Grand Valley 300km Companion & Competition

I've begun my next attempt at the Valley, so I decide to try my luck against a moderately fast grid which includes the Honda NSX '90, so I take out my NSX Type S Zero '97.

After 29 laps (and after already making my first pit-stop on lap # 25, which dropped me into 5th place in the race), its time for a break:

So I pause my race just after I cross the S/F line to begin lap # 30, and just after the red margin to the race leader fades after showing me that I'm 21 seconds behind, I decide to check the games race info for my race notes:

The TV screen shows the following:

Position: 5/12
Lap: 30/60
Time elapsed on current lap: 02.332

Total time: 1:06:56.066
Best lap: 13 ... 2.15.702
Lap # 28 ....... 2.16.152
Lap # 27 ....... 2.16.011
Lap # 26 ....... 2.26.523

What has happened to lap # 29?

Have I hit another time warp?

Tonite, I will continue on, and face the unknown...

Puzzled as usual.....

First part:
-------------
I've made it to the end of the race without falling off the edge of the track...... though it was a close call!

So here's the entire race:

I decide to try a race against a group of moderately strong AI competitors, so I get out my Honda NSX Type S Zero '97, painted Platinum White Pearl and have my fabled pit-crew give it some attention. After some extensive wrenching my NSX has the following spec's:

Horsepower: 227
Weight: 1330 (added 60kg of ballast)
PP value: 421
P.Limiter: 87.2%
Tires: SH (used throughout the race)
Acquired: 7/28/2011
Switch: -0-
Wins: 1
No skid
Mileage: 53,048.9
Post race mileage: 53,232.1

Since the mileage is high, I drop $49k for the chassis maintenance.

Against Alternative lineup # 10 - after the Supercar Festival - Pro
----------------------------------------------------
1) Lancer EVO IX GSR '05
2) Impreza Sedan WRX STi '02
3) Nissan Stagea 25t RS FOUR
4) Infiniti G35 Coupe '06
5) Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A
6) Lancer EVO X GSR PP '07
7) GTsail in the NSX Type S Zero
8) Mazda RX-7 Type RS '98
9) Toyota ARISTO V300 '00
10) Impreza Coupe WRX typeR
11) Nissan Fairlady Z Version ST '02
12) Honda NSX '90

The flag drops and we're off for another tour of the Valley!

From the start, I hold my position and follow the Lancer EVO X PP '07 into the first hairpin. I immediately pass the 6th place Lancer EVO X PP '07 as we accelerate out of the first hairpin. I then pass the 5th place Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A as we go thru the fast sweepers between the two hairpins. Up next is the 4th place Infiniti G35 Coupe, who I pass as I dive into the second hairpin. I then pass the 3rd place Nissan Stagea 25t RS FOUR as we go thru the tight left-hander just before the first tunnel. At the end of the lap I'm only 1.5 seconds behind the race leading Lancer EVO IX GSR '05 after a 2.21.643 opening lap.

On lap # 2, I catch and pass the 2nd place Impreza Sedan WRX STi '02 as we go thru the tight left-hander just before the first tunnel. At the end of the lap, I'm only 0.094 seconds behind the race leading Lancer EVO IX GSR '05 after a 2.18.204 lap.

At the beginning of lap # 3, both myself and the Impreza Sedan WRX STI '02 draft past the 1st place Lancer EVO IX GSR '05 as we dive into the first hairpin. The Impreza Sedan WRX STi beats me thru the first hairpin, but I re-pass him going thru the fast sweepers before the 2nd hairpin, so I take over the race lead at the 5 minute and 20 second mark in the race.

On lap # 4, I set an early lap record of 2.16.677 and end the lap with a 0.672 second lead over the 2nd place Impreza Sedan WRX STi '02. In 3rd place, right behind the Impreza Sedan WRX is the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A, who has driven thru the field.

On lap # 8, I set another lap record of 2.16.483 and end the lap with a 0.649 second lead over the 2nd place Impreza Sedan WRX STI '02. The 4th place Mazda RX-7 Type RS '98 has driven thru the field, and has almost reached the rear-bumper of the 3rd place Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A.

On lap # 10, I set another lap record of 2.16.199 and end the lap with a 0.891 second lead over the 2nd place Impreza Sedan WRX STi.

On lap # 11, I set a new lap record of 2.16.112 and end the lap with a 0.495 second lead over the Impreza Sedan WRX STI, who I just can't seem to shake!

On lap # 12, I set another lap record of 2.15.774 and end the lap with a 1.2 second lead over the Impreza Sedan WRX STI '02.

On lap # 13, I set another lap record of 2.15.702 and end the lap with a 2.2 second lead over the 2nd place Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A, who has driven past the Impreza Sedan WRX STi.

By lap # 17, my tires start to feel that they have lost a substantial portion of their grip. I run a 2.17.366 lap and end the lap with a 0.738 second lead over the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A. I've only used about 15% of the tire bars, but my tires feel worse than what I would expect for missing 15% of their life. I'm sure I can get 20 to 25 laps out of my tires, but 30 laps would seem unlikely unless I want to drive considerably slower.

As I begin lap # 19, the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A drafts past me and beats me into the first hairpin. I stay close and re-pass the RX-7 Spirit as we go thru the fast sweepers between the two hairpins.

As I begin lap # 21, the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A drafts past me on the S/F straight, but I'm able to beat him thru the first hairpin, so I retain my first place position.

At the end of lap # 22, I have a 0.185 second lead over the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A after a decent 2.17.416 lap.

By the final esses on lap # 23, I've caught the first back-marker, the 12th place Infiniti G35 Coupe.

As I begin lap # 24, I draft past the 12th place Infiniti G25 Coupe. At the end of the lap, I have a 0.854 second lead over the 2nd place Impreza Sedan WRX STi '02, who has driven past the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A. Lap # 24 took me 2.18.765 so its about time for my first pit stop.

At the end of lap # 25, I dive into the pits for a new set of SH tires and 10 liters of fuel.

While I'm in the pits, I immediately get passed by the Impreza Sedan WRX STi '02, the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A, and the Mazda RX-7 Type RS '98. After another 15 seconds or so, the Lancer EVO X GSR PP '07 drives past and drops me into 5th place in the race. Looking further back, I see that the 6th place Impreza Coupe WRX typeR is about 10 seconds further back, so he won't catch me before I leave the pits.

At the first checkpoint on lap # 26, I see that I have fallen 28 seconds behind the race leading Mazda RX-7 Type RS '98, who has un-expectedly driven thru the field while I was in the pits!

With my new SH tires, lap # 27 takes a pretty fast 2.16.011, so I end the lap only 25 seconds behind the race leading Mazda RX-7 Type RS.

After 28 laps, I'm only 23 seconds behind the race leading Mazda RX-7 Type RS '98 after a 2.16.152 lap.

Second part:
-----------------
Inserted from above:
---------------------
After 29 laps (and after already making my first pit-stop on lap # 25, which dropped me into 5th place in the race), its time for a break:

So I pause my race just after I cross the S/F line to begin lap # 30, and just after the red margin to the race leader fades after showing me that I'm 21 seconds behind, I decide to check the games race info for my race notes:

The TV screen shows the following:

Position: 5/12
Lap: 30/60
Time elapsed on current lap: 02.332

Total time: 1:06:56.066
Best lap: 13 ... 2.15.702
Lap # 28 ....... 2.16.152
Lap # 27 ....... 2.16.011
Lap # 26 ....... 2.26.523

What has happened to lap # 29?

Have I hit another time warp?

Tonite, I will continue on, and face the unknown...

Third part:
---------------
After a break.... I continue on..... perilously close to the edge of the abyss....

As I begin lap # 31, I get the news that I'm only 18 seconds behind the race leading Mazda RX-7 Type RS '98 after a 2.15.948 lap. I'm right on the rear-bumper of the 4th place Lancer EVO X PP '07.

The recent lap time list now says:
Lap # 30 ..... 2.15.948
Lap # 28 ..... 2.16.152
Lap # 27 ..... 2.16.011

Lap # 29 seems to be lost for good???

At the beginning of lap # 31, I draft past the 4th place Lancer EVO X PP '07 on the S/F straight. By the end of lap # 31, I get the news that I'm only 14 seconds behind the race leading Mazda RX-7 Type RS after a 2.15.901 lap.

The recent lap time list now says:
Lap # 31 ..... 2.15.901
Lap # 30 ..... 2.15.918
Lap # 28 ..... 2.16.152

By the end of lap # 32, I'm only 10 seconds behind the race leading Mazda RX-7 Type RS '98 after a lap record 2.15.649 lap.

The recent lap time list now says:
Lap # 32 ..... 2.15.649
Lap # 31 ..... 2.15.901
Lap # 30 ..... 2.15.948

On lap # 33, I set a new lap record of 2.15.642 and end the lap only 6 seconds behind the race leading Mazda RX-7 Type RS.

On lap # 34, I almost reach the rear-bumper of the 3rd place Impreza Sedan WRX STI '02 as we drive across the bridge. Looking ahead on lap # 34, I see that the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A passes the Mazda RX-7 Type RS during the lap. By the end of lap # 34, I'm only 2 seconds behind the race leading Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A after a fast 2.15.781 lap. I'm only about 50-60 feet behind the 3rd place Impreza Sedan WRX STi.

As I begin lap # 35, I draft past the 3rd place Impreza Sedan WRX STi '02 as we brake for the first hairpin. I also pass the 2nd place Mazda RX-7 Type RS as we brake for the tight left-hander just before the first tunnel. By the end of the lap, I'm only 0.840 seconds behind the race leading Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A.

On lap # 36, I pass the 1st place Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A as we go thru the tight left-hander just before the first tunnel.

On lap # 37, I pass the Nissan Stagea 25t RS FOUR and put him a lap down.

As I begin lap # 38, I see that I now have a 5 second lead over the 2nd place Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A since the Nissan Stagea 25t RS has been able to hold up the field.

