Race Cars really do FLY!

FR 2.0 at Lime Rock, cresting hill

Pro Mazda at Lime Rock,, cresting hill with a bit more DF

New Series: 60PLUS Open Wheel League Series

Starting with Road America on November 2, 2016...

A Series for drivers that will be age 60 or older at the end of the season. Goal is first rate competition--development and demonstration of car control mastery without the pressure from excessively aggressive driving often experienced racing with the younger crowd in "open" iRacing and other leagues. 

Fixed setups running the Formula Renault 2.0 with high downforce, with option to run the Star Mazda in multi-car competition on selected tracks.

10 weekly races.  8 Road Course. 2 Oval.

Race time will be 2:00 PM EST (3:00 PM EDT) (19:00 GMT) Wednesdays. Practice begins 30 minutes earlier at 18:30 GMT.  

The Schedule for Season 2016-1: 

Nov 2 Road America 
Nov 9 Phoenix Oval (Open DogLeg, ala NASCAR)
Nov 16 Watkins Glen (Classic Boot) 
Nov 23 Mosport (Canadian Tire Motorsports) 
Nov 30 Laguna Seca (Mazda Raceway) 
Week 13 (No Race on Dec 7--Practice for Monza) 
Dec 14 Monza (GP) 
Dec 21 Lime Rock (Full Course) 
Merry Christmas!!!! 
Dec 28 Milwaukee Mile Oval 
Happy New Year!!!! 
Jan 4 Brands Hatch (GP) 
Jan 11 SPA (Classic Pits) 

Mark your Calenders!!! 

Chief Steward will provide tested setups one week before each race. BoP (Balancing of Performance) for Star Mazda and Formula Renault 2.0 in setups to equalize each for competitive racing. Driver may choose either car when signing in for each race.  

Two hosted practices per week.  Friday and Tuesday at 18:30 GMT.

Races will be LIVE STREAMED on YouTube by MaxSpeedTV.

Results will be recorded at danlisa.com


Rules:

Adhere to iRacing Sporting Code 
No foul Language (Grandchildren may be watching!) 
Weird Rule #1: No passing during the first lap. 
Normal Rolling Start--see Weird Rule #4 Below
Weird Rule #2: Podium from previous race starts last. 
Weird Rule #3: Incident points x2 subtracted from results.
Weird Rule #4: Special "Safe Passing" Rules strictly enforced.
Anger Management Rules strictly enforced.
See posts below for details. 

We all spend a lot of time practicing. This is an investment of precious time and our rules are designed to minimize incidents that can end someone's race early. We see iRacing as amateur sport with demonstration of skill and not a prize fight. 


Cash Prizes in form of iRacing credits. 
Example: $100 for Season Champion. 

Series to be "sponsored" by Team RFC--in recognition and support of a group of 300 + Christian Chaplains that serve others without compensation, providing pastoral care and friendship at real life race tracks throughout the world.

Safe Passing

One difference with our League is we intend to enforce "Safe Passing" rules that are a bit different than regular "open" iRacing.

