Thats more or less what it is, but its a real bike that is on a resistance device that is connected to a computer, and running a sim program.
It takes your actual output in watts, and it drives the sim rider, its pretty slick, new technology, makes indoor training a bit more bearable in winter.
I do 25-30 bike races a year, mostly mountain bike, this helps stay race fit all winter. Scott is on it a bit too, he is a slacker though.

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Paul

I have a similar setup...except I watch YouTube videos. It keeps your eyes off the timer...longer workouts. That indoor bike sim sounds interesting...hmm.

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Jay Barthelotte

Sounds better than just cranking away on a stationary bike. Is there a steering input as well? Does it have online multiplayer, eg. can you connect to a server and run the same course with other people? That would be really cool.

That's a lot of racing. Is it a long season?

It's called Zwift.
http://zwift.com/

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1997 Talon TSi AWD
2008 EVO X MR

Back in the IMSA days the HPD was faster than the DP, especially in the twisty bits. From what I know of the cars, the DPs are faster in the straights because they have slicker aero and more HP, whereas the HPD generates more downforce at the expense of straightline speed. The Radical will probably be slower than all of them, but it is a solid piece of kit so could make for a surprise in the right hands. Plus, it's a smaller car so it might squeeze in to some places the others can't.

Thanks for the heads up on the bike sims guys. Might have more questions if I every get around to getting into shape.

The radical should be fun to take around the ring even if it's not the fastest.

I agree...I bought it with that in mind.

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Jay Barthelotte

Ring Prototype results posted.

Congrats to Brian G on the wins. Was good to get both qualifying sessions in, but I was a little late getting to bed.

The radical was a fun drive at the Ring. Wasn't sure what the lap times were going to be like as didn't get a clean lap in during practice or qualifying, and not even enough clean sectors to give an optimal. Could have passed a few cars at the start if there had been room, but Art in the Riley and Brian W in the C7 were taking up all of the track. The Radical was good in the twisty stuff but didn't have a lot of grunt on the straights. Was close enough to Brian W to get by him when he had a wiggle on the long uphill sweeper run. Thought Art and I were going to have a scrap, but he messed up the final set of corners on the first lap. After that was just putting in laps and picking up spots as the HPD drivers fell off. Thought might get Jay on the last lap when he had brake problems but he managed to get it around.

The second race was a little more cut and dry. I knew the Honda was quicker but Jay just flew by me near the start of the first lap. Brian W did the same on the uphill sweeper run. After that was fairly lonely. Paul and Scott looked to be having a good battle for 2nd, and Art and Jeff were fighting for the spot behind me. The Honda was the car to have (thought we might see our first sub 6 minute lap) but if you don't have it give the Radical a try. It's a little down on straight line speed but it's great in the corners.

Road Atlanta in the Indycars next week, then the prototypes again the week after.

Brian is certainly the Ringmaster.

FYI, here is the ultimate lap times of each car in default weather:
http://ringlaps.nickthissen.nl/Series/Details/7

5:31 - HPD ARX
5:52 - C7 DP
5:57 - Radical
6:02 - Riley

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1997 Talon TSi AWD
2008 EVO X MR

Wow, most of my times in comparable cars are almost 30 seconds slower than those times. I guess I have a loooong way to go. I can't imagine doing a 6:12 in the Lotus '49 when I did that lap time last night in a car with down force. Are these actual lap times that people have turned?

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Brian
VP, AMP
#51 Vantage Motorsports

Ha, the fast guys are as fast in the GT3 cars at the ring as us in the HPD..

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Paul

I suspect they are using software like Scott, just with better programming.

I try not to look at lists like that. I just assume there is more time to be had , but seeing a whopping 45 seconds is a little depressing. Good to see the SR8, C7 and Riley are relatively close.

So are we going to see sub 6 minutes laps now that you know the car's potential?

Yes, they are actual lap times taken straight from iRacing's API and weather settings are validated. One of my team mates has the second fastest HPD time of 5:32.186. It is depressing.

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1997 Talon TSi AWD
2008 EVO X MR

First, I tried the Radical, and then I tried the HPD. I really liked the HPD...lots of confidence around the Ring. I chose the high downforce setup...didn't think the medium was any faster, but only ran a lap or so.