After 40 laps, I have a 14 second lead over the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A after a 2.16.061 lap. The Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A is on very worn tires and he needs to pit, but he doesn't seem to mind losing time to my streaking NSX, so he continues on with his worn tires, and is now losing a ton of time.

On lap # 42, I see that the Honda NSX '90 has climbed up into 6th place in the race, just behind the 5th place Impreza Coupe WRX typeR.

At the end of lap # 45, I pit for another set of SH tires with a 28 second lead over the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A.

When I exit the pits and begin lap # 46, I come out just behind the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A, who still hasn't pitted, so I'm now in 2nd place. The 3rd place Mazda RX-7 Type RS '98 is not in sight, so I suspect that he's taken to the pits and fallen back a bit. During lap # 46, I have no trouble staying with the race leading Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A because he's weaving quite a bit thru the corners due to his worn tires.

On lap # 47, I pass the 1st place Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A when he slows for the tight left-hander just before the first tunnel. At the end of lap # 47, I see that I have a 10 second lead over the 2nd place Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A, who has finally decided to pit. Looking further back, I see that the Honda NSX '90 has climbed up thru the field and is now in 3rd place. Nicely done! The Impreza Sedan WRX STi '02 is in 4th place.

At the second checkpoint on lap # 48, I see that I'm 38 seconds ahead of the Honda NSX '90, who is now in 2nd place. This is a comfortable margin, so I can just cruise for the rest of the race.

At the end of lap # 50, I draft past the 8th place Nissan Fairlady Z Version ST '02, and end the lap with a 40 second lead over the Honda NSX '90 after a new lap record of 2.15.401. This lap record was draft aided.

After 52 laps, I see that I still have a 40 second lead over the 2nd place car which is now the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A. The Honda NSX '90 has dropped back into 3rd place. I suspect that his tires are getting worn out, so he can't continue to maintain his torid pace any longer.

After 55 laps, I still have a 39 second lead over the 2nd place Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A after a fast 2.15.451 lap.

On lap # 57, I pass the 12th place Infiniti G35 Coupe, which puts him 3 laps down. I also set a new lap record of 2.15.097 and end the lap with a 38 second lead over the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A.

Lap # 60 takes me 2.16.207, which allows me to win the race after 2 hours, 17 minutes and 51.783 seconds.

Finishing order:
--------------
1) GTsail in the NSX Type S Zero
2) Mazda RX-7 Spirit R ------ 36.052 secs back (pits on lap # 47)(BL 2.13.796)
3) Impreza Sedan WRX '02 -- 50.671 secs back (pits on lap # 43)(BL 2.14.689)
4) Mazda RX-7 Type RS ----- 55.986 secs back (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.15.555)
5) Honda NSX '90 ----------- 56.343 secs back (pits on lap # 36)(BL 2.14.800)
6) Lancer EVO X PP '07 ----- 1min, 16.328 back (pits on lap # 40)(BL 2.16.194)
7) Impreza Coupe typeR ---- 1min, 30.538 back (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.15.749)
8) Fairlady Z Version ST ---- 1 lap down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.16.047)
9) Lancer EVO IX '05 ------- 1 lap down (pits on lap # 43)(BL 2.17.768)
10) Toyota ARISTO V300 ---2 laps down (pits on lap # 36)(BL 2.18.598)
11) Nissan Stagea 25t ------ 2 laps down (pits on lap # 42)(BL 2.19.025)
12) G35 Coupe '06 ---------- 3 laps down (pits on lap # 44)(BL 2.21.196)

Post race notes:
----------------
Interesting race. My Honda NSX Type S Zero handles pretty well until its tires start to go off. I'm glad I decided to make the race a two stopper. My NSX gets pretty loose once the tires get worn, so I start to worry about performing 360's once I get to about 18-20 laps on the SH tires. I drove 183.2 miles during the race. After the race, I checked my replay for lap # 29. My replay shows me driving my NSX during lap # 29, however it seems to have lost my lap time! I was watching the "Last lap" time as I crossed the S/F line at the end of lap # 30 and the time stayed at 2.16.152, which was my lap # 28 time, so the game lost my lap # 29 time and couldn't show it. I find it very amusing that I lost lap # 29!

Puzzled as usual,
Enjoy the racing!
GTsail

Subaru BRZ S '12
stock, no oil, 6883.2 miles
395 PP
HP 183
Weight 1230kg
PL 100 %
No aids except ABS 1
Sport soft tires used all laps, pitstop lap 30, 60% tire bar remaining
Total time: 2:18:51.792
Fastest lap 2:16.130 (no tow)
MoV: ~1:40.xxx

Lineup, 10th GV lineup after console reset and PDC Madrid entry/exit
1) 350Z Gran Turismo 4 Ltd '05 (Fastest Lap 2:17.051)
2) Legacy B4 Blitzen '00
3) Fairlady Z 300ZX Ver. S
4) Nissan 300ZX 2by2 '98
5) MazdaSpeed Atenza '05
6) Accord Coupe '03
7) Subaru BRZ '12
8) Mits GTO Twin Turbo '95
9) Lancer EVO IX '05
10) Legacy B4 2.0GT Spec B '03
11) Soarer 430SCV '01
12) Supra RZ '97

The GT86/BRZ/FRS in many respects maintains or even raises the standards set by such performers as the MX-5, RX-7, RX-8 and S2000. In stock form, it's much easier to drive on the limit than the Lotus Elise series.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve

For my next attempt, I decide to try out a newer vehicle, so I search my garage for premium cars and light upon a Toyota 86 GT '12 painted a nice Strong Blue Metallic.

I have my crack pit-crew give my Toyota 86GT a shakedown and end up with the following spec's:

Horsepower: 205
Weight: 1250 (added 20kg of ballast)
PP value: 410
P.Limiter: 95.2%
Tires: SH (used throughout the race)
Aquired: 1/26/2012
Switches: 2
Wins: 0
Beginning mileage: 51.8 miles
Ending mileage: 235.3 miles
No skid

For a change of pace, I decide to try my luck against alternative lineup # 7, which has the following AI:

1) Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B
2) Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST205 '98
3) Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST185 '91
4) Mits Lancer EVO IV GSR '96
5) Legacy Touring Wagon GTB '96
6) Toyota Soarer 430SCV '01
7) GTsail in the 86GT
8) Nissan 300ZX Z 2seater '98
9) Skyline Coupe 350GT '03
10) Impreza Coupe 22B-STi '98
11) Impreza WRX STi '07
12) Mits Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03

The flag drops and we're off for another tour of the Valley!

Off the starting line, I hold my position and follow the Toyota Soarer 430SCV into the first hairpin. I make my first pass of the race by sweeping past the 6th place Toyota Soarer as we go thru the fast sweepers before the 2nd hairpin. At the end of lap # 1, I'm 8.2 seconds behind the race leader after a 2.27.524 lap.

On lap # 2, I pass the 5th place Legacy Touring Wagon GTB as we go thru the fast sweepers between the two hairpins. I also pass the 4th place Lancer EVO IV '96 as we go thru the tight left-hander just before the first tunnel. Up next is the 3rd place Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST185 '91, who I pass as we drive across the bridge. At the end of the lap, I see that I'm 9.3 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B after a 2.19.696 lap.

On lap # 3, I pass the 2nd place Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST205 '98 as we drive across the bridge.

On lap # 4, I set an early lap record of 2.18.192 and end the lap 10 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B.

On lap # 5, I set another lap record of 2.16.765 and end the lap only 7.6 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT.

After 10 laps, I get the news that I'm only 4.8 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT after a decent 2.17.853 lap. Looking further back down the grid, I see that the LAncer EVO VIII GSR '03 has worked his way thru the field and is now in 7th place.

On lap # 12, I set a new lap record of 2.16.698 and end the lap only 3.1 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B. The Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 is in 3rd place about 10 seconds behind me, so he's not a threat at this point in the race.

Looking back on lap # 14, I see that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 has climbed up into 6th place in the race. He has finally gotten past the Skyline Coupe 350GT who had been holding him up for a few laps.

After 15 laps, I'm only 0.814 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT after a 2.17.613 lap.

On lap # 17, I lightly tap the rear-bumper of the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B as we go thru the third tunnel.

After 18 laps, I'm now only 0.135 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT.

Looking back on lap # 19, I see that the Impreza WRX STi '07 has climbed up into 8th place in the race. During lap # 19, I stay glued to the rear-bumper of the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT. This isn't that hard because the Legacy B4 2.0GT has backed off his race pace and is now in cruise mode. Lap # 19 is a slow 2.19.296 since I'm no longer pushing my Toyota 86GT.

On lap # 20, I see that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 has climbed up into 5th place in the race by passing the Toyota Soarer 430SCV. After 20 laps, I'm only 0.258 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT after a slow 2.19.189 lap.

On lap # 23, I see that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 has climbed up into 4th place in the race by passing the Impreza Coupe 22B-STi.

After 25 laps, I'm only 0.170 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B after another slow lap done in 2.20.387. The race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT has slowed down even further now that we're 25 laps into the race. The 3rd place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 actually seems to be gaining on us again, even if he is about 14 seconds behind me.

After 30 laps, I'm still only 0.975 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B after a slow 2.20.863 lap. On lap # 30, I see that the Impreza WRX STI '07 has climbed up into 7th place in the race by passing the Toyota Soarer 430SCV.

After 32 laps, I'm only 0.084 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec. B after a very slow 2.21.397 lap. The 3rd place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 has gotten a little closer and is now only about 12 seconds behind me.

On lap # 35, I'm right behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT when he catches the 12th place Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST185 as they exit the first hairpin. We both drive past the 12th place Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST185 as we exit the second hairpin.

As we begin lap # 36, the Toyota Soarer 430SCV exits from the pits just in front of us. I follow the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT past the Toyota Soarer as we dive into the first hairpin. After 36 laps, I'm still only 0.220 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B after a very slow 2.23.385 lap.

