200 A-spec points at Sarthe 24 hours II

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Preperation.

I started by determining the possible contenders by entering the race and noting the cars on the grid, then quiting the race. I repeated this a dozen times and condensed the data to gain the following list.

Ford GT40 Race Car
Mazda 787B Race Car
Nissan R89C Race Car
Nissan R92CP Race Car
Peugeot 905 Race Car
Sauber Mercedes C9 Race Car
Minolta Toyota 88C-V Race Car
Jaguar XJR-9 Race Car

I looked up the oppositions Power/Weight ratios, and sent Bob to test a few races for 30 minutes each in my chosen car (a Minolta Toyota 88C-V Race Car with used oil) to gain the oppositions Laps between pitstops, and Fastest lap times.

GT40____494__12___3:51.9
787B____954___9___3:18.2
R89____1010___7___3:21.2
R92____1044___7___3:18.8
905____1065___9___3:20.0
C9_____1038___7___3:17.9
88CV___1067___7___3:18.0
XJR-9___1023___8___3:18.4

Immediatly it is obvious that the GT40 will lag behind, and drag down any A-spec points awarded, so cannot be allowed to race. As he is entered in races 2-7 & 10, these were discounted.

After re-starting the PS2, I setup my car with no power upgrades, superhard racing tyres, minimum downforce and maximum ballast weight. I then entered each of the other races, and began them in A-spec to find what points were on offer.

Grid 1:
R89
787B
C9
88CV
XJR-9
186 points

Grid 8:
905
XJR-9
88CV
R92
R89
184 points

Grid 9:
R92
R89
88CV
C9
XJR-9
200 points

Grid 11:
R89
C9
R92
XJR-9
905
186 points

Grid 12:
88CV
XJR-9
R92
905
787B
169 points

So in order to achieve 200 A-spec points using this car I would have to enter race 9, without any, or only minor changes to the test setup.

A few practise races followed while I adjusted the cars other settings to make it as easy to drive as possible without reducing the points offered. The settings I finally used were;

Tyres RSH/RSH - Can be changed during the race without penalty.

Spring Rate 15.6/16.2
Ride Height 63/65 - As low as I could go without creating sparks on the bumps.
Damper Bounce 3/3
Damper Rebound 8/8
Camber Angle 2.4/1.2
Stabiliser 5/5

Gear Ratio's;
4.097 - (Auto 17) - Default
2.615 - (Auto 17) - Default
1.850 - (Auto 17) - Default
1.350 - (Auto 18) - Slight Increase
1.033 - (Auto 19) - Larger Increase
0.828 - (Auto 20) - Leaves 10% reserve between max speed and rev limiter to allow for drafting.
Final: 3.429

ASM 8/11
TCS 9 - any less and the rear tyres wore out a lap earlier.
Downforce 38/58 - an increase of 5 above minimum at the rear for improved stability.
Ballast Weight 200
Weight Balance -4

I also added a bottle of nitrous set at 55, just in case.
All other settings were left default.

The Race - Short Version.

Power before the race: 861bhp
Got to the front of the pack in the first lap, but lost a place when the road got twisty.
Re-took the lead permanantly at the start of lap 9.
Pitted after every seven laps, fitting Racing Super Hard Tyres all round, and refuelling to 72 units.
Managed 430 laps, with a fastest lap time of 3:12.715, and a top speed of 249mph while drafting the XJR-9.
Drove between 70 and 112 laps per day for 5 days.
The oil light came on between lap 250 and lap 275.
Lapped the R89 thirteen times, C9 seven times, and everyone else nine times.
Had 16 incidents, mostly involving sandtraps, slippery grass and spins.
Fitted Racing Medium tyres and used the nitrous for the last lap, but ruined it all by building sandcastles.
Power after the race: 818bhp, thus a power loss of 43bhp.
Power after an oil change: 904bhp.
Spent nearly three days writing it all up.

The Race - Long Version.

