn't the case :-(

Woody

23 June 08, 11:18

A Really bad start to race, but a good finish sums ups my performance last night. I qualified third on the grid but trying to avoid spinning on the grid again I hardly moved and just fell down the grid losing even more positions being too cautious in the first half of the lap. Finally at one of the tight rights after the hairpin I touched the back of Smulls Cobra and spun him onto the grass. I pulled over to let him rejoin ahead of me and instead left the game leaving me dead last.

My job now to try and catch the GTC class and try and get a decent result in the end but first I had to overtake a small group of TC cars which took 2 or 3 laps having to wait generally to the straights to make a pass, and then just keep the car on the road until the pit stop gaining a few places from those spinning off or leaving the game. Early pit stops from some of the leading cars allowed me to get up to 1st place for a short amount of time and on lap 28 I made my stop.

I left the pits in 4th place but Jukkelis suddenly appeared in my mirror and chased me for a few corners when I realised that he could be lapping me and let off early into the hairpin to let him by leaving me in 5th. A few laps later I caught Ralph and past but then being used to the old Sebring hairpin went straight on and lost the position. After a few more laps I caught back up to Ralph and passed a few laps later. Two Pit stops for some of the leading cars helped me into 3rd with around ten laps to go and a gap of 40 seconds to the car in front I set about catching the second place car. At the last corner of the penultimate lap I was in reach and kept close to him for the final lap. Maintaining a tight line through the last corner allowed me to get along side Ron B for a drag race to finish getting 2nd by just 0.4 of a second.

I was very happy to get such a good finish after such a bad start and congrats to Jukkelis for the win. Thanks for the racing and very much looking forward to the next one!!!!

Woody

rookiedaz

23 June 08, 12:01

Race report.
Totally new car for me, never driven the Daytona coupe before, so was totally in the dark as to how fast the car might be really. Found myself in 8th on the grid, but managed a fairly successfull launch off the line:mrgreen:, to end up in 2nd into turn 1. Jukkelis immediately started goging too fast;-), and was easing away, but I had seen him say he was going to 2 stop, and I was definitely going to 1 stop, so thought I would not chase too hard, so as to save the tyres also:thumbup:. Unfortunately, under very little pressure, I ran wide onto the mud in the corner onto the back straight and lost 2 places:thumbdown:, and also fed into the clutches of epicname and RalphB. A good dice ensued:-), and when I ran wide at the hairpin they both went through. But epic repeated my trick, and me and Ralph went through. We had a good scrap, before my persistance paid off and I got by, although I think Ralph had decided to let me go to be honest.
By the mid point I was in P2 and 4 laps later went for the pits. Unfortunately, I had not mapped the buttons correctly, so was unable to put in any fuel:ohmy:. Oops! Needless to say, I wasn't best pleased initially:angry:, although I did end up thinking about 5 minutes later that up to that point I had a great drive and race, so am not too unhappy. Really enjoying these long races, something to get your teeth into!:thumbup:
Sorry to nappe1 if I ever got in your way mate, always tried to take you on the straight I think, but I could be wrong. All the slower cars did a great job when being lapped I thought, proper gentlemen stuff.

@Mogget, I wouldn't think that of you mate, was only joking with ya. Having said that, if I was you and that message came up from me again, I would of chuckled, before feeling bad of course;-).

Oh, shame, there is more on wednesday:-D

Geoffers

23 June 08, 12:04

Didn't have time to try the Elan at Sebring before joining qually, so the first few laps were a bit scrappy until I started to find the braking points. So was happy to be the first non-V8 on the grid.

Got a poor start & lost a place or two by T1. After things had settled down I was chasing G Sawyer's E-Type & after swapping places a couple of times managed to get the upper hand. Lapped on my own for a while until a recovering Woody caught & passed me.

Then had the first of two CTDs when AOL spyware protection decided to advise me about spyware it had blocked :angry:. Fortunately I got the car stopped without hitting anything & got going just ahead of Mogget. A few laps later it happened again on the S/F straight, again I got the car stopped without any damage but lost a place to Mogget this time.

Caught back up with the Mogster's E-type which promptly spun at T4 & gave me the place back. Pitted at the end of lap 23 & only needed to add fuel as the tyres were still good which saved a lot of time. By the time everyone had pitted I was 7th around 15s behind 6th but with over 40s to 8th. Towards the end Marty & Epicname both made second pitstops & I was up to 5th. Marty rejoined around 14s behind & began closing the gap. It would have been a close finish but with around 5 or 6 laps left I clipped the wall at the fast right onto the straight behind the paddock & had a long trip across the grass which lost me about 8s.:-(

Marty was now only 2s behind & there was no defence against Cobra power & I was down to my final position of 6th, first non-V8.