On lap # 38, I get the news that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 has taken over 3rd place in the race by passing the Lancer EVO IV GSR '96. I think that he is about 10 seconds behind me at this point. I also get the news that the Impreza WRX STI '07 has taken over 6th place in the race by passing the Skyline Coupe 350GT.

At the end of lap # 40, I dive into the pits for a new set of SH tires and 10 liters of fuel. My tires are only about 25-30% gone (so they could have probably gotten me to the end of the race), but fresh ones drive so much better, so I decided that it was time to get a fresh set.

As soon as I pit, I get passed by the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03, the Impreza Coupe 22B-STi '98 and the Lancer EVO IV GSR '96, so I fall back into 5th place in the race.

At the first checkpoint on lap # 41, I see that I have fallen 30 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B.

On lap # 42, the 2nd place Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 pits, so as I begin lap # 43, I drive past him and take over 4th place in the race. I'm now only 22.5 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B, who still hasn't pitted.

At the end of lap # 44, the 3rd place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 pits, so a few seconds later, I drive past and take over 3rd place in the race, about 12 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B.

The Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B pits at the end of lap # 45, so I drive past and take over 2nd place in the race, only 6 seconds behind the race leading Impreza Coupe 22B-STi '98.

I'm about 5 seconds behind the race leading Impreza Coupe 22B-STi '98 when he pits at the end of lap # 46.

At the first checkpoint on lap # 47, I get the news that I have a 24 second lead over the 2nd place Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03. The Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B has fallen back into 3rd place after everyone's round of pit-stops.

After 50 laps, I have a 19 second lead over the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 after a decent 2.18.046 lap.

On lap # 51, I catch and pass the 8th place Toyota Soarer 430SCV and put him a lap down.

After 55 laps, I still have a comfortable 16 second lead over the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 after a 2.18.021 lap.

After 60 laps, I cross the Finish line and win another GV race!

Total race time was 2 hours, 19 minutes and 55.361 seconds.

Finishing order:
---------------
1) GTsail in the 86GT
2) Lancer EVO VIII '03 ------ 12.339 secs back (pits on lap # 42)(BL 2.16.041)
3) Impreza Coupe 22B-STi -- 21.227 secs back (pits on lap # 46)(BL 2.16.140)
4) Legacy B4 2.0GT -------- 32.355 secs back (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.17.256)
5) Lancer EVO IV '96 ------- 43.471 secs back (pits on lap # 44)(BL 2.17.603)
6) Impreza WRX '07 -------- 46.355 secs back (pits on lap # 44)(BL 2.15.071)
7) Skyline Coupe 350GT ---- 1m, 25 secs back (pits on lap # 40)(BL 2.16.973)
8) Nissan 300ZX 2seater --- 1 lap down (pits on lap # 39)(BL 2.18.421)
9) Toy Soarer 430SCV ----- 1 lap down (pits on lap # 36)(BL 2.18.524)
10) Toy Celica GT-FOUR '98- 1 lap down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.20.586)
11) Legacy Touring Wagon -- 1 lap down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.20.441)
12) Toy Celica GT-FOUR '91-- 2 laps down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.20.647)

Post race notes:
----------------
Very comfortable race. My Toyota 86 GT '12 handles very well with only a little understeer. My 86GT could use a little more top-end speed for the straights, but in the corners it crushes the AI, so winning with a lower PP value would certainly be possible without a sweat. I was only pushing my Toyota 86GT hard for the first 15 laps, after that I was just in cruise mode. During the race, I drove 183.5 miles, which is a little longer than usual. I drove the race pretty much in a normal fashion, so I don't know why the mileage is slightly longer than usual. The only thing unusual was that the game continued on after I crossed the Finish line for about 48 seconds instead of the normal 30 seconds (this additional time allowed me to get the MOV for the top 5 AI cars after the race). Maybe this additional 18 seconds put an additional 0.3 miles on my Toyota.

See you at the races!
GTsail

Subaru BRZ S '12
stock, no oil, 7111.2 miles
395 PP
HP 182
PL 100 %
No aids except ABS 1
Sport Medium tires used all laps, pitstop from 2nd place lap 30, 55% tire bar remaining
Total time: 2:20:23.474
Fastest lap 2:18.127 (no tow)
MoV: 12.492 seconds over 350Z Gran Turismo 4 Ltd

Lineup, 10th GV lineup after console reset and PDC Madrid entry/exit
1) 350Z Gran Turismo 4 Ltd '05 (Fastest Lap 2:16.858)
2) Legacy B4 Blitzen '00
3) Fairlady Z 300ZX Ver. S
4) Nissan 300ZX 2by2 '98
5) MazdaSpeed Atenza '05
6) Accord Coupe '03
7) Subaru BRZ '12
8) Mits GTO Twin Turbo '95
9) Lancer EVO IX '05
10) Legacy B4 2.0GT Spec B '03
11) Soarer 430SCV '01
12) Supra RZ '97

At last, a tense and difficult race, demanding patience and mistake-free driving to win. Even so, the outcome would have been otherwise if the 350Z had pitted while leading on lap 30 instead of soldiering on until his tires were 90% gone and his red low fuel light went on at lap 47.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve

Dotini

Subaru BRZ S '12
395 PP
Total time: 2:20:23.474
Fastest lap 2:18.127 (no tow)
MoV: 12.492 seconds over 350Z Gran Turismo 4 Ltd

Click to expand...

Nicely done Dotini!

Any time warps encountered?

GTsail

GTsail290

Nicely done Dotini!

Any time warps encountered?

GTsail

Click to expand...

Well, I don't usually check my mileage faithfully like you do, nor do I normally do this race online like you, so that may be part of it.

I guess I consider myself lucky just to successfully boot up and play free of major technical glitches. I'm sure someday it will come.

Respectfully,
Steve

Subaru BRZ S '12
Sports Hard tires
406 PP
Stock, no oil, 1243.8 miles
HP 198, PL 100 %
No aids except ABS 1
Pitstop from 2nd place while 30 seconds behind on lap 30, 60% tire bar remaining, LF
Total time: 2:20:25.272
Fastest lap 2:18.193 (in draft)
MoV: 7.563 seconds over 350Z Gran Turismo 4 Ltd

Lineup, 10th GV lineup after console reset and PDC Madrid entry/exit
1) 350Z Gran Turismo 4 Ltd '05 (Fastest Lap 2:17.159)
2) Legacy B4 Blitzen '00
3) Fairlady Z 300ZX Ver. S
4) Nissan 300ZX 2by2 '98
5) MazdaSpeed Atenza '05
6) Accord Coupe '03
7) Subaru BRZ '12
8) Mits GTO Twin Turbo '95
9) Lancer EVO IX '05
10) Legacy B4 2.0GT Spec B '03
11) Soarer 430SCV '01
12) Supra RZ '97

This was another tense race, demanding the absolute utmost in patience and mistake free-driving. Driving as quickly as I could go without contact, wrecking or outright destroying the tires, it was all I could do to consolidate 2nd place by lap 3, then slowly lose ground to the 350Z until I was 30 seconds behind by lap 30. Then I pitted and lost almost another half a minute!!

Controlling my temper and refraining from sliding the tires too much, I waited for the Z car to pit on lap 47. Then and only then could I find myself leading. Holding on grimly and paying out the rope to the quicker car, I limped across the line barely 7 seconds ahead at the finish.

This is my final race with the BRZ for awhile. I've accomplished a lot with it, for it is an awesome car in terms of handling, fuel and tire economy. It understeers only mildly, and very seldom do the rear tires misbehave and get away from you, even with hard compounds.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve

For my next attempt, I decide to try out another front-wheel drive car, so I search my garage and light upon a TRD Celica Sports M (ZZT231) '00 painted Black that could use a workout.

I have my crack pit-crew give my TRD Celica Modellista a shakedown and end up with the following spec's:

Horsepower: 212
Weight: 1220 (added 80kg of ballast)
PP value: 414
P.Limiter: 94.0%
Tires: SH (used throughout the race)
Aquired: 7/16/2011
Switches: 0
Wins: 5
Beginning mileage: 1,172.1 miles
Ending mileage: 1,355.4 miles
No skid

I decide to try my luck against alternative lineup # 7, which has the following AI:

1) Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B '03
2) Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST205 '98
3) Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST185 '91
4) Mits Lancer EVO IV GSR '96
5) Legacy Touring Wagon GTB '96
6) Toyota Soarer 430SCV '01
7) GTsail in the TRD Celica
8) Nissan 300ZX 2seater Z32 '98
9) Skyline Coupe 350GT '03
10) Impreza Coupe 22B-STi '98
11) Impreza WRX STi '07
12) Mits Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03

The flag drops and we're off for another tour of the Valley!

Off the starting line, I hold my position and follow the Toyota Soarer 430SCV into the first hairpin. Going thru the fast sweepers, I pass both the 6th place Toyota Soarer and the 5th place Legacy Touring Wagon GTB before the second hairpin. I then pass the 4th place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 as we brake for the tight left-hander just before the first tunnel. Up next is the 3rd place Celica GT-FOUR ST185 '91, who I pass as we go across the bridge for the first time. At the end of the lap I'm 5 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B after a 2.23.820 lap.

On lap # 2, I pass the 2nd place Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST2015 '98 as we go thru the fast sweepers between the hairpins. By the end of the lap I'm only 4 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT after a 2.17.616 lap.

On lap # 3, I set an early lap record of 2.17.513.

On lap # 6, I set another lap record of 2.17.466 and end the lap only 3 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B.

By lap # 10, I'm only a little more than 1 second behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT. We have about a 10 second lead over the 3rd place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96.

On lap # 12, I see that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 has climbed up thru the field, and is now in 8th place in the race after he passed the Nissan 300ZX 2seater.

On lap # 13, I see that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 climbs up into 7th place by passing the Legacy Touring Wagon.

After 15 laps, I'm only 0.487 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT as we cross the S/F line to begin lap # 16.

