Social Darwinism Vintage GT

What a heart-breaker. I was having the race of my life chasing Mike Miller when I disco'd a little more than halfway through the race. Dropped off teamspeak, too, so it was definitely an ISP glitch.

Mixed luck on the start up front- a few of us got good jumps, especially Barrett who made it up to 2nd when the dust settled in turn 1. I was right behind in 3rd and Sheldon was tailing me close. Took a couple of laps to settle in and get inside of Barrett, and figured I'd spend the rest of the race dueling with Sheldon. To my surprise, Barrett and Sheldon faded behind me, and even more to my surprise, I was catching Mike up front. I wondered if he was conserving, and had the good sense to take it easy myself until I could see what was going to happen with the tires- didn't take long to see it wasn't good. So I tried to press Mike with out totally using up my car, and the next 15 laps were a blast.

I could absolutely taste the lead, but figured I was better off following than leading this early in the race. Not that I could have had the lead any old time I wanted, anyway- my best passing opportunities were at the end of the straight, and Mike was doing a great job of defending there. I tried going outside to set him up for an exit pass, I tried sticking on the outside all the way around, I tried everything except running us both up to the inside wall- I was saving that for later if it was necessary. My right front was hurting, and it was going to be a real nail-biter to see if I could make it last.

And then, poof! Everybody disappeared off track, and I had some choice words for that let me tell ya.

Oh well, congrats podium, and Mike, lookout at Bathurst, I got loads of points to spend now :P

Congratulations to everyone who finished! Mike Miller finally took the points lead (still with one race less than me). Way to go Mike.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to make the last two races this season, but we'll see.

I was lucky to finish as high as I did - thanks to a number of bumps and bangs ahead of me, I got by a bunch of cars, and saved my tires just enough at the end to make them last.

I had some nice races with a few cars and all the racing was very respectful, as usual.

What happened Sheldon? Don't you like me anymore? I haven't received any gifts from you on the track for the last two races in a row! :>

That was a heart breaker. I had a decent race going. I had no idea what lap I was on but I was hanging in there and I lost a tire with 1.5 laps to go while running 5th. At the end of the day it don`t mean squat but I`m still pissed about it. Anyway, I appreciate you guys letting me race with you. Maybe someday I`ll figure it out but I`m not holding my breath. I did manage to knock about five seconds off my lap time from the very few practice laps I ran to Q so that was at least positive.

Larry - thanks for the reminder. If you don't have a separate computer or monitor to run the GTR2 PD program on, then you should get the GTR2 XD program here:

http://www.vitumo.de/

It is very cool and shows you your tire temperatures and wear levels and other things live during your race. it's handy to have. Check it out.

I had a great race, once again was able to put in a last lap burner on qualifying and start in 3rd. Got off the line with some spin and after getting outta of turn 1 I think I was running in 4th behind mike. just couldnt keep his pace after two or three laps and then I had an epic battle with Les for a good 7 or 8 laps and then he finally got by me and I figured I'd just hang in 4th knowing I didnt have the pace to keep up with les. I stayed in touch about 5 sec's back for a good while trying to conserve my tires for a good run at les at the end of the race and my strategy almost worked out as I was knocking the time off on the last few laps. But just couldnt get the job done. But I'll take a podium finish any day great job on the win miller. Too bad on your luck on this one Mike you really had that stang turning some good laps.

Jason, I told ya your free ride is over :)

I'll more then likely miss the next race, but I will do my best to be here for Mosport!

Man, it was tuff just to show up tonight. Just one of those times when sim racing wasn't priority #1. I couldn't find any consistency here. I dipped into the 24's a few times in the stang and falcon, but the stang won out. a few of the corners here had my #. I just couldn't get out of the corner well. Seemed like everybody was getting out of the corners except for me. Oh well. Qual'd 12th. Yippeeee. Race start. Made my way up to 8th place and was battling/struggling to stay there. I was searching for speed on thie track and race time is not the time to be searching. I eventually started to give up spots left and right. Finally killed the engine/suspension by plowing into the hard concrete barrier.
I decided to watch Mike M and Hutch battle. Single file, bumper to bumper till the end of the long straight where Hutch would almost pull along side. IMHO I thought Hutch was playing the waiting game on Mike M. Common Hutch tell us the truth.
Man I hope the new P&G Version comes out soon.....

I feel for you Hutch. I was dejected when you disappeared. I was really looking forward to the last 10 lap battle. I was expecting you would get me after you sized me up down the front straight for 30 laps.

I'm surprised you didn't bob, weave and generally harrass me in the tight twisty stuff on the back of the track. I would have stuck my nose in on the tight 1st gear left hander from time to time just to make you sweat if the roles were reversed. I felt very comfortable everywhere except the front straight. Next time, make me feel uncomfortable (but dont hit me). That's not to say I wasn't sweating it. I was sweating literally watching my mirrors, making sure my lines were tight and spot on. I made only 1 mistake into turn 1 where Hutch got up along side, but not quite enough to edge out to the lead.

Again... I'm sorry to see you disco'd this race Mike. I really think you would have won in the closing laps. You were clearly quicker than me. I know you were just waiting for the right moment to pounce.

Congrats to Les and Sheldon for strong podium finishes. Jason.. you are still in it. Don't give up on me.

Bathurst is one of my favorite tracks. I cant wait. Watch out for the low gravity at this place. If you hit the wall too hard, your car will fly and not come down.

Mike, I have not given up - I just have a committment in another league starting this coming Sunday which I need to attend to. Their races are also Sunday nights and I missed their races last season to race here, and so I promised to put them first for this season, and they are starting their season late, so I guess you could say it's their "turn" this time. Too bad, too - with only 2 races left, depending on the rental points, I may have had a chance.

By the way, the league I'm talking about is starting a Mini Cooper season using Race07 this coming Sunday. If anyone wants to join in after the P&G season ends, send me a PM and I can provide more info.

'Grats to Mike M, Les and Sheldon.

The grid seemed less claustrophobic than most tracks, and was able to get off the line surprisingly well. Stunned myself by gaining 5 spots and edging Michael K out for P2 going into T1.

But it was obvious that wasn't going to last. Still, I over-drove the car in the early laps trying to find more than i had (when will i learn that lesson?).

The mustangs picked me off one by one.

Then, as the tires began to show their wear, i started making some dumb mistakes on corner entry, mostly not matching revs properly in T1, and i soon fell back into the clutches of the Falcon pack.

Some great racing there too!

I lost a couple more places in T1 to Miguel and Jim, but then they came together which let Jason and i get by, with Jason getting the cleaner path to take the position. By now my tire wear was really beginning to concern me, so after a lap or two of trying to keep up i finally decided i had to just let him go and focus on being as gentle in the corners as possible. Not easy in these cars.

The rest of the race was a fun defensive tussle with Miguel. Especially the last lap. I'd forgotten that by default GTR2 counts the lap your on, not the lap you finished (i really should change that in my PLR). As we approached the S/F with 31/32 showing on the lap counter and 37+ showing on the wear indicator of my RF tire, i was expecting the checker.

But relief turned quickly to a kind of determined desperation as i realized i was going to have to spend yet one more lap trying to maintain position while avoiding the tire failure that ended Larry's race and gave me P5.

And i just barely managed that with Miguel all over me.

Great fun again!

Jason, I initiated the signup process for that Mini league, but then realized it conflicted with NASRL P&G. This series is my favorite so I will continue to run here if races continue another season. If not, then I'll go run some Mini's.

Sheldon posted a notice in one of the forums here which led me to thehsrl.