AC Multiclass Abarth500/Mazda MX5@Charade, Wed 1st February 2023

[Twoddle]

I write it here for the man who wrote in the race chat if he hit me... I did not notice anything, if I hit you or another I also did not reslise. Sorry if that is the case
I enjoy a fight with an Abarth in the back of the race most of the time.

A very fun time, thank you Han.

I don't think we touched but you had an off as i overtook you, i wasn't sure if it was my fault or not.

I had not FFB and was struggling to keep the car on track most of the time. hopefully i can resolve the issue tomorrow.

 

[JOSEJ]

No issue at all, I really appreciate how clean is this group, sometimes I could disturb the other ones but is not my intention, I am learning

 

[Boukâh]

Was fun racing ‘round the volcano! Took me a while to memorize, but eventually started to like the feel of the track.

Practice and quali with decent times for me. Pretty close qualifying times, nice!

Stayed on the track for almost four laps into the race, but collapsed under the pressure of Tom’s headlights closing in. Just overpowered the left hander after the downhill skiing section . Hit the wall and my spin caused Ernie and Han into a crash-dance witha flying company car… waited for Ernie to get back on track and saw them Abarths disappear up hill in the distance.

Made two more solo errors, which had me in a chasing (and being chased by Steve) position once again. Was fun though, last few laps closing in on Dave, did a few pb’s in that chase. Unfortunately he spun in the very last corner, handing his position to me

Nice one Han, thank you sir! And thanks all for the fun night!

(now switching to the fwd Mini for an AMS2 race on friday)

 

[HF2000]

Great racing guys. Loved this one although I was way off the pace of the other Abarths.
Congrats to the podiums and thanks all for joining and make these nights so enjoyable.

Let's do that again next week: https://www.racedepartment.com/thre...zda-mx5-daytona-wed-8th-february-2023.254870/

 

[Kek700]

After Tuesday night, which was a two race disaster, did not expect the same tonight, WRONG.
.
Life and racing seem to be in sync, crap life at the moment, crap in the digital world. But as the digital world is meaningless, I have decided to look at this evening in a positive way.
Really enjoyed this circuit, and had some great battles, every one was very fair and all raced with purpose and skill. Except me.
A special well done to Kimi, who had great pace, not only in qualifying but the race too. Hard luck to Fulvio and a well done to Allan who had fabulous pace with a well deserved win.
So that only leaves a well done to Han and a great event it was to.
We seem to be on route to a great 2023, especially listening on Discord and your plans for the future, this is only going to generate a lot of interest.
I am still awaiting Le Mans, no chicanes.
I also had time on this circuit to look at the pace of the Mazdas, if they have a good exit, they are very difficult to catch, I was amazed that I could only make in road on the last fifth of a long straight, not sure if the up hill was also against the Abarth. Maybe not being able to make the same mph on an uphill run.
Also the Mazda was not making anything to speak of over the Abarth in that prolonged twisty bit. Apart from the very last exit, that seemed to give them enough of a pace to get a gap.

@Boukâh no need to wait, no need to apologize, it was not your fault, I just got distracted by your spin and messed up the corner, running onto the grass, just one of those things that happen. I managed the same at the end of the race, luckily by myself, so no harm done.

 

[dbx71]

whew, that was quite a ride. i definitely made my share of mistakes, and sorry if i bumped anyone. however, i was wondering how in the heck i wound up 2 laps down at the end with some other drivers in front of me that i didn't see pass me. so i went back and watched the replay. unfortunately for me, looks like i skidded into some track glitch that sent me spinning into the twilight zone and then teleported me to the pits. when i exited it still registered me on the same lap as the one i had already completed (lap 6). (it happened at 24:05 right before start-finish line). man, that really threw me for a loop. oh well, it was fun anyway. really beautiful track actually (glitches aside) and that long uphill climb at full throttle was pretty thrilling.

nice one han! thanks for digging that one up.

i continue to be blown away by the driving skills i see out there, congrats.

taj, sorry that you got DQ'd for not pitting. btw, you didn't need to wait up for me, i think our unfortunate meeting at the hairpin which sent me into the wall was just a typical unintentional racing fender-bender.

