GTP_Hun's Endurance Career.**COMPLETED**

[pipntick]

Maybe is ignorance, but I am stunned by your fuel efficiency. How far down were your tires by the end of each stint?

 

[Hun200kmh]

@Hun200kmh
I must say that it's extremely interesting to read your thread. It makes me want to start an endurance of my own.👍
I salute your approach on the Tsukuba 9 Hours. Good stuff!
I'll be checking up on your progress at the Ring. Good luck with that.

Thanks!

I understand you are still on intermediates and it's still raining? If the Audis really prove to be too fast you can always change to RS tires. They are faster than the intermediates even in wet conditions, if i'm not mistaken. Or is grip reduction set to "real" in the N24h race?

Yes, still on intermediates, but so far so good. I'd really like to keep the RS tires as a last resource in case I really need them.

Don't know about the grip reduction setting, I don't have access to it, but (sadly) I think it's not "real", because it's never too difficult to recover from unwanted visits to grassy or sandy areas.

btw, did you start your race already? Don't forget to report about it, we're building a database of experience in this forum!

Maybe is ignorance, but I am stunned by your fuel efficiency. How far down were your tires by the end of each stint?

Well, fuel efficiency in this race is not a merit I'll claim for me. The fuel tank has 100 liters and I have been spending somewhere between 96 and 98 in each stint. That's a pretty cool coincidence, but it is the car, not me, doing it. I am not driving with "fuel efficiency" as a concern.

About tires, it is a pity that I didn't see your question last night before I started playing. Because I recorded the pit stop before starting and didn't care to focus on the tire indicator. I'd say they wear out pretty evenly (front and back) and after 8 wet laps they are a litle below half of their capacity. Believe me, the car is a handful in the 8th lap, even if I had fuel to do a 9th I don't think it would be wise.

I posted this elsewhere, with this text:

8 laps do empty the tank. And I don't mind the wait, I love the rumbling sound of the idle engine while I wait. Knowing that I'm in for another 1h20 of non-stop green hell.

This is what greeted me last night when I resumed the race, after 16 laps. It's a nice welcoming message to another "session" of GT5 playing.

[YOUTUBEHD]lN1Hn22G0kA[/YOUTUBEHD]

It's just ... the nicest way to spend 1 minute "warming up" to what you're about to confront. And again ... love the sound.

PS - I'll record again my pit stop tonight, this time I'll be sure to focus on the tire indicator.

PPS - Later today I'll report on what I did last night.

 

[pipntick]

Well, fuel efficiency in this race is not a merit I'll claim for me. The fuel tank has 100 liters and I have been spending somewhere between 96 and 98 in each stint. That's a pretty cool coincidence, but it is the car, not me, doing it. I am not driving with "fuel efficiency" as a concern.

About tires, it is a pity that I didn't see your question last night before I started playing. Because I recorded the pit stop before starting and didn't care to focus on the tire indicator. I'd say they wear out pretty evenly (front and back) and after 8 wet laps they are a litle below half of their capacity. Believe me, the car is a handful in the 8th lap, even if I had fuel to do a 9th I don't think it would be wise.

I understand. Still, this means the car is consuming ~12 liters per lap. My Suzuki GSX-R4 with a motorcycle engine burns 8 liters on the shorter Nur 4h circuit. At the other end of the spectrum, the X2010 consumes closer to 18-19 liters per lap on the shorter track. Just something that caught my eye.

On the above video, the tires look somewhat over 50% as you enter the pits, which I would say is not bad at all either.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Oh right I noticed now we have a glimpse of it and indeed it looks better than 50%. I do believe, however the rear tires are in a slightly worse condition. Anyway, as I said, I'll record my pitting tonight when I start and will take care of focusing on the tires' indicator. Check this thread, I'll publish that second "pit video" tomorrow morning.

About fuel ... I do think rain driving, especially without driving aids, makes us save a lot of fuel. We spend the lap "feathering" the throttle and, even doing it carefully, sometimes we get those nasty "snaps" out of the blue on a nasty bump or rumble strip or corner exit.

According to my previous experience in pre-race testing (all done in dry conditions), 4 to 5 (max) laps is probably what I will do with each set of tires. About fuel, no idea, but I assume the consumption will dramatically increase also.

 

[pipntick]

I am subscribed to this thread . I want to do this race a few weeks and am considering the GTR N24, CLK-GTR, MF1 GTR and now (thanks to you) the Panoz. Also trying to figure out if I can go as low as an R8 LMS @ ~640pp.

I would like for the race to be a close and strategic one, so fuel and tire consumption are important. I will be glued to your reports to understand the AI's pit strategy too!

Many thanks

 

[Hun200kmh]

You're entirely welcome, I just hope whatever notes I get they are useful to you and any other interested in doing this race and making it fun

I added last night's report to the OP (sorry but only now I had the time to get to all my notes and create some orderly report out of them) and I notice that I'm only totally sure about what's happening (in terms of pit strategy) with the two Audi R8. They pit, like clockwork, every 6 laps. But I'm not really sure about the others and I only wrote about their pits when I was sure they happened.

Again, about fuel and tire consumption, please keep in mind that I'm doing this without any aids. And that may alter the end results. One, because I'm very careful with throttle inputs and that probably lowers fuel consumption and tire wear. But no ABS and TCS also mean more lockups and wheel spins so ... I'm not sure in the end how much of a difference all this makes.

 

[pipntick]

Extremely useful. What I make from your numbers so far is that the R8'01 is running at a ~9:35-9:38 per lap pace, and his pit stops are as long as yours (so is taking as much fuel).

Now really looking forward for the rain to stop and see what that does to everyone's pace and pit strategy.

 

[Hun200kmh]

As promised, here's another pitting (this time at night), this time I cared about showing the tire wear after 8 wet laps.

It's funny tires seem to be pretty ok but in all honesty the car is very difficult to drive in that last (8th) lap. Maybe it is the lack of ABS, but as soon as I hit, even slightly, the brakes, I get a rear lock up with nasty consequences.