I must admit it wasn't an exciting race, we really need a full grid to make enduros interesting.

Congrats to Jukkelis, Woody & Ron :thumbup:

jukez

23 June 08, 12:33

Good race last night!

I was expecting tough battle against those V8's that can preserve their tyres and do only one pit stop. I knew that I would be fast with Corvette only if the tyres would be in good shape. And with my driving + Vette it meant at least two stops. I thought that two pit-stops would also give me a possibility to powerslide a bit. Thats the fast way around some corners. But after driven the first 10 laps trying to escape the Cobras and TVRs my tyres started to give up.

I needed to slow down and clean up my lines. It was not easy. Anyhow succeeded to run 17 laps before pit stop, still in lead. Then I was probably one of the first in pits, cause dropped to ~13th place after fillup and tyre change. Then followed the most exciting part of the race. Lots of action and cars to catch up. Succeeded to overtake few but also gained placings because of others mistakes and pitting in. Unfortunately agressive way of driving pays tyres and I had to do my second stop in lap 30 already.

After the second pit stop I was ~6th and again there was V8 engined cars in front of me. Somehow succeeded to mangle past few and few went to pits. After a while I was enjoying 1st placing again. I knew that I had to drive slowly through tight curves save the tyres. I was struggling very hard in final laps. My lap times were 2:29-3:33 instead of the normal 2:27-2:29. I was underestimating brake distances with worn rear tyres and running wide in corners. Result was third cut track warning in the second last lap. F***!! I knew that the car behind me was also having problems cause the gap increased by 10sec few times and at the time of my penalty he was maybe 25sec behind. I thought it would take longer for me to do s/g and exit pits. But I exited the pits, starting the last lap and saw 2 cars battling behind me. I just had enough time to escape form their battle and drive my last lap in the lead. (I was swetting that 2:30 quite heavily :))

Sometimes it was hard to estimate if I had enough speed to overtake Nappes mini before the next turn :) I might have caused some hair raising to you. Apologies for that! The difference in speed was huge in straights but in the corners it might have been other way round.

These two last endurance tracks have been better suited to GTC65 cars with high top speed than some of the lower powered TC65 cars. But its always nice to see wide variation of cars running in the same race.

-Jukka

Nappe1

23 June 08, 12:50

Good race last night!

These two last endurance tracks have been better suited to GTC65 cars with high top speed than some of the lower powered TC65 cars. But its always nice to see wide variation of cars running in the same race.

-Jukka

Reason for me driving Mini and Abarth is the fact that I do like (in real world too) some specialities and in GTC class I have not found car that I would be ready to pursue. I did tested Vette in last wednesday, as I did testin TVR, but Vette was too heavy and TVR again too light. I have been trying earlier Healey, but never liked it too much either.

Mini Marcos (raced in 2004 season at FIA GTC-65, but was left out from the game.) or Toyota Sports 800 would be something, but even though they are in plans or in development for the game as addons, it really does not change this situation as the server is been raced without addons.

So, you'll be seeing me as moving chikane in the future as well. (though there's gonna be break in july, as I am travelling first to Kilpisjärvi for few days and then I have invitation to meet Rauno Aaltonen during Festival of Speed in Goodwood, England)

Another good reason to stay in Mini is the fact that I don't want to mess up my driving on F1 Venue Championships.

jukez

23 June 08, 13:02

I hope that we have tightier and more curvy tracks in the future for these TC65+GTC65 events. So that also the less powerful but agile cars would have possibilities for good placing. Unfortunately for very curvy track Vette is one of the worst choices.

BTW. Nappe have you tried Corvette or Cobra with full load (120litres) of gas? They are much more stable and better with the additional weight in the right place (like a woman). Still the acceleration wont suffer much. I ran Corvette yesterday with initial 120 litres and filled her up to that amound in pits every time as well.

Zieman

23 June 08, 13:02

Nappe: Try Alpine!

A bit quicker than the Mini & very nice on this track.

Nappe1

23 June 08, 13:07

Nappe: Try Alpine!

A bit quicker than the Mini & very nice on this track.

I have been thinking that as it was my car choice in RT as well. (after the Mini became beaten badly by Fulvia and Abarth was not enough against GTA or Fulvia.)

but we'll see...

Mogget

23 June 08, 13:17

The Renault Alpine is a lovely car to drive. You just have to be careful with that loose back end.

