SNAIL Michelin Pilot Challenge 2024, "PS5 Users Only", GS/GT4 Monthly Series on Friday Nights 9pm EST, **Recruiting New Drivers**Open
- Thread starter llNovall
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- Niagara Region
- DRD_Niagara
Michelin Pilot Challenge 2024 - Presented by SNAIL
Hosted by PSN: NOVA-0479
Event #3 / Race #1 Recap
Event #3 - Laguna Seca
Friday January 10th, 2025
Preamble:
I had tickets to the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse game on this night and I'm sitting in my seat looking at the clock being pained by missing this event.
The changes to the grid from Event #2 to Event #3 for various reasons are as follows:
Qualifying Table:
@THMP took pole position just ahead of @bublyman by a margin of only 0.031. Knowing I was likely to be absent for this event I didn't spend as much time in the practice lobbies in recent weeks so I wasn't sure what to expect. But it's the 3rd different manufacturer to claim pole of the season behind @JDMKING13 's McLaren in Event #1 and @Bologna_Duc 's Corvette in Event #2.
Event #3 / Race #1:
And they're off!! @THMP position at the front was short lived as @bublyman 's McLaren would take the lead upon entering the first turn of the race. The McLarens are so quick off the line.
LAP #2:
Everybody managed to navigate through the first congested pass through the corkscrew safely. By lap 2, a little space was created between the cars. The following 2 pics show the entire grid from turn 4 on Lap #2.
In the first, we can see @bublyman leading @THMP , @socalnatv , @radliffracing , @JDMKING13 and @Worst_Driver ....
And rotating the camera to the right 90 degrees, we can see @DublDee in 7th place, followed by @Bologna_Duc , @Fudman420 and @Noob01_lmdead rounding up the top 10.
As was apparent in the previous photo, two quick unforced errors occurred at this point as @llNovall and @RACECAR would both go for spins. @llNovall would fall from 9th to 14th while @RACECAR would fall back to 15th.
LAP #3:
We have the race's second lead change. The action between @bublyman and @THMP early on is intense. @THMP would reclaim his lead upon entering sector 3, just after the corkscrew. @socalnatv is sitting rather comfortably in 3rd place
LAP #6:
@THMP does well leading the race for 3 laps being chased by @bublyman and @socalnatv . @radliffracing and @Worst_Driver still round off the top 5.
Unfortunately, @THMP 's car gets a little loose exiting turn 5 on lap 6. He does really well to reverse himself out of heavy traffic. He would re-enter the track down in 10th spot.
LAP #8:
I always found that dirty tires can last up to a whole lap at Laguna Seca. @Fudman420 would take advantage of this and he and @THMP would do battle exchanging positions a few times for a few laps. And in the background @Kgffy and @llNovall are about to engage in what I thought was the best battle of this race.
LAP #9:
The same four cars are having fun with each other but @Kgffy and @llNovall managed to get past @THMP and @Fudman420 . Perhaps @THMP took in a little too much sausage at turn 10 as he spun again and @Fudman420 just couldn't avoid @THMP 's car coming across the track.
LAP #10:
The two BMW's of @llNovall and @Kgffy are really going at it now pretty fiercely and cleanly. @llNovall managed to get by him between turns 4 and 5 on lap 10.
LAP #13:
A few laps later, they're still neck and neck. @llNovall goes a little deep at the corkscrew which allows @Kgffy to regain the position.
LAP #15:
Checking in on our leaders, @bublyman is on a mission and not letting up at all. He's got a pretty comfortable lead and still putting up lap times in the high 1:27.000's . @socalnatv remains in 2nd and @Worst_Driver is holding onto 3rd place. But late in lap 15 is the last time I would be able to frame the top 3 in the same picture. @bublyman just keeps increasing his lead.
LAP #20:
Oh no!!! An unforced error by @Worst_Driver . He loses the grip coming out of lefthander just after the corkscrew on Lap 20. He'd also wait for a break in traffic before safely re-entering the track in 8th position.
LAP #22:
@bublyman would not give back the lead he took from @THMP back on Lap 6. He's making his debut in a @llNovall series race and would go on to claim the checkered flag by a margin of over 7 seconds.
Those of us that race in Snail's Sunday Night Spec League got to know him since he joined our group this past October or November and now the rest of you know what we've recently learned... that @bublyman is plenty fast.
Congrats to @bublyman and to @socalnatv and @JDMKING13 for getting themselves on the podium.