I've been a bit lazy to write here the reports but the current status is I'm pretty much near the 12 Hour mark and no weather change so far. Still in 1st obviously, had a 4 lap fight with one of the R8 cars that cost me dearly. Will do the detailed report of events so far later today.

But now, the (promised) video:

[YOUTUBEHD]oHxTXbv3T8c[/YOUTUBEHD]

 

[Hun200kmh]

Fifth and Sixth Stints Report added to the OP, hope to write the 3 following still today.

EDIT - Done. Report updated.

 

[YuRiPa]

So, on a 100% wet track the inters are better than full wets? And Racing softs are the best? Kinda crazy, actually PD should fix it...

 

[Hun200kmh]

So, on a 100% wet track the inters are better than full wets? And Racing softs are the best? Kinda crazy, actually PD should fix it...

You know I got this info from two distinct but very trusted sources, but never tested it myself so you don't have the "Hun200kmh Tested" seal of approval on that!

I might do a test in one the next stints (if rain doesn't stop) ... With P2 a lap down nearly at half race I think I can take some measured risks.

 

[YuRiPa]

You know I got this info from two distinct but very trusted sources, but never tested it myself so you don't have the "Hun200kmh Tested" seal of approval on that!

I might do a test in one the next stints (if rain doesn't stop) ... With P2 a lap down nearly at half race I think I can take some measured risks.

That would be interesting. But you're racing inters rather than full wets on a fully wet course, so that's already proven then I guess, haha.

 

[Hun200kmh]

So far what I know of my use of the intermediates in full wet condition is:

- record outlap - 10'28,371 - Sixth Stint

- record lap - 9'05,232 - Fifth Stint

- stint duration - 8 laps


And the 8 lap stints are - if everything is normal and I have no brainfades - like this :

lap 1 - outlap, between record and 11'00

laps 2, 3, 4, 5 - good grip, good laps, between record lap and 9'20

laps 6, 7 - medium grip, averag laps, between 9'20 and 9'35

lap 8 (inlap) - poor grip, hard lap, between 9'30 and 9'40

Soooo ... Will I go even faster in wets? Or slower? Will they also last 8 laps? How do they behave in the full duration of the stint?

That's too many questions, so it's decided, now I'm curious.

10th stint will be done with full wet tires, check in tomorrow if you're interested in the report.

 

[Akmuq]

You've clearly dominated the first half of this race, but if that rain stops you could be reeled in by the Audi, but a whole lap will be hard to make up. I'm excited.

 

[YuRiPa]

So far what I know of my use of the intermediates in full wet condition is:

- record outlap - 10'28,371 - Sixth Stint

- record lap - 9'05,232 - Fifth Stint

- stint duration - 8 laps


And the 8 lap stints are - if everything is normal and I have no brainfades - like this :

lap 1 - outlap, between record and 11'00

laps 2, 3, 4, 5 - good grip, good laps, between record lap and 9'20

laps 6, 7 - medium grip, averag laps, between 9'20 and 9'35

lap 8 (inlap) - poor grip, hard lap, between 9'30 and 9'40

Soooo ... Will I go even faster in wets? Or slower? Will they also last 8 laps? How do they behave in the full duration of the stint?

That's too many questions, so it's decided, now I'm curious.

10th stint will be done with full wet tires, check in tomorrow if you're interested in the report.

I'll certainly tune in tomorrow to see how you did on full wets. You should get better lap times, hehe.

 

[Hun200kmh]

I did the test, you guys can check the results in the updated report (check the OP). With a sad end, but I enjoyed all this very much. Both the racing, and the writing/sharing of my experience.

And as a famous cyborg once said, I'll be back. Not immediately, but I will.

Thanks all for reading.

 

[jtv90069]

how disappointing. was really getting into your race report and then power failure
i do look forward to reading your next attempt at this race.
good stuff

 

[emmettbrown1955]

Frustrating
This race was just starting to become really exciting.

 

[Sohvakettu]

I wonder if the in race save could be backed up like the normal save? or if it's integrated to the normal save file then maybe taking backups from that would help when you try this the next time. Anyway it's sad that it had to end like that. The race was getting quite interesting.

 

[Cobani]

Well Hun, when all went dark, that must have s#cked!

Although you didn't make it to the finish, not all is wasted.
Your write-up of events and sharing of knowledge will help some of us to prepare for 'the big one' ourselves! I thank you for that, it was very interesting to read and 'race' with you. My endurance career will probably start around christmass, but I have this thread bookmarked for references!

Thanks again and I'll be reading you! 👍

 

[pipntick]

A sad end to an otherwise amazing report. Lots of takeaways though... for me the most important one is that car choice should be based to be competitive in dry, as you will most likely do better than AI in wet.

So... for your next try will you use a different car or stay with the Panoz? Or is it too soon to tell?

Well done in any case mate. Wish you better luck on your next attempt. And thank you for your report.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Thanks for the kind words guys, I do hope the bits of info I gathered will be useful to you.


I was just checking the possible grids again and indeed I find this one (the second one) to be the best bunch of AI cars the game throws at you. Of course it would be nice to have also the Bentley, the BMW, the Nissan and the Sauber (instead of the C5R, Mine's, XJ13 and Lister) but I guess there's also the need to have a couple of slow cars thrown into the race ... sports cars always had several classes in the same race.

Anyway ...

I'm puzzled at what happened to me last night. I remember testing a forced shut down of the PS3 with a endurance save when they became available (Tsukuba testing) and on game restart the save was there. When the lights went out last night (probably some kind of line-maintenance, not sure, it was for a few moments only and it was almost 2 AM) I even thought "well, lucky that this happened in a outlap, won't lose a full stint from last saved point ... ". Turns out I lost all full stints right there.

About what car to pick ... considering my short dry experience from last night I can say with certainty that the Audi R8 '01 laps in less than 8 minutes in the dry. No idea on the others. And I still need to know (only bit of info I'm still lacking) what's the Panoz's dry pace with Racing Softs (and how much they last).