On lap # 17, I pass the 1st place Legacy B4 2.0GT as we go thru the fast sweepers between the hairpins. By the end of the lap I'v managed to pull ahead of the Legacy B4 2.0GT by a full second after a 2.18.197 lap.

On lap # 18, I carry too much speed into the first hairpin so I slide off the track into the sand which allows the Legacy B4 2.0GT to drive past. By the end of the lap, I see that I've fallen 2.2 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT after a miserable 2.22.732 lap.

During lap # 20, I check my tires and see that they are about 20% gone. They still feel decent, but they have lost their edge so I decide to try a two-stop strategy. By the end of lap # 20, I'm only about 1.1 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B when I pit for a new set of SH tires.

While I'm in the pits, the Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 and the Impreza Coupe 22B-STi drive past and drop me into 4th place. I exit the pits before the rest of the field is able to catch me. Some un-welcome news is that the LAncer EVO VIII GSR '03 has climbed up into 6th place in the race and that the Impreza WRX STi '07 has climbed up into 8th place.

At the first checkpoint on lap # 21, I see that I've fallen 30 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT.

On lap # 22, I see that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 has climbed up into 5th place by passing the Toyota Soarer 430SCV. He's still about 15 seconds behind me so he's really lost a ton of time behind the back-markers during the early part of the race.

After 25 laps, I'm only 22 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT after a decent 2.17.993 lap. The race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT must be in cruise mode, because he's no longer turning fast laps, and I start to run him down.

On lap # 28, I catch and pass the 3rd place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 as we drive across the bridge.

On lap # 30, I set a new lap record of 2.17.259, and get the news that I'm only 10 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT. I also see that the Impreza WRX STi '07 has climbed up into 7th place.

At the end of lap # 34, I draft past the 2nd place Impreza Coupe 22B-STi '98 on the S/F straight and end the lap only 1.2 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT after a 2.18.374 lap.

At the beginning of lap # 37, the Toyota Soarer 430SCV exits the pits just in front of me and the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT. The Legacy B4 2.0GT doesn't get past the Toyota Soarer 430SCV until we begin to accelerate up the S/F straight at the end of the lap. Since we were both stuck behind the Toyota Soarer, lap # 37 was done in 2.23.862 since I had decided to follow the Legacy B4 2.0GT instead of trying to get past him.

At the end of lap # 40, I'm still right behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B when I pit for a new set of SH tires and 5 liters of fuel. The 3rd place Impreza Coupe 22B-STi is right behind me, so he streaks past as I enter the pits. About 5 seconds later, the 4th place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 drives past as well. After another 5 seconds, the 5th place Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 drives pas and drops me into 5th place in the race.

At the first checkpoint on lap # 41, I get the news that I've fallen 29.5 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT.

The 4th place Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 pits at the end of lap # 42, so I pass him as I begin lap # 43.

At the end of lap # 43, I see that I'm only 19.2 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT after a decent 2.17.655 lap.

The 3rd place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 pits at the end of lap # 44, so I pass him as I begin lap # 45.

The 2nd place Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B pits at the end of lap # 45, so I pass him as I begin lap # 46. I'm now only 3.2 seconds behind the race leading Impreza Coupe 22B-STI.

The race leading Impreza Coupe 22B-STi pits at the end of lap # 46, so 2 seconds later, I drive past and take over the race lead!

At the first checkpoint on lap # 47, I get the news that I have a 30 second lead over the 2nd place Legacy B4 2.0GT. The Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 has taken over 3rd place in the race, with the Impreza Coupe 22B-STi in 4th.

On lap # 48, I see that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 passes the Legacy B4 2.0GT and takes over 2nd place in the race. Should I be nervous?

After 50 laps, I still have a 30 second lead over the 2nd place Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 after a decent 2.17.314 lap.

After 55 laps, I still have a 24 second lead over the 2nd place Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03, as he begins to eliminate my lead.

After 59 laps, I still have a 20 second lead over the 2nd place Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 as he continues to eliminate my lead.

After 60 laps, I cross the Finish line and win another Trophy!

Total race time was 2hours, 19 minutes and 58.916 seconds.

Finishing order:
----------------
1) GTsail
2) Lancer EVO VIII ----- 19.332 secs back (pits on lap # 42)(BL 2.16.000)
3) Impreza 22B-STi ----- 20.002 secs back (pits on lap # 46)(BL 2.15.971)
4) Legacy B4 2.0GT----- 33.526 secs back (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.17.268)
5) Lancer EVO IV ------- 43.206 secs back (pits on lap # 44)(BL 2.17.394)
6) Skyline Coupe ------- 1min,21.970s back (pits on lap # 40)(BL 2.16.910)
7) Impreza WRX '07 ---- 1min,22.457s back (pits on lap # 44)(BL 2.15.651)
8) Soarer 430SCV ------ 1 lap down (pits on lap # 35)(BL 2.18.478)
9) 300ZX 2seater ------ 1 lap down (pits on lap # 39)(BL 2.18.771)
10) Celica ST205 ------ 1 lap down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.20.487)
11) Legacy T.Wagon --- 1 lap down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.19.747)
12) Celica ST185 ------- 1 lap down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.20.540)

Post race notes:
---------------
Too much car! After the first 15 laps, I pretty much was just driving in cruise mode since I had caught the race leader. My TRD Celica handles very well for a front driver. It does wear out the front tires, but not so bad that you can't have a good race. It's fun watching the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 come thru the field. Thankfully, he's not that great of a passer, so since he starts in last place it takes him forever to get past the back-markers during the early part of the race. The Impreza WRX STi '07 is just as fast, but he to gets held up badly by the back-markers so he never makes his way to the front. I don't think that this would always be the case against this same lineup. I drove 183.3 miles during the race without interruption by any time warps!

Enjoy the racing!
GTsail

Dotini

Total time: 2:20:25.272
MoV: 7.563 seconds over 350Z Gran Turismo 4 Ltd
Lineup, 10th GV lineup after console reset and PDC Madrid entry/exit

Click to expand...

GTsail290

I decide to try my luck against alternative lineup # 7...
Total race time was 2hours, 19 minutes and 58.916 seconds.
2) Lancer EVO VIII ----- 19.332 secs back (pits on lap # 42)(BL 2.16.000)

Click to expand...

There would seem to be only a few seconds between the two lineups in terms of total time taken by the AI. So they are very similar, except that in one case the best AI starts in front and in the other he starts in last, but is quicker along the way.
For variety, I'd like to try your alternative 7th lineup. How did you find it?

Respectfully,
Steve

Dotini

There would seem to be only a few seconds between the two lineups in terms of total time taken by the AI. So they are very similar, except that in one case the best AI starts in front and in the other he starts in last, but is quicker along the way.

For variety, I'd like to try your alternative 7th lineup. How did you find it?

Click to expand...

My alternative grid can be found by first doing a cycle at the Laguna Seca 200mile race and then its the 7th grid at the Grand Valley 300km race.

I have found it to be an enjoyable lineup, but I must warn you that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03, the Impreza Coupe 22B-STi and the Impreza WRX STi '07 are beasts!

See you at the Valley!
GTsail

My race just above at post # 218 was a little easier than I would like so I decide to try it again with slightly less car.

So I stay in my TRD Celica Sports M (ZZT231) '00 and recycle the game to get the same grid but against a new group of AI drivers.

I have my crack pit-crew give my TRD Celica Modellista a freshened tune and end up with the following spec's:

Horsepower: 211
Weight: 1240 (added 100kg of ballast)
PP value: 412
P.Limiter: 93.4%
Tires: SH (used throughout the race)
Aquired: 7/16/2011
Switches: 0
Wins: 6
Beginning mileage: 1,355.4 miles
Ending mileage: 1,538.6 miles
No skid

I'm going against alternative lineup # 7 (after the Laguna Seca race), which has the following AI:

1) Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B '03
2) Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST205 '98
3) Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST185 '91
4) Mits Lancer EVO IV GSR '96
5) Legacy Touring Wagon GTB '96
6) Toyota Soarer 430SCV '01
7) GTsail in the TRD Celica
8) Nissan 300ZX 2seater Z32 '98
9) Skyline Coupe 350GT '03
10) Impreza Coupe 22B-STi '98
11) Impreza WRX STi '07
12) Mits Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03

The flag drops and we're off for another tour of the Valley!

Coming off the start line, I hold my position and follow the Toyota Soarer 430SCV into the first hairpin. I pass the 6th place Toyota Soarer going thru the fast sweepers between the two hairpins. I then pass both the 5th place Legacy Touring Wagon and the 4th place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 going thru the tight left-hander just before the first tunnel. Up next is the 3rd place Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST185 '91, who I pass as we go thru the final esses. By the end of the lap, I see that I'm 6.5 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B after a 2.25.818 lap.

On lap # 2, I pass the 2nd place Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST205 '98 and end the lap only 6.1 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT after a 2.18.230 lap.

On lap # 4, I set a new lap record of 2.17.329 and end the lap only 4.9 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT.

After 10 laps, I'm only 1.2 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B after a decent 2.18.122 lap. The Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 is now in 3rd place, about 12 seconds behind me.

On lap # 12, I get the news that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 has worked his way thru the field and is now in 8th place. I also set a new lap record of 2.17.235 and find myself only 0.519 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B.

After 15 laps, I'm still right behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT after a decent 2.18.068 lap. I probably could have passed the Legacy B4 2.0GT at some point during the last few laps, but decided to save my tires a little so I hounded him instead in an effort to make him make some mistakes.
I also get the news that the Impreza WRX STi '07 has passed the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 and claims 8th place in the race for himself (they are both a long way behind me).

On lap # 19, I get the news that the Impreza WRX STi '07 has climbed up into 5th place and the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 has climbed up into 7th place. This is a little un-usual that the 2007 Impreza has been able up get past the back-markers so easily, but that's what seems to be happening.

My tires have started to lose their grip, so at the end of lap # 20, I dive into the pits for a new set of SH tires. I was still just behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec. B when I dove into the pits.

