There was a lot of interest in the event this week. I don't think there's a need to create two lobbies though. A problem I have is that some people don't bother staying until the end. I think only 9 people finished the final race. It's okay if people have other commitments which means they need to leave early (or join late). But some people are well up for the whole thing at the start, make a mess of it, and quit at some stage. So if we did 2 lobbies, we'd end up with 2 lobbies with 4 or 5 people in each.
I suppose the main point I'm making is that it does take effort and commitment from Jeff to be there on time, host the lobby and take on the whole responsibility, especially it being a private lobby requiring so many invites. So anyone taking part should show a bit of respect and stay there until the end, or at least send a courtesy message after quitting (maybe people did send a message this week after quitting, but just making the point anyway).
We all know beforehand that lag and 'bad prediction' (and some bad driving!) will inevitably cause collisions and problems for everyone at some stage. So just try to make the most of it.
Another point I must make is that participation in these kind of events carries a responsibility to be prepared. When there are 14 drivers, there will be a lot of close racing, especially at the start. So everyone does need to have a very good idea of braking points. Not only that, but a combined group effort is always required for everyone to even coast to the first corner if required. In saying that, I think today it was mostly good - I took it quite easy at the start with people in front of me, and looking around, others did the same. But I have to make the point that if someone is on the starting grid and doesn't have the (latest) braking point for turn1 in mind, then really the driver should not be in the race.
Here's my event review.
Homestead:
Started in 3rd position. Got very close to Jeff coming through turn 1. Nearly went off at the exit. Got a good slingshot out of turn 2, alongside Jeff, held the inside for turn 3 and into 1st place. From then on had a nice clean run.
Nurburgring:
Started in 2nd place I think. Got alongside 'drivatar' I believe. With MHailwood somewhere behind I really wanted to get into first ASAP. Overdid it a fraction under braking for turn 1. Ended up in the gravel. Down to 4th place, MHailwood just in front. Coming into turn-5 (long left hander) Ghost_Dice (I think) was in front, and with the line he took into that corner I knew I had him into turn-6 (right hander). Got along side on the entry to turn-6, but unaware of me he turned in and we had contact. Unfortunately he ended up in the gravel I think. I'd say not his fault, not my fault - just a racing incident. So then, MHailwood in front in 2nd place. We both passed the next person. On lap 2 I think, MHailwood went off, and I got through. The next 3 laps the gap was incredibly consistent, around 3.5 seconds. He made a couple of more mistakes over the next couple of laps, and that settled it really.
Riviera:
Started around 5th I think. Made a place off the grid I think. Side-by-side with Arvore I think through turn 1. Think I passed him before the tunnel section. Closed up on Mario. Came along-side through the tunnel. Overdid it through the first fast right hander after the tunnel, hit the wall sideways hard and collected Mario on the rebound. Got back on course and found Mario burried in the orange/white wall before the 2nd last turn. TURNER_047 was in first doing a very good pace. Managed to close up, got passed, and from then on it was clean enough.
Spa:
Started around 5th again. Got to 4th I think after the start. Was single-file through Eau Rouge thankfully. DrSto1ner was made a move to the left of Arvore (I think) on the big straight, and I made a move to the right. So 3-wide down the straight. On the inside for the next corner (Les Combes), got a good braking point and held the inside. Hairy-Dave was in 1st. He did some good defensive driving. Got passed at Stavelot 1 I think. Braked for the Bus Stop; looking good for the entry. Derek was behind. I could see the split time approaching zero. I held my line assuming he might swerve to avoid me, but I got nudged onto the penalty zone (getting a penalty, which is pretty annoying!). Got out of that corner in first. Then at the next corner (La Source), got hit by Derek again, very hard this time. He ended up with a penalty for the collision. Exiting that corner, it looked like he wanted to let me through, but Hairy-Dave got in between. So we went through Eau Rouge, and over the top of the crest. Derek was coasting slowly on the racing line at the exit. So that came upon me very quickly. There was a gap to the right. I committed to try and slip through, but the door closed at the last moment. I swerved the other way and ended up on the grass.
Derek - If you're reading this, thanks for slowing up. But I just have to add (applies to everyone I suppose [and me!]), at the exit of Eau Rouge it's very fast, blind, and the car is unstable well beyond the exit, so one can't change direction until around 50m+ past the exit at the top. So would be a good to keep off the racing line to let someone through at those kind of sections. In that instance, I think you wanted me to go left, but there was no way I was going to make it over at that speed, so I went for a gap at the right, and the collision hapened.
Mont Tremblant:
Started mid-field. Made a couple of places approaching the first sweep. Attempted to go around the outside of someone, swerved to avoid something and ended up using the pit exit! Made a few more moves. Got to 1st and was clean enough from then. Actually threw into the barrier around lap 7 at turn 4 (the final right hander of that section). Just before I hit the wall I looked at the gap expecting a bit more than it was - TURNER_047 was doing a great job, only around 5 seconds behind! So there was no margin for anymore of those kind of errors. I also noticed later Mario and then Jeff in 2nd place with a strong pace, so well done with that.
Last edited:
Two laps from the end, a spin had me lose 2 positions and at that point, I just wanted the race to end and get to the next track--a wet race with armco on all sides. Hmmmm.
. Considering that almost all of my races were made "from back to front", you all have a good chance of watching your cars in all the clips (and you will be able to see Alan spinning on his own, I should charge tickets for that one 
). Will try to publish them tomorrow night when I return home.
); it would be, at best, 2 or 3 tenths faster, surpassing mine and MHailwood's laps.
)
.
