SR4L F1 League Race Reports Rnd 9 Croft

[Lecram]

Well done all.

Hope to read some race reports here

[Hedlund]

RACE 1:




RACE 2:

[gorgias1976]

Getting the worst of reversed races sinces the SR4L was created. :-\

Qualy
-------
My best offline laptime preparing my setup was a 21.9 so I was no too confident of getting a good result as Rikard, Marcel and David had fastest laptimes. But online things were different and I felt grip to be quite good. That lead for a 21.5 which brought me to 2nd place. It could have been a 2 tenths faster but found traffic and could not improve laptime. Rikard 21.0 was way too far so I it was great to be second on the grid.

Race 1
--------
Starting on the pole here is a big disadvantage to second place. I did a good start and being on the right hand side helped me getting first out of turn 1. Almost lost it at the fast chicane due to one of the cones, but luckily got away with it. After it I saw some smoke through the mirrors and David dissapearing and Marcel being second.
The first laps were fine, but I started feeling some nasty understeering at the last two corners that costed me a minimun of 3 tenths per lap. At a moment went wide and lost my place to Marcel. Normally I am not a front wheel locker but in this track that was something I could not avoid and that killed my front tires.
Early pitstop at lap 9 to try to gain some advantage on the next laps with fresher tires, but the stop took 51 seconds so at that moment I thought everything was lost to Marcel.
A couple of laps later when he exited his pitstop He was right in front of me so I thought I could try to get close to him. Tried to keep behind him but the final curve was killing my pace. Second gear and big understeering opposite to Marcel's first gear and better front grip.
Finally a few laps to the end I decided it was better to bring it home safe, so finally ended second, not bad at all.

Race 2
---------
It was really clean through the first turns, but when approaching the final curve I found Marcel being slowed by a couple of cars and tried to outbrake him through the left. But the cars in front of him touched each other, Marcel went to the left to avoid them and took me with him. I was thrown to the pile of tires. Went back to the main straight and then I felt my front left suspension was quite damaged and car was difficult to drive, had to drive that way for a full lap.
Tried to bring it to the boxes but at the fast chicane kissed the right cone and spun, being hit by other cars and getting one of my rear tires ripped off. So race ended there.

Third place for the championship is getting farther with this zero scoring for two consecutive reversed races

How did race2 ended?, I left to watch NFL playoffs

[Hedlund]

RACE 1
Disaster, catastrophe. Started from 'pole' and of course Gorka was quicker off the line and had the inside. I thought my 2nd place was safe at least, but the invisable cone at pit exit caused me to loose control over the car for a second and loose speed, so dj was quick to take advantage of that and passed me on the inside. At T7 David ran wide of some reason, and I could take my 2nd place back. But I had the inside for next corner so I could not take it as fast as usual, however David was too far behind to try, I thought... Suddenly he hit my rear tire and we both spun off track into the grass. My car was turned 180° and I could not re-join track in a safe way, so I had to reverse further into the grass and turn around. I was already 18th, but somehow I stalled the engine so I lost even more time. Pissed off but at least I could continue with light rear suspension damage. It didn't take me too long to catch Vittorio and I was following him a while, until we reached the chicane on lap 3... Cosimo and Mel had crashed, and Mel joined the track in an unsafe way and Vittorio had to avoid him... I could take advantage and pass them both. I was in 13th place on lap 5 when I reached the chicane again. This time I had catched Ricky Keene who was really slow, and he ran wide in the long right hander just before the chicane, so I thought I could get past him on the inside. But he didn't realise I was beside him and he swerved back to the inside and we made contact, sending us both into the tire stacks... Probably his race was over because I saw a wheel flying. I suffered heavy damage on 3 wheels but the car was quite stable when I returned to pit for 271 sec repair. When repaired, I took off again but soon catched a slower driver Juraj Rimes. He was at least 1 lap ahead of me so I didn't know what to do... Drive 3 sec off pace for the rest of the race or try to overtake him in a safe way? I didn't have to think about this very long, because a lap later when we were racing down the start/finish straight, he choosed the inside and I choosed the outside, but just before braking zone he swerved back to the outside and braked early... I locked up instantly and had no choice other than avoid him to crash into the tire stack on the inside and lost a rear wheel - race over.

