The 2010 PCGB Club Championship
- Thread starter paulf968
- Start date
Neil Haughey
New member
Well done Paul, after the downer at Cadwell you have really turned things round these past couple of races. It not just the race results your times look much more healthy.
Well done mate and good luck when you come down here. I really like the flow round combe btw, love the section after quarry through to tower. My mate down here hates it as Combe scares him to much, I think he gets transfixed by the lack of run off [
]. I reckon your smooth style will work well down here if you hook it all up. Good luck as it should be a great race weekend as usual.
Well done mate and good luck when you come down here. I really like the flow round combe btw, love the section after quarry through to tower. My mate down here hates it as Combe scares him to much, I think he gets transfixed by the lack of run off [
]. I reckon your smooth style will work well down here if you hook it all up. Good luck as it should be a great race weekend as usual.
paulf968
New member
Thank you guys, yes now I am very much focussed on lifting myself higher up the standings. Onwards and upwards!
With Oulton on 14th Aug and then Coombe on 30th Aug we have 2 tracks that make quite simlar demands. ie lots of speed required through narrow sections, quite bumpy in places and with limited run off. I have been to both tracks recently and have a general feeling of confidence born out of track knowledge BUT on its own this has not been sufficient to make me competitive. So I have to add a good dose of attack as well as some courage to get amongst the top 6 again.
With Oulton on 14th Aug and then Coombe on 30th Aug we have 2 tracks that make quite simlar demands. ie lots of speed required through narrow sections, quite bumpy in places and with limited run off. I have been to both tracks recently and have a general feeling of confidence born out of track knowledge BUT on its own this has not been sufficient to make me competitive. So I have to add a good dose of attack as well as some courage to get amongst the top 6 again.
Neil Haughey
New member
Paul, this vid should get you nicely geed up for Combe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-ax9cpgsqc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-ax9cpgsqc
Peter Smallwood
New member
Paul
Well done - thought you were going really well at the weekend,
See you at Oulton
cheers
Pete
Well done - thought you were going really well at the weekend,
See you at Oulton
cheers
Pete
paulf968
New member
Neil & Peter -- thx
Yes that video is on my 'to watch' list, Ben also has one for Oulton on his Faze-1 website where he chases Marcus for most of the race - perfect homework for me and such vids do actually help me to get more out of testing/racing.
Mind you, I do find it a bit strange watching good videos like that, I know Ben is close to the limit in everything he does but without actually experiencing the g forces it always appears so slow on video!! Do you know what I mean?
Yes that video is on my 'to watch' list, Ben also has one for Oulton on his Faze-1 website where he chases Marcus for most of the race - perfect homework for me and such vids do actually help me to get more out of testing/racing.
Mind you, I do find it a bit strange watching good videos like that, I know Ben is close to the limit in everything he does but without actually experiencing the g forces it always appears so slow on video!! Do you know what I mean?
Neil Haughey
New member
Well he certainly looks like he is shifting when he goes through camp and again over the avon rise, serious commitment. Also in the 2 chicanes. I reckon due to the tight exits he worked out it was quicker to bomb it into both, rather than the classic approach. That lap is in the 1:17's according to the vid, properly quick. .
paulf968
New member
Hi Neil
Here is a link to the Oulton video with the chase on Marcus.
http://carrera.smugmug.com/Videos/Oulton-Park-2009/12132870_wpaJM#863677374_b65RQ
Ben has got very quick hands and reactions to match, I am always impressed by the way he attacks each corner at turn in -- decides on the amount of lock and loads it on straight away. Something in that for all of us who aspire to be race winners.
Here is a link to the Oulton video with the chase on Marcus.
http://carrera.smugmug.com/Videos/Oulton-Park-2009/12132870_wpaJM#863677374_b65RQ
Ben has got very quick hands and reactions to match, I am always impressed by the way he attacks each corner at turn in -- decides on the amount of lock and loads it on straight away. Something in that for all of us who aspire to be race winners.
Neil Haughey
New member
like a kart racer.
Thanks for the vid link btw.
Thanks for the vid link btw.
Neil Haughey
New member
Yes good luck at Oulton Paul, and again down here in a months time.