Day 1. Thursday 26th October 2006. Warm-up. (70 Laps)

Lap 1. Passed the whole pack rushing down the main straight.
........ R92 un-passed in the twisty section before the start/finish line.
Lap 2. Re-passed R92, again on the main straight.
Lap 7. Pitted. Fitted RSH/RSH tyres. Noted that I had 19 units of fuel remaining,
........ 80-19=61. 7*9=63, so I had used just short of 9 units of fuel per lap.
........ Refueled to allow for an extra lap per session, meaning I filled to 8*9=72 units.
Lap 8. Rejoined the race in third place.
Lap 9. Re-passed XJR-9 and C9 while they were in the pits.
Lap 14. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 20. Slid into the sandtrap as I came out of the final chicane too fast.
Lap 21. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 28. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 29. Almost entered the sandtrap as I entered the first chicane too fast.
Lap 35. Locked the brakes and smashed into the tyres at the end of the main straight.
.......... Lost a lot of time getting back onto the track, but remained in the lead
.......... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 42. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 45. Slid into the sandtrap as I came out of the final chicane too fast - again.
Lap 48. Lapped R89 at 241mph on the main straight.
Lap 49. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
.......... R89 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 54. Re-lapped R89 as he was entering the pits.
Lap 56. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
.......... Exited ahead of R89.
Lap 58. Lapped a very slow moving 88CV at the start of the twisty section.
Lap 63. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 69. Slid across the grass in a failed attempt to pass XJR-9.
Lap 70. Put myself in the sand twice whilst failing to pass the XJR-9.
.......... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
(Paused the game and got some sleep).

Day 2. Friday 27th October 2006. Moving Along. (70 Laps)
Lap 74. Lapped XJR-9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 75. Lapped 88CV near the end of the main straight. Battled with him along the return straight,
.......... but fell behind when we entered the twisty section.
.......... Crossed the start/finish line line just behind him.
Lap 76. Re-lapped 88CV just after the first chicane. Built up a good lead on the straight.
Lap 77. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
.......... 88CV and XJR-9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 79. Re-lapped XJR-9 on the main straight.
.......... Lapped R92 as he entered the pits.
Lap 80. Re-lapped 88CV while he was in the pits.
Lap 84. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
.......... Rejoined the race just ahead of R92 and 88CV.
Lap 88. Lapped R89 while he was in the pits.
Lap 91. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 96. Lapped C9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 98. Clipped the kerb whilst braking, and spun into the tyre wall at the end of the main straight.
.......... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
.......... C9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 100. Re-lapped C9.
Lap 105. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 107. Slid accross the grass in the twisty section when I took a corner too wide.
Lap 112. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 116. Lapped 88CV and XJR-9
Lap 118. Lapped R89 while he was in the pits.
Lap 119. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... XJR-9 and 88CV un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 122. Lapped R92 while he was in the pits.
Lap 123. Re-lapped XJR-9 and 88CV while they were in the pits.
Lap 126. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 127. Rejoined just behind R92.
........... Re-lapped him on the return straight.
Lap 133. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 137. Lapped C9.
Lap 140. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... C9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
(Paused the game and got some sleep).

Day 3. Saturday 28th October 2006. Getting Ahead. (112 Laps)

Lap 144. Re-lapped C9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 146. Lapped R89.
Lap 147. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... R89 pitted behind me, and stayed behind.
Lap 150. Slid accross the grass in the twisty section when I took a corner too wide.
Lap 154. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 158. Lapped XJR-9 on the main straight at a massive 249mph!
Lap 160. Lapped 88CV and R92.
Lap 161. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... R92, 88CV and XJR-9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 164. Re-lapped XJR-9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 165. Re-lapped R92 while he was in the pits.
Lap 166. Re-lapped 88CV while he was in the pits.
Lap 168. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 175. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 179. Lapped R89 while he was in the pits.
Lap 182. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 186. Lapped C9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 189. Lapped XJR-9 while he was in the pits at the start of the lap.
........... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... XJR-9 and C9 un-lapped while I was in the pits at the end of the lap.
Lap 190. Drove straight into the sand when I forgot to steer when exiting the pits.
........... Lost a lot of time digging myself back out.
Lap 194. Re-lapped C9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 195. Got thrown into the barriers and spun out when going over the bumps on the main straight.
Lap 196. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... C9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 200. Re-lapped C9.
Lap 201. Re-Lapped XJR-9.
Lap 203. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... XJR-9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 205. Re-lapped XJR-9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 208. lapped R92 while he was in the pits.
Lap 209. Lapped 88CV while he was in the pits.
........... Lapped R89 on the main straight.
Lap 210. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... R89 followed me into the pits, and followed me out.
Lap 217. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 224. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 229. Lapped C9.
Lap 231. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... C9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 233. Re-lapped C9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 234. Lapped R89 as he exited the pits.
Lap 237. Lapped XJR-9 as he entered the pits.
Lap 238. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 239. Was belted up the behind by XJR-9 as I rejoined the race.
........... Kept my car on the road, and managed to stay ahead of XJR-9.
Lap 244. Lapped R92 while he was in the pits.
Lap 245. Lapped 88CV while he was in the pits at the start of the lap.
........... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... 88CV and R92 un-lapped while I was in the pits at the end of the lap.
Lap 247. Re-lapped 88CV.
Lap 250. Re-lapped R92 as he crashed out on the main straight.
Lap 252. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
(Paused the game and got some sleep).

