Welcome to Round 8 of the RDHGP S4
Welcome back to the 2009 RDHGP S4, and to the final race of the season. Before we get into the guts of the briefing, I’d like to thank everyone who has participated in the League this season. Without you lot turning up, all these arrangements would be so much pointless chin music.
After a lukewarm reception and even a bit of heated discussion, Jarama seemed to work out well, and let everyone enjoy a racing experience unlike any other we faced during the season. Practicing the track on your own is not, I admit, the most entertaining way of experiencing Jarama, but I knew it’d be a good race. The difference, as always, was the presence of others on track, which changes the character of so many tracks.
Well, nearly everyone enjoyed it, as I had a stinker, having been suffering from a rotten cold all week, yet thinking I’d be OK, but only lasting about 15-20 mins before I hit the metaphorical wall, soon followed by the actual/virtual wall.
Another shameless plug for Season 5 follows:
RDHTC Season 5 begins with a Testing event on Thu 15th April, with Round 1 on 29th April.
7 x 100km races on alternate Thursdays, finishing with a 200km event finale on Sat 31st July.
TC65 class of cars – Alfa GTA, Austin Mini Cooper S, Fiat Abarth TCR, Ford Falcon & Mustang, Lotus Cortina, NSU TT, Toyota Corolla.
Sign up will open Mon 22nd Feb 2010, the Monday after the Le Mans event.
Remember that if you want a car painted for you, the sooner you get in touch the better.
Moving north from Jarama, we end our season in France at one of the 3 most famous racing venues in the world - Le Mans. Up there with Monaco & Indianapolis, the name is famous the world over, and conjures up redolent images, backed by such mystique and history that it’s impossible to treat it like “just another race.”
We are using the 1977 layout, the vast Hunaudieres straight – not yet emasculated by impromptu chicanery – dominating the lap, and presumably the unique challenges of which will also affect the setups of all competitors. Some people may want to reduce the maximum rev limit of their engines to make sure they last the full race distance, as the Hunaudieres can take quite a toll on engines redlined for so long. If you don’t have XD installed, I’d definitely recommend it for this race for engine health reasons, as engines have been known to just let go in balls of smoke & fire on this track.
As the poll currently stands, we will be experiencing some non optimal driving conditions, ie low light conditions. It is not definite either way, and I don’t think we will be at pitch darkness no matter what time start we end up with, but people should be prepared for low light conditions.
Also, as this is a 200km race you should be aware that it is highly unlikely that you will be able to do this race on a single tank of fuel. Pit stopping will be required, so please check out Warren’s pitstop tutorial here: http://www.racedepartment.com/gt-legends/3302-gtl-pitstop-hints-tips.html
The downloads required to run this event are both the track itself and the patch:
track: http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=946
v1.1 patch: http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=958
Circuit Notes
The first 24hour was run in 1923, with the strange format of a 3 year aggregate time to determine the overall winner of the Rudge-Whitworth Trophy. This was abandoned in 1928 for the format we know now. Early races were dominated by Bentley, Bugatti & Alfa Romeo, the latter 2 being among the first to adopt aerodynamic bodywork in the mid to late 30’s.
After a 10 year hiatus because of the Second World War, the race resumed in 1949, followed 4 years later in 1953 by the formation of the World Sportscar Championship. This new championship included such newer (at the time) names as Ferrari, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz & Jaguar. By the late 60’s the race had moved from open top cars to closed top coupes, the more efficient aero allowing top speeds in excess of 320 kmh. The cars at this time were still mostly based on production models, but then Ford entered it’s specially designed GT40s, won 4 events on the spin, and changed it forever.
Porsche dominated the 70’s with it’s 917, 935 & 936 models, and this is the era from which our track layout comes, and so do all the cars in the League, so we should have a great time here.
The race itself, even in our RDHGP format, will probably end up more as an endurance race rather than a normal road race.
The track starts outside the pits with a run through T1R, the crested Dunlop bend, which feeds downhill into the Esses T2aL & T2bR. From there, it’s a short burst into T3R Tertre Rouge, which in turn feeds you onto the 5km long Hunaudieres straight. About 3.5 km along the straight comes the Mulsanne Kink, in turn followed by a large hump in the road, after which you enter the long , long braking zone for T4R, Mulsanne.
There’s another long, very fast straight until the unnamed T5R which itself becomes part of the extended braking zone into T6L Indianapolis, a relatively simple corner in and of itself, but one that catches so many people out because of the enormously high speeds they have been experiencing for the last couple of minutes. A short straight leads to T7R Arnage.
