Welcome to GTPlanet!
Create Your FREE Account

Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="sota59, post: 13443364, member: 297951"] [ATTACH type="full"]1064692[/ATTACH] [SIZE=7][B]FASTER, FASTER, FASTER![/B][/SIZE] This weekend we return to Blue Moon Bay for first time since Season 3. Infield-version is has couple slow tight corners, but mostly it is fast corners, testing drivers, who can carry most speed. If there is mistake, lot of time will be lost and damage can be big. We will see under 1-minute laps first time in GT-MES history, and with big performance gap between classes and short lap, traffic will be key for any success. [B][SIZE=5]Gr2[/SIZE][/B] [U] Nissan[/U] got back to podium in Brazil, and straight to top step as [U]TSR_JoeToGuy[/U] took his second win of the season. He took pole position on last second in qualifying, and controlled the race from there: [I]‘’I was able to slowly open up the gap between myself and second place throughout the race, and was able to look after the tyres nicely. It would have been a tougher race if I hadn't retaken pole on my last Quali lap’’.[/I] Win extends his championship lead, and he is looking very good for his 3rd title in a row, and first title defence in Gr2. His teammate [U]TSR_Tomsoft[/U] was hoping to get that first win in Interlagos, but qualifying was hard and then technical issues did not allow him to start the race. If he wants to fight for title this season, he needs top result from Blue Moon Bay, but he does not sound optimistic: [I]‘’ Not a great track for a new controller user so I'll just pray and get the best Result I can get. The little weight does help to get the corners done but I'm a bit sceptic in terms of consistency’’. [/I]His teammate TSR_JoeToGuy has significantly heavier car, but sounds lot more optimistic, as he aims to get another podium:[I] ‘’ I think I've got a good pace and consistency in the car at Blue Moon, so even though I'm quite fat with ballast, I think I could get another podium’’.[/I] It has been best ever season for [U]Lexus[/U]. 2 wins and atleast 3rd place in every race sofar. [U]NWR_Bottlejob[/U] just missed pole and was running good second place most of the race. [U]NWR_Spookyluki[/U] was right behind him most of the race, he was overtaken by sota59 for 3rd place after first pitstops, but NWR_Spookyluki quickly got back past. In the end NWR_Bottlejob lost second place to his teammate in faster tires, but it was still great 2-3 for the team. Lexus holds Manufacturer Championship lead, and both drivers are still in for drivers honours, but pressure is building as we get closer to Le Mans. They need to keep podiums coming to stay in both fights, and Blue Moon Bay is set to be hardest one yet. Both cars have quite a bit of ballast, and they need to beat some faster cars this weekend: [I]‘’ Hoping to be able to keep the teams good results, hoping either me or bottle can have a podium this race. I'm expecting the Nissan of Tom to do well here, but anything can happen at this new track’’[/I] –said NWR_Spookyluki. His teammate NWR_Bottlejob does not know what to expect: [I]‘’ Not particularly looking forward to round 6, I feel as if it will either go brilliantly, or horrifically. I'm not a fan of the circuit, specifically the transitions between oval and infield as I find them clunky and overly aggressive. Also regarding the lap times, I have a strong dislike towards short laptimes, especially those with potential to be under a minute so this'll very much be a hit or miss race’’.[/I] It is slowly starting to look like [U]Honda[/U] won’t fight for either title in Le Mans, what would be first time ever for Japanese Manufacturer. [U]Nils[/U] and [U]sota59[/U] could not match speed of their rivals in Interlagos, finishing 4th and 5th. sota59 was 3rd for a while, but aggressive strategy did not work in the end: [I]‘’Our pace in qualifying was not bad at all, but we needed to do something different to make places. I tried to jump some cars in pits, and help either Nils or myself to 3rd place. Sadly it did not work out, atleast it was fun battle’’.[/I] With Nils set to miss Blue Moon Bay, his 4th race, his title bid is officially over. Success in Blue Moon Bay is all down to sota59 again this weekend, and he has ballast on his way but also won both races in Blue Moon Bay in Season 2 and 3, in Gr3 and Gr2: [I]‘’I should have fastest car this weekend, I like the circuit but it seems like this might be most unpredictable race of the season. Short circuit means gaps in qualifying will be incredibly small and race might be decided purely by track position. Traffic will also be massive factor, so I have no more expectations than podium. Win is possible, but hard. Thanks to Nils for help this week’’.