Mini Maniacs : Flight Over a Cooper's Nest

Tedehur · Jan 24, 2005

This event is organized by the Mini Maniacs, check our main thread.

The Car : Simulation Mini Cooper 1.3i
- fully modified
- any tyre choice
- settings encouraged
- no hybrids

The Track : Grand Valley 300km enduro in Simulation Mode
- the full enduro race is 60 laps, about 2 hours racing.
- tyre wear mode must be on (pit stops required)

The Rules :
- 2 tyres on the track as much as possible
- no short-cutting
- rumble strips are part of the track
- no contact with walls at all (no brushing, no crashing)
- no contact with AI cars as much as possible
- no cheating

The Posts :
- all times can be discussed, including lap times.
- replays, sector times or video posting is not required but strongly encouraged

The Submission :
- no deadline, this is a permanent event
- PM me (flat-out) or post here your final race time, the number of laps and your tyre choice

Luxy · Jan 30, 2005

Well, somebody had to go first

Took my spiffy orange Mini Cooper to Grand Valley with some T5's slapped on, 178hp under the hood, and 1.7 miles on the clock. I qualified dead last on my second attempt with a 2'11.316

Here's the short version:

Total: 1:58'00.917 (52 Laps, 8 laps down)
Fastest Lap: 2'09.369
Average Lap: 2'16.171

Which left me at 173hp, with 159.3 miles on the odometer (157.6 driven in this race).

I ran it with TCS off, which made running on cold tires a bit slippery. I guess this won't count, officially, as I had a couple of offs, and got hit by the AI a bunch of times ... (the AI by the way, would even hit me if I moved way off the racing line :confused:

) Oh well, it was fun 👍 With a bit of practice, it shouldn't be hard to run more consistently in the 2'09s, with 2'08s very possible. I spent the first half of the race figuring the track out. All I can say is learn to love those curbs!

And the long version:

[OL] = I went off-line to let traffic through
[IN] = Entered the pits
[OUT] = Left the pits

01) 2'19.028
02) 2'11.555
03) 2'11.334
04) 2'11.107
05) 2'16.744 [IN]
06) 2'32.878 [OUT] - Raybridg and Arta passed me while I was in the pits [+1 LAP]. The Denso passed me just before the first tunnel [OL].
07) 2'15.233 - Pennzoil passed me in the hairpin [OL], Zexel passed me in the second tunnel [OL]
08) 2'11.750
09) 2'11.497
10) 2'17.683 [IN]
11) 2'30.825 [OUT] - Raybridg passed me between the first and second tunnel [+2 LAPS]
12) 2'12.082 - Overcooked it into the first corner. Arta passed me in the second tunnel [OL]
13) 2'13.267 - Denso hit me twice from behind between the second and third tunnels [OL]. Pennzoil brushed me on the exit of the chicane.
14) 2'11.575 - Zexel hit me from behind at the end of the main straight
15) 2'16.594 [IN]
16) 2'30.801 [OUT]
17) 2'09.832 [23.4 / 1'04.5 / 1'26.5] - Arta hit me from behind in the last turn [OL], Raybridg also passed me [+3 LAPS].
18) 2'11.101 [REPLAY SAVE COMPLETE] - Passed Raybridg while he was in the pits
19) 2'23.620 - Denso passed me in the hairpin [OL], Raybridg passed me in the first tunnel [OL]
20) 2'16.946 [IN] - Pennzoil pitted behind me, Zexel passed us both
21) 2'32.177 [OUT] - Pennzoil passed me at the pit exit
22) 2'09.942
23) 2'09.690
24) 2'15.271 - Raybridg passed me just before the first tunnel [OL], Arta passed me between the first and second tunnel [+4 LAPS]
25) 2'18.637 [IN] - I passed Raybridg in the pits, and he passed me back in the chicane at the end of the lap [OL]
26) 2'30.402 [OUT]
27) 2'11.087 - Pennzoil passed me in the chicane [OL]
28) 2'11.223
29) 2'12.240
30) 2'16.949 [IN] - Raybridg passed me between the first and second tunnel [+5 LAPS]
31) 2'29.758 [OUT]
32) 2'09.369 [23.6 / 1'04.1 / 1'25.9] - Fastest Lap
33) 2'09.505 [23.3 / 1'03.8] - PB Splits
34) 2'10.898 - Minor off exiting the chicane, Pennzoil passed at Start/Finish
35) 2'15.594 [IN]
36) 2'31.112 [OUT] - Raybridg passed me in the left after the hairpin [+6 LAPS].
37) 2'09.425
38) 2'11.298 - Denso passed me in the left after the hairpin.
39) 2'10.632
40) 2'15.879 [IN]
41) 2'30.193 [OUT]
42) 2'11.522 - Raybridg, Arta and Pennzoil passed me before the first tunnel. Had a slight off on the right before the first tunnel. Arta hit me just before the last tunnel [+7 LAPS]
43) 2'09.542 - I passed the Raybridg in the pits, and he passed me back in the last left sweeper.
44) 2'11.146 - Denso passed me between the first and second tunnel
45) 2'16.258 [IN]
46) 2'30.149 [OUT]
47) 2'10.277
48) 2'10.479
49) 2'10.502
50) 2'15.859 [IN] - Arta, Raybridg and Pennzoil passed me between T1 and the hairpin, and I managed not to get creamed! [+8 LAPS]
51) 2'30.858 [OUT]
52) 2'09.590

Sphinx · Jan 30, 2005

Good for you Luxy, great effort mate 👍
I think the "2 tyres on the track at all times" rule is asking for too much for a 60 lapper, any chance of changing this rule flat-out?