David's and mine incident was a pure racing incident. No bad feelings mate

RACE 2
We had a little discussion before the race concerning starting positions. Honestly, I was not sure I was going to start from front row to begin with, because I had retired from Race 1... But then I remembered that Robert started from front row at Snetterton when he had retired, and won that race. And I'm sure it has been done before... I was considering to start from the back, but I didn't want to go through Race 1 scenario again so... I took advantage of my right to start from front row and won the race.

I think that we could easily get rid of this issue by only reverse grid for those who finished Race 1. I have always said that I think we should reverse only top 10 anyway... I've had fun with reversed grid, and sometimes I've been lucky, BUT in all races so far, there's always crashes... Sometimes they do not result in damage and disaster, and that's when you still can finish in the top. But too much trouble lately. I'm always careful when grid is reversed, but it doesn't help. However, despite my Race 2 win, I'm loosing points to Marcel and Dj who finished top positions both races.

[edwin]

Quali

Did a pb at quali and left it there. to much very fast people and to much tension (Wim i also have that) brought me a 15th place on the grid.

Race 1:

Start went very well and i managed to stay out of trouble all the way in lap 1. Jesus was behind and was obviously faster then me but it was a battle for a place so i pushed as much as i could to keep him behind....didn't last long > (well done Jesus)
Jesus went off to the horizon to have a battle with George Malis. But i had to look in my mirrors all the time bcause Giorgio was there all the time...then closing in then staying behind a little..(nice it was Giorgio thank you) but in lap 12 Gplay went for his stop and i had said to Rikard that i would stop in lap 13 (ohw how i regret that now cause my tires where flubber in stead of rubber at that point). Had a stop for 50 sec. and regained the race. from that point it was just bringing the car home. Giorgio was way ahead so no fights for me at that point. Still happy with the result though.

Race 2:

the pre race warm up i noticed that my head tracking didn't work..... ??? but i didn't want to do a alt/tab because i was afraid for a ctd and couldn't come in again. so thinking about that i forgot to load my race set-up.
Didn't realise that till after start :-\ shifting was at different points and also grip levels where much different so that made that i had a big mistake in lap 1 after t8 i went off track and hit the haybales >
Went on with damage at rear left wheel but it felt doable. so i went on and tried to get used to the seemingly different car.......
Didn't have fights race 2 but brought it home save. Still 6th in championship which isn't that bad imho. (note: do have to overrule Cookie at some point but i am afraid that is a dream )

Although i didn't like the track that much i had a great event again. And with my new pc it's eye candy all the way thru...... realy love it.
Winners all grats.
SR4L again great to be part of it.

Host thank you....even with a hangover you did well ;D

[Hedlund]

i had said to Rikard that i would stop in lap 13 (ohw how i regret that now cause my tires where flubber in stead of rubber at that point)

Lol It's great to see that you kept your promise even when I had retired before lap 10 : 8)

[edwin]

i had said to Rikard that i would stop in lap 13 (ohw how i regret that now cause my tires where flubber in stead of rubber at that point)

Lol It's great to see that you kept your promise even when I had retired before lap 10 : 8)

i also don't use hud so i saw a car in the green but thought it was Gorka.....promises are to be kept though

[Txus]

Hi all,

My report:

I was really nervous, more than ever, don't know why I was half a second slower than usual on this track and couldn't find my pace, during the week I was pretty confident to be able to do a 1:24:5xx but I wasn't able to go below 1:25 during the practice before the qualy.

Qualy: I did a lot of laps trying but I just was able to do a 1:24:7 just once. Not enough, Mel and Cook were in front, well done guys. 8th on the grid, not bad anyway.

Race 1: After what I think was a good start for me, touched with someone before first corner so after first chicane I was 15th or 16th, don't remember
I had no damage so I pushed hard to recover 2 or 3 positions, thanks Ed and others for your sportmanship and apologies to the driver I touched while overtaking.
I didn't do any more mistakes until Cook caught me, not sure whether I brake too early (probably) or John did it too late, he hit me from behind and sent me out of the track. Luckily I didn't get any damage neither lost any additional position I think. Happy to finish 7th at the end, not so happy with my pace.