If it turns out that the Panoz cannot win this race (in my hands) I'll need something else (because my aim is to win it). But not much quicker, or else - with my luck - I end up in a wet race and need to endure 24 hours of boredom ...

 

[pipntick]

I hear you... based on your experience I think that any GT(R) car would give you a stressfull race unless you have 24 hours of rain. For that reason I started considering the lesser of all LMPs, the Audi R10, as close to stock as possible to give me something like 7.45/lap dry on RS tyres, then adjust my pace to keep it close by changing compound.

That or just jump on my trusty R8'01 and run on RH and less aero until I get the desired lap times.

 

[Hun200kmh]

I don't have data to compare the range of LMP and GT(R) cars (didn't know the R10 was the slowest LMP in the game) but, based on my race wouldn't the CLK LM (solid last of the big cars) be the slowest of them all?

 

[pipntick]

I don't have data to compare the range of LMP and GT(R) cars (didn't know the R10 was the slowest LMP in the game) but, based on my race wouldn't the CLK LM (solid last of the big cars) be the slowest of them all?

Actually the CLK is not an LMP, is closer to a GTR (I think. It is closer to the Panoz than to the R10 or Sauber). But reality is that in your hands it might just prove to be fast enough. In my testing with CLK the problem was tyre wear (3 laps and the 3rd was not fun at all), but I believe my tune had a lot to do with it.

In human hands, based on testing from the different online leagues, the R10 is certainly the slowest LMP. It was even banned from the GTP LMP series, and so did the R8'01 but for the exact opposite reasons (too fast).

 

[YuRiPa]

So sad to see your race ending, was really curious how things would have ended up with the R8 '01 coming at you. Thanks for testing the tyres though, seems inters are better than full wets (which means I need a lot more practise in the rain since with my 787B practise runs on Le Mans I'm quicker on full wets on a 100% wet course).

At least you didn't lose all your progress in the last hour, to make it slightly more positive.

 

[Hun200kmh]

At least you didn't lose all your progress in the last hour, to make it slightly more positive.

Thanks! Indeed I must say there was a moment of "down-feeling" (don't know a English word appropriated for this, hope you understand) when the R8 gained a full minute in one single lap.

But I overcame that quite quickly and kept a fighting spirit. Based on this (litle more than "fool's hope" I know ... ):

1. I was very glad to notice that the 5th lap of the R8's stint was considerably slower;
2. I still had the Racing Soft Tires option available;

3. and you never know if rain is gone for good from this race.

4. In any case, a fight for a podium finish in a 24 H race isn't anything to be ashamed about

 

[YuRiPa]

Thanks! Indeed I must say there was a moment of "down-feeling" (don't know a English word appropriated for this, hope you understand) when the R8 gained a full minute in one single lap.

But I overcame that quite quickly and kept a fighting spirit. Based on this (litle more than "fool's hope" I know ... ):

1. I was very glad to notice that the 5th lap of the R8's stint was considerably slower;
2. I still had the Racing Soft Tires option available;

3. and you never know if rain is gone for good from this race.

4. In any case, a fight for a podium finish in a 24 H race isn't anything to be ashamed about

Can imagine your feeling when you saw the R8 closing in on you. Though you would probably have been fine, if he loses so much time in the 5th lap of his stint and it's not an easy track to overtake. Using a worse car you did really well, even if you wouldn't have won. You were racing on medium tyres when it was dry or on the hards? Prolly mediums, since that's what the AI is using too (I suppose, looking at the Le Mans 24h race).

Hope your car won't breakdown next time you try. This makes me rethink if I really do want mechanical damage and stuff on GT5 forcing you to quit the race. Would be horrible, hehe.

 

[Sohvakettu]

I'm puzzled at what happened to me last night. I remember testing a forced shut down of the PS3 with a endurance save when they became available (Tsukuba testing) and on game restart the save was there. When the lights went out last night (probably some kind of line-maintenance, not sure, it was for a few moments only and it was almost 2 AM) I even thought "well, lucky that this happened in a outlap, won't lose a full stint from last saved point ... ". Turns out I lost all full stints right there.

I think the in-race save gets deleted every time the race is continued. It's meant to allow taking a break and not provide a backup in case of mistake. unfortunately that means it doesn't protect the player in case of malfunctions either.
I think i will test if it can be backed up with the game save file on to a USB memory or something...

Edit: Just tested it in Le Mans 24 hours. Drove two laps, suspended the race and took a backup of the GT5 save file, then resumed and quit the race and again quit the game. Then I over writ the save file with the backup and again the game resumed where I had originally suspended the race. So it is possible to make a backup of your race progression through making a backup of your save file.

Good luck in your next attempt and hopefully there won't be power outages that time because losing even part of the race progression could be frustrating.

 

[Hun200kmh]

REPORT OF MY FIRST SERIOUS ATTEMPT AT THE
24 HOURS OF NURBURGRING

SADLY FINISHED WHEN
UNPREDICTABLE AND UNAVOIDABLE TECHNICAL PROBLEMS
FORCED OUR TEAM TO RETIRE, WITH OVER 13 HOURS RACED

THIS REPORT IS NOW PART OF MY
ENDURANCE CAREER'S HISTORY
AND WILL REMAIN HERE FOR ANYONE THAT WANTS
TO READ AND LEARN WHATEVER USEFUL INFO CAN BE FOUND IN IT






*Taking David Brabham's Panoz to a LMP fight*

Introduction - Pre Race Report


About the car - I took the car I've chosen and tried to make it has good as I possibly could.

So I did an extensive overhaul/rebuild, spent 1.000.000 Cr. with it (engine 500K + chassis 500 k), and because it still lacked seriously in top speed I fitted a Stage 3 Turbo into it (Stage 1 comes with the car).

I decided to go with RM Tires (will save a couple of RS sets in the pits for an emergency, if needed) and did an oil change.