Day 4. Sunday 29th October 2006. Slowing Down. (98 Laps)

Lap 259. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 264. Lapped R89 while he was in the pits.
Lap 265. Lapped C9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 266. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 273. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 274. Noticed that the oil light had come on since the start of todays racing.
Lap 280. Lapped XJR-9 on the main straight.
........... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... XJR-9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 287. Lapped XJR-9 and R92 while they were in the pits at the start of the lap.
........... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... R92 un-lapped while I was in the pits at the end of the lap.
Lap 290. Re-lapped R92 as he crashed out on the main straight - Again.
Lap 294. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... Followed 88CV in, Followed him out.
Lap 295. Lapped 88CV on the main straight.
Lap 296. Lapped R89 on the main straight.
Lap 301. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 308. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 315. Lapped R92 as he crashed out on the main straight - Yet again.
........... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... R92 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
(Paused game and watched the Italian Job).

Lap 322. Lapped C9 while he was in the pits at the start of the lap.
........... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 323. Rejoined the race right behind C9.
........... Re-lapped him on the main straight.
Lap 328. Lapped R89 while he was in the pits.
Lap 329. Re-lapped R92 playing in the sand.
........... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... R92 followed me into the pits, and followed me out.
Lap 334. Lapped XJR-9 on the main straight.
Lap 336. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 339. Lapped R89 playing in the sand.
Lap 342. Lapped 88CV on the main straight.
Lap 343. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... 88CV and R89 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 344. Re-lapped R89 and 88CV while they were in the pits.
Lap 350. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
(Paused the game and got some sleep).

Day 5. Monday 30th October 2006. Limping Home. (80 Laps)

Lap 351. Exited the pits behind 88CV and had trouble keeping up.
Lap 352. Re-lapped 88CV as he entered the pits.
Lap 357. Spun into the sandtrap at the end of the main straight.
........... Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 364. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 369. Lapped R92 on the main straight.
Lap 371. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... R92 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 373. Re-lapped R92 while he was in the pits.
Lap 377. Lapped XJR-9 and R89 while they were in the pits.
Lap 378. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... XJR-9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 379. Re-lapped a stationary XJR-9 on the main straight.
Lap 380. Lapped C9 on the main straight.
Lap 385. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... C9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 387. Re-lapped C9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 388. Clipped the grass and spun on the return straight.
Lap 392. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... C9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 395. Re-lapped C9 while he was in the pits.
Lap 399. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
Lap 402. Lapped 88CV on the main straight.
Lap 406. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... 88CV un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 409. Re-lapped 88CV while he was in the pits.
Lap 410. Lapped R92 as he exited the pits.
Lap 411. Lapped R89 on the main straight.
Lap 413. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... R89 and R92 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 416. Re-lapped R92 on the main straight.
Lap 417. Re-lapped R89 while he was in the pits.
Lap 419. Lapped XJR-9 on the straight.
Lap 420. Pitted. RSH/RSH, 72 Fuel.
........... XJR-9 un-lapped while I was in the pits.
Lap 421. Spun into the grass on the last corner before the pit lane entrance.
Lap 425. Re-lapped XJR-9 on the main straight.
Lap 427. After 23 hours and 50 minutes of practise, its time to get serious.
........... Pitted. Changed tyres from RSH/RSH to RM/RM, Topped up to 36 Fuel.
Lap 428. A cautious out-lap to get used to these new stickier tyres.
Lap 429. Time to put the foot to the floor...
........... Result:- A lap time of 3:14.028, failing to beat my previous best lap of 3:12.715.
........... Sticky tyres don't seem to help much when your oil light has been on for 9 hours.
Lap 430. Guess its time to open the tap on that bottle of nitrous I've been dragging around since the start.
........... Result:- The NOS ran out before I could match the maximum speed of 249mph I got when drafting the XJR-9.
........... Then I spun into the sandtrap at the end of the return straight destroying what was left of my rear tyres.
........... Eventually I limped home to a dissapointing time of 3:38.
(Saved the replay, Saved the game, and got some sleep).
 
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