Race 2: Touched with someone on the start...again ??? ... and went out of the track, had no damage but was 18th after first chicane
I was able again to regain some positions but, being 13th or 15th on second lap, found Gorka in front having some trouble with his starwars car handling. He spun right in front of me. I tried to avoid him and, when I thought I had passed him safely, I felt a hit on the rear, lost control and went out of the track. Having lost the positions just regained and some damage decided to do an early pit stop (2nd lap). Finishing at 10th position at end was not that bad after all.

I had a lot of fun racing with you guys. Trying to catch and overtake George Mallis, keeping Giorgio behind or the fight with Edwin really felt like good racing to me.

Thanks SR4L and all.
See you

[troffeo]

Race 2: Touched with someone on the start...again ??? ... and went out of the track, had no damage but was 18th after first chicane

You are in the last position after the first chicane, but because I was jealous you, I got your position back just after the second chicane :o :o :o :o

Will return with a full report

[giorgetto giaguaro]

Here's my report

A significant amount of practice made me build a good setup for this track that I love.

At qualy I didn't reached my PB but was not important to me.

Race one found me starting in 11th position, but at the first turn I was penultimate I think. Then came some incidents that I was able (and lucky) to avoid and first lap goes. Once gained the right concentration I had, perhaps, the cleanest race of the season, no mistakes, and positions was coming. I had a clean pitstop as well and back on track I realized I gained a position on Edwin and in front of me there was George Mallis and Jesus (smoking a lot when braking), there I thought to don't push too much and to save tires. Than ther was a little battle with George and I finished a great race at 8th position.

Race two started in the middle of the battle field, I had a slow start and many cars passed me. Survived at the first lap I gained other positions having a quiet pace but at the 4th lap (I think) I had a contact with Ricky Kean that made me loose some positions, after that it was a very clean race like the first one, and finished almost like the first as well, 9th position.

Very satisfied of the results and great fun. Well done guys!

See you soon on track!

[troffeo]

Hi all,

Unfortunately in that period I don't have time to practice, but I was lucky because I remember well the Croft track since a fun race with the Clio's
Totally I had practice for more or less 50 laps, so I thought to use my Essington setup with some minor changes.

Here is my report:

Quali
---------
I did few laps arround to 1:25:xx but in the last one have my PB 1:24:788 brought me a 11th place on the grid

Race 1
----------
Start went very well and I managed to stay out of many troubles all the way in lap 1.
In the lap 6 or 7 and for a couple laps, I had a very nice with Jesus and Giorgio in which winner was Jesus (well done Jesus!!!).
I manage to had my pit stop at lap 9 and after 48 sec. regained the race.
From that point the only thing who have in my mind it was just bring the car home.
Happy to finish 9th at the end, and very happy with my pace

Race 2
----------
Reverse grid, so I started from the 8th position but unlike the race 1 was disastrous, since someone had contacted in the back of my car at the entrance of the second chicane, so my car spun off track into the grass. My car was turned 180° and I could not re-join track in a safe way, so I had to remain further into the grass until pass me all other drivers. I was already 18th.....

In this moment I want to say again my opinion. I think in real races all drivers first of all want the win, but safety is first.
For me is not allowed to drive back in the track with unsafe way for the other drivers.
Everyone must have respect for all others...

Until lap 6 I manage to pass many drivers so in that lap I was in 8th position.
I planned to had my pitstop in lap 10 and after 48 sec. regained the race.
For the remaining 11 laps I managed to get until the 6th position, without problems, so I am very glad to finished and the second race at Croft

Thanks all,
Thanks again SR4L for that great moments!!!!

[Axe]

When repaired, I took off again but soon catched a slower driver Juraj Rimes. He was at least 1 lap ahead of me so I didn't know what to do... Drive 3 sec off pace for the rest of the race or try to overtake him in a safe way? I didn't have to think about this very long, because a lap later when we were racing down the start/finish straight, he choosed the inside and I choosed the outside, but just before braking zone he swerved back to the outside and braked early... I locked up instantly and had no choice other than avoid him to crash into the tire stack on the inside and lost a rear wheel - race over.