1)  Drivers are responsible to monitor the position of any cars that are gaining on them by watching F3.  A car that is gaining is likely to attempt a pass.
2)  The Overtaken Driver is to ALWAYS maintain their "normal and predictable" racing line--especially when it is likely that a Overtaking Driver is likely to attempt a pass. (With only one "last lap exception"--see below.)
3)  The Overtaking Driver is Primarily responsible for a Safe Pass, but both cars have the responsibility to avoid contact.
4)  All drivers have the "right" to "Racing Room". Racing Room is defined as the 1/2 car width to the sides and one full car width in front and back.
5)  Similar to Vintage Racing Rules--the Overtaking Driver must be fully beside or ahead at the "normal and predictable" turn in point for the Overtaken Driver in order for the Overtaking Driver to claim "corner rights". In other words the Overtaken Driver must essentially be able to see the Overtaking Driver BEFORE the "normal and predictable" turn in point. If the Overtaking Driver is NOT fully beside or ahead, then the Overtaking Driver DOES NOT have "corner rights" and must back off, giving the Overtaken Driver the racing line. Attempting a pass without "corner rights" is "Dive Bombing" and is strictly prohibited.
5)a So called "corner rights" as defined above DO NOT prohibit "side by side thru the turn" racing as such rights assume that one car is moving at a higher speed. So, "corner rights" for the inside car requires BOTH position equality and speed superiority. For the outside car on the "normal" racing line, it only requires position superiority at the turn in point. If both cars arrive at the turn in point, side by side, with more or less the same speed, then they are expected to race side by side, respecting each other's "racing room" as defined in 4) above.  This means the car on the inside must allow enough room for the outside car on exit. It also means the outside car must not "cut off" the inside car by turning down to the apex and "pinching" the inside car at the corner apex.  Keep in mind that a chicane is essentially two corners where the outside car becomes the inside car for the "second" corner.  Therefore the outside car in the first corner of the chicane could be guilty of dive bombing into the second part of the chicane. Attempting a pass without "corner rights" is "Dive Bombing" and is strictly prohibited.
THREE WIDE RACING THRU CORNERS IS NOT PROHIBITED BUT IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED in our League. 
6) Racing below the white line---the "legal" racing surface is always defined by iRacing's offtrack incident indicator or cutting the corner penalty. Absent the offtrack indicator or cutting penalty, racing below the white line is therefore "legal". BUT, racing below the white line (with all four wheels) shall be considered "leaving the track" and  being the "Overtaking Driver" and "attempting to pass on the inside" as defined in 5) above. THE DRIVER WHO RACES INSIDE THE WHITE LINE SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE TO RE-ENTER THE TRACK SAFELY. THE RE-ENTERING DRIVER HAS NO CORNER RIGHTS AND THEREFORE SHALL BE PENALIZED IF RE-ENTRY IS DEEMED TO INTERFERE WITH THE "NORMAL AND PREDICTABLE RACING LINE" OF OTHERS WHO HAVE NOT LEFT THE TRACK. 

See this explanation in the link:

http://www.vrgonline.org/school/articles/passing_101.pdf

click on link below:
Safe Passing

If you are truly faster than the other guy, in general you should be able to accelerate out of the corner with more speed and pull fully aside before the braking zone or turn in point at the next corner. If you are not truly faster than the other guy, then do not pass.

Drafting:

There will be tracks where the "draft" will allow the Overtaking Driver a bit of advantage and will enable them to pull "fully aside" before the braking zone, even when the Overtaking Driver is not faster.  In this case, with one exception, the Overtaken Driver shall lift slightly to allow the Overtaking Driver to complete a safe pass.  This will create some "leapfrogging" during the race as the Overtaken Driver may be able to use the draft to retake the position later.  The exception is during the last lap of the race when the Overtaken Driver is allowed to take a defensive position by strategically positioning his car on the inside to insure he maintains "corner rights" as outlined above in 5).  In this case, it is possible that the Overtaking Driver, forced to overtake on the outside in this case, may be able to pull ahead before the "normal and predictable" turn in point, at which point he will have justifiably gained "corner rights" as defined above in 5).

If two cars,  close together  (the Overtaking Driver and the Third in Line) are able to use the draft, with the first one (Overtaking Driver) pulling "fully aside" the Overtaken Driver, the "Third in Line" SHALL NOT take advantage when the Overtaken Driver lifts to allow the first car to pass.  The "Third in Line" in this case shall fall behind the Overtaken Driver, maintaining his position as "third in line". The purpose of this is to minimize controversy and car contact since it is often difficult for the Overtaken Driver to know the on track position of the "Third in Line". THREE WIDE RACING THRU CORNERS IS NOT PROHIBITED BUT IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED in our League. 

These rules will be strictly enforced by the Chief or Racing Steward. They are designed to allow competitive racing with the minimum probability of car contact.

Anger Management

We are all human. Competition sometimes results in conflict and anger. 

In all cases you are expected to show respect for others.

Swearing, course and/or foul language is strictly prohibited. 

If you suffer extreme frustration, you are allowed ONE "vent" or a verbal/text expression of frustration.  Beyond that, keep your emotions under control or at least keep them private.

If you feel you have been significantly wronged--send a PM or email to the Chief Steward.