Final Event #3 / Race #1 Results Table:
Event #3 / Race #1 Broadcast:
Final Thoughts:
DRD_Niagara
Director of Media Relations
Hosted by PSN: NOVA-0479
Event #3 / Race #1 Recap
Event #3 - Laguna Seca
Friday January 10th, 2025
Preamble:
I had tickets to the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse game on this night and I'm sitting in my seat looking at the clock being pained by missing this event.
The changes to the grid from Event #2 to Event #3 for various reasons are as follows:
- OUT - @Buffalo_DRD , @Wetroadracer , @CdnSweetTee , @CodeRedR51 , @Mac1032763
- IN - @bublyman , @Dragonwhisky , @RACECAR , @Fudman420
Qualifying Table:
@THMP took pole position just ahead of @bublyman by a margin of only 0.031. Knowing I was likely to be absent for this event I didn't spend as much time in the practice lobbies in recent weeks so I wasn't sure what to expect. But it's the 3rd different manufacturer to claim pole of the season behind @JDMKING13 's McLaren in Event #1 and @Bologna_Duc 's Corvette in Event #2.
Event #3 / Race #1:
And they're off!! @THMP position at the front was short lived as @bublyman 's McLaren would take the lead upon entering the first turn of the race. The McLarens are so quick off the line.
LAP #2:
Everybody managed to navigate through the first congested pass through the corkscrew safely. By lap 2, a little space was created between the cars. The following 2 pics show the entire grid from turn 4 on Lap #2.
In the first, we can see @bublyman leading @THMP , @socalnatv , @radliffracing , @JDMKING13 and @Worst_Driver ....
And rotating the camera to the right 90 degrees, we can see @DublDee in 7th place, followed by @Bologna_Duc , @Fudman420 and @Noob01_lmdead rounding up the top 10.
As was apparent in the previous photo, two quick unforced errors occurred at this point as @llNovall and @RACECAR would both go for spins. @llNovall would fall from 9th to 14th while @RACECAR would fall back to 15th.
LAP #3:
We have the race's second lead change. The action between @bublyman and @THMP early on is intense. @THMP would reclaim his lead upon entering sector 3, just after the corkscrew. @socalnatv is sitting rather comfortably in 3rd place
LAP #6:
@THMP does well leading the race for 3 laps being chased by @bublyman and @socalnatv . @radliffracing and @Worst_Driver still round off the top 5.
Unfortunately, @THMP 's car gets a little loose exiting turn 5 on lap 6. He does really well to reverse himself out of heavy traffic. He would re-enter the track down in 10th spot.
LAP #8:
I always found that dirty tires can last up to a whole lap at Laguna Seca. @Fudman420 would take advantage of this and he and @THMP would do battle exchanging positions a few times for a few laps. And in the background @Kgffy and @llNovall are about to engage in what I thought was the best battle of this race.
LAP #9:
The same four cars are having fun with each other but @Kgffy and @llNovall managed to get past @THMP and @Fudman420 . Perhaps @THMP took in a little too much sausage at turn 10 as he spun again and @Fudman420 just couldn't avoid @THMP 's car coming across the track.
LAP #10:
The two BMW's of @llNovall and @Kgffy are really going at it now pretty fiercely and cleanly. @llNovall managed to get by him between turns 4 and 5 on lap 10.
LAP #13:
A few laps later, they're still neck and neck. @llNovall goes a little deep at the corkscrew which allows @Kgffy to regain the position.
LAP #15:
Checking in on our leaders, @bublyman is on a mission and not letting up at all. He's got a pretty comfortable lead and still putting up lap times in the high 1:27.000's . @socalnatv remains in 2nd and @Worst_Driver is holding onto 3rd place. But late in lap 15 is the last time I would be able to frame the top 3 in the same picture. @bublyman just keeps increasing his lead.
LAP #20:
Oh no!!! An unforced error by @Worst_Driver . He loses the grip coming out of lefthander just after the corkscrew on Lap 20. He'd also wait for a break in traffic before safely re-entering the track in 8th position.
LAP #22:
@bublyman would not give back the lead he took from @THMP back on Lap 6. He's making his debut in a @llNovall series race and would go on to claim the checkered flag by a margin of over 7 seconds.
Those of us that race in Snail's Sunday Night Spec League got to know him since he joined our group this past October or November and now the rest of you know what we've recently learned... that @bublyman is plenty fast.