The "Practise Session" - I then decided to do a "practise session" with the first grid. And this is what I found:

1. The Peugeot 905 is the "rabbit" of that grid. But since he starts from last I got some breathing space before he gets to me.

2. When he did (second lap) I could (barely) keep him behind, until a inevitable (minor) mistake saw him through.

3. In the twisty section I could barely keep up

4. Come the final big straight he dissapeared into the distance.

5. By the end of lap 3 I was down to 3rd place, litle behind the Audi R10 also present in this grid, and the 905 was some 20 seconds ahead. I decided to stay out and try a 4th lap because, much to my dismay, none of these 2 AIs pitted.

6. In lap 4 I managed to recover 2nd place from the Audi R10 (clearly struggling with tires, as I was also), but the gap to the 905 remained constant.

7. By the end of lap 4 I pitted, and so did the Audi right behind me, but the
905 remained out for a 5th lap !!! I took note that I had spent 64 liters of fuel (that's 16 liters per lap).

8. Left the pits in 3rd place, behind the 905 almost 1 minute ahead and a GT by Citroen Race Car that didn't pit also.

9. Got rid of the GT very quickly and ... was behind the 905 at the second Karrousel !!! He was really going slow, one entire minute lost in less than a single lap.

10. I overtook him there, but in the big straight he recovered the lead. We arrinved at the pit entrance with me again "glued" to him, and he headed for the pits while I continued. With the Audi R10 some 15 seconds behind me.


So ..... I guess the 905 is the rabbit, but the guy anyone facing this grid has to be looking to is the Audi R10.



Race Start Procedures - But enough of it, I quit the race thinking I had a chance with this car. And on re-entry, I had the second grid awaiting for me. Only ...

It WAS RAINING . And the track was 100% WET !

I never tested the car in these conditions, or assessed the AI in these conditions, but I was fed up of messing around and wanted to start my 24 Hour race (please note: according to my gaming "ethos", I don't restart races, so if this turns out bad I''ll just have to deal with it)

... so .... I changed the tires to intermediate and " plunged in " . The Race has started!




FIRST STINT - 0:00 to 1:18


I had two big surprises in this stint:
a) the car handles nicely in the wet, with intermediate tires (remember I drive without any aids, ABS included, so I was a bit worried ... );
b) AIs don't know how to drive in the wet.

But first things first. The grid was as follows:

1. H. Conrad - BLITZ DUNLOP ER34 Skyline
2. G. Knowles - Mercedes-Benz CLK-LM Race Car
3. H, Manca - Courage C60 Peugeot Race Car
4. P. Van den Berg - McLaren F1 GTR Race Car
5. W. de Backer - Mazda 787B Race Car
6. D. Fleisher - Toyota GT-ONE Race Car
7. GTP_Hun - Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Race Car
8. V. Franchi - Chevrolet Corvette C5-R Race Car
9. D. Harmon - Audi R8 Race Car (Team Playstation Oreca)
10. B. Maier - Audi R8 Race Car
11. P. Rogers - Jaguar XJ13 Race Car
12. W. Park - Lister Storm V12 Race Car


And we're off !(sounds great, doesn't it? Well, actually it was with me ... ) Getting completely blind by everyone else's spray, I took it really easy and almost moved aside to avoid the confusion into Turn 1. Therefore I was ... last after corner 1


However, it quickly became apparent that the AIs were going quite slowly, because it only took me the GP part of the circuit to quickly recovered a few positions and I already entered the Nordschleife in 6th position. Shortly after, I was first ... and all of this driving very, VERY carefully.

I'll do now just a lap-by-lap account, and leave my comments to last.


LAP 1 - 9'56,584 - gap to second: '29, 526
2nd - 787B
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - CLK-LM
5th - Audi R8
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - Courage


LAP 2 - 9'57,465 - gap to second: '52,494
2nd - Audi R8 Oreca
3rd - Audi R8
4th - 787B
5th - CLK-LM
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - Courage


LAP 3 - 9'47,707 - gap to second: 1'00,693
2nd - Audi R8 Oreca
3rd - Audi R8
4th - 787B
5th - CLK-LM
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - Courage


LAP 4 - 9'29,965 - gap to second: 1'28,059
2nd - Audi R8 Oreca
3rd - Audi R8
4th - 787B
5th - CLK-LM
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - Courage



LAP 5 - 9'38,660 - gap to second: 1'55,117
2nd - Audi R8 Oreca
3rd - Audi R8
4th - 787B
5th - CLK-LM
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - Courage



LAP 6 - 9'35,333 - gap to second: 2'32,658
2nd - 787B
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th - Audi R8 (PIT)
5th - CLK-LM
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - Courage



LAP 7 - 10'21,266 - gap to second: 3'13,313
2nd - Audi R8 Oreca
3rd - Audi R8
4th - 787B (PIT)
5th - CLK-LM (PIT)
6th - McLaren (PIT)
7th - GT ONE (PIT)
8th - Courage (PIT)



LAP 8 - PITTED (Game suspended at pit entry, don't know laptime, gap or positions).

Race duration so far .... 1 hour 18 minutes.


Comments:

Owhhhh kkkaaayyyyy ... what to say about this very unexpected early substancial lead ? I'll start with the obvious:

1 - My wet pace is much better than what the AIs can do.

2 - The chase of the human player is a "Audi R8" exclusive. Please note that they only got to the front of the AI pack by the end of the second lap and that while the 787B was lapping at 10'30, the Audis were doing sub 10 minute-laps (lap 3 is the clearest example, I did 9´47 and the lead Audi only lost 8 seconds, so he did 9'55. Then I "upped" my game a bit, and when tires started to go for me they were pitting.

3 - (speculation bit: could it be that they start with dry tires? Don't know ...)

4 - After 1h18 I have entered the pits approximately 3 minutes (maybe a bit less, don't know yet) in front of the lead AIs. Is this the prelude to a very boring race? Don't know, but 3 minutes is the equivalent of 1,5 laps over the field at Suzuka. After 1h20 it isn't much. We'll see.

