ADAC 2 Hours of Nurburgring - July 27th 2022 - FINISHED

[Hun200kmh]

ADAC 2 Hours of the Nurburgring
July 27th 2022

PROGRAM

7 PM - Free Practise
(30 minutes, day time two weather slots: cloudy/light rain)


7.30 PM - Qualifying
(30 minutes, night time, one weather slot: clear weather)


8:00 PM - RACE
(2h15 minutes, full 24 hour cycle, four weather slots: L Fog, L Rain, Clear, Clear)

​

1 - EVENT SETTINGS

A) LOBBY AND RULES/PENALTIES

• Private Lobby - Invite only
• Fill vacant slots with AI - Yes (16 cars on the grid regardless of how many human players)
• Wait for race ready - On
• Rules & Penalties - On
• Track Limit Penalties - On
• Allowable Time Penalty - 30
• Drive Through Penalties - On
• Pit Exit Penalty - On
• Competitive Racing License - On

B) RACE AND REALISM SETTINGS

• Track is "Nurburgring Combined"
• Rolling Start
• Allow Auto Start Engine -Yes
• Force Interior view - No
• Force Driving Line Off - No
• Force Default Setups - No
• Force Manual Gears - No
• Force Realistic Driving Aids - No
• Allow Anti Lock Brakes - Yes
• Allow Traction Control - Yes
• Allow Stability Control - No
• Damage Type - Visual Only
• Mechanical Failures - Yes
• Allow Ghosted Vehicles - Yes
• Force Manual Pit stops - Yes
• Pit Stop Errors - No
• Tire Wear - Accelerated
• Fuel Depletion - On
• Force cool down Lap - No

C) WEATHER:

• Weather will change during the race and at least part of the race will be under wet conditions.
• An approximate weather forecast will be given to all competitors as soon as Free Practise begins.

D) TIME OF DAY

• Will be accelerated to simulate a 24 hours cycle, so there will be day, night, day

E) HUMAN DRIVEN CARS

• Race will be multiclass, with GT3 and GT4 cars. Human driven cars must be GT3 (any of the available), unless at least 3 entrants state their preference for racing in the GT4 class (if this happens again any of the available cars can be chosen)
• All players must start the race but all can, at any given time, give their car to AI control. To do this, you must use the pop up menu (that is activated while racing using the D-Pad) and set the "SWAP DRIVER" option to "ON". When you do this, the next time you go to the pits the AI will take over the car after it has been serviced. You will still be watching your car being raced and you have control over what you are seeing, you can change or adjust your pit strategy, change the brake balance, etc, And most importantly you can call the car back to the pits. When you do so, and if you want to regain control of the driving, be sure to set the "SWAP DRIVER" again to "ON". And the car will be yours to drive after being serviced.

F) AI DRIVEN CARS

• The field will, regardless of how many human entrants, always have 16 cars, the AI will fill all available slots. Considering previous experience the AI driven cars will be set to 100 Skill and 0 Aggression. Be careful around them and don't act as if they are just inconvenient pushovers, more often than not when an AI car collides with a human-driven car, it is the latter that comes off worse.

G) Random words of advice (consider this a pre-race briefing)

• DAMAGE is set to Visual Only so you can crash without major consequences (besides lost time). HOWEVER, even in this mode you can lose your headlights. If this happens during the night you will be in trouble. So ... be careful out there

• PITS are fully manual. This means you will still be driving your car inside the pit lane, and you must be the one parking it in your pit stall. It is best if you don't have a "pit limiter" button set because then the game will activate the limiter for you (same happens with headlights and windshield wipers, but people usually like to have full control over them)

• SETUPS are open. Since there are many cars available I can't tell you what works or not. But I can tell you that I will be using the Bentley and that my setup for that one is simply the default "Loose" with the following changes
  • Full tank (at least at the start of the race)
  • Soft Tyres (this is a VERY debatable option, but I didn't have - and won't have - the time to test anything and I doubt the quicker degradation - vs the hard tyres - outweights the extra grip provided while the tryres last)
  • Brake Balance - can't remember the default setting but I think i adjust it a litle towards the back. This is a setting heavily related to the driving style and can be adjusted while driving so find what works for you
  • Brake ducts and Engine cooling - I close them up a litle - supposedly they will heat more but the top speed increases - not even sure if it helps. Never had problems with brakes overheating but with the engine you'll want to be careful, or else the car will lose power and the pits will last longer.
  • Ride Height - Not a problem with the Bentley, but I remember reading/hearing that some cars get very unstable in a track such as the Nordschleife, with all its bumps and surface imperfections. To those that feel this I'd recommend a few mms more in height, both at the front and at the back.

