A skippy thread - Page 6

Kalifen · 12 June 12, 07:07

Moto would be with the west chicane and the alternative final chicane? Should be a fun layout?

Domey · 18 June 12, 11:56

My first race this week I was taken out in T1 by a fellow from Brazil. He continued, I had wheel damage. Took a tow, video crashed. Rebooted the computer, rejoined session. In the car again, "repairs needed" is showing, but the lollipop man says I can go. I back up about 4 pit stalls and pull up to him again and he has no reaction. I'm free to go. My car is still ganked, so I pull past the pit exit cones and get another tow. After that time penalty expires, I can have my repairs, and I take all of them. How I finished only 4 laps down, I'll never know. Race Results

So, of course, I decide to have a "mulligan" this week and race a second time. Much better results, though I was concerned because that same Brazilian fellow was in this race too. I was able to keep him behind me this time. Unfortunately, the winner was able to keep me behind him as well. But, I'm always happy with a podium. Race Results

Kalifen · 20 June 12, 18:32

I had quite a good week on Road Atlanta. 8 starts, 8 poles and 6 wins

Still not entirely satisfied with consistency or nerves ahead of fast cars, but much better than at Suzuka. Won't be home now for a few weeks, though. Possibly I might catch a race in week 12, but nothing before that.

AllanGP · 25 June 12, 21:46

Hit my weeks PB in the UKI Skippy race, most intense race I've had at iRacing, like minded blokes giving it everything but respectful, great fun, all UK iRacers should join in!

http://members.iracing.com/membersit...7&custid=37971

1 sec covered Top 9 Qualifiers!

darock · 2 July 12, 09:52

Don't know if this video by Skip Barber has been mentioned in this thread or not. It shows the Skippy doing things fairly easily in real life that aren't real easy in the sim. And of course the thread has the usual number of worthless posts by the usual population of iRacing trolls. But it's a good video about how to drive a race car.

http://members.iracing.com/jforum/po...t/2002408.page

AllanGP · 2 July 12, 10:11

The one in the first post? Not managed to watch it yet apart from first 5 mins, looking forward to it.

Chronus · 2 July 12, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by darock

Don't know if this video by Skip Barber has been mentioned in this thread or not. It shows the Skippy doing things fairly easily in real life that aren't real easy in the sim. And of course the thread has the usual number of worthless posts by the usual population of iRacing trolls. But it's a good video about how to drive a race car.

http://members.iracing.com/jforum/po...t/2002408.page

darock,

would it be possible to post a link to that video (hopefully somewhere in YT)? As I'm away from home, my iRacing sub is on stand-by, don't have access to the forums.

AllanGP · 2 July 12, 11:46

Here you go;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRmYMlmdqM

Chronus · 2 July 12, 12:15

Thank you Allan.

EDIT: 1h30m, big! Goodie!

EDIT 2: thank you guys (for mentioning the video and posting the link). Great stuff here.

Chronus · 2 July 12, 18:50

Watched the video. Very good. Very very good.

1987 (the cloths and the synth music are dead give-aways), but still up-to-date, driving skills never age.

Don't know if any of you are interested, but couldn't we discuss the video, what it suggests to each of us and what our individual experiences are with the Skippy (and with other sims as well)? Maybe continue from where darock started?

Just an idea.

AllanGP · 2 July 12, 19:06

Good idea, I need to watch it first and with my schedule just now it might be later in the week but good idea.

Chronus · 2 July 12, 20:01

I'd like very much to hear your opinion and that of others.

So, I hope you find the time to watch it.

Gutshot · 2 July 12, 21:56

Thats a great tape and you should watch all of it.

Much or most of it will translate to iRacing Skippy, but some things to understand about the video:

Its 25 years old and the Skippy has changed a good bit since then with different engine and transmission and a host of other things including probably the suspension (the steering column is still as shown in the video making left foot braking impossible except possibly for warmup left foot brake dragging. I couldn't do it with racing shoes with 9 1/2 American shoe size.) They still use treaded street tires in the video and today for the school and for most racing. To me that is a big plus because it probably translates much better to your family car everyday experience than experiencing slicks (and I don't need to get so scared at the turning g forces when my wife is driving us back home from Fairbanks and I'm an innocent passenger). In the video the old Skippy is using an H-shifter and a double clutch tranny. Today, and in iRacing, it uses a single clutching sequential transmission. That means that you cannot downshift from 5th to say 2nd in one operation. You have to go down through all the gears in sequence. However this is eased by not having to double clutch, but only clutching once for each downshift. That makes the heel/toe/blip sequence a bit different and easier.

In the video it is clear that the good drivers use a lot more steering wheel input by putting the rear tires at their limit, and that there is a lot more tire squeal in a good turn than I often approximate in iRacing. As soon as I recoup from my back injury and I can again left foot clutch without pain, I plan to turn down my iRacing engine volume and raise my tire sounds so see if it helps me.