5 - Rain hasn't stopped and track remains 100% wet, so I'm in for another stint of - hopefully - "cushion-making".

6 - This because I have no doubt the Audis will eat my lead in the dry. Will have to understand what's their pit strategy when conditions change.

7 - Oh, btw, you guys noticed that I did 8 CONSECUTIVE LAPS? Cool, wasn't it? But maybe 7 laps is the correct choice, don't know ...






SECOND STINT - 1:18 to 2:34


I'll start by doing the lap-by-lap account, will comment in the end.

(Lap 8 was finished in pit lane with a 10'04,879. Very long stop to refill the almost empty tank, left the pits only 1'29,914 ahead of second place)


LAP 9 - 10'37,222 - gap to second: 1'11,943
2nd - Audi R8 Oreca
3rd - Audi R8 '01
4th - 787B
5th - McLaren
6th - CLK LM
7th - GT ONE
8th - Courage


LAP 10 - 9'24,629 - gap to second: '46,829 (Whaaaaaaa ..... ?!?!?!?!!?)
2nd - Audi R8 '01 (uh oh)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - McLaren
6th - GT ONE
7th - CLK-LM (PIT)
8th - Courage

(Note: after lapping 11th (Mine's) and 12th (Lister) when they were in the pits, I lapped on-track 10th placed car, the Corvette C5-R)

LAP 11 - 9'07,624 - gap to second: '45,880 *********, I can't shake it !?!?!?
2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - GT ONE
6th - McLaren (PIT?)
7th - CLK-LM
8th - Courage

(Note: I lapped on-track 9th placed car, the Jaguar XJ13)



LAP 12 - 9'21,439 - gap to second: 32'667 I'm doomed .... ... wait, what, hey, they are pitting !!!!

2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th - 787B
5th - GT ONE
6th - McLaren
7th - CLK-LM
8th - Courage



LAP 13 - 9'12,930 - gap to second: 2'15,890

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - GT ONE
6th - McLaren
7th - Courage
8th - CLK-LM



LAP 14 - 9'19,814 - gap to second: 2'25,768

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - GT ONE
6th - Courage
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM



LAP 15 - 9'20,141 - gap to second: 2'38,418

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - GT ONE
6th - Courage
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM



LAP 16 - PITTED (Game suspended at pit entry, don't know laptime, gap or positions). Spent more fuel this time (96 Lts.) that's all I can tell.

Race duration so far .... 2 hour 34 minutes.


Comments:

I'm at a loss to understand what happened in this stint. First I DO BELIEVE, based on pace alone, that the AIs started the race with RH tires and only fitted wet tires when they pitted. This will explain their absolute change in pace. That I tried to counter, and am quite proud of pulling that 9'07 lap. When the going went tough ...

Anyway ... Their 3rd stint, so far, is being poor. Not "First Stint" poor, but far from close to 9 minutes they did in the second stint. Traffic maybe ???

Anyway, I'm very much fearing that when dry weather happens I'll simply have nothing to go against the Audis. Only strategy will save me.

Side note: Curious stuff ... the Courage, steadily last of the LMPs after 2 hours of racing, suddenly woke up and gained two positions in two laps.

Another curiosity ... I flirted with the idea of doing a 17th lap in this second stint. Glad I didn't ... when I headed for the pits I understood that I only had less than half a lap of fuel in the tank .... 4 liters !

******** UPDATE - November 4th 2011 - 3rd and 4th stints********​

Last night I did a Double Stint. That's 16 laps and almost 3h of driving. Crazy I know, but I really am enjoying this so it wasn't much of a sacrifice. Although it was, probably, a mistake!


Here the lap-by-lap account. These stints started immediately after the beautiful pit stop shown on the video posted in this thread today.


THIRD STINT - 2:34 to 3:52


(Lap 16 was finished in pit lane with a 9'29,678. Very long stop to refill the almost empty tank, left the pits only 1'23,415 ahead of second place - slightly less than the gap I had last time out of the pits)



LAP 17 - 11'06,322 - gap to second: 1'17,453
2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - GT ONE
6th - Courage
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK LM



LAP 18 - 9'18,911 - gap to second: 1'25,216
2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th - 787B
5th - GT ONE (PIT)
6th - Courage (PIT)
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK LM



LAP 19 - 9'18,593 - gap to second: 2'58,134
2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - McLaren (PIT)
6th - GT ONE
7th - Courage
8th - CLK LM

(Note: I lapped again the Corvette C5-R, 10th )



LAP 20 - 9'14,314 - gap to second: 3'18,228
2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - GT ONE
6th - Courage
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK LM (PIT)

(Note: I lapped again on track the Jaguar XJ13, running 9th, and also the Mercedes CLK LM, running 8th, but this one was lapped while in the pits)



LAP 21 - 9'23,343 - gap to second: 3'29,060

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM

(Note1: Got and lapped the McLaren, running 7th. Only the first 6 cars now in the lead lap.
Note2: This is interesting ... the Courage C60 came from last to 5th and, according to the track map, is distancing itself from the TOYOTA. Could it be that he still catches the 787B? Is the Audi R8 '01 really the fastest AI in clear air?)



LAP 22 - 9'24,051 - gap to second: 3'40,335

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM



LAP 23 - 9'45,992 - gap to second: 3'26,866 ups ... tires going, mistakes happening, "rain cushion making" got a hiccup here!

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM



LAP 24 - 9'59,439 - PITTED - 98 LITERS - gap to second (he also pitted): 3'03,916

2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM


Race duration so far .... 3 hours 52 minutes.



Comments about this 3rd stint:

- As the "laptimes" and "gaps to second" reveal, The AI Audis never again reproduced the amazingly quick pace they had in their second stint.

- I'm thankful for that because, as can be seen, and in all honesty with my own bad mistakes helping ... almost 4 hours into this race and supposedly with the upper hand, I'm only 3 minutes ahead of second place.

