After a few tests with the Lotus V8 and BMW M3 '04, I've temporarily given up on my stock production car attempts - I ran the M3 on SS tyres up to the first pit stops, but I was tired and my concentration low so although I was only 20 sec behind at the stop I threw in the towel to try another day. Tyre wear is quite high when you don't lighten these cars, so was only managing a 4 stop with the fourth lap a little dicey.
So we come to my latest run and the first with a FF and my lowest PP to date (just):
Car: Trial Celica SS-II (ZZT231) '03
HP: 284
PP: 469
Mods: None
Top Speed Setting: 174mph
Tyres: RS
All aids off. ABS 1. DFGT wheel.
Grid:
1. BNR 34 SKYLINE GT-R V-spec N1
2. FT565 twin turbo Audi TT
3. S2000 GT1 '04
4. 400R
5. Stage II R32
6. CT230R '08
7. Me - Trial Celica SS-II (ZZT231) '03
8. Skyline GT-R R-tune (R34) '99
9. Fairlady Z Z-tune (Z33) '03
10. BNR 34 SKYLINE GT-R N1'06
11. Gran Turismo Skyline GT-R '01
12. Nismo 380RS Super Leggera
Once again I chose not to go up against the GT1 Turbo or R8 LMS as I wanted a close race and once again I've never driven or tested this car before.
Lap 1 - 9:14.xxx
And we're off - straight back to 10th but using the Celicas great brakes I'm up to fifth exiting the first turn. Pick off two more by the end of the GP section and it's instantly apparent that the FT565 and GT1 are quicker than anyone else. The grippy Celica is fast through the early turns and on new tyres I catch them both going up to Schwedenkreuz... and then drop it on the grass through Aremburg - doh! Re-enter the race in 10th. Fight my way back up to third by the end of the lap, 8 secs down.
Lap 2 - 9:04.xxx
Keeping it clean and, as usual what I gain the corners I lose on the straight - top speed through Kesselchen is 135mph and 160mph on the main straight. Small off at Bergwerk costs me about 5 secs.
Lap 3 - 9:04.xxx
More of the same - just learning the car and watching how my fuel and tyres are doing. Fronts down to half and rears hardly touched. Another small off costs about another 5 secs.
Lap 4 - 9:12.xxx
Pit In. Front tyres are going to need replacing as understeer increases, but the guys in front are suffering too. That was a decent lap on slippy fronts and the gap down from 15 secs to 8 by the time I pit. FT565 and GT1 carry on. Only used 35 litres of fuel so I'm going to get an advantage during all my pitstops.
Lap 5 - 9:25.xxx
Pit out - 35 secs behind. Decent lap but still get used to FF on this track. The Celica is much twitchier over the bumpy surface than my previous rides. Torque steers much less than I had imagined. FT565 pits and I go second.
Lap 6 - 9:14.xx
Now amongst the pack. Get boxed in through Eschbach and Brunnchen and can't see the circuit. I aim for some clear space around the BNR Skyline's huge arse (which fills my screen) and get side swiped into the barrier by the CT230R. Lose about 10-15 secs. F:censored: Mitsubishi drivers! Eventually clear the pack and a very slow and smoky GT1 to go into the lead.
Lap 7 - 9:02.xx
That's a better lap and slightly open the gap.
Lap 8 - 9:01.xx
Same as before.
Lap 9 - 9:11.xx
Pit in - Good in lap and managed to push the tyres to almost nothing - that's FF for ya! Only have to take on 20 litres of fuel.
Lap 10 - 9:27.xx
Pit out into 3rd.
Lap 11 - 8:56.xx
Good clean lap - about time too.
Lap 12 - 9:04.xx
Meh kind of lap where I lost it through Hocheichen. Leaders pit and I retake the lead.
Lap 13 - 9:13.xx
Pit in. Half way and my lap times are quite respectable so I decide to go back to a 4 lap strategy and not risk running on the canvas. Take on 25 litres of fuel.
Lap 14 - 9:27.xx
Pit out in second and watch the FT565 go past and into the first corner 4 secs ahead. A little chase is on and I'm feeling very confident of a win now.
Lap 15 - 8:55.xx
I'm into the lead at Flugplatz. Good lap.
Lap 16 - 8:58.xx
More of the same and open the gap to 8 secs. Lead up to 2 mins due to the FT565 and GT1 struggling on their in laps and not coping very well with traffic when out of sequence.
Lap 17 - 9:02.xx
Pit in. Getting used to the feel of an FF here now - some of the lines are quite different to FR and MR. Rush of blood to the head and like an idiot I accidentally fill the car to the brim with fuel - what a tw@t! Well, at least I shouldn't need any more fuel now.
Lap 18 - 10:22.xx
Pit out. Oof... lead cut in half. Not exactly panicking though.
Whoa, this car is heavy. Did it really feel like this at the start?
Lap 19 - 8:56.xx
Needed a good lap to make me feel better, and I got one.
Lap 20 - 9:20.xx
Nuts! Two grassy moments at Aremburg and Berwerk cost me a good 20 secs. Not proud of that lap.
Lap 21 - 9:15.xx
Pit in. The heavy car wears the tyres quicker so have an average in lap. Lap my first victim - I think it was the usual suspect, the 400R. No fuel, so I'm quickly out.
Lap 22 - 9:44.xx
Pit out. Average lap which is marred by two things. Firstly I lose it on the straight going towards Metzgesfeld - Wha? I never crash there! And the second was my wife deciding to walk in front of the screen as I fly through Pflanzgarten causing massive off! Charming.
Lap 23 - 8:55.xx
Good lap.
Lap 24 - 9:04.xx
Pit in. Decide to pit 1 lap early to maximise my tyres - not that I really need it. Come out 20 secs in the lead but I know the chasing FT565 will pit on the next lap.
Lap 25 - 9:24.xx
Maintain the gap to second - cruising now. FT565 pits and gives me a 1' 32" lead.
Lap 26 - 8:54.xx
Never done that before - fastest lap on the last lap... Vettel eat your heart out! Clock says I should be close to four hours at the end of the lap so I go for it.
Cross the line to win at 4:00.11.xxx with the FT565 1' 44" back.
Conclusion:
Easy win in the end which just shows how PP can sometimes be misleading. The MX-5 TC with a higher PP and lower BHP was much more of a challenge.
Went into this not knowing how a FF feels or goes here. The Trial Celica runs really well: plenty of grip, low understeer, very slight but entertaining oversteer on lift off, excellent brakes and low torque steer. The only criticism is the ride over the bumps which at times makes the steering wheel feel like you're in a small X2010, but that's quite minor. I'm not sure I'd find a better sub-500PP FF to run here... but you never know.
