A Bit late, but had other things to do:
Jordan Tresson report on the last days
Rockingham Race 3, board camera
Andy sent me the link of the race 3 in priority (because I harassed him for having it ASAP) since the battle I had with the Astra 2 and Leon is really worth to be seen!
Enjoy:
http://preview.boombranded.com/player/?flv=RACE_3_ROCKINGHAM.flv
Posted by Jordan Tresson at 22:58:00 3 comments
Wednesday, 14/04
Today, regular appointment at Silverstone Porsche Experience Center for our fitness session.
The meeting of the day was spent with Elliott, who returned from the desert marathon. For those unfamiliar, a race in Morocco, where he must do 250 km through the dunes in ... 6 days. A marathon a day what! He finished 77th over 1,100 runners at the start which is pretty impressive! Anyway, this is a guy who knows "little" when it comes to running.
The session was outside and I had to make 15 round trips (5, then 4, then 3, then 2, then 1) to an cone at a distance of about 200m. The run was done on a normal rhythm and the return should take place as soon as possible. I ended up totally dead, my legs are destroyed, but it was a good session, I really exploded!
Apart from that, we (finally) got our power supply cable, for our PS3 and our 2 games over 3 DualShock 3 (Heavy Rain, God of War 3 and Valkyria Chronicles!). Besides, as I write this message, Luca is absorbed by Heavy Rain.
Tomorrow, photo shoot with the photographer who was there at the GT Academy. He wants all our plans of life situations, so it will be a long and *****!
Posted by Jordan Tresson
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Kazunori Yamauchi
Saturday, for our race of 90 min at Snetterton, Mr. Yamauchi will be there in person! Yes, yes! He wanted to ride but for licensing reasons so he could not, but he still wants to see us race, so he made the trip special for us!
Posted by Jordan Tresson
Thursday, April 15, 2010 Check for Snetterton
Tomorrow morning, go to the shop at 8am to go to Snetterton. If all goes well, Luca and I should be able to do some laps in the 370Z GT4 because it will be over there tomorrow to test (a few electrical problems on the engine).
Saturday, finished the race as early as possible and off towards Leicester because we are at Mallory Park on Sunday. Next message Monday.
Posted by Jordan Tresson
Friday, 16/04, Snetterton, Test Day
Arrival at Snetterton on Friday morning for a test day of tests that will not really be a test day. Both 370Z are there, and the GT4. The goal is not to get us racing, but to have Alex (Buncombe) racing with the GT4 in the last session of the day to test whether the electronic problems that the engine experienced are resolved. Bob made us understand that if all went well, Luca and I would be entitled to a few laps with the car.
During the first laps of Alex, the engine seems to be going well and he is immediately in the correct time (compared to other cars of the session). In contrast, the front bumper is too flexible so it vibrates at high speed. Back to the pits to change the bumpers of origin (Nismo kit) by one of our bumper replacements of the standard 370Z.
Alex goes on again and his times are quite similar. We will therefore be entitled both 10 laps in the car. Luca starts 1st (he - again - won won the lottery) and does his 10 laps with a best lap in 1'17 "7 (or 3" slower Alex). I take the relay and must go into the pits after only 8 laps because the tank is almost empty. The last laps, in some corners, I lost power since the fuel level was too low! I look at my lap times to see that my best time of 1'17 "4, which is reasonable given that I had 2 laps less and I go off again!
The GT4 is very different to drive from our 370Z. No rolling body movements, a more powerful engine (420 hp cons about 340 for our Z) and above all, no support to the brake pedal! That means you must really be "standing on the brakes" to slow it down. It's not unpleasant, but at first it's a surprise! In contrast, the heel-toe is much simpler than on our Z's; foot is much better placed and the pedals are better suited.
After the test, return to the hotel for a good meal and a good night's sleep.
Posted by Jordan Tresson
Saturday, 17/04, Snetterton, Warm-ups and Qualifications
As we roll with Dunlop slicks (not semi-slick Pirelli unlike usual) and because the meeting is important enough (Britcar Championship), we are entitled to a practice session before qualifying!
I start with new tires and new brake pads. At the end of the 1st round, I return to the pits to check the tire pressure and put the old tires. So I come start again with new pads to (continue to) run in. That means braking very very softly and not too long. I increase the pace and gradually and returned to the pits. Luca then went and made his rounds.
The feeling with the car is good, the brakes are constant (through the vents in the bumper for cooling) and the slicks provide a mad grip. The only problem with the slick, it does not absolutely send signals before losing grip and the following is anything but gradual. Luca and I are satisfied with the car so we decided not to touch the setup.