- BUT If you consider that they did one extra pit stop during this 24-lap period (they pit every 6 laps, I pit every 8), my on-track time gained is in reality of only about 2 minutes.

- So, if I get 20 hours of dry weather and they show their true pace ... I fear it won't be enough to be safe here.

- I never reproduced a low 9 minute lap in this stint. I guess I didn't need to and my concentration level depends more of my "instant need" than it does to rational thinking about the whole race strategy and the need I have to push as much as possible while I have a chance to build a good lead.

- The lead AI was lapping between 9'30 and 9'40. This is what I must keep in mind.



When this stint was over I felt fresh enough to do a second one. So I did, here the account:




FOURTH STINT - 3:52 to 5:09



LAP 25 - 10'34,321 - gap to second: 3'18,276

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - GT ONE
6th - Courage
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK LM

(Note: Got the McLaren again, he had unlapped himself during my pit stop)



LAP 26 - 9'39,629 - gap to second: 3'12,457 (mistakes, mistakes)

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - McLaren
6th - Courage (PIT)
7th - GT ONE (PIT)
8th - CLK LM



LAP 27 - 9'16,424 - gap to second: 3'30,811 (that's more like it!)

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - McLaren (PIT)
6th - Courage
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK LM

(Note: Lapped the Toyota GT ONE. As I suspected, the Pesky Courage once ahead of the Toyota quickly moved on. Not sure if he is quicker than the 787B though, hard to figure out who is who in the track map)

LAP 28 - 9'29,165 - gap to second: 3'33,479

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK LM



LAP 29 - 9'23,300 - gap to second: 3'38,126

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM


(Note: This lap ends with me already seeing the Courage's tail and brake lights up ahead. And now, visibly, it is getting dark.)


LAP 30 - 9'32,449 - gap to second: 3'40,335

2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM

(Note1: Thanks to a couple of mistakes, the Courage remains very closely ahead of me. But he sure is going fast, he is probably the fastest AI on track.
Note2: As expected, 6 laps done and both R8 Audis pit. Now my advantage grows substancially, but within two laps it'll be my turn to pit. And I probably shouldn't have done this second consecutive stint, it's late, I'm tired and my driving is getting much too "sloppy" ...




LAP 31 - 9'33,909 - gap to second: 5'02,055

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage (PIT)
6th - GT ONE (PIT)
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM

Note: The driving is not fantastic, but the rear tires aren't helping much either ... anyway, I overtook the Courage, still see his headlights though until he heads for the pits. Darkening skies but not night, the surroundings of the track are already all lit up and that's a nice view.

LAP 32 - 9'33,445 - PITTED - END OF STINT

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM


Race duration so far .... 5 hours 09 minutes.


Comments for the 4th stint:

- A poor stint pace-wise, probably because I was really tired already. Anyway, Realistically, my laps in these conditions (RAIN - Track 100% WET - Intermediate Tires) will never be better than 9:00 or - even with the odd mistake - much worse than 9:40.

- I guess I will leave the pits some 3 minutes and 20 ahead of the Audi R8 in second position and what keeps me on my toes is that odd second stint when these guys were doing sub 9:10 laps. Apart from that one, they have been always lapping at a pace above 9:30.

- I have no idea how much more leniency (read: rain) I'll get in this race. Can't complain, it'll be realistic even if it rains for the entire duration of the race. The interest being ... the weather can change and I have no idea if or when that'll happen.

- And that's why I'm not going to make "experiemts" as I did in the Tsukuba 9 Hour race. I can't afford messing around with tire-testing stints, only to find out that the time I lost makes a difference between a win and a loss at the end of the race.

So, I'll keep with the tested and approved intermediates. Until ... things change!

AND I WELCOME THE NIGHT NOW!

******** UPDATE - November 6th 2011 - 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th stints********​

FIFTH STINT - 5:09 to 6:28



LAP 33 - 10'35,076 - gap to second: 4'03,426

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B (PIT)
5th -Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One (PIT)
8th - CLK LM

(Note: Got the Mazda 787B running 4th. Now only the Audis are in my lap)




LAP 34 - 9'25,186 - gap to second: 4'11,826

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th -Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM




LAP 35 - 9'05,232 NEW LAP RECORD- gap to second: 4'36,664

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT One
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK LM

(Note: again lapped the C5R. McLaren and Toyota switched positions yet again)




LAP 36 - 9'20,480 - gap to second: 6'05,862 Audis pitted

2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK LM




LAP 37 - 9'15,676 - gap to second: 6'20,249

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM


(Note: lapped the Lister and the XJ13)




LAP 38 - 9'25,292 - gap to second: 6'33,031

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT ONE
7th - McLaren
8th - CLK-LM

(Note: Lapped the Mine's and the CLK)




LAP 39 - 9'27,034 - gap to second: 6'41,538

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM

Note: Again the McLaren and the Toyota switch positions. Not sure if because of pitting or on-track.




LAP 40 - 9'31,347 - PITTED - gap to second: 6'53,704

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM



Comments for the 5th stint:

- Quite happy with this stint, nice outlap and overall, pace-wise I didn't do any "disastrous" laps. But I must say the increasing darkness of the track is becoming a problem, especially in the GP section where I simply can't see some of the apexes before I'm past them.

- Although I can't be sure, from what I see in the track map I really think the Courage Pescarolo is catching the Mazda 787B. I find this interesting because it kind of shows that the cars don't behave the same throughout the entire race.




