Round 3: Sonoma Raceway - Cup (Mar 30)

[jeromef1]

 
Race Time of day: 2020-03-28 08:45 1x
Race Length: 45 minutes
Max Incidents: Drive through at 16x, DSQ at 24x
Max Fuel: TBD
Start: Rolling
Fast Repair: 1

Pre race questions:
1) So after 2 weeks what's your preference to control the cayman? More aids and mash the pedals, or less aids and a soft touch?

2) Who is your closest rival so far this season?

3) This last question is not a question, more of us just hoping you and your family are safe and being safe during these covid-19 times

 

[Hothands13]

Not to be a pain, but are we running Cup configuration?  The picture above is of Cup Historic.  Just want to be sure I'm practicing the right one, and lord knows I need the practice.

And now that I'm looking at the interactive track map on the site, there is no historic.  However, under testing there is a difference.

 

[TRG]

Session is set-up for the Cup layout. You can view these details on iRacing if you go to League Sessions, then hover over the 'i' icon on the right.

 

[Mark Phile]

Pre race questions are up

1) So after 2 weeks what's your preference to control the cayman? More aids and mash the pedals, or less aids and a soft touch?

I tend to mash pedals, but i know i need to just be smoother and then i can reduce the aids to be faster. Its hard to retrain the brain when it comes to driving style.

2) Who is your closest rival so far this season?

I've kinda been around different people the last two races so there is nobody in particular yet, but i have been around some good fun racing

3) This last question is not a question, more of us just hoping you and your family are safe and being safe during these covid-19 times.

 

[TheGreatC81]

1) So after 2 weeks what's your preference to control the cayman? More aids and mash the pedals, or less aids and a soft touch?

I'm driving this car specifically to force myself to learn to be smooth. I'm definitely finding time where I couldn't before. Now I just need to stop myself from reverting to old habits when I'm under pressure.

2) Who is your closest rival so far this season?

Can't say I have one yet, but there's a few names I see pretty often so I'm sure something will develop.

 

[Kenny Duval]

1) So after 2 weeks what's your preference to control the cayman? More aids and mash the pedals, or less aids and a soft touch?

Less aids..

2) Who is your closest rival so far this season?

Mental Fatigue...not making dumb mistakes is currently my biggest challenge and always has been.

 

[Gary Schilling]

The good & bad of the current situation.
My bicycle shop has been very busy the last couple of weeks.
The bad is the most of the business is from people coming to the area who should be staying at home.
I'm backed up several days and have not turned a lap in the Cayman since Sebring.
So I won't be racing Sonoma which always gives me a hard time.
Everyone stay safe and see you @ Road America

 

[Mark Phile]

Race Day Alert!!!!!!

Ok gang, tonight we will "try" and tame this beast at Sonoma. If you haven't practiced, I suggest you get in early and gets some laps in, this car and track combo is pretty insane, but i like it! Hope to see everyone tonight, and wash ya damn hands people

 

[Kenny Duval]

And please remain 6 feet apart on track at all times.

 

[Mark Phile]

And please remain 6 feet apart on track at all times.

Especially from you

 

[Kenny Duval]

And please remain 6 feet apart on track at all times.

Especially from you

Preferably behind me.

 

[Spinn]

1) So after 2 weeks what's your preference to control the cayman? More aids and mash the pedals, or less aids and a soft touch?

I've been trying less aids and a soft touch, and had some success. But I'm going with more aids for the race, see the next question for why!


2) Who is your closest rival so far this season?


I enjoy racing with Gary, too bad he can't make it tonight. But really, my biggest rival is consistency and keeping the damn car on the track. If I can get through the first 3 laps and get the tires warm, I'm golden. Having a lot of trouble getting those 3 laps though...

3) This last question is not a question, more of us just hoping you and your family are safe and being safe during these covid-19 times

We've both been working from home for 8 days now, glad we have jobs that allow it. Things are starting to worsen here in Alberta, we're just hiding from the world right now

 

[jeromef1]

1. Pretty balance. I have the feeling there is more car control with less. But easier on first few laps with more.

2. Too early in the season to say that lol. I would say my teammate Nickthequick!

3. Stay home and safe!

 

[bonaduce]

sorry for late notice but will miss this round. onto next week

dan

 

[hamalcar1]

Same here... I have to miss this round as well. I spend all week last week prepping for the VLN and had no time to do any Pilot Challenge stuff. I have never raced Sonoma so don't want to ruin anyones race.

 

[Kenny Duval]

Congrats to Giovanni. Excellent job up front.

Jerome...that was a lot of work. Great racing all around.

 

[jeromef1]

What a crazy race!! I will change my pre race interview to add Proulx and Duval as my main rival!

Congrats on the top 5!

I would like to say also good job to all drivers. This was not an easy track/car combo and everyone manage to do a decent race. Congrats everyone!

 

[Mark Phile]

As Jerome said, yes this was not an easy combo to drive, and I was super proud of how everyone fell in line at the start and gave it a lap before slicing and dicing. Im really enjoying this group, some good battles out there!!!! Cristelli almost had me at the stripe as i was out of gas , i got lucky there!

 

[lafcam93]

This was an incredible race... not much battle for me but when you feel you are trying to push it to the maximum, trying to save your tires, you make no mistake but those 2 guys were so fast... as i tried to say in my interview i do not remember having that much stress in a race in a long time, this car is amazing you need to drive it to the limit all the time... it feel so Porsche anyway...
But ... a big but ! the best words i saved it for the end for this group! i enjoy racing in that group, it's not about winning race, it's about how smart you guys are on track, great start no major crash! wow ! this is one thing sadly i did not recognize in F3 in the new season but anyway... I love this GT4 series!
What a battle between you Jerome, Seb and Duval wow!!!

 

[jeromef1]

I think I'm still sweating from that yesterday batlle with Seb and Duval!! . When we were 3 wide after Duval's mistake, I was stressful about the outcome of the next corners, but super clean from everyone! I took the risk to keep the inside to defend and it worked! A few laps later, Proulx got me because I was listening to Zegers in front who was pitting and mess my braking point. Took a wide line and leave the door opened for him!

Regarding the F3 series, it's all unfortunate event that we are taking seriously. One thing I want to add... Last season of F3 has been the most cleanest season we have ever had at PRL. There was an average of 4 incidents per drivers during the season. We never saw that!! I think the issue is about the first 3 tracks who can provide bad start due to track configuration. Round 2 at Montreal, we messed up the session and put a rolling start, our bad and we fixed it for the remaining of the season. Next race, Lime Rock! Another track that can turned into disaster! So we will make sure in the drivers meeting that drivers are taking it smooth at race start