• STRATEGY - Correctly chosing when to use your tyres (Soft - Hard - Wet will be your rational options), when to pit according to their wear or weather conditions, how much fuel to add, what to do about damage (the headlights must always be fixed, and there's possible engine damage dependeing on how you drive and whatever setup you created) is crucial in this race. Keep in mind the track is very long and every lap is close to 10 minutes, so you must "think ahead"
  • ALSO ... please make sure you understand how to set your strategy and most importantly how to change, adjust, switch to another, while driving. I know sometimes the game can deceive us but most of the time I do believe we were the ones doing things wrong. Don't believe in anything related to the word "Default", don't trust anything that uses the word "Recommended", most probably the game will act stupid and keep your slicks just because the track isn't wet enough when you pit. So, go for FULLY MANUAL ON EVERYTHING. You've been warned ...

• PRACTISE AND QUALIFYING - You don't have to take part in either of these!
• I'm setting them up so the ones that can show up early have the track, with the proper settings, at their disposal.
• My objective is that the time we all spend every monday (since when we show up early for some friendly practise and until all the races are finished, around 10 PM) is about the same we will spend in this event.
• So, I will open the lobby and send out the invites at 7 PM, and the lobby will remain open for the entire event (practise, quali, race).
  • Practise will be conducted during the day and will give you both dry and wet conditions so you can try them.
  • Quali will be dry, but will happen entirely during night time so everyone gets used to that environment also

• RACE - This one you must enter!
• Please remember that the track is BIG, its loading takes a lot of time and therefore if you intend to show up without qualifying (that's entirely your call) you will still need to enter the lobby with at least 10 minutes to spare regarding the end of the qualifying session. You will need that time anyway to load and check your car setup, set your pit stop strategy(ies) and make sure you are indeed ready for the race that lies ahead.

Racers invited, please state your interest, and also which of the dates available (wednesday 27th or thursday 28th of July) is more convenient to you:
@IfAndOr
@Madbigdog (can only race on the 27th)
@half_sourly (can only race on the 28th)
@Napalm_LT
@richroo
@Pantheons
@GTP_RPREGO
raeggee
@Zolon32
@Oldbass47
@beachboy6658
@John Wells
@xeronima
@tal
jmprego
@Maxmusmonster
@Don Mejillone
@Saltyjoe90
@AndreasR
@jammy21

As stated above, any other gtplanet forum members that might be interested in this, just post about it and you'll fill any available slots (first come, first serve)

 

[xeronima]

I'll be on my way home from vacation so will not have the possibility to join. It looks like good fun though! Enjoy it!

 

[Zolon32]

Hi Mario, I quite like the Nurb and I'm up for this. Either day is fine by me.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Aww @xeronima shame you can't make it! Well we did:
- Daytona/LMP2 and GT3
now it'll be
- ADAC Nurb / GT3 and GT4

So I do hope we have you for the next events I have planned (besides possible classics) and those are:

- Spa/classes TBD
and, to end with the most prestigious one ...
- Le Mans/LMP1 and GTE
... whenever any of these two are possible until the end of this year

@Zolon32 glad to have you on for this one, you were missed at Daytona! 👍

Now, here's who we already have as entrants for the Nurburgring enduro

1. Myself
2. raeggee
3. Ricardo (@GTP_RPREGO )
4. Artur (@tal)
5. Jmpa_Prego
6. Duarte (@Madbigdog)
7. Paul (@IfAndOr )
8. @half_sourly
9. @Zolon32

7 slots available still

I have this problem that Duarte will be travelling on the 28th (thursday) and half cannot race on the 27th. I don't want to choose, would rather have them both in this so I ask if we can do this event on the 26th (Tuesday). I understand it is only one day after the last race from Zolon's RoadB event and so it can be a bit too much to have 2 consecutive nights of racing. Half and Duarte, can you both do this on the 26th? Everyone else, is there a problem with racing on the 26th?

 

[IfAndOr]

After last night's "quick" test, I don't know which one it is yet, but I'm using the car with the brightest headlights. Preferably unbreakable ones.


If there's enough of us Mario could we split ourselves into GT3 and 4 classes? 2 winners would make it interesting.

Just checking. Views - will they be unrestricted or interior only?



And for a future suggestion a couple of cars we've used before (some of us anyway) in separate races. The popular Ferrari 355 Challenge and the 488 Challenge. But this time have them on track together. It's easy to do since they both have their own separate class.
The same would go for the Renault Mégane Trophy and the RS01.