SIXTH STINT - 6:24 to 7:42



LAP 41 - 10'28,371 (new "outlap record" ) - gap to second: 5'44,645

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM




LAP 42 - 9'26,224 - gap to second: 5'52,414

2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th - 787B
5th -Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM




LAP 43 - 9'12,369 - gap to second: 7'29,082

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT One
7th - McLaren (PIT)
8th - CLK LM

(Note: again McLaren and Toyota switched positions. I lapped the McLaren in the pits. Gap to second increased enormously because both Audis pitted in the previous lap )




LAP 44 - 9'27,324 - gap to second: 7'34,453

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - GT One
7th - McLaren (PIT)
8th - CLK LM

(Note: Lapped the Toyota, and lost some time to do it. Could've been a great lap)


LAP 45 - 9'18,374 - gap to second: 7'55,128

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE (PIT)
8th - CLK-LM


(Note: lapped the Lister, the XJ13 and the Mine's. More importantly, I ended this lap with 3rd placed Audi (Oreca car) within visual range. )




LAP 46 - 9'41,128 - gap to second: 7'45,897

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM

(Note: I lost TEN SECONDS to 2nd place because this lap saw the start of a time-costly but interesting and at the same time frustrating on-track battle between me and the Audi R8 Oreca. My tires past their prime, with a LOT LESS straightline speed, this AI gave me nightmares and made me do stupid mistakes often.




LAP 47 - 9'43,955 - gap to second: 7'35,649

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM

Note: Second lap of fighting, second lap of losing 10 seconds to 2nd place. And still, after much battling, I was either just ahead, or just behind that ***** AI. This means that, come the big straight, he went away a few seconds from me.




LAP 48 - 9'46,976 - PITTED - gap to second: 7'16,118

2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM


Note: Third lap of fighting, third lap of losing time to 2nd place but now it was 20 SECONDS !!!!! Adding insult to injury, the R8 I was battling with left the pits well ahead of me. I think their pitting is less time costly than mine. Logical I guess because they do les laps than I, so they need less fuel.






SEVENTH STINT - 7:42 to 8:59



LAP 49 - 11'04,922 - gap to second: 7'09,812

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM

Note: Terrible outlap, can't even blame it on the Audi, although I ended this lap very close to him again.




LAP 50 - 9'17,966 - gap to second: 7'23,704

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th -Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

(Note: Got him, this time with fresh tires, made no mistake and gave him no chance. When we reached the final straight I was already too far ahead for him to regain position.)


LAP 51 - 9'13,693 - gap to second: 7'45,340

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th -Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

(Note: Another good lap. Lapped the Lister once again, litle time lost)




LAP 52 - 9'23,141 - gap to second: 7'56,411

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th -Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM




LAP 53 - 9'19,815 - gap to second: 8'08,235

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th -Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

(Note: lapped the Mine's)




LAP 54 - 9'23,616 - gap to second: 8'18,249

2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM

(Note: Lots of traffic, I lapped the C5R, XJ13, CLK and even the Courage but ... uh oh I'm not getting away ... )




LAP 55 - 9'42,106 - gap to second: 9'22,555

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage (PIT)
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM

(Note: Again fighting a quick LMP car, with with worn tires ... this is a bad combination, makes me abuse the tires, lose time, do mistakes ... was happy to see the Courage head for the pits by the end of this lap)




LAP 56 - 9'50,198 - PITTED - gap to second: 9'10,637

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - 787B
5th - Courage
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM




(Notes: Only me to blame for this one. Anyway ... the race has been going now for 8h 59 minutes, and I'm finally almost one lap ahead of 2nd placed car. Should be able to lap the entire field in this next stint. Darkness is not my friend, I really struggle to see where I'm going during the entire GP section.)





EIGTH STINT - 8:59 to 10:15



LAP 57 - 10'42,466 - gap to second: 8'00,631

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B (PIT)
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM

Note: The Courage, after 9 hours of racing, reaches 4th place as I suspected it would.




LAP 58 - 9'19,767 - gap to second: 8'13,589

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

(Note: Busy lap, lapped again the 787B, the CLK and the Lister. Seeing the Courage's tail lights once more ... )


LAP 59 - 9'11,973 - gap to second: 8'36,478

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

(Note: Got and passed the Courage, no problems this time, even made a good lap. Fresh tires are my friends.)




LAP 60 - 9'06,568 - gap to second: 9'03,501

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

(Note: He is 3 seconds ahead of me ... )




LAP 61 - 9'07,513 - gap to second: 9'05,894

2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

(Note: This lap was amazing. It seems that my car's presence raised the "stamina" of the Audi's driver. So, I got him, no mistakes, and he got me again in the straight. In spite of the obvious fighting going on, we both did sub 9'10 laps ... then he pitted, right in front of me.




LAP 62 - 9'37,446 - gap to second: 1 lap + 1 minute

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM

(Note: lapped him in the pits.)




LAP 63 - 9'35,329 - gap to second: 1 lap + 1'07

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM




LAP 64 - 9'25,609 - PITTED - gap to second: 1 lap + 1'20

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM


Run time of this Race ... 10 hours 15 minutes.





NINTH STINT - 10:15 to 11:13



LAP 65 - 10'48,969 - gap to second: 1 lap + 6 seconds

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM

Note: The Audi R8 unlapped itself litle before I left the pits. I got to him during this lap and lapped him again, this time had no trouble to keep him behind because I also got the Lister and the Toyota. Had no trouble with them, but the R8 got stuck behind the Toyota.)




LAP 66 - 9'15,938 - gap to second: 1 lap + 45 seconds

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

(Note: Trouble free lap for me, clearly not the case for the poor R8. He wasn't in my "radar" view, but to lose 40 seconds in one lap ... I guess I have to thank the Toyota for that one.)




LAP 67 - 9'16,430 - gap to second: 1 lap + 1'55

2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM




LAP 68 - 9'15,856 - gap to second: 1 lap + 2'17

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM




LAP 69 - 9'23,618 - gap to second: 1 lap + 2'31

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM




LAP 70 - PITTED - 9'32,308 - gap to second: 1 lap + 2'30

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM


Closing notes, litle past 11 hours into this race.

- I had to end this ninth stint two laps short of the usual 8 due to an urgent request from family members ... decided to save it do I could turn off the PS3 (old fat model, long past the usual life cycle of these).