After about 10 seconds, the 3rd place Impreza Coupe 22B-STi drives past. After another 5 seconds, the 4th place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 drives past as well.

At the first checkpoint on lap # 21, I see that I've fallen 29.5 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B. I also see that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 has reached 6th place in the race (still some distance behind me).

On lap # 25, I set a new lap record of 2.16.993 and end the lap only 22 seconds behind the race leading Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B. At this point in the race, the 5th place Impreza WRX STi '07 is about 15 seconds behind me and is slowly gaining on me still.

On lap # 28, I see that the Impreza Coupe 22B-STi has taken over 1st place in the race by passing the Legacy B4 2.0GT. I'm pretty surprised by this! I've run against this same lineup four times previously, and in the previous cases, the Impreza Coupe 22B-STi doesn't pass the Legacy B4 2.0GT until after the first round of pit-stops on lap # 45.

At the beginning of lap # 30, I draft past the 3rd place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 going into the first hairpin.

After 31 laps, I see that I'm only 12.4 seconds behind the race leading Impreza Coupe 22B-STi after a decent 2.17.023 lap.

On lap # 33, I catch and pass the 2nd place Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B as we drive across the bridge.

On lap # 34, I catch and pass the first back-marker, the 12th place Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST185 '91.

On lap # 36, I see that the Impreza WRX STi '07 has claimed 4th place in the race by passing the Lancer EVO IV GSR '96.

After 35 laps, I'm only 4.5 seconds behind the race leading Impreza Coupe 22B-STi after a decent 2.17.505 lap.

On lap # 40, I catch and pass the 1st place Impreza Coupe 22B-STi, who is moving pretty slowly on his worn tires. my tires have also lost their edge, so at the end of the lap I dive into the pits for another set of SH tires and ask for 5 liters of fuel.

After about 12 seconds, both the Legacy B4 2.0GT and the Impreza WRX STI '07 drive past and drop me down into 4th place. After another 12 seconds, the Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 drives past and drops me down into 5th place. I get released from the pits before the 6th place Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 can catch me.

At the first checkpoint on lap # 41, I see that I've fallen 28.2 seconds behind the race leading Impreza Coupe 22B-STi.

On lap # 42, I catch and pass the 4th place Lancer EVO IV GSR '96 and end the lap only 23.6 seconds behind the race leading Impreza Coupe 22B-STi after a decent 2.17.220 lap.

At the end of lap # 43, the 3rd place Impreza WRX STi '07 pits, so I drive past and take over 3rd place in the race, only 18.8 seconds behind the race leading Impreza Coupe 22B-STi.

At the end of lap # 45, both the Impreza Coupe 22B-STi and the Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B pit, so I drive past and take over the race lead!

At the first checkpoint on lap # 46, I see that I have a 22.8 second lead over the 2nd place Impreza WRX STi '07. The Impreza Coupe 22B-STi is in 3rd place, and the Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B has fallen back into 4th place.

After 50 laps, I get the news that I still have a 17 second lead over the Impreza WRX STi '07 (who has started to track me down), after a decent 2.17.832 lap.

After 55 laps, my lead over the 2nd place Impreza WRX STi '07 is down to 12 seconds after a good 2.17.798 lap. The Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 is down in 5th place, so he's ceased being a threat in this race.

After 58 laps, I still have a 8.4 second lead over the Impreza WRX STi '07 after another decent 2.17.935 lap.

I cross the finish line with a slight lead after 60 laps and win another trophy!

Total race time was 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 38.886 seconds.

Finishing order:
----------------
1) GTsail in the TRD Celica
2) Impreza WRX '07 ------ 4.815 secs back (pits on lap # 43)(BL 2.15.438)
3) Impreza 22B-STi ------ 13.518 secs back (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.15.838)
4) Legacy B4 2.0GT------- 46.060 secs back (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.17.256)
5) Lancer EVO VIII '03 ---- 48.656 secs back (pits on lap # 42)(BL 2.15.880)
6) Lancer EVO IV '96 ----- 59.061 secs back (pits on lap # 44)(BL 2.17.466)
7) Skyline Coupe ------- 1 lap down (pits on lap # 40)(BL 2.16.951)
8) Soarer 430SCV ------ 1 lap down (pits on lap # 34)(BL 2.18.560)
9) 300ZX 2seater ------ 1 lap down (pits on lap # 39)(BL 2.18.856)
10) Celica ST205 ------ 1 lap down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.20.487)
11) Legacy T.Wagon --- 1 lap down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.19.715)
12) Celica ST185 ------ 2 laps down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.20.654)

Post race notes:
----------------
A decent race, although I always felt that I had the field covered. Interesting drive by the 2nd place Impreza WRX STi '07, he was very strong and just powered his way thru the field. And its also interesting that the Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03 ended up in 5th place. I guess he gave it up once the Impreza WRX STi '07 got past him, so he was depressed and got left behind! This race was the fifth time that I've raced against this same grid, and so far it was the only time that the Impreza WRX STi '07 ended up as the 2nd place car by the end of the race. I notice another quirk: The Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST205 '98 in the above race had a best lap time of 2.20.487. This time was the exact same time as the Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST205 '98 drove in my race posted above at post # 218, whose BL time was also 2.20.487! I drove 183.2 miles during the race, and no time warps were encountered!

Enjoy the racing!
GTsail

Car: Toyota Supra SZ-R '97
PP:411
Tyres: SH,SH,SM
Total time: 2:19:24.
Fastest Lap: 2:14.872 (46)
Position: 1st
Distance to car behind: +00.179

Opponents:
G35 Coupe
Fairlady Z 300ZX
Silvia spec-R AERO (S15)
RX-7 Type RS '98
Legacy touring wagon '96
300ZX
Skyline Coupe 350GT '03
Celica GT-Four (ST205) '98
Supra RZ '97
Impreza Sedan WRX STi Version VI '98
GTO TWin Turbo MR '95


Wow, this was my first attempt back at GT5 with the wheel and I thought I'd go for a bit of a challenge. I saw the Supra in the UCD and thought it might be good fun, after a few practice goes I decided that sport hards might be good enough to win the race on.

By the time I got to lap 20 I was in the lead but with the RX-7 right behind me, thinking the tyres wouldn't last until lap 30 I decided to make a stop. Once I'd done this I realised the RX-7 was still much faster than I was and pulling away, at this point I decided that at my next stop I'd switch onto SM tyres in the hope of pulling back the lost ground.

Lap 40 came and went and with my new SM tyres I started catching the RX-7 massively up until he came into the pits on lap 47 at which point I resumed the lead. After his pitstop the gap was around 17 seconds or so, the RX-7 started to close this gap by about 1-2 seconds per lap and eventually caught me coming out of the final turn of the last lap, from there it was a drag to the finish which I somehow won by just .179 of a second .

This race was really great fun as always, I was hoping that the tyres were going to last longer and that I wouldn't have to switch to the SM's but it wasn't to be.

Also the Supra just understeers everywhere, I gave it a few tweaks which sorted it out a bit but still it understeered too much and no matter what I did it seemed impossible to get the rear tyres to heat up at all (they stayed medium blue the whole race). With a better set up then I think my original goal may have been possible but we'll have to leave that until next time.

The understeer on that Supra is astonishingly bad indeed. I wrestled with the car at stock a couple of times back in may, still have nightmares. I had to resort to SS tires.

I was going to see if I could tune it out but that never seemed to happen.

Lotus Elise 111R '04
Horsepower: 147
Weight: 1058kg (added 198kg ballast @ -10)
PP value: 391
P.Limiter: 85.0%
Tires: SH (used throughout the race)
Ending mileage: 10,302.0 miles, black oil
No aids except ABS 1

Total time 2:18:35.762
MoV 1:31.644 over Impreza WRX STi '07
My fastest lap 2:16.765, lap 4, in tow. Otherwise, 2:17.129

Alternative GV lineup # 7 after Laguna Seca 200mi:
1) Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B '03
2) Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST205 '98
3) Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST185 '91
4) Mits Lancer EVO IV GSR '96
5) Legacy Touring Wagon GTB '96
6) Toyota Soarer 430SCV '01
7) Dotini / Elise 111R
8) Nissan 300ZX 2seater Z32 '98
9) Skyline Coupe 350GT '03
10) Impreza Coupe 22B-STi '98
11) Impreza WRX STi '07
12) Mits Lancer EVO VIII GSR '03

Abbreviated race notes:
Driving neat, clean and tidy at all times
Dropped to 8th at start
Took lead lap 6
Pitted lap 30 with 80% wear remaining on left rear tire bar. Did not lose lead
Pleasant, uneventful drive to finish

Finishing order:
1) Dotini / Elise 111R------(BL 2:16.765, lap 4, in tow)
2) Impreza WRX '07 ------ (BL 2.15.093)
3) Impreza 22B-STi ------ (BL 2.15.983)
4) Legacy B4 2.0GT------- (BL 2.17.418)
5) Lancer EVO VIII '03 ---- (BL 2.16.020)
6) Lancer EVO IV '96
7) Skyline Coupe
8) Soarer 430SCV
9) 300ZX 2seater
10) Celica ST205
11) Legacy T.Wagon
12) Celica ST185

Post race notes:
Too much car, but it was the lowest PP I could get from it, as it had an unmodified black oil engine with maximum allowed PL, and maximum ballast.

This lineup is excellent, as the slow Legacy B4 2.0GT spec B '03 held up the much quicker Imprezas until 5 laps from the end! The Evo VIII was very disappointing. So all the potentially threatening cars failed to make their presence felt until way too late.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve

I've had this run planned for the past couple of months but just haven't had the time to do it - until now. The plan is to run against the 'ultimate rabbit', the NSX Type R '02, and fight fire-with-fire as a fact finding mission. The difference here is that I planned to run a completely stock NSX Type R '02 including it's factory sports hard tyres against him as presumably he would be on better tyres. So off I went to my local Honda dealership and picked up a brand new shiny white one which I had delivered direct to the circuit.