 

[half_sourly]

Half and Duarte, can you both do this on the 26th?

Hi Mario,

I can't make the 26th, sorry. We have a visitor arriving that Tuesday and leaving Thursday late afternoon, hence my restriction. Please use the 27th though; there will be many more opportunities in the future for me to race, I'm sure.

 

[Zolon32]

We have a visitor arriving that Tuesday and leaving Thursday late afternoon

And your visitor doesn't want to spectate for a couple of hours of nail-biting bare knuckle virtual motor sport? What kind of monster do you invite to your house?

 

[Hun200kmh]

Ahem ... I was about to quote your explanation for not taking part in the Daytona enduro ... but I better not

 

[Napalm_LT]

Count me on reserve, Mario. Not many chances I will 2 races in the middle of weak.

 

[Hun200kmh]

I really hope you can make it Napalm! 👍

To all, some updating is in order.

I ran a test this weekend, with shorter duration but trying to figure out what works and what doesn't. both João (jmpa) and Ricardo (RPREGO) took part and helped me understand what the main issues might be. It's relevant that they both use PS5 (I'm still using a PS4) and they both suffer from a interesting issue, (apparently a known one) that makes the night very hard for them.

So, upon watching their grief with the night period I have decided to introduce two tweaks:

1. I will do my best to set this making the rain happen during daytime. For the sake of fairness and because I don't want any advantage for myself, I will - with a few days to spare - publish the exact settings for the event. In any case, as it is my plan is to start the race dry, then wet, then dry then dry. This will probably mean that the race will start in the morning hours, we should have rain at around noon with the track drying up again during evening and being totally dry during the night. In 24 hours language and spliting this in 4 periods of 6 hours each we will have something close to this:

7 AM - 1 PM - DRY (probably foggy)
1 PM -7 PM - WET (light rain, anything else is too much)
7 PM - 1 AM - DRY (wet track at first but drying up during this period. Probably cloudy)
1 AM - 7 AM - DRY (clear skies for all those poor PS5 users)

One other adjustment regards damage. After hearing many complaints about how easy it is to have an off early during the lap, therefore ruining an entire lap and putting off whoever suffers this, I have decided to revert to "Visual Only". Word of caution though, especially for all PS5 users (João and Ricardo already know this well ) ... You will still need to be very careful during the night, or else you'll lose the headlights and since 80% of the Nordschleife is just a regular mountain road without public streetlamps ... good luck figuring out where the tracks is (even with a clear sky above)

Meanwhile and since I had two confirmed no-shows for the 28th (@tal and @Madbigdog ) against one confirmed no-show for the 27th (@half_sourly ), I had no option but to pick the 27th. Sorry about that half! Will update the OP accordingly


EDIT - Maybe I am obsessive-compulsive but while trying to make this a 24 hours race during 2 hours of real time I was confronted with the fact that the game only allows accelerated time x10 and x15. So, 2 hours would either be 20 or 30 hours ...

Trying to solve this I did some math exercises and I got to the fact that 2h25 (meaning 145 minutes) x10 is 1450 minutes. Considering that 24 hours in real life are 1440 minutes (24*60=1440) that is the closest we get. However I though that a 2h25 race is maybe asking too much from this excellent group so I toned it down by 10 minutes, to 2h15 (135 minutes * 10 = 1350 minutes = 22h30 ). But if even 2h15 is too much just tell me and I'll revert to 2h.

 

[Don Mejillone]

After the races last night some of us remained to play a bit more and we took the oportunity to run a a test of what might be the endurance race set to be run either on the 27th or 28th of this month, before many of us go on holidays. We tested Monza classic (GP+Oval) with 1950's Ferraris (250SWB). It was obvious to me that this combo didn't please most of the racers present so I'm giving up on that and will return to modern car racing.

