Senamics Race report Currently Racing at Le Mans! Update 1 is up!

[senamic]

OK then. Feel free to post comments. Only one race at this time, but will recieve more reports soon!

200 a spec Infineon Enduro in Dodge Viper GTS-R

24 Heure Du Mans Attempt in a 905

Senamic

 

[senamic]

OK then. I am starting a 200 a spec run of Infineon World Sports. My car (like most people's) is the Dodge Viper GTS-R Team Oreca '00. I will be updating every half hour or so.

At the start, the grid looks like this:
Bentley Speed 8 Race Car '03
Pescarolo Courage C60 Race Car '03
Audi R8 Race Car '01
Nissan R92CP Race Car '92
Toyota GT-ONE Race Car (TS020) '99
Dodge Viper GTS-R Team Oreca '00
This line up proved unworkable, see below for the new line-up
By my standards (pretty low) this will be a monumental task. I will start on R2s, and switch to R1s after the first stint. The research I gain from this will affect what I use for the rest of the race. I drove this race yesterday in the Bentley and therefore the track is fresh in my mind. Comments, suggestions and support would be greatly appreciated. The first half hour should be up in an hour or two.

OK then, the new line-up is as follows

Chevrolet Corvette C5R9 (C5) '00
BMW V12 LMR Race Car '99
Toyota GT-ONE Race Car (TS020) '99
Jaguar XJR-9 Race Car '88
Dodge Viper GTS-R Team Oreca '00
Dodge Viper GTS-R Team Oreca '00

Update 1: 25 minutes in- 18 laps 12 seconds ahead of 2nd

i don't like that LMR BMW! I managed to pass the whole field by the end of the second lap, but as I am a DS2 using Jeremy Clarkson my tyres lasted only 10 laps (R2s). I tried to stretch them out for one more lap but found the lead that I had gained (8 seconds) shrivelling to a mere 5 seconds from the BMW. I pitted, filling the tank to 50 units and cursing as I fell back to fourth. I pulled out and on my outlap gained back third from the Jag, which had a balet moment in the grass. I passed the GT-ONE and LMR when they went in to pit, and am currently 12 seconds ahead of the LMR. I have to pit in 3 laps, while the LMR should last about 5 or 6 more... The other Dodge and Corvette have each been lapped by me once.

Update 2: 1hour 10 minutes in- 47 laps 18 seconds ahead of 2nd

That LMR is such a hassle! I have had 35 minutes of sheer joy, this Viper is sooo nice. The LMR seems to hit lapped traffic each time his tyres heat up, and I have managed to build enough of a buffer that I had to pit twice during one of his stints and even after the second stop was only 8 seconds behind him. Lost a few seconds when I nipped a curve and took up rallying, but so far, all is well. This is looking to be a two horse race.

Update 3: 1 hour 35 minutes in-66 laps 20 secconds ahead of 2nd

Well, at the halfway point I was ahead-just. That annoying LMR and I pitted 1 lap apart, but I had the edge on cold tyres. Every other competitor is but a distant memory.

Update 4: 1 hour 55 minutes in- 80 laps about 20 seconds ahead of 2nd

I have only one fear now: that I pit near the end and he doesn't. I am contemplating going onto R1s in three pitstops time to prevent that. I just don't want it to end badly. Please, help me driving gods.

Update 5: 2 hours 32 minutes in- 105 laps 18 seconds behind 1st

Disaster! First, the rest of the time. On Lap 82 I pitted and managed to come out in front, but realised that I would pit one more time than the LMR if I were to pit every ten laps. I had to pit every 11 laps. The pit stop on lap 93 went well, but then on lap 104 disaster struck! I spun on entrance to the pits, and the LMR got ahead! T1 places me 18 seconds behind the damn BMW!

Update 6: 2 hours 34 minutes in- 106 laps 8 seconds ahead of 2nd

Thank the driving gods! The LMR pitted! I am now only going to have to defend my position for 11 minutes...

End of Race: 2hours, 45 minutes, 34.405 seconds 113 laps

I did it! Those last 11 minutes were a dream! I will go into more detail later, but what a race! Thank you to those who supported me in this effort!