Finally, if you like the video you will like the book "Going Faster". Its also not so old.

Domey · 9 July 12, 19:54

Got a win!
http://members.iracing.com/membersit...sionid=6009608

AllanGP · 10 July 12, 11:42

Great stuff, well done!

AllanGP · 10 July 12, 14:46

I've watched the video in full now and whilst old still very good. However having read the book the video really didn't add anything to what I already knew.

Well worth a watch especially if you have not read the book. It was good to put some faces to names as well.

In relation to the current Skip, well actually I spent a lot of time at Mid Ohio yesterday in the Skip and with the right set up you can really slide it about quite a bit on the new NTM, feels really nice.

Only had it snap back at me a couple of times and those situations were quite like the video. This season's NTM on the Skip has really made it a very rewarding car to drive if you put the time in.

AllanGP · 23 July 12, 20:30

A fun last race in the UKI Skippy Season. Top 16 covered by 1 sec in Qualifying!!

http://members.iracing.com/membersit...6&custid=37971

Hotsocks · 24 July 12, 15:11

Of course Towler doesn't honour these events with his presence much. Would have been more than second then methinks. He seems to be a bit disillusioned with NTM recently. I saw him turn up for a couple of Skip races (not England), and even though I've seen all the fast drivers over a few years in the skip, hell was he impressive. Just looked like another class of control (imo). Didn't look wacky- exploiting the physics driving, just really smooth and on the power early bang on the limit. And how cool is this?.. he nearly took a wrong turn at the beginning; thought the track was a different config.

And with these real 'aliens', they don't warm up their driving like everyone else at the start. They sort of investigate the limits of the circuit and car; a couple of laps to see how much curb they can get away with here, or how close to a wall i.e. how fast can this car configuration go as opposed to how fast they can drive it.

Domey · 1 August 12, 22:23

2012S3W1 Skippy @ Watkins Glen Boot

Down to 2:11.521 http://members.iracing.com/membersit...sionid=6142658

So far this week the practices have been pretty well attended, but participation is often better early in the season. Before dreams have been shattered. I have been advanced to the 3rd division, having been in the 5th every previous season. I would love to match my 11th place finish of last season, but will strive for a top 20 and feel unsure about how likely that is. If I can stay within 2-3 seconds of the fast guys I'll be pretty happy. (You wanna call them aliens? Go ahead.)

Getting things together. Feel like I'll qualify and race soon. I'm running the SM again this season as well, so I have to leave some practice time for that too. I'll post results and keep this skippy thread abreast of how my season progresses, or digresses, as the case may be.

AllanGP · 6 August 12, 21:56

Fab UKI Skippy race for me tonight, matched my best ever finish in this Series, some really great drivers in this group;

http://members.iracing.com/membersit...4&custid=37971

porph · 13 August 12, 21:22

Getting into the Skippy now.. After driving the MX5 so much and the Mustang (less so.. not a fan) it took a few adjustments but it is very nice to drive.

I'm aiming to get up to speed for week 3's Skib Barber Race Series at Spa.. Not exactly the easiest track to make my debut on.. At least I have done plenty of virtual laps there before as opposed to a lot of the American tracks.

One question.. I can't see (most of) the rev counter.. Is this normal?

AllanGP · 13 August 12, 22:53

Yep you can't see the bottom half, however it won't take you long to change up on sound alone it's quite distinctive once you get it.

porph · 14 August 12, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllanGP

Yep you can't see the bottom half, however it won't take you long to change up on sound alone it's quite distinctive once you get it.

You're right. Getting the hang of it now. Still 3-4 seconds off where I need to be at Spa.. I think I'll practice/TT all week then give a race a shot at the weekend. Turn 12 is where I'm definitely losing a lot of time, probably could get a bit more out of Eau Rouge as well.

Any set up tips to tame the lift off oversteer? It seems very driveable on the throttle in low to mid speed corners but can get a bit lairy in the faster ones if a line needs tightening!

Gutshot · 14 August 12, 18:55

lift off oversteer (when cornering at limit) is a very real thing we all observe. I THINK it is ultimately the same cause as trailbraking oversteer. and it probably has the same cure: keep on enough throttle and be very tender about making changes (nothing abrupt).

Its is the rear tires losing traction while the fronts still adhere.

What causes this at the limit in a turn? Not much you can do to change the inherent balance in the car under static conditions except set up the car so that the fronts become similarly loose (which is not a god solution), so it boils down to your inputs, brake or throttle (Steering wheel would not seem to be much involved here where you are already turning on the limit, except to countersteer, which could save from a spin, but still run off the track).

Whether this problem is caused by engine braking (my theory) or by changes in front/rear tire loading as affected by changes in the loading of the dampers/springs, or a combination thereof, it is induced by a changes made by your feet on the pedals.