So, and because we all need time to practise/test/get used to what we are going to do, I'm telling you all by now that we will be racing the

ADAC 2 Hours of the Nurburgring
July 27th 2022
PROGRAM

7 PM - Free Practise
(30 minutes, day time two weather slots: cloudy/light rain)


7.30 PM - Qualifying
(30 minutes, night time, one weather slot: clear weather)


8:00 PM - RACE
(2h15 minutes, full 24 hour cycle, four weather slots: TBA)

​

using GT3 cars, in a field where AIs will also be racing either GT3 or GT4 cars (to keep in touch with the real world event). Some settings you must know:

• Weather will change during the race (tests to be made) and at least part of the race will be under wet conditions
• The time of day will simulate a 24 hours cycle, so there will be day, night, day
• Tuning is allowed, as are driving assists (will be set to real so since we'll be using GT3 class cars you'll have ABS and TCS available)
• Any car from the GT3 roster is available for the human players, pick your preference
• track will be what this game calls "Nurburgring combined"
• pitstops will be fully manual
• The field will have 16 cars, whatever slots the humans don't fill will be filled by AIs (their setting still to be decided)

Please try to check your settings for "headlights" and "winscreen wipers", you'll need both.

I'd like to know who's interested in taking part. Invites are sent to all the usuals from the Radical and Sampler B championships but I guess there'll always be a few slots available slots so anyone just lurking and interested please post and you'll be considered for this one-off event.

Racers invited, please state your interest, and also which of the dates available (wednesday 27th or thursday 28th of July) is more convenient to you:
@IfAndOr
@Madbigdog (can only race on the 27th)
@half_sourly (can only race on the 28th)
@Napalm_LT
@richroo
@Pantheons
@GTP_RPREGO
raeggee
@Zolon32
@Oldbass47
@beachboy6658
@John Wells
@xeronima
@tal
jmprego
@Maxmusmonster
@Don Mejillone
@Saltyjoe90
@AndreasR
@jammy21

As stated above, any other gtplanet forum members that might be interested in this, just post about it and you'll fill any available slots (first come, first serve)

I'am on Holiday... so not taking part in this race cu 22th of August

greetz Don

 

[Hun200kmh]

I have updated the OP and included ALL I can think of as useful information.

We have the following entries confirmed as of now:

1. Myself - GT3 BENTLEY

2. raeggee - GT3 CADILLAC

3. Ricardo (@GTP_RPREGO ) - GT3 MCLAREN

4. Artur (@tal) - GT3 FERRARI

5. Jmpa_Prego - GT3 BMW

6. Duarte (@Madbigdog) GT3 PORSCHE

7. Paul (@IfAndOr ) GT3 ACURA NSX

8. @Zolon32 - GT3 AMG MERCEDES


So far we have half the field. Paul, if you are still considering a GT4 please read the OP regarding that option, we can make it if you have at least 2 other humans racing you in that category.


Anyone else interested may submit their entry, as long as we have slots available (currently we have 8) all will be accepted until the moment I open the Lobby next wednesday (7 PM), because at that moment I will set how many "human opponents" will be allowed in.

To anyone interested that isn't already in my PSN friend's list please send me a friend request (my PSN account is FLAT TWELVE). Remember the Lobby will be private and I need to be able to send you an invite.

 

[IfAndOr]

Paul, if you are still considering a GT4

Oh I'm quite happy with a GT3 Mario, not yet sure which one though! It was just an idea if there was a larger human turnout to perhaps involve the other category.

 

[Zolon32]

I think I'll be using AMG GT3, No36 Mario. I can't really imagine finding any of the others more to my liking (that won't stop me searching though, but it's definitely the AMG for now).

 

[IfAndOr]

not yet sure which one though

After a bit more testing I'm going for the Acura (Honda) NSX #135. Probably. The Lambo is quite nice too.

 

[Hun200kmh]

@Zolon32 & @IfAndOr noted and list updated 👍

Edit - also added the info I just got that Ricardo will take the McLaren and raeggee confirmed using the Cadillac

 

[Madbigdog]

I'll probably take the Porsche! Will be fun trying to keep those headlights working the whole race!

 

[IfAndOr]

I'll probably take the Porsche!

I thought I'd heard Mario mention that he was putting you in the Ginetta...

...GT5.


I might have been wrong though.

 

[Hun200kmh]

@Madbigdog - noted, post updated.

@IfAndOr - I was thinking the GT4 (since we will have that class anyway) but the GT5 is an excellent idea!

 

[tal]

Yes, the Ferrari 488 for me please!

I'm planning to start the race, handover to AI, and then finish the race. I have a question, will the AI plan the change of tyres from wet to dry by himself, or I need to order that stop?

 

[Hun200kmh]

Do you plan to go somewhere or will you be keeping an eye on the race? If it's the former I will advise you to go to "default" pit strategy. However, the AI left on its own can be as smart as a Ferrari crew chief, pitting the car either too early or (more probably) one lap too late to switch back to slicks (and the AI will go for Hard tyres).