Ralph_B

23 June 08, 14:01

Ralph B's (no bad memories mate.) try to overtake on that hairpin chikane after curved section was the last straw. I outbraked him a good margin and turned in by swearing at the same time loudly. After the chikane I pulled a side givin him a space to overtake. Yet, this time it was my turn to overestimate his car performance, as we were in next corner before he reached me. And again I totally losed my nerves thinking that "Okays, you don't want to overtake. That's fine then" and closed the door not giving a darn what happens behind.

This continued one more corner, which after I drove swearing like a maniac several meters out of the track yelling "You wanna see Mini cutting some grass, eh??" and Ralph B at last overtook me. Nevertheless as I saw no "Thank you" from my several straights out of the line and out of the pace driving, I decided to call it a day, slowed down, switched 4th gear and kept rpm in 3000 next 3 laps. In finish line I had try my own stunt which I have practised to perfection... 180 degree turn with hand brake, without losing the speed... of course it failed miserably this time.

Much sorry, if I obviosly ruined your nerves. That shurely wasn't intended. Must admit, my first attempt to pass - as you discribed - was prepared very poor. I had hoped, that I could catch you before the corner, but underestimated your speed or overestimated mine - however you want. I realized my mistake before it came to a meltdown and cancelled my attempt immediately. Sorry for causing some confusion!
The rest obviosly was a big misundertandment from both sides. I know about the good performance of a Mini at twisty parts of a track, and that the little Cooper can be a serios opponent to the much stronger, but also much heavier and turn-unwilling V8's. You had in your mind to offer me a chance to overlap and drove away from your usual line, of course with loosing time. But somehow I never expected, what you did in good intention and mostly had positioned my car completely wrong. To be eager, I wasn't even shure, if it was an offer or if you drove fighting-line.8-)
As there wasn't a direct opponent around me, I deceided to stay behind you until the next straight, where I could do a save pass without risking annother messy action.

Sorry again, but perhaps not my fault alone and shurely not my intention.
Greetz, Ralph

Nappe1

23 June 08, 14:12

Much sorry, if I obviosly ruined your nerves. That shurely wasn't intended. Must admit, my first attempt to pass - as you discribed - was prepared very poor. I had hoped, that I could catch you before the corner, but underestimated your speed or overestimated mine - however you want. I realized my mistake before it came to a meltdown and cancelled my attempt immediately. Sorry for causing some confusion!
The rest obviosly was a big misundertandment from both sides. I know about the good performance of a Mini at twisty parts of a track, and that the little Cooper can be a serios opponent to the much stronger, but also much heavier and turn-unwilling V8's. You had in your mind to offer me a chance to overlap and drove away from your usual line, of course with loosing time. But somehow I always never expected that, what you did and mostly had positioned my car completely wrong. To be eager, I wasn't even shure, if it was an offer or if you drove fighting-line.8-)
As there wasn't a direct opponent around me, I deceided to stay behind you until the next straight, where I could do a save pass without risking annother messy action.

Sorry again, but perhaps not my fault alone and shurely not my intention.
Greetz, Ralph

No problem mate, as I said, it was just the final straw. So many other things had gotten over me before that, so it was not your fault. It could have been anyone else, as I was already on the edge. Maybe I should have (for once) leave the server earlier already, but as I am stubborn and my target is race as long as car keeps going, I stayed too long.

Leaving on that situation or position would have not changed anything else than perhaps saved my nerves.

billsmithem

23 June 08, 15:33

...

i had a similar last few laps to yours. i was miles behind the car infront, loosing time each lap, i had no tyres left and was running out of fuel rapid and i was a lap ahead of the car behind. so i just drove slow to try and conserve fuel. who ever was in the alfa must of been wondering what the hell i was up to.

hope i didnt cause u any trouble lapping u, i normally give u a flash of the lights to say hi. (lights are mapped to a paddle) more important than chat :-D

Nah, didn't give it a second thought, just assumed you had issues and drove on by! :-)

Too busy driving what I think was my first online race with no mistakes. I was amazed to complete 2 hours of racing without ever putting more than two wheels off the pavement sliding on the curbs. No spins, no contact (well, I think there was a little rubbing of sheet metal on the first lap but nothing strong enough to unsettle either car).

While I could claim a class win, I don't know that it means anything given that there were only two TC-65 cars running. What happened to all the folks that said they were running TC-65?

Spent a lot of time driving alone but I had fun beating half the field that was running in faster cars! (Hey, I don't care if it's because they quit, you quit you lose!) :thumbup:

I would be happy to run nothing but these two hour endurance races for the regular season too. I've really enjoyed racing in both classes. Each presents interesting challenges, adding dealing with traffic (faster or slower) to the skills required to do well.