Some days I have these problems bigtime, and other days I dont have them. I dont blame the sim, but rather how much finesse I can apply to the pedals, and how seamlessly I can move from the brake to the throttle. Throttle lift off needs to be gradual. Brake liftoff needs to be gradual, moving from brake to throttle needs to be nearly seamless.

Since I use Heel/toe right foot braking some of this is difficult for me. Many Skippy drivers use left foot brake/right foot throttle which allows use of both simultaneously and might add to finesse.

Another hint is to set up the tire sounds to max to help you know where the turning grip limit is. Get your downshifting done before turning into the corner and maybe go down to a lower gear for better throttle response in the turn. Until you get good at this, avoid trailbraking. Dont coast a corner, but always have at least some throttle.

porph · 14 August 12, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gutshot

lift off oversteer (when cornering at limit) is a very real thing we all observe. I THINK it is ultimately the same cause as trailbraking oversteer. and it probably has the same cure: keep on enough throttle and be very tender about making changes (nothing abrupt).

Its is the rear tires losing traction while the fronts still adhere.

What causes this at the limit in a turn? Not much you can do to change the inherent balance in the car under static conditions except set up the car so that the fronts become similarly loose (which is not a god solution), so it boils down to your inputs, brake or throttle (Steering wheel would not seem to be much involved here where you are already turning on the limit, except to countersteer, which could save from a spin, but still run off the track).

Whether this problem is caused by engine braking (my theory) or by changes in front/rear tire loading as affected by changes in the loading of the dampers/springs, or a combination thereof, it is induced by a changes made by your feet on the pedals.

Some days I have these problems bigtime, and other days I dont have them. I dont blame the sim, but rather how much finesse I can apply to the pedals, and how seamlessly I can move from the brake to the throttle. Throttle lift off needs to be gradual. Brake liftoff needs to be gradual, moving from brake to throttle needs to be nearly seamless.

Since I use Heel/toe right foot braking some of this is difficult for me. Many Skippy drivers use left foot brake/right foot throttle which allows use of both simultaneously and might add to finesse.

Another hint is to set up the tire sounds to max to help you know where the turning grip limit is. Get your downshifting done before turning into the corner and maybe go down to a lower gear for better throttle response in the turn. Until you get good at this, avoid trailbraking. Dont coast a corner, but always have at least some throttle.

Thanks, seems very much inline with my experience. I just need to get the entry speed right. It is when I overcook it and need to coast or worse brake mid corner to quell understeer that it kicks in. I'm far too used to driving nice friendly front engined, rear wheel drive cars both in sims and real life...

I also right foot brake, at some point I'm going to have to left foot.

porph · 20 August 12, 08:54

Not a great start to my Skib Barber career.

Qualified mid pack yet first lap through Eau Rouge it deemed I cut the corner so I eased off and was running about 10th into Les Combes.. Unfortunately there was a small pileup ahead of me into the blind turn 9 and I half spun avoiding them and the poor guy at the back of the pack did the same but just clipped me. My right rear wheel then decided it preferred 45 degrees of camber to my original settings and I had to limp it around the whole lap back to the pits incurring a few more offs and a spin due the new found instability!

So 2 laps down I drove out the race and finished 10th out of 12th due to 2 retirees. So a bit of a disaster but I wasn't really on the pace anyway and could have only hoped for a 8th or 9th. Bit of a hit to SR though.

Kalifen · 20 August 12, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by porph

I also right foot brake, at some point I'm going to have to left foot.

Switching to LFB will most likely, on the long run, give you an advantage. Tiny one regarding speed, a bigger one regarding car control. And a slight disadvantage when it comes to fuel consumption (not really a problem in the Skippy). You would have to practice it for quite a while to become good, though.

But what I was going to say, is that you don't HAVE TO switch. I actually converted from LFB to RFB some years ago when I finally got a G25 with three pedals. This mostly due to "religious" reasons, not to become faster. However, it is possible, at least in the Skippy to be competitive with RFB. There is one alien that is close to the best times each week he decides to give it a go, and world records have been set with RFB. Also, while I'm not close to alien speed, I have had great success in the Skippy, and reached almost 5000 iRating mainly due to Skippy racing.

I can recall three corners where I've had problems, but found okay solutions to: T1/2 at Suzuka, T4 (I think) at Brands Hatch and that long decreasing radius right hander at Jefferson Reverse. Otherwise RFB works quite well. I do set up the car to accomodate RFB, though.

AllanGP · 20 August 12, 10:05

Re LFB

There is no doubt that good people and Aliens can be as fast RFB to LFB, our own Steve81 being a good example for RFB.

However, if you are an average Joe like me, LFB is faster because you can more readily keep the tyres at the limit of the friction circle.

I'm not a great trail/throttle braker but LFB is defo quicker for me, like driving a full size kart!