PS; i think my headset might not have been working as i didn;'t hear anyone talking on discord... thought everyone was just being quiet. didn't mean to ignore anyone.
good night!

 

[HF2000]

then teleported me to the pits

When that happens, you loose a lap.

 

[JamKart22]

What a cracking track. Wasn't sure about it at first but after a bit of practice managed to chip away at the time and sneak into the 3:28s

Surprised to be Q5 but meant the start wasn't a manic as it usually is for me towards the back of the grid. Still managed to lose two places fairly quickly to Thomas and Hank. But I managed to hang on to their tails and squeeze past Thomas when an overtake on an Abarth didn't go to well.

I lost too much time in my pitstop (must practice them more!) and came out behind Thomas but just ahead of Richard. Robert then joined in the party as they hunted me down for a few laps. Some close racing for a while until I lost a bit of momentum when clipping a wall and Richard got past and then got tangled with Robert.

A tense final lap as Robert hounded me for the place but managed to hang on.

Han, maybe try the porknose on this track?

 

[HF2000]

Han, maybe try the porknose on this track?

Hmm, that is not the first car that comes into my mind for this track. I'm quite busy with other things for our AC community so maybe you can try it and let me know?

 

[JamKart22]

Hmm, that is not the first car that comes into my mind for this track. I'm quite busy with other things for our AC community so maybe you can try it and let me know?

The car drives well in this track - down to about 3:14 in a few laps. Maybe one to slip in to a Fat Alfie championship as a special treat. It's the most similar in character that I've seen

 

[Allan Ramsbottom]

FINALLY...after chewing at Fulvios heels i managed a win rather than,i,ve lost count as a 2nd place finisher..Tweeked my Feldbergring set up and found a nice flow on this track...Times were very consistant so i was happy..Qualified 1st with guess who in 2nd..I knew it would be tight at the 1st corner,fulvio had the better line,so he edged it there..3rd and 4th were very close too but as we set about my main focus was on 1st,if i could keep to within .5 secs thru the first 2/3rds of the track i could get him on the uphill twisties..1st couple laps were close but up on turn 3 Fulivio over shot the corner into the fence...Thank you very much im in front till the end..Great pace from a lot of the guys especially Kimmi,think he,s getting the hang of that Abarth now..Great racing as always,our glorious leader has pulled another 1 out of the bag...To the new slower guys,keep it up,we were where u are now and dont be scared to ask for advice,most of the guys will help in anyway they can...See u next time on track ...Stay Safe....

 

[Kek700]

As I have always expected! with the Mazda “chief” Rotter Allan…..

I noticed this in the car park before the race.



You don’t fool us “oh so perfect” earth bound Abarth drivers.

 

[HF2000]

Guys,

Please have a look: https://www.racedepartment.com/thre...ionship-mugello-mon-6th-february-2023.254897/

 

[JOSEJ]

FINALLY...after chewing at Fulvios heels i managed a win rather than,i,ve lost count as a 2nd place finisher..Tweeked my Feldbergring set up and found a nice flow on this track...Times were very consistant so i was happy..Qualified 1st with guess who in 2nd..I knew it would be tight at the 1st corner,fulvio had the better line,so he edged it there..3rd and 4th were very close too but as we set about my main focus was on 1st,if i could keep to within .5 secs thru the first 2/3rds of the track i could get him on the uphill twisties..1st couple laps were close but up on turn 3 Fulivio over shot the corner into the fence...Thank you very much im in front till the end..Great pace from a lot of the guys especially Kimmi,think he,s getting the hang of that Abarth now..Great racing as always,our glorious leader has pulled another 1 out of the bag...To the new slower guys,keep it up,we were where u are now and dont be scared to ask for advice,most of the guys will help in anyway they can...See u next time on track ...Stay Safe....

Well as one of those new slower guys with cero experience racing, I find my fastest lap time is far away of any other one, no problem for that, but I like to race with others.
I tryed to improbe but is quite difficult to go 1 sec faster.