If it is the latter, you only need to keep an eye on the TV to know what's going on and you can call the car to the pits whenever you want and adjust the strategy to whatever you think is best. If "swap driver" is kept to "OFF" the AI will drive for a second stint with the tyres and the amount of fuel you selected.

 

[Napalm_LT]

Mario, as I said eralier - I will skip this one. It is just to late for me. Good luck for all and have fun.
BTW, I hope you will record replay and I can watch when have time.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Sorry you can't make it @Napalm_LT , I know you love this track. I don't think we will end up much later than our regular mondays (I expect 10h30 PM UK TIME) but of course I know that's past midnight for you. Some other time perhaps ...

I'm planning on live streaming it, so if you want to know what's happening you can check in from time to time (will post here the link to the live video)

I guess this makes us being 8 human players so far, not as many as I'd like but more than enough to make for a fun event. In any case I will allow new entries, if they happen, until the moment (at about 7 PM UK time tomorrow) I open the event's lobby (that's when I set the number of human players allowed and that number can't be changed after)


A couple of important informations:

1 - The date of the race (in game) will be the real date (July 27th 2022).
2 - The race will start early morning, this meaning 7:00 (AM)
3 - The weather slots will be four, and synced to the race. Nothing too extreme, LIGHT FOG, LIGHT RAIN, CLEAR, CLEAR
4 - This means (in a 2H event) that each slot will last approximately 30 minutes, meaning somewhere between 3 and 4 laps.
5 - Although the game has some randomness as to when the transition between weather slots happens, I suppose this will be about right:

• 07:00 to 13:00 - should be a foggy morning
• 13:00 to 19:00 - A rainy afternoon and evening
• 19:00 to 01:00 - wet but drying track, some spray to be expected in the early hours of the night
• 01:00 to 07:00 - a nice night to drive. Dry track, clear sky, just keep your headlights working

 

[Hun200kmh]

Ok, this is the BIG DAY.

I'm posting the provisional lineup of human racers for this event, if anyone out there has a last minute change of heart and decides to join remember to post here BEFORE 7 PM UK, after that the lobby will be open and new entries will not be possible.

So, here goes (liveries may not be the actual ones used. Images taken from posts inside gtplanet , all credit to their original authors, you can check the origin posts by following the pictures' web address)

Side note: funny that without me asking for it, each and everyone among the 8 entrants picked a different car from everyone else. And even then there are lots of other GT3 cars available that are also famously good and fast (Aston, Audi, Lambo, Nissan, Ginetta) so we all had plenty to choose from.


1. Yours truly will be using the Bentley Continental

2. Paul (@IfAndOr ) will be using the Acura NSX

3. raeggee will be using the Cadillac ATS V.R

4. João (jmpa_PREGO) will be using the BMW M6

5. Artur (@tal ) will be using the Ferrari 488

6. Zolon ( @Zolon32 ) will be using the Mercedes SLS AMG

7. Ricardo (@GTP_RPREGO ) will be using the McLaren 650S

8. Duarte (@Madbigdog ) will be using the Porsche 911 GT3R

Final notes:

1. last night I did a couple of tests to understand the dynamics of weather and lighting according to time of day. I think all options worked ok but I will change the start hour of the race to 7 AM (one hour more than previously stated). Free practise will start at 5 AM so we all get a glimpse of dawn. And quali will start at 6 PM so we all get a glimpse of twilight.

2. Although I will open the lobby at 7 PM today, nobody is required to enter practise or indeed quali at 7.30 PM. I already know at least two entrants will only be able to log in closer to 8 PM, I just ask that they try to do it inside quali (think 10 minutes before it ends) or else in order to allow them in I may have to close the lobby and open again, therefore making it a random grid start (not that grid positions matter in an endurance race, but in any case it would be nice if we could do everything without closing and reopening lobbies)

3. If you can, use practise and quali time wisely and do spare all the time you need sorting out pit strategies and setting up the car. Especially remember to check fuel loads and tyre selection.

4. Two things I learned yesterday.

1. I pitted to check the driver swap to AI (and swap back to human control) function. You can activate the swap function (setting it to ON) up until the car is already in pit lane (I suspect you can still do it while the car is being serviced, but didn't try). When the car leaves the pits, driven by the AI, I checked the menu and the swap driver function had automatically reverted to OFF, so this means that no swap will happen again unless you tell the game you want the car back to you (by changing that setting to ON again)
2. I was going to call it quits once I tried and checked the swap function but then got curious on how would the AI drive "my" car (last night I set the AI at 100/10 because at 0 aggression they simply won't overtake slower cars, not even GT4-class, unless there's a decent straight to do it. It worked ok so that's how we will race today). And I learned 2 things. First the AI at 100 is a competent driver, you can trust him if you want to rest for a stint. Second, because of my own mistake, he got the car fitted with wet tyres in a dry track. Those tyres were DESTROYED in a single lap, and he pitted at the end of it. So ... don't make this mistake yourselves.