[/I] Only win this weekend would keep both sota59 and Honda in realistic distance of titles. [B][SIZE=5]Gr3[/SIZE][/B] [U]Porsche[/U] got their first win of the season on the board in Interlagos, as [U]y_bearr_[/U] unexpectedly was man to beat. He took pole and lead most of the race, but it was race of strategy and his lead was never big to relax: [I]‘’ . I had my strategy organised before the race. My qualification lap was fast, I still can be faster but the field didn't alow me to do that. On the race I use SS for my 1st stint and it was a good choice because Swablu also on SS. My fuel and tires were good, always set lap under 1.31.5 across all compound. Never got issues with Gr2 cars. All of those factors made me win the race’’.[/I] His teammate [U]amuda54[/U] was expecting good race that has been good to him and Porsche, but despite not being far off the pace, he only qualified 9th. He made places up the field but then mistake sent him to wall, ending his fight for good points, and he ended up finishing 9th. Good thing is that he has now some ballast relieve, so good results are expected, starting this weekend in his home race:[I] ‘’ I have the best car this weekend, there is no question about that. If I can keep my car on the road this time I think a podium is definitely on the cards’’.[/I] y_bearr_ is now on title fight, and pressure is on to keep points coming. His ballast is not bad, but podium can be tough ask: [I]‘’ The track layout is interesting. Easy to go fast here, BUT it's hard to go fast from start to finish. The tyre have uneven worn out rate, thus makes setup more tricky. I believe consistency is the key to win at Blue Moon Bay’’.[/I] [U]Subaru[/U] got another podium, when [U]RTA_SAFFA[/U] made his return in Interlagos with second place. He was close distance to leader all race, but heavier car hold him back. It is his second podium of the season, and he needs more to build title challenge. Ballast is not bad for him this weekend, but question is, can Subaru be fast here:[I] ‘’ After a good round at Interlagos I am feeling relatively confident. Blue Moon does not suit the Subaru and the setup for it but with only +3 ballast I am feeling relatively ok. Strategy is going to be key at this race and if my calculations are accurate it should be a good race’’.[/I] His teammate [U]RLH_Wesley99[/U] had surprisingly hard race in Interlagos, spend most of his race in midfield, rather than fighting for podium. Like RTA_SAFFA, he needs big results as we get to closer to Le Mans, and in Blue Moon Bay it might be difficult. [U] Toyota[/U] had another surprising race, they were not expected to challenge for podium in Interlagos due success ballast, but [U]de-luck4[/U] drove smart race, and slowly made his way up the field to 3rd place. [U]GTO250GTO[/U] was not far off the pace, but could only manage 7th place. This weekend Supra should be perfect for Blue Moon Bay, but both cars are again heaviest. But as said earlier, that might not be as critical as you would think. de-luck4 getting another podium would be huge for championship, as he already has big lead:[I] ‘’ Crazy track, walls are very close. Original circuit suits me well. If i can avoid damage, then any result above p5 is positive to me. Looking for exciting race’’. [/I]GTO250GTO says he feels ballast will hold him back this weekend after testing. [U]BMW[/U] has not been on podium after that great race in Sardegna in Round 2, [U]thunderpigeon[/U] was close in Interlagos, but just came short and finished 4th. This is another circuit that might suit BMW, but we wont know for good before qualifying: [I]‘’ I'm a bit nervous ahead of Blue Moon as I have never raced there, and to get the best times you need to be very close to the walls - the risk of damage is high. I have been consistent in practice but no idea if I'm competitive. I was slow as spa, but quick at Sardegna, both with lots of full throttle application like Blue Moon. Let's see how I do this week’’.[/I] His teammate [U]doc-shipman[/U] is back this weekend after missing race in Interlagos, and is excited for some close racing, even though does not have experience in Blue Moon Bay:[I] ‘’ I've not driven BMB in anger before, so that will be interesting. It's a fun infield circuit which seems to suit the BMW well, but I've not been able to practice much this week so it could be a variable race for me’’.[/I] [U]Jaguar[/U] had race to forget in Brazil, they were hoping to even get double podium, but did not even get car on top 5. [U]TSR_Swablu[/U] was looking to challenge for win after opening stint, but mistake in pits left him 8th after the race, big blow to his championship. [U]Houdini Myers[/U] was set for 5th place after exciting race, but ran out of fuel on final lap. With Portuguese driver not traveling to USA, TSR_Swablu will be only Jaguar, and he has pressure to get top 4 result to keep title hopes alive. Circuit should be made for Jaguar, and ballast is not that bad. but he needs to get job done, and he does not sound confident: [I]‘’ After the horror show last race its now near impossible to win the championship. Have no pace or confidence in the car at bmb so it will be a tough race’’. [/I] [/QUOTE]

Verification