I bought a couple of books
I jump in others car when they are training to learn gears and lines...
What else in addition to expend more time behind the whell can we do to improbe?
Right now, the 20 sec different with the first one looks ages for me

 

[HF2000]

Well as one of those new slower guys with cero experience racing, I find my fastest lap time is far away of any other one, no problem for that, but I like to race with others.
I tryed to improbe but is quite difficult to go 1 sec faster.

I bought a couple of books
I jump in others car when they are training to learn gears and lines...
What else in addition to expend more time behind the whell can we do to improbe?
Right now, the 20 sec different with the first one looks ages for me

First of all, keep practicing and racing with us. Second, don't look at the times of the first one but at the time of the car in front of you. The gap will be much smaller and less discouraging.

 

[Allan Ramsbottom]

@JOSEJ yes keep practising,if u see me on track,give a shout out,will help u with a set up and driving lines no problem..

 

[Alfred Wayne]

@JOSEJ One thing that helped me a whole lot when I was getting started (have only been sim racing for about 2 years, and have only been with this group for a bit over a year) was just focusing on trying to stay on track all race and forget about pace.

I found as I was starting, any time I gained from "being faster", would be lost with an off and then some. Then, when I managed to stay on track all race, I found, even with slow laptimes times, I managed to hang around some other drivers and have some fights more often. Which is fun and built more confidence for me than "fast laps".

The way I looked at it, and still do, is the longer I'm on track, the longer "I force" the person ahead of me to stay on track, unless they want me passing them

Also, if you're using CM, theres a trackday option offline which allows you to hotlap tracks with AI driving around too. You can set their level, aggressiveness, and car choice. I find this a fun way to practice tracks and learn more how to drive around others cars vs just hotlapping solo sometimes.

 

[homer1007]

@JOSEJ, slow down and focus on being consistent then almost magically speed will come. Find brake markers at the side of the road and aim to brake at the same point each time, figure out where the Apex is and try and hit it each time. Being able to get around for an hour without falling off is more important than being fast.

I'm one of the other guys at the back and this approach has helped me. Apart from tire pressures and fuel quantity I don't worry about setup (or have a clue how to).

See at the back of the grid next week.

 

[dbx71]

Well as one of those new slower guys with cero experience racing, I find my fastest lap time is far away of any other one, no problem for that, but I like to race with others.
I tryed to improbe but is quite difficult to go 1 sec faster.

I bought a couple of books
I jump in others car when they are training to learn gears and lines...
What else in addition to expend more time behind the whell can we do to improbe?
Right now, the 20 sec different with the first one looks ages for me

I’m right there with you Jose. I signed up here just recently and it’s been an eye-opening experience to say the least. First couple of races I would do a few laps offline and feel pretty proud of myself that I was putting in decent lap times. Then I would jump into the online server and see I was 10 + seconds off from the other guys. WTF...

To say that was discouraging would be an understatement. However, the guys here all have good advice, better than I could give. Just hang in there and keep practicing. Learning to memorize the tracks is key and also getting used to the way the cars drive.

Getting comfortable with your rig setup helps. When I first started, I was using just my right foot to switch between gas and brake pedals. Finally trained myself to use both feet with left on the brake and right on the gas.

Like everyone else has said just concentrate on keeping the car on the track at first--still working on that myself!

PS: oh wait, correction. I see you actually have been signed up here a year before me. I didn't see you participate in races until recently so I thought you were a new recruit ;-] No matter, we'll both keep on pushing at this until we start moving up the grid.

 

[Dzul]

"All of the above"

Stay on track, find markers to brake, focus on consistency and speed will follow. One thing that helped me with all this was sticking to the same setup on the MX5 for all races in my first half year. As time went by I got to know that setup like the back of my hand, that gave me a lot of confidence to push it until I found its limits. After half a year I was consistently 3 seconds behind Allan's time... at every event. Only then I started finding extra time by tweaking my setup slightly to the track. But that's the next step. The most important is that you enjoy the process and keep your own times as the benchmark to beat.