Congrats to @bublyman and to @socalnatv and @JDMKING13 for getting themselves on the podium.
Final Event #3 / Race #1 Results Table:
Event #3 / Race #1 Broadcast:
Final Thoughts:
- A quick shout-out to @radliffracing for collecting and sending me the Qualifying and Race Results tables.
- Anybody looking to get another shot at @bublyman ? All you need to do is to join our Sunday Night Spec League and you'll have 6 cracks at him just about every Sunday.
- I'll try to have the Event #3 / Race #2 recap done in the next several days.
DRD_Niagara
Director of Media Relations
- 36
- Central US
- THMP
- 627
- Glamis California
- Sand__68
“I’m surrounded by Aliens”
Chasing one that I know I won’t catch, and being chased by one that I know will catch me !!!
Great racing Friday night.
Great recap @Buffalo_DRD, as usual. Missed having you in the lineup for Laguna, but looking forward to some quality practice at Bathurst.
- 596
- Idaho
- Bologna_Duc
Getting to Australia is expensive. So new sponsors and livery. The owner of RV outfit Jayco Australia decided to start a bike racing team some years ago after noticing an absence of Australian teams at the Tour de France. And the Tour Down Under mens race started this week. New livery is inspired by their 2025 team kit. Look forward to seeing you all on the mountain.
- 281
- Niagara Region
- DRD_Niagara
Michelin Pilot Challenge 2024 - Presented by SNAIL
Hosted by PSN: NOVA-0479
Event #3 / Race #2 Recap
Event #3 - Laguna Seca
Friday January 10th, 2025
Preamble:
Again, apologies for the delay in getting this one out to you.
Race #2 goes off with reverse grid rule in effect. This means we've got @RACECAR and @cesarr64 on the first row. @Fudman420 and @Dragonwhisky on the 2nd row and @Kgffy next to @THMP on the 3rd row.
Event #3 / Race #2
It's lights out at Laguna Seca for Race #2. @RACECAR gets out a little slow but @cesarr64 does a good job leading the pack through the first few corners which appear to be pretty clean.
LAP #1:
A deep run into the corkscrew for the first time by @cesarr64 would send him into the sand and then spinning back onto the track where a little bit of chaos would follow.
@cesarr64 and @Noob01_lmdead seem to have gotten the worst of it. With several cars exiting the corkscrew at different speeds, more accidental contact would occur at the lefthander Turn #9 that would set @THMP back a little bit.
Lap #1 concludes under yellow flag caution that would last until the beginning of Lap #3.
LAP #2:
The grid is back together as a pack at the end of Lap #2 about to get the action underway once again. At this point, we have @Dragonwhisky as our leader, followed by @llNovall , @Kgffy , @Worst_Driver and @DublDee for our top 5.
LAP #4 - LEAD CHANGE:
@Dragonwhisky hangs onto his lead for about 2 laps being chased by @llNovall and @Kgffy (These two BMW's seem to have spent much of the evening together). @Dragonwhisky @llNovall have slight contact which allows free passage for @Kgffy to take the lead. Not being there myself, this seems to be about the time that @RACECAR ran into technical difficulties and appeared to have been disconnected. The grid is down to 14 cars.
LAP #5:
Near the end of Lap #5, @radliffracing , running in 7th would touch too much of the Turn 9 sausage and unsettle his car. He'd end up in the sand and would re-join in 13th position.
LAP #6 - LEAD CHANGE:
@Kgffy would leave an opening at Turn 1 of lap 6 which would allow @llNovall to get by him. @Dragonwhisky is still in 3rd, followed by @Worst_Driver and @DublDee and @JDMKING13 .
LAP #7:
Things have settled down and it looks like folks are having fun, especially in the mid-grid where cars are in bunches. @socalnatv is pictured in 6th placed. @Bologna_Duc and @JDMKING13 are door to door. And right behind them is @bublyman alongside @THMP . @Fudman420 and @Noob01_lmdead are doing well keeping up.
LAP #9:
I thought I'd throw in a pic of the three Corvettes in our series running 5th, 6th and 7th in the race.
LAP #12:
@llNovall and @Worst_Driver are still running 1st and 2nd. @socalnatv might be getting a lot of airtime but he's been stringing together some really strong laps and has quietly been making his way up the field. He's pictured here again showing @DublDee the wide line at Turn 4. @Kgffy looks to be straightening out his car opting for a different one. @Bologna_Duc is just behind them in 6th.