Hotsocks · 21 August 12, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalifen

However, it is possible, at least in the Skippy to be competitive with RFB. There is one alien that is close to the best times each week he decides to give it a go, and world records have been set with RFB.

Well, "Alien" gets banded around too much IMO. Towler, Hutto, Tanko are aliens. If it's the person I think you mean, he doesn't qualify. Aliens give the impression they can switch from series to series and go faster than the fastest specialists can go no matter how much they practice. The one fast-ish RFB'er I'm aware of in the skip at the moment has issues with certain tracks - actually certain turns - precisely because he is a RFB'er.

Allan mentioned Steve: if he's RFB-ing the skip, it's news to me. (has he changed or is this occasional?)

I RFB the MX-5 and Mustang, and don't think I lose time relative to anyone by doing it. But for Skip, there are turns which no question are harder RFB-ing. Even T3 Brands (after Druids hairpin), which looks innocuous, is hard to enter on the limit without snap oversteer with no throttle on. The aliens I've seen doing this kind of thing with RFB (and there are very few!) will likely preemptively counter-steer to allow for it. But people don't drive like that in RL with varying conditions of grip do they? Maybe a Vettel or Hamilton on their last ditch, death or glory Quali lap might, but even they don't drive races like that. General tip though, if you're doing RFB in the Skip, don't use the sort of brake biases favoured by most of the fastest throttle brakers (or Allan

). You will be snapping loose too often. I'm a fair bit faster than Allan, but to be honest, I couldn't drive his setup. It's something like Joao's. Actually, I'd be scared of that setup. You need to be a big throttle braker to drive that, fast. And as Allan readily admits, it's not necessary- Steve doesn't use mad oversteery setups. But then he doesn't throttle brake much. My guess, it's just harder to deal with than the real car.

AllanGP · 21 August 12, 15:47

Maybe Steve will chime in but last I heard he was RFB - could be my error though and I'm not going to trail through millions of posts to find "the one"

Hotsocks · 21 August 12, 16:26

Yes, 'I think we should be told'.

I wasn't picking on you and your setup btw, just that you're here. I know lots of people use oversteery setups and lots of throttle.

AllanGP · 21 August 12, 17:01

My BB is usually 57 to 60

Hotsocks · 21 August 12, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllanGP

My BB is usually 57 to 60

Oh, I thought I read something else somewhere. Sorry about that.

MickeyMouse · 21 August 12, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllanGP

Maybe Steve will chime in but last I heard he was RFB - could be my error though and I'm not going to trail through millions of posts to find "the one"

That's what the search function is for....

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve 81

I do left foot brake but I don't use the gas+brake all the time like some drivers do. I like to use a tiny bit of gas+brake when entering fast turns to stabilise the car and stop the car from over rotating into a slide which will cost you time.

AllanGP · 21 August 12, 19:43

Okay my bad.

Kalifen · 22 August 12, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotsocks

Well, "Alien" gets banded around too much IMO. Towler, Hutto, Tanko are aliens. If it's the person I think you mean, he doesn't qualify. Aliens give the impression they can switch from series to series and go faster than the fastest specialists can go no matter how much they practice. The one fast-ish RFB'er I'm aware of in the skip at the moment has issues with certain tracks - actually certain turns - precisely because he is a RFB'er.

I was thinking of Derek P. And yes, as I also mentioned in my post, certain turns are more difficult. As a rule of thumb, corners with decreasing radius are harder with RFB. Not impossible, but harder.

I'll agree with you that probably I shouldn't have used the term alien. Generally it is being tossed around meaning "somebody very fast, or at least much faster than me", but that was not the original meaning.

boons4 · 24 August 12, 09:33

Hi Guys,
Do you all join any private leagues for SKip? I can't seem to find any... I am glad you all are still so active here.. esp Kalifen and Allan.. the experts!...I hope i can private race you all at some point of time... I had been concentrating on posting in Iracing forum instead of here.. but I still come back here to read all you guys helpful posts!

Spa was my worst race pal.. esp the turn 2-3 upslope Eau Rouge ...I will always get overtake as i cannot full trottle at gear 5 at this two turns.. and almost every race there will be people banging into me because I am slow.. sigh... Full of accidents at SPA... very very frustating.. Now Okayama is so much more fun guys!

Because of Iracing, I move on to triple screen, CSR normal wheel and now even DIY motion rig,,, it is true immersiveness and great fun..! Never regreted! I even adjusted up my shifter from normal saloon car shifter position to the real Skip barber shifter position closer to steering wheel!. Look forward to more interesting posts and advice from you all pal. I thanks Kalifen and Allan once again. Cheers pal!

AllanGP · 24 August 12, 09:37

I keep meaning to do more regular races but always seem to run out of time in the Skip as my main car is the HPD.

If they ever introduce iRating per car I will race it more.

The league I run on Monday nights is for England & Celtic Clubs (shortly to become a joint UK&I Club) only, sorry. Probably the wrong time of day for you anyway.