Tedehur · Jan 30, 2005

Sphinx
Good for you Luxy, great effort mate 👍
I think the "2 tyres on the track at all times" rule is asking for too much for a 60 lapper, any chance of changing this rule flat-out?

I haven't tried this 60 lapper yet. Well I had started it in T8s but I couldn't stand pitting every other lap.
If it turns out to be a real pain in the @$$ to keep it 100% clean, no problemo to skip the 2-tyres-on-track rule : the race has to stay fun.
But then I think we should replace the rule with a "no short cutting" rule : the race has to stay fun but it also has to be run in a honest mind.
Rules are updated in this way.

Sphinx · Jan 30, 2005

flat-out
I haven't tried this 60 lapper yet. Well I had started it in T8s but I couldn't stand pitting every other lap.
If it turns out to be a real pain in the @$$ to keep it 100% clean, no problemo to skip the 2-tyres-on-track rule : the race has to stay fun.
But then I think we should replace the rule with a "no short cutting" rule : the race has to stay fun but is also has to be run in a honest mind.
Rules are updated in this way.

👍 👍

Luxy · Jan 30, 2005

Keeping two wheels on wasn't too hard. The offs I had were from getting too aggressive with the rumble strips (especially between T1 and T2). Riding them properly is the difference between an ok lap, and a great lap, but they unsettle the car a lot. It's kind of funny actually, between T1 and T2, the AI cars are so craptastic, I could actually keep up with them, and had to avoid running into the back of them a few times braking for the first tunnel :lol:

The rule that's going to be just about impossible to meet is the no AI contact (I see that's changed, too). You get lapped so many times, and the AI comes up on you so fast that you have to watch the mirror a lot. I don't know how you'd do it playing in chase view :confused:

It was a really different experience than any I've had in GT so far - being the vastly slower car, and having to watch out for faster traffic. Gives you an idea of what a real endurance race is like, I think.

Tedehur · Jan 30, 2005

Luxy
You get lapped so many times, and the AI comes up on you so fast that you have to watch the mirror a lot. I don't know how you'd do it playing in chase view

Actually I play always in chase view, but I pay attention to the track map where yellow dots show AI cars. I don't expect this frequent overlapping to be a real problem. I'll see when I try this event, probably by the week-end.
Anyway, Luxy, 👍 👍 👍 for having done it first.

Board is updated.

Tedehur · Feb 2, 2005

I gave it a (long) try yesterday, with T5's, though I'm not certain they are the best choice.
Race time : 1:58'50.675
Best lap : 2'09.818

As I recall, I had :
- 3 contacts with AI (first one on lap 30), but it sometimes looks like trying to dodge bullets.
- 3 times off track due to late braking or cold tyres
- 1 wall contact due to early braking
- 1 ultimate lawnmowing experience trying to give way to a fast and furious Denso.

Since I knew the race would last only 52 laps, I decided to skip the pit stop on lap 50, which wasn't for sure a good idea. The worn tyres cost me a total of 24 seconds over laps 50, 51 and 52, while a pit stop would have cost 26 seconds.

Luxy
Keeping two wheels on wasn't too hard. The offs I had were from getting too aggressive with the rumble strips (especially between T1 and T2). Riding them properly is the difference between an ok lap, and a great lap, but they unsettle the car a lot. It's kind of funny actually, between T1 and T2, the AI cars are so craptastic, I could actually keep up with them, and had to avoid running into the back of them a few times braking for the first tunnel

I was riding the rumble strips in the fast curves but not in the slow portions of the track (first right-hander, hairpin, and slow left/right part at the end of the lap before straight line) : they unsettle the car too much and there's no speed to save by riding them.
As you mention, 2'08 is very possible, even for a driver like me, so I guess Hugo or Mr P could reach 2'07 or 2'06.
As for the part between the hairpin and the tunnel, the JGTC cars are indeed incredibly slow, and you can not only keep up with them, but I passed them a few times in the left/right before tunnel.

I definitely have to give it another try, perhaps on T3's to see if the time saved by pitting less often can make up for the time lost on the track.

Luxy · Feb 2, 2005

flat-out
I gave it a (long) try yesterday, with T5's, though I'm not certain they are the best choice.
Race time : 1:58'50.675
Best lap : 2'09.818

As I recall, I had :
- 3 contacts with AI (first one on lap 30), but it sometimes looks like trying to dodge bullets.
- 3 times off track due to late braking or cold tyres
- 1 wall contact due to early braking
- 1 ultimate lawnmowing experience trying to give way to a fast and furious Denso.