Paul,
I have bought Adrian Stocks car and am just going through it. It has big spacers on the front and just wondering why? Adrian thinks they are standard on racing 968s but wasn't sure. Do you run them on your car? If so, why?
Novice Mark
PS only planning to do track days and the Speed Championship in it.
I have bought Adrian Stocks car and am just going through it. It has big spacers on the front and just wondering why? Adrian thinks they are standard on racing 968s but wasn't sure. Do you run them on your car? If so, why?
Novice Mark
PS only planning to do track days and the Speed Championship in it.
Neil Haughey
New member
Don't know about Paul but my S2 runs big spacers all round, seems most 968 or S2 race cars do the same as it makes the car more nimble/pointy.
paulf968
New member
Mark - hi, have fun with Adrian's car, I am sure you will.
Generally speaking all race 968's benefit from wider spacing all round, amongst other things this helps to keep body roll under control thus enabling the highest possible g-forces to be exerted onto the tyres. Frankly without them the car would lose it's competitive edge, nevertheless you will probably need to explore the limit handling for yourself somewhere.
Of course there is a downside, mainly the extra forces put on the wheel bearings of which the front ones are more prone to wear. Keep a watchful eye on front wheel bearings, adjusting them when necessary and changing the grease say every 10 to 20 hours of competition use. So spacers are acceptable for competition use but it probably does not make sense for high mileage road or trackday cars with normal service intervals.
Generally speaking all race 968's benefit from wider spacing all round, amongst other things this helps to keep body roll under control thus enabling the highest possible g-forces to be exerted onto the tyres. Frankly without them the car would lose it's competitive edge, nevertheless you will probably need to explore the limit handling for yourself somewhere.
Of course there is a downside, mainly the extra forces put on the wheel bearings of which the front ones are more prone to wear. Keep a watchful eye on front wheel bearings, adjusting them when necessary and changing the grease say every 10 to 20 hours of competition use. So spacers are acceptable for competition use but it probably does not make sense for high mileage road or trackday cars with normal service intervals.
paulf968
New member
Well done to Marcus Carniel (964) with a clean sweep over the weekend -- pole and 2 race wins. That proves his Oulton Park credentials beyond any doubt. Another big step for him towards the Class 1 championship. It does look as if the overall winner of the Club Championship will come from Class 2 again because there's so much less competition there. ie Chris Dyer. Bit of a bummer for Marcus (and for Ben last year) as it is that much tougher to compete and win Class 1.
Some bullet points from the weekend.
-Marcus on pole by a massive 1.3 secs in 1m 57.9, 2nd to 6th all in the low 1m 59's, me 6th
-Race 1: Clapham did not start, with holed oil cooler, Harrison (gearbox) and Masarati (electrical gremlin) had DNF's. Carniel, Sumpter & Morris within 6 seconds of each other and that is the way it finished. I had a dreadful start with axle tramp, ended up 7th about 30 secs behind Marcus.
-Race 2: Clapham did a DIY repair but it did not last, Harrison's gearbox was unrepairable and Sumpter DNF'd with what looked like an engine prob. McAleer got within 2 secs of Marcus but could not catch him. Morris and Botterill 20 secs down the road.
My 'if only' incident began in Race 2 when I shot off the line well and held 4th for over half the race, got my times just into the 1m 58's so was learning to extract more from the circuit. Then overan on the way into the 2nd chicane under hard braking with rather too much ABS - gathered it up with a small excursion at slow speed over the grass but slipped to 6th which then became 5th when Sumpter retired from 3rd. Those who have followed this report will realise I was just 3 laps from my first podium - so near yet so far!!
Anyway a great race weekend, my car held up well when other's seem to be cracking at this stage in the season. I took a whole 3.2 seconds off my best lap time from 2009 and I now have the belief that a podium might actually be achievable one day!!
As I finish I was reflecting on how I managed to find those 3.2 seconds compared to 2009 (assuming the track was not a factor)-- these seem to be the main reasons in no particular order:
- The geo setup & balance is clearly better following a visit to Chris Frankin at Centre Gravity in June.
- The video and datalogger which do show where I can improve my performance.
- More of an attacking psychology when cornering, now safer in the knowledge that I can adjust or 'collect' the car up when on the limit.