Jennings Builds a Rocket and Launches it at Iowa

Paul Jennings Wins--Laps entire Field

Veteran iRacing IndyCar pilot from North Carolina, Paul Jennings, found speed and lapped the entire field at Iowa Speedway Sunday night, the 9th race of the iAdvance Motorsports Indy Elite Series. It was even more impressive considering that he struggled early in the race--Jennings was dead last on lap 37. By lap 69 he was in the lead and dominated the race thereafter.

This was the first win for Jennings in the 2016 iAdvance Motorsports Indy Elite Series Season 1. He joins Tim Holgate who has 4 wins, Christopher Demeritt who has 2, and Joe Branch as race winners in the series this season. Records indicate that Jennings has 220 career victories in "open" iRacing competition, so he is used to being a winner. His result moved him up 5 slots to P6 in season points.

Missing this holiday weekend were series "regulars" Tim Holgate, Christopher Demeritt, Niles Anders, Tim Doyle, Marco Brasil, Austin Espitee, Robert Gorts, Jonathan Goke, James McClure, Ryan Heeter, and Andreas Eik. That should not be seen to diminish Jennings's accomplishment as Toni Helminen and Joe Flanagan have proven to be masters on the short tracks.

Dan Lee Ensch Leads from the Pole into T1

Team RFC member, Dan Lee Ensch surprised with an excellent qualifying run, putting him P1 on the grid, ahead of Helminen, Jennings, Christian Steele, and Bradley Walters. Track conditions were relatively cool, so tires were an issue on the first lap. Helminen spun in T2, ending his race as well as the race for Steele and Walters who were all damaged beyond repair.

Christian Steele looks on as Helminen spins in T2 taking him and Bradley Walters out of the race

Ensch maintained the lead until lap 10 when Joe Branch took over P1 and held it until lap 69. From then on, it was Paul Jennings followed by the rest.

Nathan Bookbinder takes too high a line into the marbles, loses control and take out Joe Flanagan

A bit of drama with an ambitious Nathan Bookbinder taking out Joe Flanagan late in the race with a bold pass high into the marbles next to the wall in T2.  Otherwise, a relatively "normal" race.

Bookbinder goes high into the marbles later in T3--kisses the wall but maintains control and passes Strout

Special mention for Tim Miller's podium P3 finish, moving up 8 slots from his P11 start. Members of two teams now hold the top five in Season Points:  The team of Holgate, Branch and Flanagan and Team RFC's Tim Miller and Dan Lee Ensch. 

Texas

Here's the video:

Happy that two Team RFC Members in Top Ten: Tim Miller and Dan Lee Ensch.

Sad to say Donald Strout and Niles Anders tangled early for the first of two yellows and both were out of the race. Watch laps 12-15 for the action.

Congrats to Christopher Demeritt.

Joe Branch Wins at New Hampshire—Race 7 of 12

Joe Branch Wins at New Hampshire—4^th Driver to Win This Season So Far

by Donald Wayne Strout (05/09/2016)

Joe Branch Wins at New Hampshire

The 7^th event of the new 2016 iAdvance Motorsports Indy Elite Series (12 races—11 ovals and one street course in Long Beach) ran at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway oval on Sunday, May 8, at 7PM EDT.  This race was sponsored by Chicago’s Pizza.

As usual the race was broadcasted live on RacespotTV  http://racespot.tv/  as well as iRacing Live.  http://www.iracing.com/live/  and can be seen at YouTube of Race

Here is a link to the Official Race Results:

Race Results at iRacing

http://members.iracing.com/membersite/member/EventResult.do?&subsessionid=16698880&custid=48488

18 iRacing drivers took the green flag at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.. Christopher Demeritt, Champion of the 2015-16 IndyCar Winter Series did not participate in this race.  Tim Holgate continued his dominance of the Series by taking the Pole with an impressive 21.407 second lap.

Tim Holgate found his normal (superior) race speed and led the first 30 laps. From there to lap 56, third place qualifier, Marco Brasil assumed the lead.

This race was marked by numerous spins in Turn 2. There would be a total of 7 Yellow Flag cautions.

Spin in T2 by Randy Crossno forces Michael Peters to go high and take out Dan Lee Ensch early in the race.