After the warmup, surprise: Kazunori awaits us in our booth. There was some discussion with him (well, his translator, because he speaks almost no English). However, we can not dwell too long because the qualifying session approach, journalists want pictures and interviews etc ...
For the qualifying session, I'm going on the 1st (still) to do some fast laps and came bzck into the pits with a best lap of 1'20"186. Luca is stopped by the team before the end of the session to preserve the tires. His best lap was 1'20 "946.
We are 5th of our class and 15th on the grid out of 17.
Saturday, 17/04, Snetterton, Race
Bob decides that Luca will start the race. It bothers me a bit because I wish I had a "not tired" car as well as new tires (because during the pit stop, we will change only the left front tire that works most) but, on the other hand, I have a reference on which to base my lap times ...
At the start, a big crash in the middle of the pack so red flag to give time to clear the cars. The race is then reduced to 76 min. Luca maintains the position and takes advantage of some other problems of others (punctures, among others) to move forward in the pack. I took the relay from Luca while the safety car came out to clean the body pieces away, that a Seat Leon left due to a puncture. The tires are not new (front left is cold, but not new) and the brakes have already been working a lot. I therefore proceed on a fair pace but not too high not to save the tires and brakes at the beginnin. Not the sign board for my lap, so I asked Bob to inform me. Each round, I hear on the radio (1'20 "9; 1'21" 4; 1'20 "7; 1'20" 8 ...). We set a target lap of 1'21 so I'm just in the expectations. The race passed without worries, just a few turns a little slower due to traffic, but nothing special otherwise.
I finished the race without special concern and we are told that we are on the podium! 3rd in our category! So we received a nice trophy in front of Kazunori and he looked really happy for us. Then, interview, interview and interview and then again repackaging of all business and departure for Mallory Park around 17h.
I also see all my lap times and I am very regular slightly under 1'21 with a best lap in 1'20 "2 while I was not forcing too much, which is very good. I have used the tires more then Luca, but I was a good second faster and certainly more consistent, so it's a big advantage!
Sunday, 18/04, Mallory Park Qualifying
Since we already came to Mallory Park (and therefore that we know the track), we are finally able to devote the skills to make correct time and not see the runway! I start with 4 new tires, so fast times will not there immediately, but whatever. The session takes place without any concern, I do a best time of 53 "8 and call in at 7th position (Luca is 10th at 54" 4).
The feeling with the car is pretty good, so I do not touch my setup for the race which will be run at the beginning of the afternoon.
Posted by Jordan Tresson
Sunday, 18/04, Mallory Park, Race
The race, rolling start (I did not know, so I was slightly surprised, but I realized before we arrive on the grid, fortunately). I was overtaken by the Raw Striker at my side before the 1st turn. Then in the straight, he tries to move on the interior of the car in the front of me that moves to the middle of the track to close the door. Arriving in the S, I'm right behind them. Suddenly, they are very slow, so I brake (slightly) in the turn. Then I realized that there is room outside so I place myself there. I arrived at the hairpin side by side with the Blue Westfield which can brake much later than me and remains carefree in front. The rest of the race passed without any concerns and looks like a Sunday walk (at a fast pace). Luca finished 1" behind me, without any concerns either.
This is it, we both got our 12 signatures and therefore can have our international pilot license. It remains for us to make an electro-cardiogram to complete the "application form" to finally have the licence.
This means the end of our races every weekend and the same for our "training". Now we must wait until Wednesday and the test in GT4 to see who is the winner.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, 19/04
Today, go to our Porsche Center for ECG and do our weekly workouts with Elliott.
The medical test passes without any concern for both.
Then comes the workout. On the agenda today: the hills! 8 times uphill for about 450m with the descent walking. My times are constant in 1 "15. Elliott follows me well on the first 2 climbs, but on the 3rd, I'm in front of him. On the 4th, I am even 2" before him at the finish line. And it only got worse until the last. In fact, it was really hard to follow me! I could not believe it! In his defense, this is not the distance he is used to do nor the speed he runs at normally for me, it suits me perfectly.
Then back to the studio, and Bob asked me to take off the bumper sticker of the 350 GT4. I say "the sticker" because there is only one, but it covers the whole bumper! I spent 2 hours and I must be about 1/50th
By late afternoon, return to the cottage after some errands and watching Top Gear intensively, as every night
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Luca Last weekend
Last weekend's races - Part 1
This latest race weekend begins on Friday where we move at Snetterton (circuit where we ran the very first race) for a race of 90 minutes to be raced on Saturday where I will share the car with Jordan.
In the afternoon there is no test for us but the RJN team has plans for a 370Z GT4 Alex Buncombe test, I look forward to the start of testing because I'm really curious to see the car in action. A few minutes before entering the track Bob approaches and tells us to wear the suit because if the car will not have issues, it will also make a test with us.