- Testing and instruction do really help a lot, if like me you are not naturally quick straight out of the box.
Onwards to Castle Coombe on Monday 30th August for 2 more races -- come and say hi if you can get way from normal duties!
paul f
ps almost forgot to mention Jason & Bigdave's wise words at Oulton, after they had reviewed my video footage from race 1. Yes I needed more throttle up the hill and bearing slight left into Druids -- yes I needed later braking at 3 points around the circuit. All so helpful for Race 2.
Some bullet points from the weekend.
-Marcus on pole by a massive 1.3 secs in 1m 57.9, 2nd to 6th all in the low 1m 59's, me 6th
-Race 1: Clapham did not start, with holed oil cooler, Harrison (gearbox) and Masarati (electrical gremlin) had DNF's. Carniel, Sumpter & Morris within 6 seconds of each other and that is the way it finished. I had a dreadful start with axle tramp, ended up 7th about 30 secs behind Marcus.
-Race 2: Clapham did a DIY repair but it did not last, Harrison's gearbox was unrepairable and Sumpter DNF'd with what looked like an engine prob. McAleer got within 2 secs of Marcus but could not catch him. Morris and Botterill 20 secs down the road.
My 'if only' incident began in Race 2 when I shot off the line well and held 4th for over half the race, got my times just into the 1m 58's so was learning to extract more from the circuit. Then overan on the way into the 2nd chicane under hard braking with rather too much ABS - gathered it up with a small excursion at slow speed over the grass but slipped to 6th which then became 5th when Sumpter retired from 3rd. Those who have followed this report will realise I was just 3 laps from my first podium - so near yet so far!!
Anyway a great race weekend, my car held up well when other's seem to be cracking at this stage in the season. I took a whole 3.2 seconds off my best lap time from 2009 and I now have the belief that a podium might actually be achievable one day!!
As I finish I was reflecting on how I managed to find those 3.2 seconds compared to 2009 (assuming the track was not a factor)-- these seem to be the main reasons in no particular order:
- The geo setup & balance is clearly better following a visit to Chris Frankin at Centre Gravity in June.
- The video and datalogger which do show where I can improve my performance.
- More of an attacking psychology when cornering, now safer in the knowledge that I can adjust or 'collect' the car up when on the limit.
- Testing and instruction do really help a lot, if like me you are not naturally quick straight out of the box.
Onwards to Castle Coombe on Monday 30th August for 2 more races -- come and say hi if you can get way from normal duties!
paul f
ps almost forgot to mention Jason & Bigdave's wise words at Oulton, after they had reviewed my video footage from race 1. Yes I needed more throttle up the hill and bearing slight left into Druids -- yes I needed later braking at 3 points around the circuit. All so helpful for Race 2.
Neil Haughey
New member
Well done Paul, I knew you would progress as you have such a nice smooth flowing style to your driving.
Big Dave
New member
Paul.
We had a great day yesterday.
Good to hang out + help wherever possible.
Also great to bump into Barry Hart + his team, looks like they were having a good day aswell...I think he went away with lots to think about...
Its REALY competetive now in the top 6 in class 1...So dont beat yourself up too much , just need to get the starts right... I know easier said than done....[][]
The data logging video is a REALY good tool + theres definately "nowhere to hide now"..
Ill have to be getting to grips with mine , when we finally get racing...
Congrats to Marcus. He certainly was the "Oulton Meister" showing a clean pair of tyres to the rest of the pack, pole to flag, he made it look easy, when we all know it isnt...
Hope you have a good weekend at Castle Combe, its always good to go there...
We had a great day yesterday.
Good to hang out + help wherever possible.
Also great to bump into Barry Hart + his team, looks like they were having a good day aswell...I think he went away with lots to think about...
Its REALY competetive now in the top 6 in class 1...So dont beat yourself up too much , just need to get the starts right... I know easier said than done....[
][]The data logging video is a REALY good tool + theres definately "nowhere to hide now"..
Ill have to be getting to grips with mine , when we finally get racing...
Congrats to Marcus. He certainly was the "Oulton Meister" showing a clean pair of tyres to the rest of the pack, pole to flag, he made it look easy, when we all know it isnt...
Hope you have a good weekend at Castle Combe, its always good to go there...
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