LAP #12:
Just as I've shown the 3 Corvettes doing battle, the 2 McLaren's of @bublyman and @JDMKING13 are also engaged with each other. I've already stated how disappointed I was in missing this event. Seeing this picture really made me wish my green McLaren would be running alongside these two.
LAP #16:
Checking-in with our leaders, @llNovall (in his signature Maryland themed race helmet) has been leading the race for 10 laps now. A good chunk of them with @Worst_Driver occupying the entirety of his rearview mirror. A few seconds behind them is @socalnatv who is comfortably in 3rd. He's got as few seconds on @Bologna_Duc and @Kgffy , running in 4th and 5th.
LAP #19 - CHAOS:
A little of chaos coming out of Turn 5 on Lap 19. @Kgffy has a couple of wheels touch some sand, destabilizing his car. @THMP and @DublDee would do their best to try and avoid @Kgffy 's spinning car.
But all three would end up off the track. With @DublDee perhaps getting the worst of it. @DublDee and @Kgffy would re-enter the track in 11th and 12th place after a noble gesture by @Kgffy to give @DublDee a spot.
LAP #19 - LEAD CHANGE:
@llNovall has been leading for approximately 13 laps but came out of Turn 11 a little awkwardly which provided an opportunity that @Worst_Driver pounced on.
LAP #20:
With only a few laps remaining, cars are still trying to improve their positions. @Noob01_lmdead 's Mustang executed a nice looking pass on @Dragonwhisky 's Corvette at the corkscrew to get himself into 7th spot.
Lap #21:
For a couple laps, it was @llNovall turn to apply some pressure on @Worst_Driver but he also spun out between Turn 3 and 4. He'd fall back to 9th position. And @socalnatv would move up to 2nd.
LAP #22:
@Worst_Driver would claim the checkered flag. He would be joined on the podium by the two Corvettes of @SoCal and @Bologna_Duc . The McLaren's of @bublyman and @JDMKING13 round up the top 5.
Final Event #3 / Race #2 Results Table:
Event #3 / Race #2 Broadcast:
Final Thoughts:
DRD_Niagara
Director of Media Relations
Hosted by PSN: NOVA-0479
Event #3 / Race #2 Recap
Event #3 - Laguna Seca
Friday January 10th, 2025
Preamble:
Again, apologies for the delay in getting this one out to you.
Race #2 goes off with reverse grid rule in effect. This means we've got @RACECAR and @cesarr64 on the first row. @Fudman420 and @Dragonwhisky on the 2nd row and @Kgffy next to @THMP on the 3rd row.
Event #3 / Race #2
It's lights out at Laguna Seca for Race #2. @RACECAR gets out a little slow but @cesarr64 does a good job leading the pack through the first few corners which appear to be pretty clean.
LAP #1:
A deep run into the corkscrew for the first time by @cesarr64 would send him into the sand and then spinning back onto the track where a little bit of chaos would follow.
@cesarr64 and @Noob01_lmdead seem to have gotten the worst of it. With several cars exiting the corkscrew at different speeds, more accidental contact would occur at the lefthander Turn #9 that would set @THMP back a little bit.
Lap #1 concludes under yellow flag caution that would last until the beginning of Lap #3.
LAP #2:
The grid is back together as a pack at the end of Lap #2 about to get the action underway once again. At this point, we have @Dragonwhisky as our leader, followed by @llNovall , @Kgffy , @Worst_Driver and @DublDee for our top 5.
LAP #4 - LEAD CHANGE:
@Dragonwhisky hangs onto his lead for about 2 laps being chased by @llNovall and @Kgffy (These two BMW's seem to have spent much of the evening together). @Dragonwhisky @llNovall have slight contact which allows free passage for @Kgffy to take the lead. Not being there myself, this seems to be about the time that @RACECAR ran into technical difficulties and appeared to have been disconnected. The grid is down to 14 cars.
LAP #5:
Near the end of Lap #5, @radliffracing , running in 7th would touch too much of the Turn 9 sausage and unsettle his car. He'd end up in the sand and would re-join in 13th position.
LAP #6 - LEAD CHANGE:
@Kgffy would leave an opening at Turn 1 of lap 6 which would allow @llNovall to get by him. @Dragonwhisky is still in 3rd, followed by @Worst_Driver and @DublDee and @JDMKING13 .