Alex began his session, a few turns controlling the mechanics of the car and everything seems OK, so my turn comes. I speak quickly with Alex and ask him some advice on how to drive this 370Z, I sit in the cockpit adjust the riding position, he'll explain the functions of all switches and are finally I'm ready for my session.
The engine has a much more decisive sound than our 370Z and takes turns with amazing speed, the clutch is also much more "dry" but what most impressed me are the brakes that are not "servo" and without the assist you must go with determination and strength on the pedal because otherwise the car tends not to slow down.
Lap after lap I'm trying to figure out how to ride, it is not so intuitive, in fact braking later and keeping the speed up in the apex is much more difficult than on other cars, lap after lap I take confidence and "dare" more in every curve but it is already time to go in the pit ...
From first to last lap I improved by 5 seconds but they are obviously far from the times of speedy expert Alex Buncombe. After me was Jordan's turn, and he runs a few laps and as usual in our times are very similar.
Truly a wonderful experience after trying the 350Z GT4 during the GT Academy at Silverstone I could also try the 370Z and I must say that not having the sequential gearbox is really difficult to drive.
Last weekend's races - Part 2
Saturday, today is a special day; Kazunori Yamauchi has come to see us and greets us very warmly and congratulated us for the results we are getting.
But it's time to get on the track, mechanics check the car and we start the qualifying session where Jordan and I will make only 5 laps seperately so as to save the car for the race. Jordan starts on track making a fantastic performance; on the contrary I am not very lucky with the traffic and I can not even get a clean lap.
For the race, Bob decides to leave the first rounds for me and I do not mind, I get on track and position me behind the other cars but the first rolling start was no success; even before turning off the lights two cars touching against the barriers, and red flags all over again.
After waiting about 20 minutes the track is restored and we are ready for the restart, everything runs smoothly, keep in front of the Civic Type R and following the Ginetta front of me but strangely I can not pass. I decided then to try to push to overtake him but I realize that it will not be easy because my straightline speed is lower, still unable to exploit his mistakes out of the second chicane where we were crossing the path and I put in for next round another shot, he tries to resist but my trajectory is in my favor and he has to let me have this place.
We get to the straight which is the test because of his higher speed; but I'm still befor him there is nothing to do, 2 laps later after pushing a bit to put a margin between him and me, I decide not to force too much because I begin to feel a vibration in the left front wheel I do not like too much.
So I keep my place the entire session until shortly before my pit stop, the Safety Car enters because due to an exploded tire on a Seat there is some debris on the track. Return to the pits and I give the wheel to Jordan, who gets in the car and takes it to the end of the race.
I had an annoying vibration but nothing serious, just a pile of rubber debris that wasstuck to the rim had caused the problem.
I just have time to take my helmet off and almost mobbed by journalists, presence of Kazunori was a great magnet for the media and I release some interviews for various magazines including "Top Gear".
Jordan races good and thanks to the withdrawal of a SEAT, we finish the race in third place for the stock cars.
We are all obviously very happy, no contact or problems in the race and that has rewarded us for the first time I step on the podium and everyone is congratulating me and Jordan, a very special day!
Following interviews and still photos; with Kazunori really excited about how things are going for us finalists.
Last race weekend - part 3 (final)
On Sunday we are at Mallory Park this circuit where we ran already 2 weeks ago.
Today is an important race because we can achieve with this our total of 12 signatures to finally get the international license required for racing in GT4.
I take up my car (for the race yesterday we used the car of Jordan) and begin qualifying, after a few laps to run in the new tires and brake pads I begin to push but still on a full tank and a too soft set up of the rear shocks do not make me feel perfectly at ease and my time is nothing special.
Return to the pits and I ask the mechanics to harden the car in the back. They confirmed me that it was the set-up Craig Currie had wanted for the previous week at Rockingham.
After these changes we are preparing for the race, today rolling start, a good start and the first corner gaining a position and due to a withdrawal I will gain another place and I find myself not far from Jordan.
The car after the changes and with less gasoline has really improved and I'm better at the gear changes, the entire race I'm pushing and catching up on Jordan and so we end the race in 6th and 7th position, I am happy because I got the last signature on the license and my fastest race lap was 53.6; much better then the qualifications.
At the end of the race Bob and all the mechanics congratulated me and Jordan for this achievement; in such short a time and we celebrate with a bottle of champagne.
These weeks of training have really flown away, I still can not believe that we arrived near the end, next Wednesday we expect decisive test, we drive the 370Z GT4 at Silverstone and the fastest will win the seat for Europe.