Since I knew the race would last only 52 laps, I decided to skip the pit stop on lap 50, which wasn't for sure a good idea. The worn tyres cost me a total of 24 seconds over laps 50, 51 and 52, while a pit stop would have cost 26 seconds.

I was riding the rumble strips in the fast curves but not in the slow portions of the track (first right-hander, hairpin, and slow left/right part at the end of the lap before straight line) : they unsettle the car too much and there's no speed to save by riding them.
As you mention, 2'08 is very possible, even for a driver like me, so I guess Hugo or Mr P could reach 2'07 or 2'06.
As for the part between the hairpin and the tunnel, the JGTC cars are indeed incredibly slow, and you can not only keep up with them, but I passed them a few times in the left/right before tunnel.

I definitely have to give it another try, perhaps on T3's to see if the time saved by pitting less often can make up for the time lost on the track.

👍 👍

I've been meaning to go back and crunch the numbers to figure out the optimal tire choice, but I haven't had a chance yet. I'll need to do a few free-run laps on T8s and T2s to see what the speed difference is. Running a 6 or 9 lap pit schedule would be about right for 52 laps. I'd be afraid of how long it'd take the tires to warm up after a stop on T2s though :scared:

Riding the curbs seems to help a lot up until T2, after that, there's not much point.

Did you have much trouble staying out of the AI's way?

Tedehur · Feb 2, 2005

Luxy
Did you have much trouble staying out of the AI's way?

Not much actually. They seemed very careful towards me, and I got hit for the first time on lap 30 (3 or 4 times in total) : that was in the last left/right slow corners before the straight line and I had no way to move out of their way.
I saved the replay and I will post it when I'm back home.
One of the first thing you learn with this race his humility : I wouldn't like to be in the same situation in real life.
I'll try next week end to run a few laps on different tyres to find the best compromise.

Sphinx · Mar 3, 2005

I just did this one but ended up having to do 53 laps

1:59'03.246

Tedehur · Mar 3, 2005

Sphinx
I just did this one but ended up having to do 53 laps

1:59'03.246

Welcome to the :crazy:

club Jerry.
Were you on T5s ? I'm rather puzzled by the fact that I was 13 seconds faster than you on this one. I would have expected you being a solid minute ahead.

Sphinx · Mar 3, 2005

flat-out
Welcome to the club Jerry.
Were you on T5s ? I'm rather puzzled by the fact that I was 13 seconds faster than you on this one. I would have expected you being a solid minute ahead.

I was on T5's 👍 Did you do 52 laps or 53 like me?

Tedehur · Mar 3, 2005

I did 52 laps, which explains why I was faster.
Since you did an extra lap, in fact you were 2 solid minutes faster than me :grumpy:

Now that I'm thinking at it, I'll make sure I rank people based on the laps ran prior to the race time.
So you'll be leading the board Jerry, with only 7 laps down.
BTW, sorry for the WRS 106 mess. :guilty:

Tedehur · Mar 4, 2005

Leaderboard and rules are updated.
The ranking is now based on the best average lap time, not on the total race time.
Great lap Jerry 👍
I'll have to give it another try on T2's or T3's, I hope the time I'll save by pitting less often will make up for the time I'll lose due to the lack of grip.

Sphinx · Mar 4, 2005

flat-out
Leaderboard and rules are updated.
The ranking is now based on the best average lap time, not on the total race time.
Great lap Jerry 👍
I'll have to give it another try on T2's or T3's, I hope the time I'll save by pitting less often will make up for the time I'll lose due to the lack of grip.

👍 but please don't run it again because that will mean I will have to :scared:

Tedehur · Mar 4, 2005

Sphinx
👍 but please don't run it again because that will mean I will have to

I have to save more than 2 sec per lap over more than 50 consecutive laps before I can see the back of your Mini. You can take it easy, Jerry, you shouldn't have to run it again soon.

Tedehur · Mar 5, 2005

Board updated with my brand new 1:58'52.510 for 53 laps.

Sorry mate, I was 100% wrong in my previous post.
T2's make a huge difference.
I was running 2'12 or 2'13 laps most of the time, with half a dozen 2'11.8 or .9 (best lap at 2'11.805), which is only one or two seconds slower than with T5's.
The big difference is in the pit stops. T5 tyres last 5 or 6 laps which requires 9 or 10 pit stops. On T2's I pitted only twice on laps 18 and 35.
Thanks to this, I ran an extra lap (53) for a total time only 2 seconds slower than my attempt on T5's.
You'll have to find 2 extra free hours to get your top spot back :sly:

Mini Maniacs : Flight Over a Cooper's Nest

Tedehur

Luxy

Sphinx

Tedehur

Sphinx

Luxy

Tedehur

Tedehur

Luxy

Tedehur

Sphinx

Tedehur

Sphinx

Tedehur

Tedehur

Sphinx

Tedehur

Tedehur

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