The only changes I would want are to have a larger field and roughly the same number of entrants for both classes.

-)G(-Sawyer

23 June 08, 17:03

I love these races even though I’ve had some bad luck in my first two, engine blow up 10 minutes from the end of the first race then a locked up puter last night.

Maybe we could have Sunday/Wednesday race soon for only TC-65 cars I’m sure that would be a lot of fun.:thumbup:

Nappe1

23 June 08, 17:39

I would be happy to run nothing but these two hour endurance races for the regular season too. I've really enjoyed racing in both classes. Each presents interesting challenges, adding dealing with traffic (faster or slower) to the skills required to do well.

The only changes I would want are to have a larger field and roughly the same number of entrants for both classes.

F1 Venue Champships which is running as open series for TC-65 right now is sort of endurance series as the races are 70-90 minutes long. (you can read more about it at the GTL -> Multiplayer section.) Though this season is only as half ran, I and Jevgen have been throwing some ideas about the off season league and possible season 2009.

One of the ideas have been having two different classes, but as the most of the venues are really fast, we have been thinking to limit the GTC cars as to max 3500cc cars or perhaps three classes, by TC, GTC-low and GTC-high. Another thing which is in plans to have is points for teams as additional to manufacturers and drivers like we have now. It's not decided yet how many drivers would form a team, but the idea would to have different class cars in same team.

Yet, the going on season is not in half yet, so we have not yet really paid attention to it.

Mogget

23 June 08, 18:05

Maybe we could have Sunday/Wednesday race soon for only TC-65 cars I’m sure that would be a lot of fun.

That sounds like a good idea. The Moggstang is getting restless in the garage ;-)

rookiedaz

23 June 08, 20:50

As always, I'd be well up for TC action, if only for the fun of pestering that blue mustang in a Tina...:-P;-)

marty351

24 June 08, 00:33

I guess I could be added to Nappe1's list, Sorry if I pulled any offensive overtakes.I could tell by your tone of chat that you were getting pissed.
I have spent many a Sunday looking in my rearview mirror letting the faster guys through.The GTC 65 are tough to move up into from the Mini/Abarth,But you will need to spend some time (A lot of time for me)
learning how they have to handled differently.

I somehow managed to grab the pole position,But a cautious race start cost me a few spots,Sorry if any havoc was caused on the grid.I think "ROCKET DAZ" passed me before My clutch was fully engaged:-P

I did not think fuel and tires would make one stop....I was wrong:-(
I had planned pitting on lap 20 and 35,so I could have fresh tires for a sprint to the finish.

I chased the Jukez till he pitted on lap 18 he had put an ever increasing gap on me by this point.My tires surprisingly felt good when I entered the pits on lap 20.But I thought no way will fuel make it ,so I went with my original strategy.

I got to my pit stall the pit board came up and then WHAMMO!!! in the rear of my car,It was Longbeard I dont know if he was on autopit or just completly blew it,Or could we have had the same pitstall?on such a long pitroad that should not have been a problem.

I could not move my car and waited for an agonizing long time before I got to drive again,Had to back up to avoid Longbeards pitted car losing more time.I came out the pits pretty depressed that a good run was ruined by a stupid pitstop and now I needed to do it again in 15 laps(Well I cant top Daz for the countless times his crew never gave him enough fuel to finish a race:-):-))

I exited right in the middle of a Geoffers Mogget battle Sorry guys:-(
I was pretty overheated and drove a little heavy on the throttle.The rest of the race was a blur for me Sorry to all I may have overtaken:-( improperly. A special Thank You to all the drivers here for being so professional on the the track:thumbup:

Jukkelis managed to stop twice and beat us all Great Work!!:thumbup:

My pit strategy didnt work and I dragged my car home in 5th,But I had a great time racing with you guys, Marty

(Mogget, Sebring is a good track you just needed a faster car to enjoy it more. Sliding arould for 2 hours was a version of fun for me,and I was never bored running alone:-))

jukez

24 June 08, 06:19

Jukkelis managed to stop twice and beat us all Great Work!!:thumbup:

Yes, well two normal pit stops and one extra, just for fun of it ;)
Actually I think without the pit problems you and Daz would have been in the lead after my S/G.

-Jukka

rookiedaz

24 June 08, 06:36

I somehow managed to grab the pole position,But a cautious race start cost me a few spots,Sorry if any havoc was caused on the grid.I think "ROCKET DAZ" passed me before My clutch was fully engaged:-P

Lol!:laugh::-P:mrgreen:

(Mogget, Sebring is a good track you just needed a faster car to enjoy it more. Sliding arould for 2 hours was a version of fun for me,and I was never bored running alone:-))

Well, didn't quite make the full 2 hours(GRRR!!) but have to agree, all that sliding around in the Daytona was great fun, except for the point at which Jukkelis showed me exactly how worn my tyres were....

