Spa & Season Results

The stats are in, but not the video (it takes time OK!).

Actually the season results have been set on the RHS since the morning after, so here are the final standings for the season:

1. 67 Points - Chris
2. 65 Points - Andrew
3. 62 Points - Evan
4. 45 Points - Paul
5. 43 Points - George
6. 10 Points - Roderick
7. 10 Points - Luke

Well done Chris. A fantastic result, and shows that consistency really pays off. That and some most excellent driving to boot!

And not bad really for eight races to have the top three places separated by five points.

But what this doesn't show is just how close the racing has been this season, we've all come on so well this season that we're starting to get pretty damn good at pro racing! Good stuff.

A recap...

Race 1 - Mercs at Nurburgring GP/F

No one new the score, new racers, some new rules for the season and generally a bit of a shake down for the main event. We didn't have all the racers there for this one, but we had enough to make for some fun racing. We also did a 650Open test race (resulting in TCS on rule) - that's where those cars started folks!

Race2 - Grand Valley Speedway (Exotique and TC500)

TC500, awesome. We'd raced them before but what an excellent class. Evan has said it, they all have flaws, but also make for some seriously close and fun racing. Though overshadowed by what might have been the Exotique's swan song. Those cars are just too hyper to be much fun to race these days, time for a break!

Race3 - Toscana (Exotique)

Perhaps this is the final resting place for the Exotique class. As the Toscana track made for some close racing without too much drama. Again just four racers, but actually plenty on the tight twisty road course. Marvellous!

Race4 - Suzuka GP (650Open)

The first proper race in these cars. And my how fast are they. There's no doubt about it you need to know the track and your car. And even with some boost on you need to have your car dialled in. This race was memorable also as it was the one with Rod's pit crew and groupies on mic' whilst we race, very amusing!

Race5 - High Speed Ring - Wet (TC500)

A new phrase entered our racing glossary in this race. And that was "Tactical error". Note to self, FWD is shite mmmmkay. Anyway, aside from that, it was a race of two halves I think, Paul and I struggling at the back whilst there was an epic race on at the front with Chris and Evan - it's worth watching the replay if only to watch some serious unintentional drifting going on!

Race6 - NASCAR Leguna Seca and some Oval or other

Luke's magic car. That is really all that needs to be said. In fact it's all that I want to say about the NAStyCAR races. Though in fairness whichever oval we raced (it was the Indy one I think) which did involve some letting off I would be tempted to do again, especially if I have a stroke and can't do anything 'to the right'.

Race7 - Monza Enduro (650Open)

Late in the season we've just discovered the marvel of tyre wear. Oh my this was a good race. The racing was epic, the replay was epic and the controversy was mild. Perfect. What's more we had a proper clean race there, across 15 laps. More than any other race we've done I think tactics came into play - the lap count was just right to make it a hard choice around tyres and pitting in, and of course car set-up. As it turned out the power cars had it in the end I think but those with other tactics made it a very close call!

Race8 - Finale - Spa Enduro (650Open)

By popular demand I think. Despite being a longer race it felt more sprint race than Monza. Maybe the track layout, maybe the sense of foreboding around it being such a points important race. Dunno. I do know that it was a very intense race indeed. Expect a video upload just as soon as I can sit in front of my PS3 without wanting to race!

Results:

1. George (a fantastic comeback race!).

2. Evan

3. Paul

4. Andrew

5. Chris

6. Rod (dude, the DLC has a Jag race car!)

Next?

So that was it. Can it get better than that? I think so, expect details on this lot to be published soon:

• A full race calendar - including non-points nights.
• Use of Montegi circuits.
• Use of a snow circuit in off nights - oh yes!
• A move to longer races everywhere - expect 5+ laps minimum now.
• More tyre wear races.
• GT590 to replace Exotique for at least this season (no 587 points races).
• More enduro races (unless anyone would rather not).
• Classics racing - 70's, 80's, 90's we've done, expect more of the same.
• Something along the lines of the Targa Florio. (What?).
• Some single make races. TBC.

I have grand plans...

From your perspectives, to win the championship you'll need three cars:

1. TC500 - same spec (we're not doing TC500Pro which was 2 door).
2. GT590 - Japanese 2wd race car at 590pp with Race/Med tyres.
3. 650Open - Same spec. 650pp, 2wd, TCS and open tyres.

To enjoy the season entirely, think about owning...

• Something <70's race car(ish) - details to follow.
• Something from the 80's and something from the 90's.
• A rally car. pp points to be decided - this is for snow racing.
• All the DLC you can get.

Final word

Probably just "Thanks". It would be a lonely place to race without you lot in it, and whilst I might have watched more CS I or whatever the other half does... I am more than happy to be out scratching about in a race car!

And, whilst I'm happy running the blog - do feedback on anything you want to improve/change as it really is a team event.