Toni Helminen from Finland qualified in 6^th position and, based on his speed on the “shorter” one mile tracks, was favored to be among the leaders. Unfortunately, he experienced some computer or internet problems and fell two laps down. One thread of the story of this race is Toni’s race long efforts to get back into the lead lap---which he did late in the race with less than 15 laps to go. His 22.176 lap was the third fastest of the race, bested only by Holgate and Branch.

Helminen helps Bookbinder go around in T2, loses a front wing, but get repaired in the pits to return

Returning to the fray and continuing his quest to get his lap back, Helminen begins his overtake of Strout in T1 and exiting T2 is confronted with Paul Jennings stopped on the racing line after Jennings hit the wall and spun coming out of T2. (see photo below) Helminen was able to get by but Strout in car #8 was trapped with no place to go. His collision with Jennings ended Strout’s race for the day.

A driver’s worst nightmare—a car on your left and a car stopped on the racing line—really no place for #8 to go.

There were 7 lead changes in the race. On lap 70 Holgate regained the lead, taking over from Joe Branch who had taken the lead earlier away from Marco Brasil. Team RFC’s Tim Miller, a 16^th Street Series veteran from Texas, assumed the lead on lap 80 as Holgate experienced some issues in the pits.  Miller was delighted as his main sponsor is Chicago’s Pizza, the sponsor of this race.

Tim Miller takes the lead as Holgate sits in pits on lap 80. 

With Team RFC drivers Dan Lee Ench and Donald Strout out of the race. Miller and his team-mate T.J. Massick were getting Spotter and Crew Chief services over Team Speak from Dan Lee and Donald. (Dan Lee and Donald are the “older” set builders/engineers for the Team.) Miller was able to hold the lead until lap 102, then falling back to P3, and regaining the lead for a few laps at lap 118. Miller would lead a total of 28 laps. (Miller is now Fourth in Series Points.)

Another spin in T2 late in the race with Bookbinder meeting Kinsella.

Recovering from his earlier difficulty, Holgate had raced back through the field to P4 by lap 124 and clearly was in contention, turning a 21.937 lap on lap 108—the second fastest lap of the race just after his pit stop. But, it just was not Holgate’s day as Andrew Kinsella executes a 360 degree spin in front of him in T2 and ends his race. (Holgate would still finish P9)

Holgate cannot avoid a spinning Kinsella in T2. The collision end’s Holgate’s race.

On lap 132, Team RFC’s T.J. Massick passed his team-mate Tim Miller and assumed P4. The race would end with Joe Branch in the lead, followed by James McClure and Joe Flanagan, with Massick and Miller completing the Top 5. Marco Brasil would finish in P6, and the only other car on the lead lap was Toni Helminen in P7. Helminen had doggedly regained that lead lap status after more than 100 laps of being a lap down. (Now there is an example of “persistence” and quite an accomplishment on a track where passing is difficult—of course his aggressive quest may have been a bit annoying to all the cars he passed.) 

Ohio’s Ryan Heeter, finished in P8. Starting in P16, Heeter was the last car still running at the end as he continues to demonstrate an ability to consistently survive till the end and outlast many others. Heeter is now Seventh in Series points.

Other than Joe Branch’s impressive run to the Win, special merit goes to second place finisher, Indiana’s James McClure. He started in P4, with an impressive 21.716 qualifying lap. He fell back to P9 early, but from there on, like P3’s Joe Flanagan as well, was always in contention. McClure seems to be improving every race.  

Holgate leads with 368 Series Points. Rounding out the Top Ten for the first seven races are: (Name/Points)  Joe Branch/277, Joe Flanagan/222, Tim Miller/172, Tim Doyle/169 (with only 6 races), Dan Lee Ensch/169, Ryan Heeter/162, Michael Peters/150, Christopher Demeritt/142 (with only 3 races), and Paul Jennings/140.  Still in contention for Top Ten since they have only run five races and everyone will have to drop two races: James McClure/133, and Donald Strout/121. (We are essentially half way thru the Series with five races to go—Pocono is double points.)