LAP #7:
Things have settled down and it looks like folks are having fun, especially in the mid-grid where cars are in bunches. @socalnatv is pictured in 6th placed. @Bologna_Duc and @JDMKING13 are door to door. And right behind them is @bublyman alongside @THMP . @Fudman420 and @Noob01_lmdead are doing well keeping up.
LAP #9:
I thought I'd throw in a pic of the three Corvettes in our series running 5th, 6th and 7th in the race.
LAP #12:
@llNovall and @Worst_Driver are still running 1st and 2nd. @socalnatv might be getting a lot of airtime but he's been stringing together some really strong laps and has quietly been making his way up the field. He's pictured here again showing @DublDee the wide line at Turn 4. @Kgffy looks to be straightening out his car opting for a different one. @Bologna_Duc is just behind them in 6th.
LAP #12:
Just as I've shown the 3 Corvettes doing battle, the 2 McLaren's of @bublyman and @JDMKING13 are also engaged with each other. I've already stated how disappointed I was in missing this event. Seeing this picture really made me wish my green McLaren would be running alongside these two.
LAP #16:
Checking-in with our leaders, @llNovall (in his signature Maryland themed race helmet) has been leading the race for 10 laps now. A good chunk of them with @Worst_Driver occupying the entirety of his rearview mirror. A few seconds behind them is @socalnatv who is comfortably in 3rd. He's got as few seconds on @Bologna_Duc and @Kgffy , running in 4th and 5th.
LAP #19 - CHAOS:
A little of chaos coming out of Turn 5 on Lap 19. @Kgffy has a couple of wheels touch some sand, destabilizing his car. @THMP and @DublDee would do their best to try and avoid @Kgffy 's spinning car.
But all three would end up off the track. With @DublDee perhaps getting the worst of it. @DublDee and @Kgffy would re-enter the track in 11th and 12th place after a noble gesture by @Kgffy to give @DublDee a spot.
LAP #19 - LEAD CHANGE:
@llNovall has been leading for approximately 13 laps but came out of Turn 11 a little awkwardly which provided an opportunity that @Worst_Driver pounced on.
LAP #20:
With only a few laps remaining, cars are still trying to improve their positions. @Noob01_lmdead 's Mustang executed a nice looking pass on @Dragonwhisky 's Corvette at the corkscrew to get himself into 7th spot.
Lap #21:
For a couple laps, it was @llNovall turn to apply some pressure on @Worst_Driver but he also spun out between Turn 3 and 4. He'd fall back to 9th position. And @socalnatv would move up to 2nd.
LAP #22:
@Worst_Driver would claim the checkered flag. He would be joined on the podium by the two Corvettes of @SoCal and @Bologna_Duc . The McLaren's of @bublyman and @JDMKING13 round up the top 5.
Final Event #3 / Race #2 Results Table:
Event #3 / Race #2 Broadcast:
Final Thoughts:
- Nice to see @socalnatv leave Event #3 with back-to-back 2nd place finishes. Some untimely spins cost him dearly at Atlanta and at the Glen, but he put together two really good races at Laguna Seca.
- @radliffracing - Again, thanks for collecting the result pictures for me.
- We're still 2 weeks out from Event #4 at Mount Panorama. If you're looking for clean action in the meantime, plenty of time to get yourself on the grid for this Sunday's Snail Spec League Races.
- Finally...Go Bills.
DRD_Niagara
Director of Media Relations
- 2,801
- Québec
- GTP_WorstDriver
Race 2 was a hell of a race for me. I had a lot of fun chasing Nova, had he not made that mistake, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to pass. I really had to push and couldn't afford any mistake or else I would have lost Nova pretty quickly.
Still biting myself for my mistake on Race 1 on lap 20 losing third place and falling back all the way to eighth.
@Buffalo_DRD Amazing work as always on your race recaps, I always look forward to reading you. Thanks for putting in the work, it makes the race even more of an event than it already is.
Off to Mount Panorama, a track I struggle with and add my PP deficit, this will be a hard race but can't wait.
Still biting myself for my mistake on Race 1 on lap 20 losing third place and falling back all the way to eighth.
@Buffalo_DRD Amazing work as always on your race recaps, I always look forward to reading you. Thanks for putting in the work, it makes the race even more of an event than it already is.
Off to Mount Panorama, a track I struggle with and add my PP deficit, this will be a hard race but can't wait.