Kalifen · 24 August 12, 13:39

Congrats on your new equipment, Boons! This will most likely add a lot to your experience

Even if we are in different divisions, we may still end up in races together (at least when they don't split), or in qualifying and practice sessions. Also, as you have most likely already discovered, there are many nice and helpful drivers in the Skippy series, both on the forum and in the practice sessions. If you upload replays and/or share data with iSpeed, you can get many of the good drivers to comment and help you go faster.

AllanGP · 27 August 12, 20:36

Fun UKI race tonight;

http://members.iracing.com/membersit...2&custid=37971

A couple of quick guy's did not turn up and another took a self imposed grid penatly otherwise I might have been lower!

boons4 · 28 August 12, 12:16

Guys do u think I can post this as a thread or it is mention before? This glovePie completely change my skip racing experience! I hated the current view of like helmet cam n staring down at angle! It is unlike I seat in star Mazda or f1 perfect view! This amazing file let my dream come true n added 50% more fun to skip ESP for triple screen user. Strongly encourage u all use if have not! Easier then mcv file.

For iracing member:
http://members.iracing.com/jforum/po...t/1809011.page

darock · 29 August 12, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by boons4

Guys do u think I can post this as a thread or it is mention before? This glovePie completely change my skip racing experience! I hated the current view of like helmet cam n staring down at angle! It is unlike I seat in star Mazda or f1 perfect view! This amazing file let my dream come true n added 50% more fun to skip ESP for triple screen user. Strongly encourage u all use if have not! Easier then mcv file.

For iracing member:
http://members.iracing.com/jforum/po...t/1809011.page

Starting a new thread would most certainly be the appropriate thing to do.

NoGrip has lots of space. They want people to post things that are appropriate to the forums. That equipment sounds like it's exactly on target for people who are into racing games. The forum would probably benefit from a newsy post or two about the thing and the discussion would have to educate people about it's use.

On the other hand, sticking off topic things in whatever thread you happen to be in really messes up those threads. It's why Forums make it so easy to start new threads. It's as easy as posting wherever you find yourself.

porph · 6 September 12, 13:08

I'm really enjoying the Skippy now. A good challenge without being too fast and a great drive when you get it hooked up. I had a good time at Lime Rock Park running a very clean race into 2nd place (a well practised track obviously helps).

Then onto Suzuka West with chicane.. The final two turns here are a massive challenge in the Skip trying to balance the car whilst getting it to turn in and carry good speed for the home straight.. I raced in a top split (which showed), ran mid way in the pack until about 10 laps in when a guy I was behind lost control and the ensuing incident cost me a pit stop (fortunately nearby!) and a 13/16 finish.

Great car though! If only I had a bit more time to practice..

AllanGP · 17 September 12, 20:32

Awesome fun with the UKI Skippy race tonight and cracked the 36's in practice;

http://members.iracing.com/membersit...3&custid=37971

Kalifen · 20 September 12, 08:14

This was expected, but I have recently discovered that a lot of mojo is lost when taking a long break from racing (life gets in the way too much...). Haven't actually entered a race in three months, and only this week started practicing a bit the Skippy again. Spent 45 minutes at Mosport getting to within half a second of my previous best, and had nowhere near the car control of the past.

I did some research, checking times from this season, a video from the iRacing forum, my own best lap replay, compared laps in iSpeed. Pretty much concluded that time lost was mainly from turns two and three, plus a little bit in the last turn. Then onto another hour and a half offline practice yesterday. Fixed the last turn quickly, and then spent the rest of the time focusing on sector one. But I simply couldn't improve. Did improve the other two sectors "by accident", though, so eventually I was only three tenths behind my previous best. Still, I absolutely cannot figure out what goes wrong in turns two and three

I actually lose four tenths in those turns, compared to both my own previous best, the video from the forum and a sort of comparable lap from iSpeed.

Also, I would need to work on consistency and avoiding spinning out, but that I believe will sort of come automatically with seat time.

AllanGP · 20 September 12, 11:35

Before + 5 perch and 8 ARB worked on a lot of circuits, since the NTM has developed, mid range settings seem to work better (for me). However at Mosport I'm now +4 and 7 but still probably not as quick as you!

Oh and I've been using John Bodin's MoTeC project to help set BB, it's a great tool to see which wheels are locking up on a lap.

Kalifen · 20 September 12, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllanGP

Before + 5 perch and 8 ARB worked on a lot of circuits, since the NTM has developed, mid range settings seem to work better (for me). However at Mosport I'm now +4 and 7 but still probably not as quick as you!

Oh and I've been using John Bodin's MoTeC project to help set BB, it's a great tool to see which wheels are locking up on a lap.

Ah, didn't know about that project, will look into it when I get the chance. Thanks!

