While a group of 32 guys hopeful to follow in his footsteps competed in the U.S. GT Academy 2012 finals in San Diego last weekend, the first GT Academy champion, Lucas Ordonez, was nearly halfway around the world, racing on England’s Donington Park.
Excellent drives by Lucas Ordonez, Alex Brundle and Tom Kimber-Smith, along with some impressive work in the pits had the No.1 Greaves Motosport car lined up for a strong finish. Alex Brundle took the start and, apart from a moment where he had to run wide to avoid trouble, the young British racer had a good run.
Lucas Ordonez was up next and the Spaniard was soon setting very quick and very consistent lap times. Just after the half way mark of the race the safety car came out while a barrier was repaired. At this point Ordonez was leading the race, but at the restart he had a problem.
“I struggled to get my tyres up to temperature during the safety car period,” explained Lucas. “I got away okay but when I braked for the last turn I locked the front wheels and went onto the grass, dropping down to fourth place. It’s clear that the way to win these races is by not making a single mistake! I can take a lot of positives from today though as I think I have more pace now and I have much more confidence too.”
Tom Kimber-Smith joined the race in fourth place ready to complete the final two hours and fight for a place on the podium. He was making good progress when he suddenly had to pit in the final hour due to a problem with the front brakes.
“We had a shot at the podium but we didn’t have any luck today,” said Tom. “I could feel that the brakes were a bit soft but when I went into the hairpin the pedal went straight to the floor. The effect of this is that all the brake pressure goes to the rear so it’s like doing a handbrake turn into the hairpin! It’s such a shame as Alex and Lucas drove really well and we couldn’t have asked more of the team.”
After changing the front discs and pads in record time the team sent Tom back out and he completed the race in seventh place.
See more articles on Greaves Motorsport and Lucas Ordonez.
Peppy from Starfox: USE THE BRAKE!
Wouldn’t brake problems NOT slow them down? Winkwinkwink
Already been there buddy.
Yeah dude I saw it after I posted it. Should’ve posted it when I first saw it ;)
I like how that guy didn’t get the joke and tried to correct you lol
I’d like to see the option of grid starts on the next update please PD …?
Not sure how this relates to the Donington race but come race on-line in GT5 and you’ll have grid starts (and almost a guarantee to have first corner chaos as well).
well done!!! ^_^
I take my hat off to all these guys!
Good result or not, well done!!!
Er, correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s hardly an assured podium if they’re fighting up from fourth…
Agree. I don’t wanna knock on anybody but included in the story should also have been that while finishing 7th they were 10 laps down on the car ahead and 107 laps up on the car behind. Only 9 cars in the LMP2 class took part and unfortunately that was still the class with most cars by far as only 13 cars in all took place (two of which spun of on lap 1 but recovered later on).
he’s joined the thousands upon thousands of online racers who also have brake problems….they dont use em!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they use moi
Tough luck for the GT Academy boys recently (except Jann’s recent win)
Well, at least we know the brakes work.
gf
Just drive along the walls like the kids do in GT5. They can do without brakes so can you Lucas.
No Bueno bro better luck next time out guys!!
If only he spent more time in our GTP drifting forum. Better luck next time Lucas!
Shouldn’t brake problems speed things up? Unless they’re sticking lol :/
Cant brake=crash.
Handbrake=crash.
Front brakes inoperable=crash.
Crashing doesn’t improve lap times.
Well done gamerdog, it was a joke. Try again. Lol
i want a sticky throttle then please,in next update…oops,better not,it might happen