Sorry. I was waiting for the whole lap maybe when you finally seriously start the overtake maneuver, strongly decided to let you go. But attack did not come. I knew it is for that strange situation being 1 lap on you. But I was not willing to lose the time also. On that straight I did not choose the side, I was checking the track map/gaps and non intentionally stayed there. But before the turn I checked my position and seeing me still in front of you and a bit to braking zone decided to improve my position to better take the turn. This is strange series for me, incidents and incidents, never ending story, my fault, another driver fault, hardware issue, software issue...I am very close to give up really frustrated never experienced such situation. But it is also hard to me to leave the job unfinished still it would be bigger frustration.

[DJCruicky]

Super powered Cones huh? ,
ok we got:-
* Super heavy Cones, that have the power to flip a car
* Cones that can float the full duration of the race
* and we got invisible cones, that also have the power to take on the might of an F1 car. They got their own clocking device and Nuclear power source
These cones at Croft have more super powers than the Fantastic Four team.

Qually, set a very good time early on, seemed to take forever for people to beat it. Was feeling happy about it until out of no where Rik beats it by like almost a second. Like huh!!! It was soon pushed down to 4th place, I could not go any faster.

Race 1
As Riks report, I jumped up to 2nd, with Gorka infront, and leave Rik and Marcel behind who were taking on the invisible cone (silly billy's, why did you not just drive over it before the starts lights went to green? ). So, I follow Gorka half lap into the fast Left Right chicane, and now Gorka now wants to take on the super powered heavy cones flipping his car sideways. I manage to avoid him (big brownly point for me avoiding a collision), this put me out on the bumpy road surface that slowed me a bit. As I was about to take the corner found Gorka coming back at me, had to change my line a second time to avoid another possible collision (more brownly points please) and he over takes me, now 2 wheels on the grass Rik slips through too. I see Rik lock up for the next corner looking like he was going wide. With me having a good line and speed to pass him on the inside I try do the under cut on him, but did not quiet work out and our wheels become locked together and off we go. See post 2 of pictures of death and Anger. Sorry again Rik. I rejoin mid field and try regain many lost places. I had luck that it was my birthday and people were just letting me by, thanks all .
I get up to one of the new guys 'Bram Goossens' and try overtake for 3 laps but could not, he was making no mistakes. I pitted early to try get clean track, pit crew took worst length of time to do service and off I go, then bamm!!, only to hit an unseen black and white post that was ling hiding on the ground damaging my car and spun me on the grass loosing me more time (I saw on replay 'Kane Lasky' did the same, he could have finished 3rd). Found myself behind 'Bram Goossens' again, had a good battle. He did a good job to keep me at bay. I was in luck that he made a mistake and I was though.
Finished 3rd, lucky really.

Race 2
Same as above (without the crash with Rik this time), cut through the field avoided a few hairy moments 1st lap. Had another short battle with Bram, until he got 2 wheels on the grass and spun his car on what seemed to be another invisible cone?, thought there was only one invisible cone ???. Finished 2nd behind Rik. yeah .
Was fun. Still waiting for that long awaited 1st place.

Spa next, eek.

[Lecram]

Sunday started with a horrendous hangover so I didn't expect much, just hoping to finish actually.

Come qualify I felt pretty bad, even thought about letting it go, couchsurf, come back in 20 mins and set grid and go back to continue couchsurfing. So happy I didn't ;D

Most has been said. Happy with my win, albeit a little lucky, I went for it when fighting with Gorka which was nice.

Race 2 was a little tougher and I lost any hope of the podium after the incident with Gorka and behind Yerke, who defended his position fair.
After a couple of laps I was in 4th but with a 10 second gap to first Dj and then Kane. I just drove but not so good so 4th place it was.

Still good points, always welcome

[cosimo]

I had prepared fairly well for this race. Had a good setup and I felt confident driving on this track.
In quali I lowered my PB by 1 second, I got to 1.25, qualifying 12th I think. For me that's not bad.