My simplistic "set BB algorithm" is like this: As far back as possible, while making sure it doesn't make me lose control in any corner

(Remember I RFB)

Oh, and my setup since NTM was introduced has been pretty much the same every season, with only slight adjustments, and usually little changes between tracks. Perch to one extreme, I believe -4, at least opposite of the majority, and ARB 1. These two I seldom touch. BB moves between 57 and 60, tyre pressures always within the three lowest possible options. Maybe also my setup doesn't hit the sweet spot this season?

AllanGP · 20 September 12, 12:33

My issue was it wasn't always obvious which wheel was locking up if I was concentrating on making the corner, now it gets revealed easily.

At Road Atlanta I was on 57 but MoTeC showed more rearward would work and sure enough 56 was perfect.

I've made lot's more "middle" sets this Season, with the new FFB it feels like a new, better, car.

David H · 20 September 12, 16:08

Not read all of the posts in this thread, but I've decided to go with the Skip Barber for next season, have found posts here and this guys Skippy Blog very useful.

http://members.iracing.com/jforum/po...0/2022269.page

Domey · 20 September 12, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by David H

Not read all of the posts in this thread, but I've decided to go with the Skip Barber for next season, have found posts here and this guys Skippy Blog very useful.

http://members.iracing.com/jforum/po...0/2022269.page

You're gonna love it! But, you're also gonna hate it. The love will win, if you let it. There's plenty of love in the Skippy community. Friendly lot.

2 July 12, 21:56	#263
Gutshot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alaska Interior	Skip Barber Video Thats a great tape and you should watch all of it. Much or most of it will translate to iRacing Skippy, but some things to understand about the video: Its 25 years old and the Skippy has changed a good bit since then with different engine and transmission and a host of other things including probably the suspension (the steering column is still as shown in the video making left foot braking impossible except possibly for warmup left foot brake dragging. I couldn't do it with racing shoes with 9 1/2 American shoe size.) They still use treaded street tires in the video and today for the school and for most racing. To me that is a big plus because it probably translates much better to your family car everyday experience than experiencing slicks (and I don't need to get so scared at the turning g forces when my wife is driving us back home from Fairbanks and I'm an innocent passenger). In the video the old Skippy is using an H-shifter and a double clutch tranny. Today, and in iRacing, it uses a single clutching sequential transmission. That means that you cannot downshift from 5th to say 2nd in one operation. You have to go down through all the gears in sequence. However this is eased by not having to double clutch, but only clutching once for each downshift. That makes the heel/toe/blip sequence a bit different and easier. In the video it is clear that the good drivers use a lot more steering wheel input by putting the rear tires at their limit, and that there is a lot more tire squeal in a good turn than I often approximate in iRacing. As soon as I recoup from my back injury and I can again left foot clutch without pain, I plan to turn down my iRacing engine volume and raise my tire sounds so see if it helps me. Finally, if you like the video you will like the book "Going Faster". Its also not so old.

12 June 12, 07:07	#251
Kalifen Join Date: Aug 2010	Moto would be with the west chicane and the alternative final chicane? Should be a fun layout?

18 June 12, 11:56	#252
Domey Donated Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA	My first race this week I was taken out in T1 by a fellow from Brazil. He continued, I had wheel damage. Took a tow, video crashed. Rebooted the computer, rejoined session. In the car again, "repairs needed" is showing, but the lollipop man says I can go. I back up about 4 pit stalls and pull up to him again and he has no reaction. I'm free to go. My car is still ganked, so I pull past the pit exit cones and get another tow. After that time penalty expires, I can have my repairs, and I take all of them. How I finished only 4 laps down, I'll never know. Race Results So, of course, I decide to have a "mulligan" this week and race a second time. Much better results, though I was concerned because that same Brazilian fellow was in this race too. I was able to keep him behind me this time. Unfortunately, the winner was able to keep me behind him as well. But, I'm always happy with a podium. Race Results

20 June 12, 18:32	#253
Kalifen Join Date: Aug 2010	I had quite a good week on Road Atlanta. 8 starts, 8 poles and 6 wins Still not entirely satisfied with consistency or nerves ahead of fast cars, but much better than at Suzuka. Won't be home now for a few weeks, though. Possibly I might catch a race in week 12, but nothing before that.

25 June 12, 21:46	#254
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	Hit my weeks PB in the UKI Skippy race, most intense race I've had at iRacing, like minded blokes giving it everything but respectful, great fun, all UK iRacers should join in! http://members.iracing.com/membersit...7&custid=37971 1 sec covered Top 9 Qualifiers!

2 July 12, 09:52	#255
darock Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Carolina	Don't know if this video by Skip Barber has been mentioned in this thread or not. It shows the Skippy doing things fairly easily in real life that aren't real easy in the sim. And of course the thread has the usual number of worthless posts by the usual population of iRacing trolls. But it's a good video about how to drive a race car. http://members.iracing.com/jforum/po...t/2002408.page

2 July 12, 10:11	#256
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	The one in the first post? Not managed to watch it yet apart from first 5 mins, looking forward to it.