- Rain doesn't seem to stop and I'm starting to convince myself that I'm going to get a full wet Nurb 24. I'd like to have a mix but random weather is random weather so I just have to take in whatever the game throws at me.

- Night does create added dificulty, and a need to learn and notice few more "landmarks" (for lack of a better word) to guide you through the circuit, especially in the GP section.

******** UPDATE - November 8th 2011 - 10th, 11th and 12th stints********​

TENTH STINT - 11:13 to 11:25

TESTING WET TIRES

LAP 71 - 10'40,108 - gap to second: 1 lap + 1'22 seconds

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT ONE
8th - CLK-LM

(Note: This looks like a "normal" outlap, but isn't, because the previous stint was shorter and therefore I had less fuel to fill into the tank. I could tell the car was worse, the lack of grip was evident, but decided to stay out at least one more lap, to be sure)




LAP 72 - 9'46,401 - PITTED - gap to second: 1 lap + 1'10 seconds

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

(Note: Ok, I'm out of here, as a driver I consider I did a good lap, no mistakes, some moments as usual but nothing special. And the lap time doesn't lie, I was 30 to 40 seconds slower than I should and could be with fresh Intermediates. AND, their wear was greater than what I knew should be, no way these tires would allow me a 8-lap stint. So I pitted again and fitted Intermediates. Test completed, wets are worse than Inters in full wet - 100% - conditions. Fix it PD!)




ELEVENTH STINT - 11:25 to 12:29


LAP 73 - 9'41,767 - gap to second: 1 lap + 1'05

2nd - Audi R8 '01 (PIT)
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca (PIT)
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

Note: Nice outlap, eh? Well, not exactly, I barely had fuel to add this time.Busy lap, I lapped the C5R, the Lister and the CLK. By the end of it I knew the Audis had to pit so my on-track gap to them would return to more than 1 lap and 2 minutes. BUT ... Am I dreaming or the rain is lighter? And indeed I can see the track more clearly? Uh oh ...




LAP 74 - 9'09,997 - gap to second: 1 lap + 2'44

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

Note: Definitely, the weather is changing. Light rain and clearer track. Still 100% though ... lapped the Mine's btw


LAP 75 - 9'28,226 - gap to second: 1 lap + 2'34

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th -Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK LM

Note: Ok, it's official, rain has stopped. As I cross the S/F line, wetness of the tarmac is down to 95%. ANd you guys will notice that the lead AI did a 9'18 lap ...


LAP 76 - 9'02,382 (new lap record) - gap to second: 1 lap + 2'17 (Whaaaaaaaaaaaa .... )

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM

Note: Oh boy, I'm in trouble ... track wetness down to 86%



LAP 77 - 9'09,230 - gap to second: 1 lap + 1'21 !!!!! (that's almost a FULL SECOND !!!!!!!!

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM

Note: I'm coming in for slicks next lap .... oh dear oh dear oh dear . Track wetness at77%




LAP 78 - 9'23,585 - gap to second: 1 lap + 0 (Yes, you guessed it, the Audi ended the big straight trying to unlap himself, but backed off in the braking zone)

WE BOTH PITTED !!!

2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM

Note:I'm too old for this 🤬... . Track wetness at65%, I'm back to slicks, thinking maybe it is too soon ...




TWELFTH STINT - 12:29 to about 13:10



LAP 79 - 9'38,585 - gap to second: 1 lap + 0 (again)


2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM

Note: He stayed in the pits a bit longer than me, and that gave me some breathing space. However, the long final straight kills me and by the en of the lap I had him in my bumper again. Track wetness now at 56%.




LAP 80 - 8'59,294 (new lap record) - gap to second: 7'48,470


2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM

Note: Yep ... he got through. In turn one, no less. More importantly ... do the math and figure out his lap time ! I can't fight this? Or can I? Track wetness now at 46%.




LAP 81 - 8'47,660 (new lap record) - gap to second: 7'08, 154


2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM

Note: Another chunk of 40 seconds gone ... track wetness at35%.




LAP 82 - 8'36,071 (new lap record) - gap to second: 6'22, 708


2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM

Note: Yet more 40 seconds gone ... I'm doing what I can, but it is already apparent, with 4 laps done, that I will have to pit in by the end of the 5th lap, my tires are suffering. His pace, around or litle below the 8'00 mark, seems relentless, I wonder if he is still doing 6 lap stints. In any case, I guess 2nd place is the best I can aim for in this race, unless rain returns ... track wetness at24%.





LAP 83 - 8'34,665 (new lap record) - gap to second: 6'15,708

I PITTED


2nd - Audi R8 '01
3rd - Audi R8 Oreca
4th - Courage
5th - 787B
6th - McLaren
7th - GT One
8th - CLK-LM

Note: Was it traffic? Was it his tires going off? Don't know, one thing is certain, his last lap was clearly slower than the previous ones. But it won't matter, either I can pull off much better laps with soft racing tires (and make them last a 5 lap-stint) or my victory in this race is out of the window. So, with track wetness at10%, I pit and switch to Racing Softs. I had to pull them out, and got nothing else more up my sleeve. Do or die ...





THIRTEENTH STINT - 13:10 to .........


Half a lap into this stint, I notice the Audi pitting ("so ... he is doing 5 lap-stints too", and then ...




....



....



My house suffers a cut in the power supply.


Lasts no more than a minute, and when power is restored I fired up the PS3, I was pretty confident that the save was there.


But it wasn't. I was sent to main menu.

So ... game over. Let's all pretend my engine blew at the Thirteenth Hour, while I was doing the Thirteenth Stint. Superstitious much? LOL, no. But it saddens me that all this ended in such a way.

Very cruel but at least this is a virtual race, I can only imagine what the real racers must feel when real engines in real cars, doing real races, many hours long ... just blow. The end.

Hope you enjoyed this writeup. It will take a while for me to engage again in such an adventure. But I'm sure I'll do it. And when I do, I'll write about it.

For now, I hang my gloves.



Thank you for reading