^I was seriously eye-balling him as I went through on the inside of turn 1.

Car: Honda NSX Type R '02
HP: 282
PP: 468
Weight: 1270Kg
Mods: Stock
Power Level: 100%
Ballast: Stock (45/55)
Tyres: SH
All aids off. ABS 1. DFGT wheel.

Grid #10:
1. Subaru Impreza WRX STI '94
2. Nissan Skyline GTR R34 '00
3. Toyota Aristo V300 '00
4. Honda NSX '97
5. Subaru Impreza Coupe WRX Type R STI
6. Honda NSX Type R '02 (red)
7. Me
8. Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen '00
9. Mits GTO Twin Turbo MR '95
10. Toyota Supra RZ '97
11. Honda Accord Coupe EX '03
12. Toyota MR2 GT-S '97

Not sure what to expect from the AI NSX Type R as it's previous lap times showed it to be considerably quicker than anything else including the standard NSXs. So I adopt the usual plan of hitting the front as soon as possible and opening up a gap big enough to counter any second half sprint from the opponent. OK, let's go…

Lap 1: 2:19.155 - Good launch off the line sees me and the red Type R mob the Impreza Coupe, giving me the inside line and the opportunity to sneak past my nemesis at turn 1 (see pic above). I then take the NSX '97 into the left hander before the second hairpin. Cold and slippery tyres through here but I beat the Aristo into the hairpin and into 3rd spot, the NSX '97 comes with me. I take the R34 into the second tunnel purely on grip and nip past the WRX STi at the final essess to take the lead. The red Type R is still down in 6th - fine by me! End lap +1 sec ahead of the WRX STi and the closely bunched pack.

Laps 2 to 5: On lap 3 the Type R moves up to 5th behind the NSX '97 and then takes him on the next lap. By the end of lap 5 I've started to hit low 2:13s with everyone else about 1.5 secs slower. The tyres have warmed up and I'm feeling a lot more confident now although you need to be delicate with the throttle.

Laps 6 to 10: Consistently in the high 2:12s / low 2:13s now and on lap 7 the NSX '97 moves up to 2nd and the red Type R into 3rd. Honda locking out the top 3 - surprise, surprise! By lap 9 I'm feeling the pressure as I'm only 13 secs ahead. I'm now running low 2:12s / high 2:11s as a consequence. On lap 10 the red Type R passes the '97 to go second and I'm +14 secs ahead and fully expecting him to start banging in very fast laps. Game on!

Laps 11 to 15: And there it is. Red Type R is straight into the 2:10s. I dig in and hit a F/L so far of 2:11.073 in response. Laps 13, 14 and 15 we run pretty much identical times so the gap settles at around +12 seconds.

Laps 16 to 20: Our times yo-yo and he keeps me very honest. Any mistake and he'll be on me. By lap 18 I'm +13 secs ahead but by the end of lap 20 I've remain consistent and the gap has opened slightly to +15 secs. I've lapped the GTO, Legacy and Accord better than the red Type R which I think has contributed to my gain.

Laps 21 to 25: I lap the Aristo on lap 21 and maintain a +16 second lead over the red Type R (NSX '97 still in a lonely 3rd spot about +20 secs behind). Losing a touch of front end grip now even though the tyres are down to only about 80%. As a consequence my lap times have fallen from 2:11s to 2:12s. By the end of lap 25 I'm only managing 2:14s but have started to drop the red Type R - which is a little disappointing. Looking at the replay you can see how much the rear end was losing grip at this point even though it didn't feel like it at the time. Ended lap 25 +20 secs in the lead.

Laps 26 to 30: Managed to drag my lap times back into the 2:13s but the tyres are complaining now. On lap 28 there's a dramatic drop in grip and I'm fighting her way more. I throw in the towel on lap 29 after a massive spin off the final turn and roll into the pits with my tail between my legs for 10 litres of fuel and a new set of SH tyres. Meter shows I'm down to about 75% on all four corners. While I'm in the pits the red Type R takes the lead and I end lap 30 -13 secs down in 2nd. The 3rd placed NSX '97 is half a lap down and I've lapped everyone up to 6th place.

Laps 31 to 35: I steadily chase down the lead Type R and take him on lap 35 purely on extra grip through the first turn. I hit a F/L so far of 2:10.798 on lap 34 in my pursuit of the lead.

Laps 36 to 40: I easily pull away as he stays on bad tyres - why won't the AI ever learn?! I hear the news that the NSX '97 has been caught and passed by the R34 which makes me believe that 4WD on worn tyres is a better option that MR. However he soon retakes 3rd on lap 40 where I find myself +28 secs ahead and about 4 to 5 secs a lap faster than the red Type R! I hit my fastest lap of 2:09.979 on lap 38.

Laps 41 to 45: Aristo is first to pit on lap 41. The Accord, R34 and nearest rival, the red NSX Type R, all pit on lap 43. Mitsubishi GTO and Impreza Coupe pit on lap 45 and I'm +1:07 ahead. I've now lapped everyone up to the chasing red Type R.

Laps 46 to 50: The red Type R comes flying out the blocks and although I'm running 2:11/2:12s he starts to gain. By the end of lap 50 I start to feel the grip go from my tyres again. I end the lap +59 secs ahead and doing the odd drift in my pursuit of decent lap times. The Legacy pits on lap 50.

Laps 51 to 55: Red makes solid 1.5 second gains on me for a couple of laps then on lap 53 I get out of shape through the fast essess and grind along the wall to the hairpin and lose about 6 seconds. I struggle to get my rhythm back and lose it again at the final essess, pulling a full 360 and losing a further 6 seconds. Funny how one mistake can completely destroy a lap. OK I have time in the bag so I can afford one bad lap. Another ragged lap follows (I think I'm angry at myself) and so I take lap 55 nice and steady (2:14.498) to end the lap just +37 seconds ahead.

Laps 56 to 60: It's now I'm realising that being a little disrespectful to this second set of tyres is hurting me. It's just a case of keeping her on the black stuff and using my time advantage. Red takes 2 seconds out of me on lap 56 and another 2 seconds on lap 57. No panic though, it's all under control - even if 'under control' means four-wheel drifts through the corners. Then… At the start of lap 58 the tail goes light under braking into the first turn and I take a trip across the gravel losing about 10 seconds. Boy, once the grip goes, it really goes with this car! Sunday driving now to bring her home - lap 59 is a 2:15.579 and the final lap is a 2:15.340 as opposed to the red Type R's 2:12s on good tyres.

Finishing time was 2:13:48.334 with a MOV of +19.858 seconds over the second place NSX Type R '02 and lapped third placed NSX '97. This was by far the fastest run I've had here, which just shows how much of a car you have to bring to take on the NSX Type R.

Fastest lap was on lap 38: 2:09.979

Final Positions:
1. Me - Honda NSX Type R '02 …………………………. 2:13:48.334 (F/L 2:09.979)
2. Honda NSX Type R '02 (red) …………………………. +19.858 (F/L 2:10.049)
3. Honda NSX '97 …………………………………………. +1 lap (F/L 2:12.921)
4. Toyota MR2 GT-S '97 …………………………………. + 1 lap (F/L 2:12.627)
5. Nissan Skyline GTR R34 '00 …………………………. +1 lap (F/L 2:14.332)
6. Subaru Impreza WRX STI '94 …………………………. +2 laps (F/L 2:15.704)
7. Subaru Impreza Coupe WRX Type R STI ……………. +2 laps (F/L 2:17.203)
8. Toyota Supra RZ '97 ……………………………………. +3 laps (F/L 2:17.518)
9. Toyota Aristo V300 '00 …………………………………. +3 laps (F/L 2:19.056)
10. Honda Accord Coupe EX '03 …………………………. +3 laps (F/L 2:19.082)
11. Mits GTO Twin Turbo MR '95 …………………………. +3 laps (F/L 2:19.061)
12. Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen '00 ……………………..…. +4 laps (F/L 2:19.677)

Conclusion:
This was never going to be a low PP run, more a fact finding mission with added fun. Should have won by 40+ seconds but a combination of a lack of concentration at the end and the tyres going off very quickly after 25 laps cost me buckets of time. The sports hards are very consistent up until about lap 25 when understeer kicks in at the front and you have to be very delicate with the throttle at the rear. At 28 laps you hit a cliff and the rear end takes on a life of its own. If I'd allowed myself any tuning then I could have made these tyres last longer but it was actually quite fun having to fight her to the pits in stock form.

The NSX Type R is great fun stock on these tyres - quick in a straight line and very chuckable once you get used to her limits. Obviously way too much for everything in this grid apart from the other NSX Type R which tried his best towards the end. It also made a nice change from all those low PP runs.

axletramp

The NSX Type R is great fun stock on these tyres - quick in a straight line and very chuckable once you get used to her limits. Obviously way too much for everything in this grid apart from the other NSX Type R which tried his best towards the end. It also made a nice change from all those low PP runs.

Click to expand...

Nice report of what sounds like a fun race, axletramp!👍

I propose we set up a new leaderboard for stock cars on SH against the NSX Type R. I'd like a good reason to run a TVR, or a Lotus Esprit, or an Aston Martin, by golly! 💡

Thanks a ton for your great run!

Edit: I'd amend my proposal to allow the 85% (or lower) PL rule for our proposed new Sports Super Stock vs NSX-R leaderboard. Also, to allow 200kg ballast and height-adjustable sports suspension kit, and adjustable LSD. Minimum weight 1000kg before any ballast.
Reason: To allow more cars such as the TVR, Esprit and Aston Martin to be viable competition on the leaderboard. Realistic specified tuner parts allow worst handling attributes to be mitigated to create balanced racing series, a la NASCAR.


Respectfully,
Steve

Sounds great. 👍

I've just amended my finish time to 2:13:48.334 as I had recorded the total time to the end of lap 59 instead of 60 - doh! I didn't think it added up correctly and re-checked this morning.