This basic 90 opens out onto a decent length straight, where you will accrue some high speed again, only to be braking hard for the Porsche Curves T8R, T9L & T10L. From there, you come very quickly to Maison Blanche, an Ess formed of a slow T11R, and an accelerating T12L that opens out onto the last decent straight of the lap.
The Lap ends with the double Ford Chicanes T13aL, T13bR, T14aL & T14bR all done under the watchful eye of the huge Esso man advertising hoarding.
From there it’s flat out over the S/F line, past the pit exit and back under the Dunlop bridge again.
The Race Director has some notes for drivers. Please see the track map above for location of Race Direction note:-
· All Corners Without Exception – The kerbs are no longer deemed as track, therefore 2 wheels must be within the white lines, on the tarmac, At All Times. Again, there are NO exceptions to this rule at any point on the circuit. Any exception to this rule is deemed illegal, any advantage gained by this method must be ceded immediately.
· S/F line – The very start. The unique demands of the track mean that some competitors may have some unusual gearbox ratios being used, possibly a long 1st gear, that might be useful in some turns, but may hamper their getaway off the line. Please be aware of this possibility and alive to the need for avoidance.
· T2aL & T2bR - the Esses. Once away we will still be on relatively cold tyres, with the possibility of driving into the dark, so drivers need to be aware of stopping distances, and the ramifications of impacts not just for them, but also for all other drivers. This is a double length race, there is time to make places up once the field starts to spread, so any overly aggressive or indeed overly obstinate defence resulting in other races being spoiled will be treated harshly in the penalties.
· T4R – Mulsanne. Very slow corner after that long, long straight. As at Jarama, you are expected to know the parameters that both your and your opponents car can operate under, including braking distances. I do not want to see anyone being punted from behind in the braking zone for this tight corner. Additionally, drivers missing the turn in at Mulsanne are expected to wait to rejoin the track until it is safe to do so. Slithering back onto track over those kerbs in front of people under heavy braking down from >250kmh is not what is expected by me. Those drivers will not have much chance to avoid, and it will probably take out their headlights through not fault of their own.
· T8R – Porsche Curves. The first of the Porsche Curves is the most dangerous, as there is a wall on the outside that could easily throw any stricken cars onto the racing line.
· T13aL, T13bR, T14aL & T14bR – Ford Chicanes. This is a real gem of a section when it comes to warning notes. Firstly, we have the full two wheels on the tarmac at all times rules. Secondly, we have the heavy braking zone warning. And to cap it all off, as this is the 200km race, we have the “definitely will be in use” pitlane entry in the middle of it all.
If you are pitting and have mapped a chat button saying “Pit”, use it in the straight before the Ford Chicanes, so the people behind have a chance. You also have the option to let people past before the entry to the Chicanes. For drivers behind, seeing a “Pit” message does NOT give you Carte Blanche to try and muscle your way past. That behaviour will have a very dim view taken of it. Just how dim, you will find out at penalties time.
Incidents, Investigations and Penalties
There were no Incident Reports from the Jarama event.
There are 7 drivers carrying infractions (number of effective races left to serve in brackets). Infractions will not be carried over into the next Season.
Marius Bentu (2)
Sam J Simpson (2)
Ben Tusting (2)
Bert Van Waes (2)
Leszek Porzezinski (3)
Piotrek Blaszczak (3)
Predrag Drobac (3)
The following 5 drivers have been removed from the League due to a second no-show infraction.
Simon Bacon
Stuart Neal
Arkadiusz Kotarski
Lee Madden
Matt Crouch
Please remember, the League staff will only review incidents if they are reported to them.
No report = no review.
Please try and remember the incident reporting guidelines: review, cool off, review again. Only after following the above process, and if you are convinced you still need to report it, should you let the League staff know. Please give as much information as possible during the report (time of incident, drivers involved etc.)
Any accusations or complaints aired in the Chat during or after a race will mean a penalty levied on the person complaining or making the accusations, even if a subsequent official complaint gets found in their favour. I simply will NOT tolerate any post race finger pointing.
Liveries
You have chosen your car and livery already, and you must only drive your chosen car at any time during an RDHGP event. Every driver has a unique livery in this season of RDHGP.
Scoring System
I have extended the points distribution method down to P20 (75% distance completion required) so people can fight for some points no matter where they are on the track, and hopefully have a season long battle with people around them in the League.
The Distribution is as follows for the 200km event :
P1 - 50 pts
P2 - 44
P3 - 40
P4 - 36
P5 - 32
P6 - 30
P7 - 28
P8 - 26
P9 - 24
P10 - 22
P11 - 20
P12 - 18
P13 - 16
P14 - 14
P15 - 12
P16 - 10
P17 - 8
P18 - 6
P19 - 4
P20 - 2
1 point for fastest race lap
1 point for qualifying on Pole
Welcome back to the 2009 RDHGP S4, and to the final race of the season. Before we get into the guts of the briefing, I’d like to thank everyone who has participated in the League this season. Without you lot turning up, all these arrangements would be so much pointless chin music.