The final standings were:

Me in the Dodge Viper GTS-R Team Oreca '00 113 Laps
BMW V12 LMR Race Car '99 27.374 seconds behind at T2 last lap
Toyota GT-ONE Race Car (TS020) '99
Jaguar XJR-9 Race Car '88
Dodge Viper GTS-R Team Oreca '00
Chevrolet Corvette C5R9 (C5) '00

I would recomend this race to anyone, novice or expert! And thanks to all of those that had given me support, with thirteen minutes to go I think I needed it!


Happy Hunting!

AMMT

 

[Watchman]

senamic, again a well done write-up Damn, you should write many other, they would be great 👍

 

[senamic]

<This will contain wither the Suzuka 1000km, the Fujie 1000km, or the Laguna Seca Enduro. Anyone have any suggestions for 200 a-spec (car and line up#) for any of these races?

Senamic

 

[Smallhorses]

Suzuka 1000km in a stock Toyota Altezza Touring Car '01

Fuji 1000km: Stock AMG Mercedes CLK-GTR Race Car '98

Another 200 A-spec Laguna Seca 200 miles. (Stock Honda NSX '01)

There's 3 for you. Suggest you consult my Endurance companion too. 👍
Can't remember the exact lineup numbers, can say they took numerous enter/exits to find though.

Search for other reports in this area of the forum as well.

 

[senamic]

Laguna Seca 200 miles will be here


Senamic

 

[senamic]

24 Heure Du Mans Attempt
Circuit: Circuit de La Sarthe I (Chicaned Format)
Time: +24 hours

Starting Grid
Pescarolo/ Courage C60 Race Car '03
Nissan R390 GT1 Race Car '98
Audi R8 Race Car '01
Bentley Speed 8 Race Car '03
Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Race Car '98
Peugeot 905 Race Car '92

Hour 1

Lap 1
I got a good start, and managed to pass the Panoz exiting the Dunlop Esses. I then attempted to outbrake three cars at the Michelin Chicane, which worked, kind of. The move stuck on the Audi and the Nissan but the annoying little Bentley got on the throttle first and repassed me on the exit. Never mind, I slipstream and pass him at the kink. I run after the Pescarolo, now off in the distance. The Audi passes the Bentley and looks fast... too fast. Yep, he is in the dirt at the Porsche Kurves! I finish the lap 4.509 seconds behind the Pescarolo.
Lap 2
I continue to gain on the Pescarolo, and by the PlayStation Chicane I am 2.108 seconds behind. Come the end of the lap and I am riding his bumper, 0.370 seconds behind.
Lap 3
I pass the Pescarolo at the Dunlop Esses and power away, ending the lap 5.183 seconds ahead.
Lap 8
I pit in, as does everyone else, save Mr Bentley. I rejoin in 1st, with the Speed 8 Nipping at my heels, 3.786 seconds behind me through T1.
Lap 9
The Bentley pits, and the pressure is lifted. The Pescarolo takes up 2nd place, and at T1 is a comfortable 28.031 seconds behind.
Lap 15
I lap the Panoz for the first time, and zoom away without a backward glance. I will need as big a lead as possible for when my chassis and engine go!
Lap 16
I pit in and rejoin in the lead, ahead of the Bentley.
Lap 17
The 1 hour mark passes as I scream down Mulsanne, 42.084 seconds ahead of the Bentley. It will pit next lap and the Pescarolo will take its spot, but the battle for 2nd and 3rd, or 3rd and 4th, looks to be the most exciting aspect of the coming race.
After one hour the standings are:
1 905
2 Bentley
3 Pescarolo
4 Audi
5 Nissan
6 Panoz
More soon!


Edit: Wow, never got around to updating this. I am sorry to inform people that this was abandoned after the second hour, due to someone trying to use an old kettle and an old microwave at the same time . I will return though, for 200 a-spec!

 

[Andy GT]

Good luck on the 24 Heures Du Mans (that's the official name of the race). I done it in a 4 stint scheme (6 hours in A-spec, then 6 hours in B-Spec "Bob", another 6 hours in A-spec and finish the race in B-Spec.)

 

[Watchman]

Good to hear you're going to make a write-up. I really enjoyed the last one and hope the new one will be even better

 

[Lucas]

Good luck, boss 👍 I hope you enjoy it. I have to do that one myself one day.