== Race 1 ==

I usually start very quietly to avoid any accidents. On lap 2 after T2 I got an outside line
to close in before the fast chicane and accelerate earlier. When I got closer to the stacks of tires, I felt
a bump from behind that made my car lose the back and crash onto the tire stack.

I hadn't seen anyone behind me, so that came completely unexpected.
Later I watched the replay, and I saw that Mel was behind me and as I took the
outside line, he came closer and closer, and eventually touched my RR wheel with his FL,
sending my car into the tire stack.
There wasn't much traffic, and I feel that was not a safe place to pass me,
so to me that really looked like an avoidable accident.

Result is that the suspension broke and the entire wheel went, so I had to make it back
to the pits very slowly, and took 350s of damage.
I didn't lose hope and I continued, but I just managed to finish, last of the non-accidents.

== Race 2 ==

I didn't get to watch the replay, so I'm not sure what happened exactly, but this time
too I got a bump from behind that sent me off track, with minor damage. Just after that though,
as I came out of T4 or T5 I had two cars crashed in the middle of the track, and couldn't avoid
them. Don't remember who they were, but just crashed into one of them. Sorry for that...

Rest of the race was just 150s of repairs, and making it to the end...

== The end ==

I love racing with you guys, but I can't honestly say that I had much fun this time.
I hope Bart comes back soon to bring Divine Intervention back to the top. :-)

[Hedlund]

Sorry. I was waiting for the whole lap maybe when you finally seriously start the overtake maneuver, strongly decided to let you go. But attack did not come. I knew it is for that strange situation being 1 lap on you. But I was not willing to lose the time also. On that straight I did not choose the side, I was checking the track map/gaps and non intentionally stayed there. But before the turn I checked my position and seeing me still in front of you and a bit to braking zone decided to improve my position to better take the turn. This is strange series for me, incidents and incidents, never ending story, my fault, another driver fault, hardware issue, software issue...I am very close to give up really frustrated never experienced such situation. But it is also hard to me to leave the job unfinished still it would be bigger frustration.

No problem... not really your fault. It's a very strange situation and it's not the first time I have experienced it. It's probably the most difficult track for overtaking too, and that didn't help.

[Hedlund]

Sorry again Rik.

"Your post is saying lap times of 21's 22's 23's. Dude, I think you have nothing to worry about!!!, lol."
"I have everything to worry about... Invisable cones, cones filled with concrete, curbs, tirestacks, Gorka stealing my pitspot + crazy drivers like you :o 8)"

Remember? Looks like I was right 8)
Except Edwin stealing my pitspot instead of Gorka! Everyhing else was correct.

Spa next, eek.

Really looking forward to that one. Actually I was preparing for it with a few laps last week, before I realised Croft was next...grrr. Finally a real track again. Right? 8)

[gorgias1976]

and now Gorka now wants to take on the super powered heavy cones flipping his car sideways.

That was the scariest moment of my race (Wim,talking about race start mistakes). I was heading for the chicane thinking in avoiding the cones but had sudden lift-off oversteer (too much throttle lift trying not to be too risky there) and car pointed straight the the cone. At that moment two pictures came to my mind; car spinning like mad being spit through the left side. Or car flying in the air without control. I was very lucky to survive it.

[gorgias1976]

Really looking forward to that one. Actually I was preparing for it with a few laps last week, before I realised Croft was next...grrr. Finally a real track again. Right? 8)

As I'll have less than normal practice time this two weeks (Dream Theater touring Spain and we'll attend all 3 concerts and doing some turism too 8) ), Any idea about rear-wingless F1C being able to make it faster than F1B?

[Txus]

== Race 2 ==

I didn't get to watch the replay, so I'm not sure what happened exactly, but this time
too I got a bump from behind that sent me off track, with minor damage. Just after that though,
as I came out of T4 or T5 I had two cars crashed in the middle of the track, and couldn't avoid
them. Don't remember who they were, but just crashed into one of them. Sorry for that...

== The end ==

Hi Cosimo,
You were right behind me so probably that's why you didn't see it. Gorka spun violently in front of me, he was still spining when I tried to go wide to avoid him without success.
I don't think you had any chance to avoid the collision.