2 July 12, 11:46	#258
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	Here you go; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRmYMlmdqM

2 July 12, 12:15	#259
Chronus Donated Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Local Group-Milky Way-Sun-Earth Age: 44	Thank you Allan. EDIT: 1h30m, big! Goodie! EDIT 2: thank you guys (for mentioning the video and posting the link). Great stuff here.

2 July 12, 18:50	#260
Chronus Donated Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Local Group-Milky Way-Sun-Earth Age: 44	Watched the video. Very good. Very very good. 1987 (the cloths and the synth music are dead give-aways), but still up-to-date, driving skills never age. Don't know if any of you are interested, but couldn't we discuss the video, what it suggests to each of us and what our individual experiences are with the Skippy (and with other sims as well)? Maybe continue from where darock started? Just an idea.

2 July 12, 19:06	#261
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	Good idea, I need to watch it first and with my schedule just now it might be later in the week but good idea.

2 July 12, 20:01	#262
Chronus Donated Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Local Group-Milky Way-Sun-Earth Age: 44	I'd like very much to hear your opinion and that of others. So, I hope you find the time to watch it.

9 July 12, 19:54	#264
Domey Donated Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA	Got a win! http://members.iracing.com/membersit...sionid=6009608

10 July 12, 11:42	#265
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	Great stuff, well done!

10 July 12, 14:46	#266
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	I've watched the video in full now and whilst old still very good. However having read the book the video really didn't add anything to what I already knew. Well worth a watch especially if you have not read the book. It was good to put some faces to names as well. In relation to the current Skip, well actually I spent a lot of time at Mid Ohio yesterday in the Skip and with the right set up you can really slide it about quite a bit on the new NTM, feels really nice. Only had it snap back at me a couple of times and those situations were quite like the video. This season's NTM on the Skip has really made it a very rewarding car to drive if you put the time in.

23 July 12, 20:30	#267
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	A fun last race in the UKI Skippy Season. Top 16 covered by 1 sec in Qualifying!! http://members.iracing.com/membersit...6&custid=37971

24 July 12, 15:11	#268
Hotsocks Join Date: Mar 2007	Of course Towler doesn't honour these events with his presence much. Would have been more than second then methinks. He seems to be a bit disillusioned with NTM recently. I saw him turn up for a couple of Skip races (not England), and even though I've seen all the fast drivers over a few years in the skip, hell was he impressive. Just looked like another class of control (imo). Didn't look wacky- exploiting the physics driving, just really smooth and on the power early bang on the limit. And how cool is this?.. he nearly took a wrong turn at the beginning; thought the track was a different config. And with these real 'aliens', they don't warm up their driving like everyone else at the start. They sort of investigate the limits of the circuit and car; a couple of laps to see how much curb they can get away with here, or how close to a wall i.e. how fast can this car configuration go as opposed to how fast they can drive it.

1 August 12, 22:23	#269
Domey Donated Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA	2012S3W1 Skippy @ Watkins Glen Boot Down to 2:11.521 http://members.iracing.com/membersit...sionid=6142658 So far this week the practices have been pretty well attended, but participation is often better early in the season. Before dreams have been shattered. I have been advanced to the 3rd division, having been in the 5th every previous season. I would love to match my 11th place finish of last season, but will strive for a top 20 and feel unsure about how likely that is. If I can stay within 2-3 seconds of the fast guys I'll be pretty happy. (You wanna call them aliens? Go ahead.) Getting things together. Feel like I'll qualify and race soon. I'm running the SM again this season as well, so I have to leave some practice time for that too. I'll post results and keep this skippy thread abreast of how my season progresses, or digresses, as the case may be.

6 August 12, 21:56	#270
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	Fab UKI Skippy race for me tonight, matched my best ever finish in this Series, some really great drivers in this group; http://members.iracing.com/membersit...4&custid=37971

13 August 12, 21:22	#271
porph Donated Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK	Getting into the Skippy now.. After driving the MX5 so much and the Mustang (less so.. not a fan) it took a few adjustments but it is very nice to drive. I'm aiming to get up to speed for week 3's Skib Barber Race Series at Spa.. Not exactly the easiest track to make my debut on.. At least I have done plenty of virtual laps there before as opposed to a lot of the American tracks. One question.. I can't see (most of) the rev counter.. Is this normal?

13 August 12, 22:53	#272
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	Yep you can't see the bottom half, however it won't take you long to change up on sound alone it's quite distinctive once you get it.