For the record, under update v2.09 the AI NSX Type R here took 2:14:08.192 to finish.

axletramp

Sounds great. 👍

Click to expand...

I want GTsail, and perhaps Famine and others, to give some thought to the proposal. Perhaps I was a bit overenthusiastic, and was not thinking realistically. The question is, is there a simple rule, or set of rules, that would make for a leaderboard where you might find such as the TVR, Esprit and Aston Martin racing against the AI NSX-R? Maybe, but maybe not?

Perhaps a 1250kg weight minimum with open tuning and open PL? This morning, I dunno.

Anyway, your run was inspiring, and we should take some kind of lesson from it.

Respectfully,
Steve

It's a tricky one as it's almost a completely different race against the NSX Type R. If you take a quick look back at the fastest winning times in this thread, my run had to be almost 4 minutes faster than anything else! There was only about a 18 lap window (25 to 43) where he wasn't pumping in the lap times (plus the 5 slower ones at the start) and I could make any big gains.

I think it would open up more cars if you're allowed to tune the suspension as tyre wear here would be high on stock Astons, M5s and TVRs, etc. Minimum weight is a good idea too otherwise a turbo'd Elise on SS tyres would probably be enough.

Btw, if you want an even bigger challenge go for grid #9 where the Type R starts on the front row.

axletramp

It's a tricky one as it's almost a completely different race against the NSX Type R. If you take a quick look back at the fastest winning times in this thread, my run had to be almost 4 minutes faster than anything else! There was only about a 15 lap window (25 to 40) where he wasn't pumping in the lap times - plus the 5 slower ones at the start - where I could make any big gains.

I think it would open up more cars if you're allowed to tune the suspension as tyre wear here would be high on stock Astons, M5s and TVRs, etc. Minimum weight is a good idea too otherwise a turbo'd Elise on SS tyres would probably be enough.

Btw, if you want an even bigger challenge go for grid #9 where the Type R starts on the front row.

Click to expand...

I was thinking a Sports Hard would be the spec tire. I want to eliminate the Elise from the running - it's really a street legal track car, although I know some people actually commute daily in it. So yes, a minimum weight. 1250kg would allow a TVR V-8S with ballast to squeak in. The Subaru BRZ S (Scion, etc) is a car that has been endowed with exceptional grip, so it could prove to be a nuisance to this concept. Your earlier expressed worry that 4WD may have the upper hand may also be true!

There are lineups with the NSX Type R in front, and others with it last. We could make the lineup a spec item - or leave it open to the discretion of the driver.

Respectfully,
Steve

Dotini

I propose we set up a new leaderboard for stock cars on SH against the NSX Type R. I'd like a good reason to run a TVR, or a Lotus Esprit, or an Aston Martin, by golly! 💡

Edit: I'd amend my proposal to allow the 85% (or lower) PL rule for our proposed new Sports Super Stock vs NSX-R leaderboard. Also, to allow 200kg ballast and height-adjustable sports suspension kit, and adjustable LSD. Minimum weight 1000kg before any ballast.
Reason: To allow more cars such as the TVR, Esprit and Aston Martin to be viable competition on the leaderboard. Realistic specified tuner parts allow worst handling attributes to be mitigated to create balanced racing series, a la NASCAR.

Click to expand...

I think that a new leaderboard for Super Stock vs the NSX Type R '02 would be a great idea!👍

I would propose two leaderboards:

--- One for pure stock
--- One for modifieds

Spec tire would be sports hard.

I'm not sure what I think the minimum weight should be.

A "spec" grid might be limiting, so I think I would prefer leaving the lineup up to the driver.

Nice idea!
GTsail

Seconded!

axletramp

Car: Honda NSX Type R '02
HP: 282
PP: 468
Weight: 1270Kg
Mods: Stock

Finishing time was 2:13:48.334 with a MOV of +19.858 seconds over the second place NSX Type R '02 and lapped third placed NSX '97. This was by far the fastest run I've had here, which just shows how much of a car you have to bring to take on the NSX Type R.

Final Positions:
1. Me - Honda NSX Type R '02 …………………………. 2:13:48.334 (F/L 2:09.979)
2. Honda NSX Type R '02 (red) …………………………. +19.858 (F/L 2:10.049)
3. Honda NSX '97 …………………………………………. +1 lap (F/L 2:12.921)

Click to expand...

Great race axletramp!

I see that you had the same issue with your NSX Type R tire's, that I had with the tires on my Type S Zero (see my post # 211). When the tires start to go off, they really go off!

My feeling is that a two-stop pit strategy is the best for the Honda NSX, because trying to get 30 laps out of its SH tires is not worth the effort.

Respectfully,
GTsail

Famine

Nissan Skyline (R32) GTS-t Type M '89
195hp, 1260kg, stock vehicle, 397PP, Sport Soft)

1st Me! 2hr 19'20.758
2nd Mazda RX-7 (FD) Type RS '98 @ +0.243s
3rd Subaru Impreza (GC) WRX STi Version VI '99 @ +14.183s

Click to expand...

Nice close race Famine!👍

Good idea to go slow enough to keep the Mazda RX-7 Type RS in your mirrors, so you could see what he was doing!

GTsail

Well, after all my big talk about about how neat it would be to run a stock Esprit V-8 against the NSX Type R '02 in a new Super Stock class, I admit to biting off more than I could chew, and I'm now eating humble pie. I guess I just don't have axletramp's now legendary throttle control!

So to console myself, I slink down to the Subaru dealer and buy a leftover WRX STi, a 2010 model. After a few laps testing and getting into the 12's, I have a go at alternate lineup #3 with the results shown below:

Car: Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STi '10
PP: 460/465 <--- (no oil change, but new car breaks in with slight hp increase during the race)
HP: 303
Weight: 1490Kg
Mods: Stock
Power Level: 100%
Tires: SH
No aids except ABS 1. G27 wheel.

Total time 2:13:56.810
MoV 11.122
Fastest lap 2:11.564 (48)

Alternate lineup #3 after Tsukuba 9Hr
1) Nissan Skyline GTR R32 '89
2) Honda S2000 '06
3) Nissan Silvia spec.R Aero S15 '02
4) Nissan Fairlady Z 300ZX TT 2seater Z32 '89
5) Toyota MR2 GT-S '97
6) Toyota ARISTO V300 '00
7) Me/Impreza WRX STi '10
8) Mits Lancer EVO X GSR PP '07
9) Honda NSX Type R '02 <--- (The rabbit starts 9th in this lineup.)
10) Toyota Celica GT-FOUR ST185 '91
11) Nissan Skyline GTR V.spec II R32 '94
12) Mazdaspeed Atenza '05

I select a grid with the Type R '02 in 9th, as opposed to the 6th place start in axletramp's lineup. I hope this gives me a few precious extra laps to make good my escape, and so it proves, as he doesn't break free until lap 8, with me 13 seconds up the road.

My times are starting to climb, and the gap is down to 4 seconds, so I make an early pit stop on lap 20 with maybe 25% gone from the left front tire bar. I take 16 liters of fuel, and resume in 2nd.

After lap 30, I'm catching the NSX-R rapidly , and when I see him, his back end is slewing wildly. I'm lucky to pass without contact on lap 33.

Up by almost 20 seconds, we both pit on lap 40, but I'm away quicker as I take only 17 liters, and he takes a fair bit more. With 20 laps to go, I have a 30 second cushion over a car potentially 2 seconds/lap quicker. Will it hold?

I'm able to work traffic a smidgeon better than he, and despite a trip to the sand after an ill-advised drafting pass and losing maybe 5 seconds, I maintain a narrow margin until the end.

Finish
1) Impreza Sedan WRX Sti '10......BL 2:11.564 (48) Pits lap 20 and lap 40
2) Honda NSX Type R '02.............BL 2:10.556 (46) Pits lap 40
3) Toyota MR2 GT-S '97
...more to come...

Conclusion: I congratulate myself for my wisdom and intelligence in choosing a stable 4WD, but rue my clumsy foot and craven soul for - this time - eschewing a powerful, tail-happy MR on hard tires. But, the point is, the Grand Valley Super Stock Grand Prix is launched from a good, sound basis, and going forward, the best is yet to come!

Respectfully submitted,
Steve

I think I will try my hand at this "spec" racing!

So I check my garage for a worthy steed and decide upon my Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A FD '02, which has a nice coat of Titanium Metallic paint.

I have my crack pit-crew give my RX-7 Spirit R Type A an up-dated tune and end up with the following spec's:

Horsepower: 291
Weight: 1320 (added 50kg of ballast)
PP value: 466
P.Limiter: 85.5%
Tires: SH (used throughout the race)
Aquired: 9/4/2011
Switches: 1
Wins: 1
Beginning mileage: 213.5 miles
Ending mileage: 396.7 miles
No skid

I'm going against alternative lineup # 11 (after a Sunday Cup race), which has the following AI:

1) Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B '03
2) Mits GTO Twin Turbo MR '95
3) Toyota MR2 GT-S '97
4) Nissan Fairlady Z Version S Z33 '07
5) Impreza Sedan WRX STI '94
6) Honda Accord Coupe EX
7) GTsail in the Mazda RX-7
8) Celica GT-FOUR ST205 '98
9) Impreza Sedan WRX STi spec.C '04
10) Honda NSX Type R '02
11) Honda NSX Type R '92
12) Mits GTO Twin Turbo MR '98

The flag drops and we're off for another tour of the Valley!

Since this is my first "spec" race, I decide to check out the rest of the AI competition, so I immediately pull over to the right side of the track and coast for a bit to let the rabbits come past. So I follow the 10th place NSX Type R '02 into the first hairpin. Both Type R's pass the Celica GT-FOUR as we all accelerate out of the first hairpin, so I follow closely and pass the 10th place Celica GT-FOUR ST205 as well. During lap # 1, I twice have to ease off the throttle or I would have passed the 9th place NSX Type R '02, who is being held up a bit by the field (at least on lap # 1, I don't want to pass the 2002 Type R, and interfear with his march to the front). At the end of lap # 1, I'm still in 10th place, some 9.6 seconds behind the race leader.