After a lukewarm reception and even a bit of heated discussion, Jarama seemed to work out well, and let everyone enjoy a racing experience unlike any other we faced during the season. Practicing the track on your own is not, I admit, the most entertaining way of experiencing Jarama, but I knew it’d be a good race. The difference, as always, was the presence of others on track, which changes the character of so many tracks.
Well, nearly everyone enjoyed it, as I had a stinker, having been suffering from a rotten cold all week, yet thinking I’d be OK, but only lasting about 15-20 mins before I hit the metaphorical wall, soon followed by the actual/virtual wall.
Another shameless plug for Season 5 follows:
RDHTC Season 5 begins with a Testing event on Thu 15th April, with Round 1 on 29th April.
7 x 100km races on alternate Thursdays, finishing with a 200km event finale on Sat 31st July.
TC65 class of cars – Alfa GTA, Austin Mini Cooper S, Fiat Abarth TCR, Ford Falcon & Mustang, Lotus Cortina, NSU TT, Toyota Corolla.
Sign up will open Mon 22nd Feb 2010, the Monday after the Le Mans event.
Remember that if you want a car painted for you, the sooner you get in touch the better.
Moving north from Jarama, we end our season in France at one of the 3 most famous racing venues in the world - Le Mans. Up there with Monaco & Indianapolis, the name is famous the world over, and conjures up redolent images, backed by such mystique and history that it’s impossible to treat it like “just another race.”
We are using the 1977 layout, the vast Hunaudieres straight – not yet emasculated by impromptu chicanery – dominating the lap, and presumably the unique challenges of which will also affect the setups of all competitors. Some people may want to reduce the maximum rev limit of their engines to make sure they last the full race distance, as the Hunaudieres can take quite a toll on engines redlined for so long. If you don’t have XD installed, I’d definitely recommend it for this race for engine health reasons, as engines have been known to just let go in balls of smoke & fire on this track.
As the poll currently stands, we will be experiencing some non optimal driving conditions, ie low light conditions. It is not definite either way, and I don’t think we will be at pitch darkness no matter what time start we end up with, but people should be prepared for low light conditions.
Also, as this is a 200km race you should be aware that it is highly unlikely that you will be able to do this race on a single tank of fuel. Pit stopping will be required, so please check out Warren’s pitstop tutorial here: http://www.racedepartment.com/gt-legends/3302-gtl-pitstop-hints-tips.html
The downloads required to run this event are both the track itself and the patch:
track: http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=946
v1.1 patch: http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=958
Circuit Notes
The first 24hour was run in 1923, with the strange format of a 3 year aggregate time to determine the overall winner of the Rudge-Whitworth Trophy. This was abandoned in 1928 for the format we know now. Early races were dominated by Bentley, Bugatti & Alfa Romeo, the latter 2 being among the first to adopt aerodynamic bodywork in the mid to late 30’s.
After a 10 year hiatus because of the Second World War, the race resumed in 1949, followed 4 years later in 1953 by the formation of the World Sportscar Championship. This new championship included such newer (at the time) names as Ferrari, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz & Jaguar. By the late 60’s the race had moved from open top cars to closed top coupes, the more efficient aero allowing top speeds in excess of 320 kmh. The cars at this time were still mostly based on production models, but then Ford entered it’s specially designed GT40s, won 4 events on the spin, and changed it forever.
Porsche dominated the 70’s with it’s 917, 935 & 936 models, and this is the era from which our track layout comes, and so do all the cars in the League, so we should have a great time here.
The race itself, even in our RDHGP format, will probably end up more as an endurance race rather than a normal road race.
The track starts outside the pits with a run through T1R, the crested Dunlop bend, which feeds downhill into the Esses T2aL & T2bR. From there, it’s a short burst into T3R Tertre Rouge, which in turn feeds you onto the 5km long Hunaudieres straight. About 3.5 km along the straight comes the Mulsanne Kink, in turn followed by a large hump in the road, after which you enter the long , long braking zone for T4R, Mulsanne.
There’s another long, very fast straight until the unnamed T5R which itself becomes part of the extended braking zone into T6L Indianapolis, a relatively simple corner in and of itself, but one that catches so many people out because of the enormously high speeds they have been experiencing for the last couple of minutes. A short straight leads to T7R Arnage.
This basic 90 opens out onto a decent length straight, where you will accrue some high speed again, only to be braking hard for the Porsche Curves T8R, T9L & T10L. From there, you come very quickly to Maison Blanche, an Ess formed of a slow T11R, and an accelerating T12L that opens out onto the last decent straight of the lap.