I think I was one of the few who qualified, so I started near the front. I was slowly catching Paul...not sure if he had damage or a bad set up. Then he retired. Right around that time, all of a sudden my brake pedal stopped working...only would work when pressed really hard and then it was too much. I pitted 30-40s ahead of third place..hoping it was car damage. Exited the pit with 10s ahead of third place...no braking fix.

Before the 2nd race, I attempted to fix the problem. I jiggled some wire connections and recalibrate do the pedals, not much better. I must have a problem with the load cell. Half of the pedal travel doesn't result in any braking applied. I started the 2nd race in 8th (last), but was able to pass 4 cars during the first few corners. I managed to keep it on track to finish 4th.

I won't be able to participate in the upcoming races over the next couple of months...air travel and sea missions. Then we're into the ARMS race season, driving schools and other summer stuff!

I really enjoyed iRacing this winter...good series. Thanks for organizing, Ken.

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Jay Barthelotte

Too bad you aren't going to make the last few races this season Jay. You seemed to hitting your stride. Won't be the same without that white rocket at the start.

No problem. Glad to have you and the other ARMS guys join in.

Jay, do you have the Fanatec ClubSport pedals? They are notorious for failing load cells. You should try to get a replacement load cell under warranty.

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1997 Talon TSi AWD
2008 EVO X MR

I do. Thanks Scott...I'll contact them.

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Jay Barthelotte

Indy Road Atalanta results posted.

Congrats to Scott on the wins.

A tricky track with these cars. Depending on how it bounced over the bumps determined if it stayed on course or not in a few places, and exiting slower corners required patience. After the first lap it was Scott leading Paul then Art ahead of me. Art and I were keeping Scott and Paul in sight until we started to squabble over 3rd place and dropped back a bit. That ended when Art had issues exiting the chicane. Paul must have had a problem in there as well as he dropped back into sight again. Got by Paul when he had a problems getting onto the back straight. He was chewing away at the gap when he must have had another problem and disconnected. Scott was well ahead, and Jim was well back so just put in a few careful laps at the end.

Scott said something about the weather being better but it should have been the same for the second race. If anything I thought the track was a little slower (less rubber down?). Start of the race was similar to the first one (we won't count the polesitter having a spin on the parade lap ). Once exception was that Jim was staying close behind for the first few laps. I made a small mistake that dropped me out of Art's draft and couldn't close the gap without it. Aside from Paul dropping out we stayed in that order for the rest of the race.

The prototypes again at the ring next week and then Indy at Road America (which should be a better suited to the cars than the last couple tacks).

Ring prototype results posted.

Congrats to Brian on the wins. There were only 4 of us in the first race. Brian in the Honda pestered me for a while. Art and Jeff took turns visiting the pits. We agreed to all drive the Radical for the second race, but Paul wasn't there to get the memo and showed up in the Honda. Paul made it interesting by giving Brian and I tows to help catch the other one. But then about 2.5 laps in I ruined it by having a spin. Then on the last lap I kept trying to rearrange the suspension on the armco, and barely missed Paul sitting at the edge of the track.

IRL at Road America next week, then we should be getting into sub 6 minute laps with the Dallara (old & new), Mclaren & Williams F1 at the ring.

Ken

I'm sorry for not showing up for the race. I wanted to run the prototypes at the 'ring, but between being out of town and being generally lazy I missed my window. Hopefully I will be back next week to beef up the midfield.

Must say it was kinda fun watching you and Brian race, I had a good seat.
Was pretty funny when I was sitting there waiting for you guys to pass me, when you showed up over the hill bouncing off the wall and coming straight for me, luckily I was watching and moved out of the way.

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Paul

Indy Road America results posted.

Trevor and I came away with wins lasts night.

The car was much better suited to this track, though it was still possible to loop it getting on the throttle in a few corners. Trevor and I started the first race testing out the draft model, while Art sat back a couple seconds and observed. I went wide once in T4 to let Trevor through but then he returned the favour by loosing the back exiting T3. After that I kept an eye on the gap back to Art and watched Trevor climb his way closer but I was still a few seconds in the clear at the end.

The grid for the second race was much the same but this time Trevor was pushing hard right from the start. I stayed in touch for a few laps, helped by the tow, but then had another moment exiting T4. This let Art through so had fun chasing him down. At one point we went side by side from T2 to T4. He was still in my mirrors on the last lap but he made a sharp left exiting one of the final turns, which let Jeff vulture the last podium spot.