14 August 12, 18:55	#274
Gutshot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alaska Interior	lift off oversteer (when cornering at limit) is a very real thing we all observe. I THINK it is ultimately the same cause as trailbraking oversteer. and it probably has the same cure: keep on enough throttle and be very tender about making changes (nothing abrupt). Its is the rear tires losing traction while the fronts still adhere. What causes this at the limit in a turn? Not much you can do to change the inherent balance in the car under static conditions except set up the car so that the fronts become similarly loose (which is not a god solution), so it boils down to your inputs, brake or throttle (Steering wheel would not seem to be much involved here where you are already turning on the limit, except to countersteer, which could save from a spin, but still run off the track). Whether this problem is caused by engine braking (my theory) or by changes in front/rear tire loading as affected by changes in the loading of the dampers/springs, or a combination thereof, it is induced by a changes made by your feet on the pedals. Some days I have these problems bigtime, and other days I dont have them. I dont blame the sim, but rather how much finesse I can apply to the pedals, and how seamlessly I can move from the brake to the throttle. Throttle lift off needs to be gradual. Brake liftoff needs to be gradual, moving from brake to throttle needs to be nearly seamless. Since I use Heel/toe right foot braking some of this is difficult for me. Many Skippy drivers use left foot brake/right foot throttle which allows use of both simultaneously and might add to finesse. Another hint is to set up the tire sounds to max to help you know where the turning grip limit is. Get your downshifting done before turning into the corner and maybe go down to a lower gear for better throttle response in the turn. Until you get good at this, avoid trailbraking. Dont coast a corner, but always have at least some throttle.

20 August 12, 08:54	#276
porph Donated Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK	Not a great start to my Skib Barber career. Qualified mid pack yet first lap through Eau Rouge it deemed I cut the corner so I eased off and was running about 10th into Les Combes.. Unfortunately there was a small pileup ahead of me into the blind turn 9 and I half spun avoiding them and the poor guy at the back of the pack did the same but just clipped me. My right rear wheel then decided it preferred 45 degrees of camber to my original settings and I had to limp it around the whole lap back to the pits incurring a few more offs and a spin due the new found instability! So 2 laps down I drove out the race and finished 10th out of 12th due to 2 retirees. So a bit of a disaster but I wasn't really on the pace anyway and could have only hoped for a 8th or 9th. Bit of a hit to SR though.

20 August 12, 10:05	#278
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	Re LFB There is no doubt that good people and Aliens can be as fast RFB to LFB, our own Steve81 being a good example for RFB. However, if you are an average Joe like me, LFB is faster because you can more readily keep the tyres at the limit of the friction circle. I'm not a great trail/throttle braker but LFB is defo quicker for me, like driving a full size kart!

21 August 12, 15:47	#280
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	Maybe Steve will chime in but last I heard he was RFB - could be my error though and I'm not going to trail through millions of posts to find "the one"

21 August 12, 16:26	#281
Hotsocks Join Date: Mar 2007	Yes, 'I think we should be told'. I wasn't picking on you and your setup btw, just that you're here. I know lots of people use oversteery setups and lots of throttle.

21 August 12, 17:01	#282
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	My BB is usually 57 to 60

21 August 12, 19:43	#285
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	Okay my bad.

24 August 12, 09:33	#287
boons4 Join Date: May 2011	Hi Guys, Do you all join any private leagues for SKip? I can't seem to find any... I am glad you all are still so active here.. esp Kalifen and Allan.. the experts!...I hope i can private race you all at some point of time... I had been concentrating on posting in Iracing forum instead of here.. but I still come back here to read all you guys helpful posts! Spa was my worst race pal.. esp the turn 2-3 upslope Eau Rouge ...I will always get overtake as i cannot full trottle at gear 5 at this two turns.. and almost every race there will be people banging into me because I am slow.. sigh... Full of accidents at SPA... very very frustating.. Now Okayama is so much more fun guys! Because of Iracing, I move on to triple screen, CSR normal wheel and now even DIY motion rig,,, it is true immersiveness and great fun..! Never regreted! I even adjusted up my shifter from normal saloon car shifter position to the real Skip barber shifter position closer to steering wheel!. Look forward to more interesting posts and advice from you all pal. I thanks Kalifen and Allan once again. Cheers pal!

24 August 12, 09:37	#288
AllanGP Donated Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, 25 mins from Oulton Park Age: 51	I keep meaning to do more regular races but always seem to run out of time in the Skip as my main car is the HPD. If they ever introduce iRating per car I will race it more. The league I run on Monday nights is for England & Celtic Clubs (shortly to become a joint UK&I Club) only, sorry. Probably the wrong time of day for you anyway.

24 August 12, 13:39	#289
Kalifen Join Date: Aug 2010	Congrats on your new equipment, Boons! This will most likely add a lot to your experience Even if we are in different divisions, we may still end up in races together (at least when they don't split), or in qualifying and practice sessions. Also, as you have most likely already discovered, there are many nice and helpful drivers in the Skippy series, both on the forum and in the practice sessions. If you upload replays and/or share data with iSpeed, you can get many of the good drivers to comment and help you go faster.