The series moves next to Texas, at 7PM EST on June 12. (Sponsored by Team RFC) The Question is: Will we see a fifth winner in the Series there?

Watch live on RacespotTV  http://racespot.tv/ 

Or, watch later at https://www.youtube.com/user/iRacingTV/videos

Series sponsors: http://www.iadvancemotorsports.com/  and http://www.ricmotech.com/

Holgate Makes History at Indy

Holgate becomes a Three Time Winner of the Indy 500

Tim Holgate--Three Time Indy500 Winner

The first Indy 500 of the new 2016 iAdvance Motorsports Indy Elite Series (12 races—11 ovals and one street course in Long Beach) ran on Sunday, May 1, at 7PM EST.  The Indy 500 presented by Real Gear is the second leg of the Ricmotech Triple Crown which includes the Ricmotech 225 at Homestead on February 28, and the end of season Ricmotech 400 at Pocono on August 14. The race was broadcasted live on RacespotTV ( http://racespot.tv/ ) and can be see at http://iracing.com. (See link below.)

32 drivers took the green flag on a cool 73 degree F, overcast day.  Celebrity drivers included Darren Manning (former IndyCar driver in "real life") and Shelby Blackstock (Indy Lites driver for Andretti Autosport). 

Young Christopher Demeritt applied his "wizardry" and earned the Pole Position time of 38.530 seconds. Marco Brasil was close behind with a time of 38.557. Tim Holgate earned P3 with a 38.610, and Brasil's team-mate Diederik Kinds was in P4 with a 38.611.


With a cool track and good grip, the field stayed tight thru the first lap. As the second third of the field entered T2 on the second lap, one driver missed the apex a bit, causing the car next to him to take evasive action, going high and just kissing the wall. Cars immediately behind moved low to avoid contact.  As the then bunched up field approached T3, Donald Strout on the inside lifted slightly as Niles Anders moved down to the apex in front of him. Shelby Blackstock's car then tapped Strout in the right rear with Blackstock's resulting spin generating mayhem behind and the first yellow flag. Six cars, including Blackstock were damaged beyond repair. 

Turn 2 incident sets up a Turn 3 mayhem--Note car high and against wall

Second third of field, now bunched up races toward T3

Darren Manning survived the T3 incident, having moved up through the field several spots. But, as can be the case when racing on the internet sometimes, Manning had internet connection issues on the restart and had to retire from the event.

The race was dominated by three drivers: Tim Holgate, Christopher Demeritt, and New England's Austin Espitee. Holgate led 109 laps, Demeritt led 61, and Espitee led 30 laps of the 200 lap event. Always close behind and in contention were California's Christian Steele and former Indy 500 Winner, Joe Branch. But only Holgate, Demeritt and Espitee appeared to have the speed to lead---others able to keep up only by using the draft.


The choice of downforce (with resulting drag) to gain more of a "margin of safety and control" versus speed is always an important part of racing strategy. One could see cars "teaming up" to draft and gain additional speed, running nose to tail in order to reduce drag and turn laps in the 39.xx range. But, Holgate, Demeritt and Espitee had optimized their downforce/drag and with a few others in the "lead pack" were able to simply pull away. 

Using draft for more speed. McClure, Heeter, Strout and Kinds (P7-10) trying to catch the lead pack

The consequences of going too far, removing too much downforce were serious and evident with some "surprise" spins.

Michael Peters does a "Danny Sullivan" 360 degree spin in T1 on lap 188. Diederik Kinds takes evasive action.

Niles Anders spins in T4 on lap 199--hits inside wall--slides across track narrowly missing Peters and Jennings. Anders would slide out to outside wall and continue to the finish line scraping the wall to finish P9.

Without a doubt, one of the most impressive drives was by Ohio driver, Ryan Heeter. Heeter started way back from P25 and by lap 50 had moved up to P9, and by lap 100 to P8. He finished in P7, behind verteran Joe Flanagan (P5) and Holgate's team-mate James McClure (P6). Heeter's fastest lap was a 39.300, third fastest in the race, bested only by Holgate's 39.266 and Demeritt's impressive 39.152. (Heeter's performance moves him up 5 positions to 8th in the Series so far.)

The finish was exiting--almost a photo finish. Holgate wins by only inches over a 500 mile race!

Holgate noses out Demeritt at Checkered Flag

Holgate leads the series in points after six races. He is followed by Joe Branch, Joe Flanagan, Tim Doyle and Dan Lee Ensch. Completing the Top Ten in Series Standings to date, from 6th to 10th so far is: Christopher Demeritt (only 3 races), Tim Miller, Ryan Heeter, Michael Peters and Paul Jennings.

The series moves next to New Hampshire for the Chicago's Pizza 150, at 7PM EST on Sunday May 8. Watch live on RacespotTV  http://racespot.tv/ Or, watch later at https://www.youtube.com/user/iRacingTV/videos

Race Results--Click Here

YouTube Video

The Greatest Spectacle in Racing—The INDY 500!!! Coming early on May 1 !

The Greatest Spectacle in Racing—The INDY 500!!!

Get Ready—Coming on May 1

by Donald Wayne Strout (04/22/2016)

Entering T1 at the Indy 500

The 6th event of the new 2016 iAdvance Motorsports Indy Elite Series (12 races—11 ovals and one street course in Long Beach) will be the Indy 500 on Sunday, May 1 at 7PM EDT.  This race is presented by Real Gear. 

As usual the race will be broadcasted live on RacespotTV  http://racespot.tv/  as well as iRacing Live.  http://www.iracing.com/live/  and can be seen later on youtube.  33 iRacing drivers will take the green flag. In addition, the series invites celebrity drivers to participate using the iAdvance Motorsports simulator. Stephan Wilson competed at Homestead. Almost certainly, the Indy 500 will attract a real life IndyCar “celebrity” driver.

The first of many Indy events on iRacing in May. This one promises to unleash a crescendo of drama as some of the most competitive iRacing DW12 drivers to ever compete for the honor of winning this challenging event take the green flag. Whether one favors oval or road racing venues, almost everyone acknowledges the Indy500 is the pinnacle.

The IRL (in real life) Indy500 takes place on May 29. Helio Castroneves will be the sole competitor in 2016 who has won three victories. Juan Pablo Montoya with two. Will other previous winners, like Ryan Hunter-Reay join this “multi-win club” in 2016?  Or, will we see a new champion!

Sure to be one of the favorites in this year’s iAdvance Motorsports Indy Elite Series Indy 500 is Tim Holgate, the only competitor currently in this series with two previous Indy 500 iRacing Open (or 16^th Street) wins. Will he make history and win for the third time? Experience counts here, so several other past winners may “repeat”. These include this year’s 16^th Street Winner, Joe Branch, as well as Niles Anders and Tim Doyle. Perhaps less well known, but also holding previous wins include Team RFC’s Dan Lee Ensch and T. J. Massick.

But, certainly you cannot count out anyone. Keep an eye on Christopher Demeritt, Champion of the 2015-16 IndyCar Winter Series. Hardworking Brazilian, Marco Brazil is also likely to be fast—watch for him to seek out the coveted Pole. Bradley Walters,  Jonathan Goke and Joe Flanagan will surely be competitive. And, Walter’s teammate, Michael Peters is likely to have had a bit of Darren Manning advice and time on the iAdvance simulator—and maybe some good luck for a change. Joining the series recently from the left coast is setup guru, and recent IndyCar Fixed Champion, Christian Steele and verteran Randy Crossno, both likely to be formidable challengers. And, maybe, Wyatt Gooden may show up? 

In fact, there will be at least 20 cars with a real chance of winning this long race where BOTH strategy, cunning, and speed matter. The magic of Indy is you really never know who will win until the last lap! And certainly any one of the 33 starters could end up in the Top 5.

In this series Indy gives DOUBLE Series Championship Points. There are still a couple of open spots available. PM Joe Branch or visit the DW12 iRacing Forum.  And, if you are not competing, be sure to watch as 33 cars seek to make history with perhaps the best Indy 500 run on iRacing..ever!

Watch live on RacespotTV  http://racespot.tv/ 

Or, watch later at https://www.youtube.com/user/iRacingTV/videos

Series sponsors: http://www.iadvancemotorsports.com/  and http://www.ricmotech.com/