A big thank you goes to Thomas Waby who stepped up at 4am to double stint with no sleep, without this unscheduled driver change the team would have pulled out much earlier. We are proud to have completed 22hrs and look forward to our future races.
Sunday 30 June 2013
TORA 24hrs of Le Mans - Retirment
CRA Doodleco Motorsport regrets to announce that we have pulled out of the TORA 24hrs of Le Mans. The decision was made with 2hrs remaining after a problem filled race concluded with mechanical failure.
A big thank you goes to Thomas Waby who stepped up at 4am to double stint with no sleep, without this unscheduled driver change the team would have pulled out much earlier. We are proud to have completed 22hrs and look forward to our future races.
A big thank you goes to Thomas Waby who stepped up at 4am to double stint with no sleep, without this unscheduled driver change the team would have pulled out much earlier. We are proud to have completed 22hrs and look forward to our future races.
Monday 3 June 2013
Official Test Day Leads to Major Revisions
On Saturday the team was taking part in the first official test session for the GTR24h. The day consisted of around 7hrs of free practise and finished with a 90min test race. It was clear from the beginning that the Lola's latest developments made it extremely difficult to drive and so the team has selected the HPD ARX03a as driven by Strakka in 2012.
The HPD has proved to be stable through the corners with a top speed of 197mph with a full fuel tank. Despite having the car for the job, lap times were off pace compared to that of the other teams, but not by much.
The test race later in the day outlined areas of concern which must be ironed out over the course of the following months. Firstly, trying to keep up with the other teams was possible however they cleared ahead very quickly through the Porsche Curves and we lost a substantial amount of time at the Ford Chicane. Performance through this sector needs to be improved to bring us in line with the other cars.
The second issue was the new layout of Tetre Rouge. The turn has been tightened and a run-off added to the outside making it very easy to run wide and gain an advantage. If the line is not perfect every time through the corner, the car will end up running wide, resulting in a penalty.
Both of these problems suggest that the handling of the HPD needs to be modified to allow for the fast corners to be taken tighter.
Overall, the test day went well and the team is showing promise for a good result however we are still not there so focus is needed to make up those crucial few seconds.
The HPD has proved to be stable through the corners with a top speed of 197mph with a full fuel tank. Despite having the car for the job, lap times were off pace compared to that of the other teams, but not by much.
The test race later in the day outlined areas of concern which must be ironed out over the course of the following months. Firstly, trying to keep up with the other teams was possible however they cleared ahead very quickly through the Porsche Curves and we lost a substantial amount of time at the Ford Chicane. Performance through this sector needs to be improved to bring us in line with the other cars.
The second issue was the new layout of Tetre Rouge. The turn has been tightened and a run-off added to the outside making it very easy to run wide and gain an advantage. If the line is not perfect every time through the corner, the car will end up running wide, resulting in a penalty.
Both of these problems suggest that the handling of the HPD needs to be modified to allow for the fast corners to be taken tighter.
Overall, the test day went well and the team is showing promise for a good result however we are still not there so focus is needed to make up those crucial few seconds.
Thursday 30 May 2013
Team Update
Things have been a touch slow recently however we are now ready for some progress. Doodleco Motorsports is pleased to introduce our new driver candidate Kenny Baldwin Jr. Kenny has experience as a sim racer and is highly motivated to compete alongside us in Denmark for the GTR24h.
With this news, we are able to confirm that the team has the minimum number of members to enter the race and assuming qualification is successful we will be in Denmark in October.
At this point we would like to let people know that we are preparing some exciting news which will be made public very soon so watch this space.
With this news, we are able to confirm that the team has the minimum number of members to enter the race and assuming qualification is successful we will be in Denmark in October.
At this point we would like to let people know that we are preparing some exciting news which will be made public very soon so watch this space.
Monday 11 March 2013
Post Race - 12hrs of Sebring
The season has officially kicked off for Doodleco Motorsport with the 12hrs of Sebring on Saturday. This is the first championship entry for the team and expectations were low but through a mixture of consistent driving and a great performance by last minute entry, Joito05, the Doodleco Acura came across the line in 13th position.
After a messy start to the race due to the leader clearing off on the formation lap, Tango Wh1skey held position and claimed his first victim when passing slow traffic. After being held up, the Lola Mazda which was ahead of Tango made an error trying to pass a Ford GT on the inside of a corner. Tango took the opportunity to follow the Mazda through but as he got on the power the Mazda appeared to back off causing Tango to nudge the Mazda into a spin, taking position in the process.
After the first driver change there was contact once again with the Mazda who ran wide through Turn 17 and then had a bad entry into turn 1. The Doodleco car made a move on the outside and had the position but the Mazda failed to back off into the chicane and ended up facing the wrong way for the second time, but now suffering damage.
Approaching the halfway point in the race, it was clear that the car was starting to settle in and was setting new personal best times. With more cars pulling into the pits with technical problems, Doodleco was working up into the top 15. Shortly before the 7 hour mark however, disaster struck as Tango Wh1skey locked up into the hairpin, slamming into a Viper and causing major damage to the bodywork of both cars. After a slow crawl back to the pits it was obvious that the engineers had some work to do but only one hour later the car was back and in the hands of Joito05. The delay had cost the team most of its hard work and was sitting 33rd overall with just 4 hours remaining.