Meet (and hopefully race) you all later

 

[IfAndOr]

Sorry I didn't make it last night. I was messing about with next week's project and it got a bit late.

so we all get a glimpse of dawn

Does Dawn know about this?

All being well I'll see you later. Good connections everyone!

 

[Hun200kmh]

Dawn Mejillone?

 

[Zolon32]

Hi Mario. I'm one of those who'll be logging on after 7:30 I'm afraid, but I'll make sure that I get in before the off. I'm quite looking forward to this, and I'm aiming to do it all myself. So if you see my car dribbling out of the pits and into a wall you'll know I didn't make it back from the lav in time

And I don't mean to be pedantic, but it's not the SLS AMG Merc that I'll be using, it's the other one. Not as powerful, but more user friendly. Okay, I am being pedantic...

 

[Hun200kmh]

Live stream now active



EDIT - Race finished. Too tired to post about it or do the usual "quick recap" ... but it was great. You must love endurance to enjoy this but, as raeggee put it to me by phonecall after the race ended ... we always end these races thinking "we must do this again"

And we will, of course.

About the race, Duarte won, I was second, @Zolon32 was 3rd, Ricardo ended up 9th, @IfAndOr 13th (just cruising to the end I guess), João retired for some reason, raeggee had real life imperatives that meant he had to leave with 30 minutes to spare (and forgot to give the car to the AI, as he apologetically told me after) and finally Artur (@tal ) got DQ for entering the pits too fast!

Thanks all!

 

[tal]

Well done everyone! Thanks @Hun200kmh for organizing this!

Ah, I was gutted for my disqualification! I thought if I kept it at a low enough speed (100km/h) the game would then automatically slow down to the max speed allowed on the pits... It does seem very harsh to me to kick me out of the race just because of a slight over speeding. I wouldn't mind if I received 30s penalty or something like that. Even F1 isn't as strict...

Anyway, good thing is it happened at the start of the race. If this was on my last pit I would've felt a lot worse

 

[Hun200kmh]

Yes @tal the game is too unforgiving with these instant DQs for pit lane speeding. @GTP_RPREGO also suffered from this in a Daytona BMW V12 LMR race we did previously, and this when he was leading the race.

I had fun last night, even if I knew in advance that the Nordschleife can be difficult. I have a good friend that doesn't like to race there because, as he says, after a while we are basically racing on our own, such is the size of the track and the miniscule number of cars in race the games allow. And this turned out to be - mostly - true, but if I'm honest I didn't mind it. After @Zolon32 pitted for wets one lap too soon my race basically became a long battle with @Madbigdog, he caught me after a few self-inflicted mistakes and overtook me taking advantage of the time I lost stuck behind an AI GT3 car. After that I tried to shadow him but it wasn't easy. But two things happened:
a) he crashed and lost his headlights, during the night, losing a lot of time (please watch my video, for a few seconds starting at 2:57:00. I didn't want to light up the road for him so in a straight line, I dared to go dark, but boy oh boy ... );

b) towards the end daylight came to his rescue and he regained some advantage but then, during the last two laps maybe, he started doing a lot of mistakes (not very typical of him but it happened).

So his advantage over me shrinked dramatically from about 30 seconds to 5 in the penultimate lap, and then, during the last lap, from 5 secs to 0.9 at the finish line. It was close, but he won and deservedly so.

I'm not entirely sure what happened to @Zolon32, him and raeggee were also close to each other for much of the race, racing about one minute behind (I could see their positions because they were in the top 6). Then raeggee had to leave the race 30 minutes before the end and Zolon must've had some kind of trouble (or got bored without a human competitor) because IIRC he ended almost 3 and a half minutes down on me and Duarte. I think he pitted 3 times instead of the 2 both myself and Duarte did, maybe that's what happened.

As for the others (@GTP_RPREGO, @IfAndOr and João) I have no idea how their races were, can't wait to read or hear their own reviews.

I'll take this image as a souvenir. The distance between myself and Duarte after a grueling day-to-night-to-day battle in the Green Hell that lasted almost 2h30 ... they say an image is worth more than a thousand words so I'll just post the image and stop writing now

Cheers all