Porsche 917 League - Round 5 - Suzuka - Reports

[Ricknau]

Qualified mid pack as usual. Had a good race going climbed to P9. Got higher as I pitted late. But just as I turned into the pit lane after lap 9... bingo! - dropped from the race! Strangely ( I think) I was able click the multi-player icon in the launcher, put in the password and actually rejoin the race. Didn't know you could do that. I started in the pit stall, it remembered my fuel remaining. and what lap I was on. So I went around again to take my pit stop but now I was in P last with a huge gap to the field so I dropped out.

Race 2 started from rear. Had good fun jockeying with a few. Got up to P8 until Dan nudged me over in T2 to get ahead of me. He was definitely faster so slowly pulled away. Held P9 for the rest of the race as I raced alone.

To whomever I side-swiped at the S/F line after lap one of race 2 I apologize. (Haven't looked at replay) I totally thought the lane was clear but obviously I was totally wrong. Really hope you weren't too damaged and could continue competitively.

[dan bayford]

I think you need to watch a replay rick you smashed me of on the straight compared to that my over take was polite

[Ricknau]

Not complaining about the nudge at T2. It was mild and happens all the time. (About the only way to squeeze thru at this track.) No foul. My thing at the S/F line was really bad and I sincerely apologize. Please believe me that I really did not know you were there. I did a very quick look left and did not see you.

[dan bayford]

Noworries man and if my pass was harsh I apologise

[dan bayford]

If you fancy a laugh check out last lap last chicane i was trying to cool my tyres down for a dash to the line)))) well thats going to be my excuse

[JimmyC]

Two fun heats. My thinking was to pit on the first lap and run most of the race in the clear and run consistent laps while not wearing out the tires since it's basically a no-stop strategy. At Suzuka the lap is long enough that I can get out of the pits with a gap to P1 so I don't get lapped. In the first heat, that didn't work so well because I got a stop(10 seconds)-and-go for speeding in the pit lane. BTW it took me until the second warmup to figure out where the pit entrance is. :-[ ??? : The second heat it worked a little better, and I managed to finish P7 and have some close racing to end the evening.

[myself9]

Another fun weekend for me!

Qualied midi-pack, as is always my goal.

Race 1 I was pretty much just hot lapping in P6. The aliens were pulling ahead a second per lap, and the guys behind weren't gaining much ground on me. Then, on lap 14 my pit chief notified me that I need to pit that lap because I was running out of fuel. WHAT? I checked and I was about 1/2 gallon short of fuel and probably wouldn't make it to the finish line. Rather than nursing it and trying to finish without pitting, I decided any points are better than no points. Pitted, and exited the pits in P9 on Tobias' tail. He drove the last lap clean and quick so I didn't have an opportunity to pass.

Race 2 was WAY more exciting for me. Started in P2 and ended up in P1 on the second lap. I am NOT a fan of the pressure of being in the lead. I'm not accustomed to it and I usually end up choking under the pressure. Aliens hot on my tail, I tried not to choke. I felt kind of bad for holding everyone up in front, but figured you'd all pass me when I miscalculated a turn. Coyne (I think it was) got by me and took the lead and I intended to allow P2 & 3 by so my roadbloacking didn't effect the outcome of the race for the fast guys. It ended up taking a few turns for that to happen, but I felt a huge sense of relief once the final alien zoomed past.

Came out of the pits on lap 8 in 4th place with Ed and Dan a fair distance behind, but they are both way faster than I so I knew they would chase me down before the race ended. Sure enough, Dan caught me on the back straight on lap 15. He had the inside line on the fast left after the straight so I backed the hell off. I fared well and was headed into the FINAL TURN of the race thinking I might be able to get in his draft and pass him for a P4 finish. I tucked in behind in the chicane, ready to take a my shot -- Dan hit the inside speed bump and ROLLED IT right in front of me. I swerved to avoid him, and floored it to the checkered flag. I exited to the pits and immediately went for a nap. Too much excitement for an old man!

On a general note, it seems that we've all gotten a lot better with our race starts. I don't recall any turn 1 pileups for at least the last few events. Nice work!

[deecee52]

Qually

Again I struggled to match my practice times but managed to clinch a lucky 4th .

Race 1

Got a good start and made a place into turn 1 , couldnt match the other Daves pace so tried to stay on track , by lap 6 my tyres were sorry for themselves and Dan was looming on my tail ominously , pitted on 7 and came out on clear track , just tried to keep it clean and lap quickly . Finished 3rd .

Race 2

Got a clean start with no drama at the first corner and made a couple of places , tucked in behind Ed and Mel who were having a tussle , Ed got passed and then Mel went wide so I nipped through and found myself in 4th , whilst working out how to get past Ron , DH slipped up my inside and pushed me down to 5th , got passed Ron and back to 4th then came up to Ed and Shannon having a battle , could see they were slowing me so decided to pit a lap early and see if I could get the undercut , pit went ok so pushed hard and was rewarded by passing Ed as he exited the pits , after that I just lapped as quick as I could until I finished in 3rd again .