Joito05 stormed back through the GTE cars, pushing hard to make up for the time lost. His effort was not wasted as the flag dropped with Doodleco Motorsport sitting in 13th position, ahead of all the GTEs.
With such a performance we thank Joito05 and announce that it would be our privilege for him to return with the team at Le Mans in June. In the mean time we will be testing and developing the car ready for round two of the TORA Endurance Championship.
After a messy start to the race due to the leader clearing off on the formation lap, Tango Wh1skey held position and claimed his first victim when passing slow traffic. After being held up, the Lola Mazda which was ahead of Tango made an error trying to pass a Ford GT on the inside of a corner. Tango took the opportunity to follow the Mazda through but as he got on the power the Mazda appeared to back off causing Tango to nudge the Mazda into a spin, taking position in the process.
After the first driver change there was contact once again with the Mazda who ran wide through Turn 17 and then had a bad entry into turn 1. The Doodleco car made a move on the outside and had the position but the Mazda failed to back off into the chicane and ended up facing the wrong way for the second time, but now suffering damage.
Approaching the halfway point in the race, it was clear that the car was starting to settle in and was setting new personal best times. With more cars pulling into the pits with technical problems, Doodleco was working up into the top 15. Shortly before the 7 hour mark however, disaster struck as Tango Wh1skey locked up into the hairpin, slamming into a Viper and causing major damage to the bodywork of both cars. After a slow crawl back to the pits it was obvious that the engineers had some work to do but only one hour later the car was back and in the hands of Joito05. The delay had cost the team most of its hard work and was sitting 33rd overall with just 4 hours remaining.
Joito05 stormed back through the GTE cars, pushing hard to make up for the time lost. His effort was not wasted as the flag dropped with Doodleco Motorsport sitting in 13th position, ahead of all the GTEs.
With such a performance we thank Joito05 and announce that it would be our privilege for him to return with the team at Le Mans in June. In the mean time we will be testing and developing the car ready for round two of the TORA Endurance Championship.
Monday 4 March 2013
TORA Endurance Championship - Sebring 12hrs
Doodleco Motorsport is set to debut in the TORA Endurance Championship this weekend with the season opener, 12hrs of Sebring.
Using the Acura ARX-01b, the team hopes to remain consistant and trouble free for the season which should lead to some strong performances. The aims of this year are to finish with as few problems as possible whilst learning how to perform better in the future. Pre-season testing has already outlined that Doodleco is likely to sit at the back of the field however this doesn't deter the team's spirit.
The 2013 championship will consist of 5 races, starting this weekend with the 12hrs of Sebring. Round two will be at the end of June, the Le Mans 24hrs. After Le Mans the team will be looking to prepare a GT car for the second half of the season. Currently the third round is to be confirmed but rounds 4 (Britcar 12hrs at Silverstone) and 5 (Nurburgring 24hrs) will be GT and Production races.
Using the Acura ARX-01b, the team hopes to remain consistant and trouble free for the season which should lead to some strong performances. The aims of this year are to finish with as few problems as possible whilst learning how to perform better in the future. Pre-season testing has already outlined that Doodleco is likely to sit at the back of the field however this doesn't deter the team's spirit.
The 2013 championship will consist of 5 races, starting this weekend with the 12hrs of Sebring. Round two will be at the end of June, the Le Mans 24hrs. After Le Mans the team will be looking to prepare a GT car for the second half of the season. Currently the third round is to be confirmed but rounds 4 (Britcar 12hrs at Silverstone) and 5 (Nurburgring 24hrs) will be GT and Production races.
Doodleco Motorsport Supports Help for Heroes
In recent years, motorsport has become increasingly linked
with assisting injured military personnel and their families. Both Mission
Motorsport and Race 2 Recovery compete with the support of Help for Heroes, and
now Doodleco Motorsport has joined them in the virtual world.
Help for Heroes was set up in 2007 to provide direct,
practical support to wounded injured and sick Service personnel and their
families. To date, H4H has funded a variety of projects including the £8m
Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court, a new £3.5m treatment centre for
Combat Stress, adaptive adventure training through the Battle Back programme
and the creation of a £6m Quick Reaction Fund to support individuals in need.
As a member of the UK Armed Services, I am keen to promote
this good cause. For this reason, Doodleco Motorsport has partnered up with H4H
with the goal of receiving donations and sponsorship to compete in the 2013
GTR24h in October. Throughout the year, we will have an online page that people
can donate directly to the team with all proceeds going to H4H. To add to this,
we will be bringing some collection tins to Denmark and some H4H wrist bands
and posters so people can give a small donation to us personally if they so
wish.
I must stress that this charity does not go towards funding
the military, it is just about helping those who need support. I ask that you
do not let personal feelings towards armed conflict prevent you from seeing the
benefits that H4H provides.
Anyone wishing to sponsor us please do so by going to this
address...
I thank you all for your support.
Thursday 21 February 2013
GTR24h Press Announcement
After some positive results dipping our toes in the water in 2012, Doodleco Motorsport now aim to compete in major events as a full time team. For this reason, it gives me great pleasure to officially announce that Doodleco Motorsport will enter the GTR24h in Denmark in October.
The race will take place around the Le Mans circuit and consist of a mixture of GTE and LMP cars. With preparations now in full swing, more news will be available shortly.
The race will take place around the Le Mans circuit and consist of a mixture of GTE and LMP cars. With preparations now in full swing, more news will be available shortly.
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