The Lap ends with the double Ford Chicanes T13aL, T13bR, T14aL & T14bR all done under the watchful eye of the huge Esso man advertising hoarding.
From there it’s flat out over the S/F line, past the pit exit and back under the Dunlop bridge again.
The Race Director has some notes for drivers. Please see the track map above for location of Race Direction note:-
· All Corners Without Exception – The kerbs are no longer deemed as track, therefore 2 wheels must be within the white lines, on the tarmac, At All Times. Again, there are NO exceptions to this rule at any point on the circuit. Any exception to this rule is deemed illegal, any advantage gained by this method must be ceded immediately.
· S/F line – The very start. The unique demands of the track mean that some competitors may have some unusual gearbox ratios being used, possibly a long 1st gear, that might be useful in some turns, but may hamper their getaway off the line. Please be aware of this possibility and alive to the need for avoidance.
· T2aL & T2bR - the Esses. Once away we will still be on relatively cold tyres, with the possibility of driving into the dark, so drivers need to be aware of stopping distances, and the ramifications of impacts not just for them, but also for all other drivers. This is a double length race, there is time to make places up once the field starts to spread, so any overly aggressive or indeed overly obstinate defence resulting in other races being spoiled will be treated harshly in the penalties.
· T4R – Mulsanne. Very slow corner after that long, long straight. As at Jarama, you are expected to know the parameters that both your and your opponents car can operate under, including braking distances. I do not want to see anyone being punted from behind in the braking zone for this tight corner. Additionally, drivers missing the turn in at Mulsanne are expected to wait to rejoin the track until it is safe to do so. Slithering back onto track over those kerbs in front of people under heavy braking down from >250kmh is not what is expected by me. Those drivers will not have much chance to avoid, and it will probably take out their headlights through not fault of their own.
· T8R – Porsche Curves. The first of the Porsche Curves is the most dangerous, as there is a wall on the outside that could easily throw any stricken cars onto the racing line.
· T13aL, T13bR, T14aL & T14bR – Ford Chicanes. This is a real gem of a section when it comes to warning notes. Firstly, we have the full two wheels on the tarmac at all times rules. Secondly, we have the heavy braking zone warning. And to cap it all off, as this is the 200km race, we have the “definitely will be in use” pitlane entry in the middle of it all.
If you are pitting and have mapped a chat button saying “Pit”, use it in the straight before the Ford Chicanes, so the people behind have a chance. You also have the option to let people past before the entry to the Chicanes. For drivers behind, seeing a “Pit” message does NOT give you Carte Blanche to try and muscle your way past. That behaviour will have a very dim view taken of it. Just how dim, you will find out at penalties time.
Incidents, Investigations and Penalties
There were no Incident Reports from the Jarama event.
There are 7 drivers carrying infractions (number of effective races left to serve in brackets). Infractions will not be carried over into the next Season.
Marius Bentu (2)
Sam J Simpson (2)
Ben Tusting (2)
Bert Van Waes (2)
Leszek Porzezinski (3)
Piotrek Blaszczak (3)
Predrag Drobac (3)
The following 5 drivers have been removed from the League due to a second no-show infraction.
Simon Bacon
Stuart Neal
Arkadiusz Kotarski
Lee Madden
Matt Crouch
Please remember, the League staff will only review incidents if they are reported to them.
No report = no review.
Please try and remember the incident reporting guidelines: review, cool off, review again. Only after following the above process, and if you are convinced you still need to report it, should you let the League staff know. Please give as much information as possible during the report (time of incident, drivers involved etc.)
Any accusations or complaints aired in the Chat during or after a race will mean a penalty levied on the person complaining or making the accusations, even if a subsequent official complaint gets found in their favour. I simply will NOT tolerate any post race finger pointing.
Liveries
You have chosen your car and livery already, and you must only drive your chosen car at any time during an RDHGP event. Every driver has a unique livery in this season of RDHGP.
Scoring System
I have extended the points distribution method down to P20 (75% distance completion required) so people can fight for some points no matter where they are on the track, and hopefully have a season long battle with people around them in the League.
The Distribution is as follows for the 200km event :
P1 - 50 pts
P2 - 44
P3 - 40
P4 - 36
P5 - 32
P6 - 30
P7 - 28
P8 - 26
P9 - 24
P10 - 22
P11 - 20
P12 - 18
P13 - 16
P14 - 14
P15 - 12
P16 - 10
P17 - 8
P18 - 6
P19 - 4
P20 - 2
1 point for fastest race lap
1 point for qualifying on Pole