On lap # 2, the NSX Type R '02 gets past the Impreza Sedan WRX STi spec.C '04 going into the second hairpin, so I pass the 9th place Impreza WRX spec.C as well as we go across the bridge a bit later on the lap. At the end of lap # 2, I get the news that I've fallen 15 seconds behind the race leader.

On lap # 3, I follow the NSX Type R '02 when he passes the 8th place Accord Coupe EX going thru the first hairpin. I also follow the NSX Type R '02 when he passes the 7th place Impreza Sedan WRX STi '94 going thru the tight left-hander just before the first tunnel.

On lap # 4, I follow the NSX Type R '02 when he passes the 6th place Mits GTO Twin Turbo '95. By the end of lap # 4, I see that I've fallen 20 seconds behind the race leader who has streaked off into the distance, even though I ran an early lap record of 2.13.367.

On lap # 5, I follow the NSX Type R '02 when he passes the 5th place Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B.

On lap # 6, both Type R's draft past the 4th place Nissan Fairlady Z Version S '07 going down the S/F straight, so I follow and pass the Nissan Fairlady Z as well going thru the first hairpin. Hopefully, now that the Type R's have driven thru the field, we can set off after the race leading Toyota MR2 GT-S '97, who has streaked away to a 21 second lead at this point.

The 2002 Type R gets past the '92 Type R going thru the first hairpin, so I muscle my way past the '92 Type R as well going thru the fast sweepers. At the end of lap # 6, I see that I'm in 3rd place, 21.5 seconds behind the race leading Toyota MR2 GT-S after a 2.12.589 lap.

On lap # 10, I set a new lap record of 2.10.845 and end the lap only 12.4 seconds behind the race leading Toyota MR2 GT-S, and about 2.5 seconds behind the 2nd place Honda NSX Type R '02, who has been running laps just as fast as mine.

When I cross the S/F line to begin lap # 15, I can see that the NSX Type R '02 has caught the race leading Toyota MR2 GT-S. They are about 5.4 seconds ahead of me, even though I just ran a decent 2.11.232 lap. The 4th place NSX Type R '92 is about 5 seconds behind me. By the end of lap # 15, I see that I'm only 2.2 seconds behind the race leading Toyota MR2 GT-S, who has held up the NSX Type R '02 for the entirety of the past lap.

On lap # 16, I pull along-side the 2nd place Honda NSX Type R '02 as we go across the bridge. This gives me the inside-line going thru the third tunnel, so I take over 2nd place in the race and pull up to the rear-bumper of the 1st place Toyota MR2 GT-S as we brake for the final esses. By the end of the lap, I get a good draft behind the MR2 GT-S and cross the S/F line only 0.062 seconds behind the Toyota.

At the beginning of lap # 17, I use the draft to get past the Toyota MR2 GT-S, so I take over 1st place in the race. The NSX Type R '02 is following me closely, so he drafts past the Toyota MR2 GT-S as well, and chases me closely for the rest of the lap. At the end of the lap, I've only been able to create a margin of 0.904 seconds over the 2nd place NSX Type R '02 after a 2.13.468 lap.

On lap # 18, I catch and pass the first of the back-markers, the 12th place Celica GT-FOUR ST205 '98.

On lap # 21, I put two back-markers between myself and the 2nd place NSX Type R '02, so by the end of the lap I get the welcome news that I have a 3 second lead. I check my tires, and see that I've used about 15% of their life, so I decide that I should be able to reach lap # 30 before needing a pit-stop for new tires.

On lap # 23, I catch and pass the 8th place Impreza Sedan WRX STi '94 and put him a lap down.

After 25 laps, I have a 3.4 second lead over the 2nd place Honda NSX Type R '02 after a decent 2.12.382 lap.

On lap # 28, I catch and pass the 7th place Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B and put him a lap down.

On lap # 30, I catch and pass the 6th place Nissan Fairlady Z Version S '07 as I drive across the bridge. At the same time I get the news that I have a 6 second lead over the 2nd place Honda NSX Type R '02. My tires are about 25% gone, so its time for a pit stop. At the end of the lap, I dive into the pits for a fresh set of SH tires and take on 35 liters of fuel (the fuel gauge indicator said to add 28 liters, but I took on a small extra cushion).

As soon as I pit, the NSX Type R '02 drives past and drops me into 2nd place. After another 20 seconds, the '92 NSX Type R drives past and drops me into 3rd place. I get released from the pits before the 4th place Toyota MR2 GT-S can catch me....the race gets paused.....

Race notes at half-way mark:
----------------------------
I should really be about 6 seconds further ahead at this point, but twice I've driven off into the sand out the outside of the first hairpin and twice lost about 3 seconds. I guess I'm just not used to all the power that my Mazda RX-7 can deliver at this stratified level of tune, so I just can't handle the speed!

At the first checkpoint on lap # 31, I see that I have fallen 35 seconds behind the race leading NSX Type R '02.

On lap # 33, I catch the 2nd place NSX Type R '92, who has been getting held up by the 7th place Legacy B4 2.0GT spec.B. I follow the '92 Type R, when he passes the Legacy B4 2.0GT going thru the tight left-hander just before the first tunnel.

Just as I cross the S/F line to begin lap # 34, I draft past the 2nd place NSX Type R '92. By the end of lap # 34, I see that I'm only 26 seconds behind the race leading NSX Type R '02 after a decent 2.11.887 lap.

Just before the end of lap # 35, I pass the 6th place Nissan Fairlady Z Version S '07.

By the end of lap # 37, I get the news that I'm only 10 seconds behind the race leading NSX Type R '02 after a new lap record of 2.10.560.

At the end of lap # 39, I've caught up with the race leading NSX Type R '02, so as we cross the S/F line to begin lap # 40, I see that I'm only 0.143 seconds back.

On lap # 40, I back off, and stay behind the race leading NSX Type R '02, since I would like to know his current race pace (and perhaps lunch-time is near). Stuck like glue to the '02 Type R, lap # 40 takes me 2.16.715, so the NSX Type R is still running decent laps, even if they are 5 seconds off what his is capable of running on fresh tires.

On lap # 41, I pass the 1st place NSX Type R '02 going thru the fast sweepers. The NSX Type R '02 pits at the end of lap # 41, which allows me to open up a huge 34 second lead by the first checkpoint on lap # 42.

After 45 laps, I see that I still have a 37 second lead over the 2nd place NSX Type R '02 after a decent 2.10.876 lap.

On lap # 47, I catch and pass the 7th place Nissan Fairlady Z Version S '07 and put him two laps down.

On lap # 50, I throw down a fast 2.10.798 lap and increase my lead over the NSX Type R '02 to 38.5 seconds (I suspect that he's having trouble with some back-markers).

After 55 laps, I still have a 37 second lead over the 2nd place NSX Type R '02 after a somewhat slow 2.13.051 lap.

On lap # 56, I catch-up with the 4th place Toyota MR2 GT-S, who is throwing up huge clouds of tire-smoke as he drifts thru the corners.👍

On lap # 57, I drive past the wayward Toyota MR2 GT-S as we go thru the fast sweepers. I thought about staying behind the Toyota MR2 GT-S and enjoying the drifting show, however after a particularly thick cloud of tire-smoke thrown up by the MR2 going thru the first hairpin, I decided that accumulated windscreen impairment might result if I remained in his slipscreen for any length of time.

After a un-eventful lap # 60, the race win is mine!

Race time was 2 hours, 14 minutes and 2.095 seconds.

Finishing order:
---------------
1) GTsail in the RX-7
2) NSX Type R '02---------31.267 secs back (pits on lap # 41)(BL 2.10.498)
3) NSX Type R '92---------1min,18.815 back (pits on lap # 40)(BL 2.11.088)
4) MR2 GT-S '97-----------1 lap down (pits on lap # 31)(BL 2.12.510)
5) Impreza WRX spec. C----1 lap down (pits on lap # 42)(BL 2.13.778)
6) Nissan Fairlady Z---------2 laps down (pits on lap # 41)(BL 2.16.111)
7) Legacy B4 2.0GT---------2 laps down (pits on lap # 45)(BL 2.17.092)
8) Impreza WRX '94---------3 laps down (pits on lap # 47)(BL 2.17.788)
9) GTO Twin Turbo '98------3 laps down (pits on lap # 41)(BL 2.18.669)
10) GTO Twin Turbo '95-----3 laps down (pits on lap # 40)(BL 2.19.642)
11) Accord Coupe EX--------3 laps down (pits on lap # 40)(BL 2.19.438)
12) Celica GT-FOUR '98------4 laps down (pits on lap # 46)(BL 2.20.715)

Post race notes:
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Quite a nice race! I had a little too much car, but only a little so it was quite enjoyable. I did throw my Mazda RX-7 off into the sand on the outside of the first hairpin a third time during the last half of the race, but what can you do when you have such unlimited power under your right foot! My Mazda RX-7 could use a little more suspension tuning to eliminate some of its un-wanted tendency to lose the back-end on the exit from the hairpins, but its still nice to drive. Certainly this "spec" racing is a nice change of pace from the usual slower running races. I traveled 183.2 miles during the race. Thanks to both axletramp and Dotini for thinking up this "spec" racing idea!

Enjoy the "spec" racing!
GTsail

Dotini

Well, after all my big talk about about how neat it would be to run a stock Esprit V-8 against the NSX Type R '02 in a new Super Stock class, I admit to biting off more than I could chew, and I'm now eating humble pie. I guess I just don't have axletramp's now legendary throttle control!

Click to expand...

Well thanks, I'll take the compliment but I think a lot of the credit has to go to the NSX Type R. I've driven both the Honda and the premium Esprit in endurance races and can tell you that the Honda is far less twitchy and when she does go she's easier to catch. Like you I gave up with the Esprit (In my case at the Nurb 4hr) due to not being competitive nor stable enough in stock form.