Mogget

24 June 08, 08:56

Don't worry, guys. I'll be "sliding around" tomorrow night ;-)

grem304

24 June 08, 11:29

Had a slow start, as usual for me, and droped to the back of the field. After that it was a case the clock race for me. My compliments to BillS for running a good consistant race. I to was pleased with my run even though I was never a contender for any where near the front of the pack. I was able to run steady lap times and kept from spinning the Mercedes. Until my pitstop I was able to stay within sight of Bill's Alpha but was unable to reel him in keeping a gap of about 5 sec. After a clumsy pitstop I came out about 50 sec behind him and was able to keep the gap the same but still unable to close.

billsmithem

24 June 08, 12:19

It was Race The Clock for me too. Everyone that got past came through so fast there was no hope of out pacing them or keeping up once they were by, so I concentrated on consistent lap times and maintaining the gap behind me if it seemed to be possible. I was treating the tires so well they weren't going off too badly when I pitted at the halfway point, but changed them anyway so that I could maintain my pace through the rest of the race. (To be honest, MY pit stop takes longer than the tire change... just one of those things I've gotten used to. :mrgreen:)

Complements to almost all the faster cars on their passing.

Early on I was somewhat perplexed at the maneuvers of one of the Elans - someone kept catching me just at the end of the straights and then attempting impossible passes in the turns, losing a ton of time, and falling way back.

Repeat at next straight...

I couldn't figure out why he didn't just tuck in behind through the turn and just drive by on the next staight - the Elan is much faster than the Alpha. For a bit I was convinced he was going to take me out when he botched the pass. Never did manage to get anywhere near even with me. Eventually he disappeared.

Ralph_B

24 June 08, 17:16

After digested Nappes asskick ;-) , because I've given him the rest with my clumsy overlapping, after he was already pissed, here my racereport.

My start wasn't a real stunner and I felt back from third to 6th behind Epicname and DAZ and in front of Longbeard. Otherwise no trouble for me this time in the first corners, the dramas played some rows behind.:-D

For a few laps no significant changes in my situation, exept I could slowly get away from the screaming Vette of Longbeard. Maybe arround lap 4 or 5 DAZ messed up the chicane and I won a position.
After that chased the red TVR of Epicname. It was a nice battle and I enjoyed it very much. I think, this fight lasted 10 laps or even more and also DAZ closed up again. But then Epicname did a mistake in the same chicane like DAZ and I went in front.
But I wasn't able to celebrate my triumph for long, as DAZ started to get impatient behind me and set me under pressure. I resisted him for several laps, but then locked up my rear and spun in the last corner. And away he was - and Epicname, too! :angry:

Struggled hard in the next laps, but finally managed to close up to the red TVR again. The battle from the racebeginning started all over again. And funny- ended also the same way. I passed Epicname in the chicane a second time. It was soething like his weakpoint, where he had trouble a several times, while on the other parts of the track he didn't give me a chance for a pass.

It was halftime and due to different pitstop-strategies was on 3 for a several laps, until I did my own tirechange and fuelling up. About one minute stop, then race went on. Shortly had fallen back to 7, but after all after all had done their obligatory break, was on my former 4th again.

The second turn was far less exiting than the first and the only change have been the overlappings of slower cars for a long time.
Was about 15 seconds behind DAZ, but wasn't able to come closer. My lead to the next was confortable, so it became a bit lonely. Lonely until suddenly Woody's green Cobra appeareed out of nowhere in my mirror. An he grew bigger and bigger in my rearview. I started to push and he grew a bit slower, but still filled the mirror more at each lap. Ok, closing up and overtaking are two pairs of shoes - and for a couple of laps I was able to keep him behind. But finally the unavoidable happened and the green Cobra went in front. Tried to stay behind Woody as good as possible, maybe he does a mistake and I could have an advantage out of this situation. But he didn't and I slowly lost ground. Somewhere here the situation, where I unintentionally provocated Nappe's rage of fury, must have happened, for what I still feel sorry.
After that incident Woody finally was out of sight and I decided to carry home my 5th savely.
But sometimes wonders happen and Daz's Daytona was creeping at the outside of the last turn. Next lap I noticed him in the pits.

So finally finished 4th. A podium would have been better, but I can't complain. It was a good race with great battles in the first half and I finished much better than expected.