Is that the Nordschleife I see?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by dbond1, Feb 20, 2025.

  1. FeltHλt

    FeltHλt Moderator Beta tester

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    i meant dedicated thread
     
  2. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    Yes, I know. But I don't think that's going to be needed, on this evidence.

    Do you compete in the leaderboard competitions?
     
  3. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    Maybe not then?

    I returned to Sonoma and stuck with the Fez. Managed to match my theoretical from before, but now it's another three tenths faster, and so it goes eh? I fooled around with the setup. I wanted a sharper front end, more entry oversteer, or perhaps lift oversteer. Tried a number of combinations, mixing pre-load, springs, brake bias, roll bars and more, hunting for the right balance. Got it in a good window and improved my lap, but there's still a few tenths to find I think. Happy with the lap over all.

    When I'm gone I want my headstone to read "Chicanes did him in"

    Next I hit der Nordschleife, which is running the WTCR '22 car class.The Cupra sits on top of the boards, but I took the Civic. Was pretty slow at first, aiming for a sub 8:50. Same sort of balance concerns as Sonoma, more entry understeer than I want on default. In the end a combination of tweaks got the car in a good balance window, I could attack the entries better and turned a 49.4. As always, there's more time out there.

    Then, off to Norising -- in the Audi TT Cup -- which is basically an oval with a few rotten chicanes in it. But there it sits as a competition, and like a moth to a flame, I'm on it. Not happy with my result, a 56-flat. The nature of the track compresses the results of the field, and makes the top 10% harder to break in to. The fewer participants there are, the harder it is too. Too easy to over-drive here. I bet if I just relaxed, slow in fast out, I'd find the time I'm missing.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2025
  4. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    I misjudged the chances participants would want to discuss the competitions here. No worries, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So I'm going to put a bookend on this and call it a day.

    I did swap to the Cupra for the Nordschleife comp and found nearly three seconds to cross the 10% line. It has a different balance, or it feels like it does. Like it's mid-engined versus front-engined on the Civic, but that's not the case. Feels like a different distribution, and more agile on turn in. Better balance for going quick I think, and it locks out the top of the board here for this one. RaceRoom really should have the car specs in game, so we can see engine type, horsepower, torque, weight distribution and the rest.

    Audi TT for Norisring is frustrating. Saw there's also an open leaderboard in the DTMs and that went a little better, relatively.

    Sitting on 1556 points, but still B division. Carrot, meet stick.

    So that's all the free comps. Avoiding the premiums at the mo, so I don't risk diluting my rating. It's much more difficult to get in top 10% in these, they draw far fewer drivers, and on average are faster than free comps. So I'm cherry-picking a bit until I can reach my goal. If anyone's ever keen to talk about these I'll add to it. See you on the boards.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2025
  5. Maskerader

    Maskerader Well-Known Member

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    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. FeltHλt

    FeltHλt Moderator Beta tester

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    lets say im a user with an urge to discuss a competition; with such title i wouldnt even click this topic :D
     
  7. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    Yes, thanks.
     
  8. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    Earlier in this thread I said that we should have a Nordschleife event every round, and that's exactly what has happened, so thanks to whoever selects the tracks for the ranked leaderboard competitions. However, could we mix in the proper Nordschleife more often? The NLS layout seems to be the favorite here, but tacking on bits of the GP circuit dilutes the magnificence of the Nordschleife. I get why they run races in this config, because they can sell tickets to spectators who are seated on the GP track. But we have no such concerns in RR leaderboards and it would be nice to have the proper Nordschleife appear more often in the rotation.
     
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  9. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    Rotation day tomorrow. Come on, competition manager, give us the proper track this round. None of this GP track madness. Or if you insist, run the 24-hour or Tourist layout too. Let's mix it up!

    To Denis Gicquel, if you pop in here. Well done mate, your laps always sit on top, or nearly so (Silverstone am I right?). I'm curious what sort of gear you use. Which wheel? Which pedals? Shifter? What's your setup?
     
  10. Denis Gicquel

    Denis Gicquel Well-Known Member

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    Thank you. I use a modified Thrustmaster TH8A H-shifter with heel and to for classic cars. I also use a Heusinkveld sequential shifter or paddle shifting depending on the car I drive.

    My rig is a SimLab GT1 with Heusinkveld Pro pedals and SimXperience Accuforce V2 steering wheel. This setup has been working with no real problem (including PC and accessories) for the past 7 years. ;)
     
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  11. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    Thanks for sharing your kit. Nice gear. And it's clear it gives you no trouble :)

    Good luck in the new round of events

    Thanks to the person who sets the competitions for rotating in the Nordschleife proper this round. I doubt they are actually reading this thread, but I'll take it.
     
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    Last edited: May 15, 2025
  12. Denis Gicquel

    Denis Gicquel Well-Known Member

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    It will be fun with the Porsche 934 I think... :D
     
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  13. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    It's the 964, innit? Same whip we had last week at Silverstone Classic. I love these cars, the challenge of going fast in them. But Avus might be my least-favorite track in RR. Oh well, you gotta play the hand you're dealt, I reckon.
     
  14. Denis Gicquel

    Denis Gicquel Well-Known Member

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    It's Group 4 for the Nordschleife so you can use either the BMW M1 or the Porsche 934 RSR Turbo. The car for the Avus competition is the Porsche 964 Cup, just like the Silverstone Classic competition which ended today.
     
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  15. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    Oh, I see, thanks. I only saw the BMW when I looked at the early returns, so I thought it was single-car. This explains it.
     
  16. Denis Gicquel

    Denis Gicquel Well-Known Member

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    The BMW M1 will certainly be easier to drive on the Nordschleife but the 934 is way faster in the straights. I still think the M1 will post the fastest laptimes.
     
  17. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    And so far that has proven to be the case. The BMW has the board locked down. But it's early.
     
  18. Nico Kunze

    Nico Kunze Well-Known Member

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    Its early and barely anyone has even driven the porsche. The bmw just looks and sounds a lot better ;)

    @Denis Gicquel feel like you might be able to guesstimate so ill just ask, how much slower would you expect the group 4 m1 to be when compared to the m1 procar?
     
  19. dbond1

    dbond1 Active Member

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    These tubs are a handful. I spent the first 45 minutes crashing out -- in both cars -- before softening the suspension and managing to keep it on the tarmac for a few laps. They handle like there's a half-full 1,000-gallon water tank in the back, sloshing this way and that. And I'm cool with that :)
     
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  20. Denis Gicquel

    Denis Gicquel Well-Known Member

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    I have not driven the Group 4 M1 very often but I know it is heavier than the Procar and it will make a big difference on the Nordschleife, in the 15 seconds range I believe.

    The 934 will be terrible in all the tricky sectors (well, almost everywhere in the Eifel!) but is so fast in the straights. I believe Flugplatz, Schwedenkreuz, Klostertal and Pflanzgarten (only to name a few) will be... fun! :confused: