Women in sim racing here at simrace247 continues with our weekly blog from Yvonne Houffelaar. Lets catch up with her for blog #60.
Women in sim racing continues with our resident female sim racing blogger Yvonne Houffelaar. This week in blog #60 we catch up with her sim racing events and more.
Welcome to my sixtieth weekly blog !!
Esport Italia Women’s GT
On Saturday 23-04-2022, was the final round of the ESport Italia Women’s GT. With missing one round, I still had a chance to end up in the podium standings. It was very close, between P2 and P4 was 7 points. I needed to have a good result, to finish on the podium. I qualified P2, which means a good start position at Monza. Unfortunately, the car felt so much different and loose, then when we practiced earlier in the week. I didn’t have my pace (more than 1.5 second slower), and the Lamborghini GT3 was very difficult to drive. My start was ok, only overshot the first corner, luckily I was not the only one.
We practiced it before, I made the first corner back then, but now I didn’t.. In the second lap, I hit the gravel, when my car was getting loose on the rear, this cost me loads of time, and places. I was at P6, I could come back to P4, and was stuck behind Ely. I wanted to do one move, but that didn’t work out, because she braked very early, which I didn’t expect, and needed to avoid her. It took me around 3 seconds, and no time to gain it back.. Which means P3 in the race, and still P4 in the championship. Luana is the champion, Christina P2, Sophie P3 (1 point difference), I’m at P4 also with 1 point difference. I’m still a bit sick about that race, lost too many points, and there was more in it. Onto the next ladies championship, when I know more info, I will let you all know!
Race Asylum GT4 Team Tourer
On Sunday 24-04-2022, was the 3rd round at Interlagos. I’m driving the Aston Martin GT4, Sophie Aeronwen the McLaren GT4, John Pearson Jaguar GT4. The first race, I was on the medium tire. I qualified P9, had a good start and race and finished P7. With a reversed start grid in the 2nd race, I started P7 on the Super Soft tire. I had a very good start and I was in the lead in the 2nd lap of the race. I couldn’t hold that position, the Bugatti and Ferrari were too fast. I gained time at the end of the race, but my run wasn’t good enough, I finished on P3, and 2 tenths from P2. For the 3rd race, I started P3, drove a solid race and finished P3. I had 3 good races, with good battles on track, and good points for the team!
PL4YR Red Bull x Endurance
On Wednesday 27-04-2022, was the PL4YR Red Bull x Endurance, 1.5 hour at the Nordschleife. It was an interesting race, in the Red Bull Junior. I was afraid to crash and I needed to save fuel. I was surprised to drive the pole in class, but I knew I didn’t have the pace. Compared to some other drivers in my class, they were constantly fast. I decided to drive my own race, and drive in engine mode 6 on the Nordschleife part, the Grand Prix part I drove in a quicker engine map. Which means good fuel saving, and less chance of dying in the corners. It went well, I only did 1 pitstop, and I’m very happy with my P3 finish! It was a great race, and all about surviving!
Race Asylum GT4 Team Tourer
On sunday 01-05-2022, was the 4th round from the Race Asylum GT4 Team Tourer. We were at Silverstone in a nice hotel, and I needed to drive with a controller. I found driving with a controller very difficult, I’m not used to it, and I’m slower with a controller. I qualified on P9, with the medium tire, after a good race and some nice fights, I finished P7. For the 2nd race, it was a reversed grid start, I started P8. After a good start, and some nice overtakes, I had the lead with 4 seconds. I drove the best I could, the Bugatti was simply too fast and caught me up. I had a good battle with RA_Baz68, in the last lap I lost the slipstream and couldn’t catch up, I finished P2. In the 3rd race, I started P2. I had a good start and was in the lead, the teammates both in the Bugatti caught me back up, and they drove with some good teamwork, passed me and I couldn’t keep up. I had a lonely but decent race, I finished P3. I enjoyed the races a lot, and I’m looking forward to the races at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday 08-05-2022.
Upcoming races:
07-05-2022: VCO Infinity 24 hour
08-05-2022: Race Asylum GT4 Team Tourer at Red Bull Ring
GGG Formula-G round 4 at Le Mans
