RS242
Premium
Here's my post-race report:
It's a bag of mixed feelings for me this one.
Practice:
I tried both cars, and was able to get similar times with both, but the fact that I was fighting the Abarth more to keep in in the racing line made me lean towards taking the Mazda.
I also noticed me and Jose had similar times so I was expecting a good fight between us.
Qualification:
Was not able to get into the 1:55 range, despite being able to pull it off easily during practice. Perhaps it was pre-race nerves or just could not get in the zone. Despite this not much would've change in grid position so I did not let that affect me.
Race:
EXCELENT START from everyone! No problems on lap 1, everyone took it very clean and respectful, really happy to see.
My start was slow so I quickly dropped all the way to the back and everything was running smoothly until Jose crashed into someone on the straight (was it William? can't recall) and my evasive maneuvers got me spinning to the wall. Simple lack of skill to control the car after the quick steer to the right, got it out of balance and could not regain it.
Despite the crash I was still seeing both Jose and the other Mazda on my mirror so all was going well... until I spin out of control a few laps later and found myself all the way back again.
From here on my race was super lonely. I never got to catch up to Jose, then he made some mistake and I found him standing on the side of the track but despite having a better pace than me in the second half of the race the gap was too big and he never caught up.
P14 in the end, but my position gains compared to quali were only due to the misfortunes of other drivers.
Final thoughts:
1) Great progress from the bottom of the grid. I see the improvement from both me and Jose when compared to just a few races back. The (almost) lack of blue flags on this short track goes to show not only that we are bridging the gap to the front but also that our consistency is increasing and we are making less mistakes.
2) This track made me realize I am doing a lot of things wrong: I don't have as good understanding of the "grip wheel" as I thought I had and my lines on tight corners are. I don't think I've gotten a good line through that last hairpin once! But hey! I'm happy to see this because the first step to improvement is realizing what is wrong.
3) My new wheel stand arrived on Tuesday, so just in time for this race. Now that I don't slide my chair when braking I've realized how bad the brake pedal in the G923 really is... I think I need to look for a mod or replace the spring because it's really bad.
Congratulations to all the winners, great racing as usual!
For all the regulars that for one reason on the other could not make it: we missed you.
Jason I'm really sorry for you and not too long ago (~2 years) I was in a similar position.
When your PC let's you down it's really sad and building a new set up is not only costly but overwhelming with all the different parts that need to be compatible and whatnot.
I hope with the help of everyone you can sort it out quickly.
If my interpretation is correct you might be like me, and if that is the case don't pay much attention to the upgradability of your set-up. You will stick with it for years and when the time to upgrade comes everything is so outdated that you will end up building something from scratch anyways.
Han once again thank for organizing it and enjoy your holidays! We'll try not to make a mess while you are gone.
And for all the Dutchies: enjoy your Koningsdag!
The weather is looking great outside! Temperature could be better though...
- Ricardo
It's a bag of mixed feelings for me this one.
Practice:
I tried both cars, and was able to get similar times with both, but the fact that I was fighting the Abarth more to keep in in the racing line made me lean towards taking the Mazda.
I also noticed me and Jose had similar times so I was expecting a good fight between us.
Qualification:
Was not able to get into the 1:55 range, despite being able to pull it off easily during practice. Perhaps it was pre-race nerves or just could not get in the zone. Despite this not much would've change in grid position so I did not let that affect me.
Race:
EXCELENT START from everyone! No problems on lap 1, everyone took it very clean and respectful, really happy to see.
My start was slow so I quickly dropped all the way to the back and everything was running smoothly until Jose crashed into someone on the straight (was it William? can't recall) and my evasive maneuvers got me spinning to the wall. Simple lack of skill to control the car after the quick steer to the right, got it out of balance and could not regain it.
Despite the crash I was still seeing both Jose and the other Mazda on my mirror so all was going well... until I spin out of control a few laps later and found myself all the way back again.
From here on my race was super lonely
. I never got to catch up to Jose, then he made some mistake and I found him standing on the side of the track but despite having a better pace than me in the second half of the race the gap was too big and he never caught up.P14 in the end, but my position gains compared to quali were only due to the misfortunes of other drivers.
Final thoughts:
1) Great progress from the bottom of the grid. I see the improvement from both me and Jose when compared to just a few races back. The (almost) lack of blue flags on this short track goes to show not only that we are bridging the gap to the front but also that our consistency is increasing and we are making less mistakes.
2) This track made me realize I am doing a lot of things wrong: I don't have as good understanding of the "grip wheel" as I thought I had and my lines on tight corners are
. I don't think I've gotten a good line through that last hairpin once! But hey! I'm happy to see this because the first step to improvement is realizing what is wrong.3) My new wheel stand arrived on Tuesday, so just in time for this race. Now that I don't slide my chair when braking I've realized how bad the brake pedal in the G923 really is... I think I need to look for a mod or replace the spring because it's really bad.
Congratulations to all the winners, great racing as usual!
For all the regulars that for one reason on the other could not make it: we missed you.
Jason I'm really sorry for you and not too long ago (~2 years) I was in a similar position.
When your PC let's you down it's really sad and building a new set up is not only costly but overwhelming with all the different parts that need to be compatible and whatnot.
I hope with the help of everyone you can sort it out quickly.
If my interpretation is correct you might be like me, and if that is the case don't pay much attention to the upgradability of your set-up. You will stick with it for years and when the time to upgrade comes everything is so outdated that you will end up building something from scratch anyways.
Han once again thank for organizing it and enjoy your holidays! We'll try not to make a mess while you are gone.
And for all the Dutchies: enjoy your Koningsdag!
The weather is looking great outside! Temperature could be better though...
- Ricardo