Dallaras and modern F1 cars at the Ring next week, and then Indy at Interlagos.

PS Dave, Jeff wanted to pass along:

We've decided to add the L79 to the roster tonight. It doesn't fit in
really well with this group or the L49, so if anyone wants to give it a
try it's there.

Ring Formula results posted

Paul and I came away with the wins last night.

I tried the Lotus 79 for the first race. They must have dumbed it down because it was surprisingly easy to drive. I remember it being a real handful when it was first released. Fun drive but was about 30s off the pace. Jeff in the Williams was about 25mph faster on the long straight (in hindsight the L79 would have fit well with the prototypes and the HPD with the F1 cars). While was relatively incident free during practice and qualifying I clipped a curb on the 2nd lap that resulted on a 5 minute tow.

For the second race everyone drove the old Dallara. Art was chasing hard for the first half lap until he clipped a curb. Paul wasn't long catching up after starting at the back of the grid. He drafted by on the long straight, and there was almost enough room to draft back by but thought would save that move for the final lap. Turns out it wouldn't be needed as Paul clipped a barrier on the next lap, letting me buy. Thought he'd catch me again, but he must have had more issues as he was complaining the car didn't run right while upside down shortly after.

Interlagos Indy next week and then the formula car again at the Ring. Though if everyone wanted to try the L49 at the ring next I'd be up for that (I'm thinking a little extra time with the L49 wouldn't hurt).

Thanks. I'll look into it.

Interlagos Indy results posted.

Good fun last night. I was expecting lots of drafting but the cars were a little awkward in the slower corners so there wasn't a lot of passing. Art and Ryan squabbled over 2nd in the opening lap which let me out front. They disappeared after the first couple laps but John was a persistent 4-6 seconds back the entire race. Art emerged from the pits to keep me company. Randy did a good job to hold off Ryan at the end for the last podium spot.

Second race played out almost the same except Art stayed in place this time. There was about a 2-3 second gap back to Art the entire race. John got close to him a few times but don't think there were any passing attempts. Podium was covered by 5s at the end.

Formula cars again at the Ring next week then the Indy final at at Suzuka. I'll start out in the old Dallara next week at the Ring, unless a few want to try the L79.

There are at least 3 5 of us that are going to run the Lotus 49 at the Ring this week. Ok, will set the server withe the F1 cars, old dallara, L79 and L49. I'll be in the L49 with Art and Randy and anyone else with a taste for 4 wheel drifts and armco.

PS the MarkPickford setup seems to be relatively stable.

Is there a race tonight?

I've been using the schedule on page 9 of this thread which doesn't show a race for tonight but recent posts lead me to believe there is one.

Just wondering.

Thanks guys.

Yep, there is a race tonight (there is a error in the posted schedule) . The newer F1 cars, the older F1 cars (L49 and L79) and the old Dallara at the Ring. A bunch of us are taking the L49, but expect there will be much carnage.

Congrats to Ryan and Dave on the wins. Dave, try not to let all the fame and fortune that comes with a Regulars race win go to you head.

As expected there was a bit of carnage last night, but seems the winged cars gave as much as the L49. I managed a clean lap in both qualifying sessions but that's the only thing that went right for me last night. Had a tow in both races and to limped back to the pits a couple times besides. Jim and Randy had the right approach with a steady pace giving Jim a couple podiums and Randy two 4th places. John was smart enough to catch on to that for the 2nd race, picking up 2nd, but Art and I never quite grasped the concept.

We did sort out one of the mysteries with the session times last night. In the first race everyone came in before the 20 minute qualifying session ended, but the server still added about 9 minutes to the session time. After sitting watching our cars parked in the pit someone asked a question about fuel, and we noticed that when we went to the garage menu to check fuel in the setup the cars were removed from the pits. When the last car disappeared from the pits the session timer jumped to 0 and the session ended. We verified this in the second race were the cars were removed from the pit lane by going to the garage menu, and the session ended shortly after the pitlane was clear.

The last Indy race of the season at Suzuka next week. And then one more round of the F1 cars at the Ring wraps up the season. No plans for the summer season yet. Let us know if you have something in mind, or if you like to take a break until the Fall.