 

[senamic]

Good luck on the 24 Heures Du Mans (that's the official name of the race). I done it in a 4 stint scheme (6 hours in A-spec, then 6 hours in B-Spec "Bob", another 6 hours in A-spec and finish the race in B-Spec.)

I know the name, but thank you nonetheless. I enjoyed watching David Brabham win at Le Mans this evening. So good to see an Aussie on the podium! Thanks for the comment!

Good to hear you're going to make a write-up. I really enjoyed the last one and hope the new one will be even better

Thanks S-Line! I intend to use Sarthe I (Chicaned) and complete that 24 hour. Just thinking about if I should use a Group C or another classic (905 or GT40 aka decisions, descisions) or if I should use a V12 LMR for only 10 A-Spec, or if a Turbo'd up GT1/GT2/GT-R car would produce the best race. Comments from members welcome!

Good luck, boss 👍 I hope you enjoy it. I have to do that one myself one day.

Don't think of me as a Boss Lucas, we are all equal. I am just the founder! Jokes, thanks for the support!


So... Suggestions welcome (whether I listen is another matter, but may as well try !)

 

[Smallhorses]

I'd have to recommend fishing for a lineup that doesn't include any of the regular slowpokes such as the Panoz, Viper and Corvette as they just become annoying moving roadblocks after a few laps. The Nissan R390 GT1 in the lineup will also drag points down too.

Complete AI Pit strategy guide for the 16 Endurance Races.

This thread shows all the runners here, if you're looking for some stiffer competition, try to get the faster Nissans in there, but beware of the Sauber. These cars pit every 7th lap, so if you can run something on R2 front / R1 rear tyres (rears wear faster than fronts here) and are careful you'll usually find that you can go 9 laps before you run out of fuel between stops. (Also bear in mind that drafting saves fuel, and may even allow you to go 10 laps between stops - 1 complete lap of drafting a car might save enough fuel to do an extra lap over normal.)
I ran a stock, used Toyota GT-One here (the black one) for 200 points with some minor modifications to the downforce levels to get the A-spec points right.
The V12 LMR would be an awesome run here, and I'm sure if you can find a suitably difficult lineup, it'll be worth more than 10 A-spec points, but I doubt you'll get one for 200 points.

 

[DK]

Damn, you're good. I would've needed a R390, but you could do it in a Viper!

 

[senamic]

I'd have to recommend fishing for a lineup that doesn't include any of the regular slowpokes such as the Panoz, Viper and Corvette as they just become annoying moving roadblocks after a few laps. The Nissan R390 GT1 in the lineup will also drag points down too.

Complete AI Pit strategy guide for the 16 Endurance Races.

This thread shows all the runners here, if you're looking for some stiffer competition, try to get the faster Nissans in there, but beware of the Sauber. These cars pit every 7th lap, so if you can run something on R2 front / R1 rear tyres (rears wear faster than fronts here) and are careful you'll usually find that you can go 9 laps before you run out of fuel between stops. (Also bear in mind that drafting saves fuel, and may even allow you to go 10 laps between stops - 1 complete lap of drafting a car might save enough fuel to do an extra lap over normal.)
I ran a stock, used Toyota GT-One here (the black one) for 200 points with some minor modifications to the downforce levels to get the A-spec points right.
The V12 LMR would be an awesome run here, and I'm sure if you can find a suitably difficult lineup, it'll be worth more than 10 A-spec points, but I doubt you'll get one for 200 points.

Thank! I have completed the first hour with a 905 Peugeot (write up begins soon) and intend to continue, but I did not catch the A-Spec points. Probably low, as after an hour I am ~50 seconds ahead of 2nd. This may suit me though as the Chassis begins to wear out. Any advice on tweaking extra time out of the 905 at Sarthe I is welcome! I may abandon the race if I get too far ahead after about 4 hours, I will abandon and seek a harder line-up!

Damn, you're good. I would've needed a R390, but you could do it in a Viper!

Give it a couple of shots against my line-up, you may enjoy it! Remember, winning with an R390 is by no means an easy feat!

 

[Smallhorses]

Good luck with this. 👍
I cleaned up your thread for you, separating the other member's report and your reply into another thread so you can keep this place clean for your own reports.