Review 2013

From JDANKERT to JDRT to JDR

“Winning has nothing to do with winning. Most days don’t have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up.” Amby Burfoot

As I did 2012, I do it 2013. I write a personal review of my racing year 2013 to share some memories. Let’s start with what I wrote at the end of 2012: "For me is 2013 a year of training and developing more driving skills. If I will save enough money, I will buy a new wheel. This is my goal for 2013. I want to optimize my racing setup."

Well, a new wheel was not possible, as you all know. I think it would improve my times, because using that cheap plastic non force feedback wheel, gives no physical hints. All I can use are my eyes and ears. For the ears I use a headset - gifted from MapoUK in 2012 - and for my eyes I bought a new monitor and optimized my setup in my home office. It helped a little to become faster, but the wheel is again on my list, but this time for 2014. I want to buy one for racing with the xbox360 and my pc. And with a little luck for a new “old” playstation 3. Time will tell and the wife will give her okay or she will not.

In January I still was celebrating my first podium from 23rd December. In one of the last races of the MX 5 Playboy Cup - it was at Infineon - for the first time I finished as third and got a virtual trophy from Church. This one I printed and placed it beside my monitor. It motivated me for many weeks and this motivation was very necessary.

For weeks I trained and raced, but never ever finished somewhere near the podium. One car I loved to race was a Porsche 911 for a Porsche Supercup.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/11653671426_3f41d9f798.jpg[/img]

Even if I only made two races I felt in love with this car. May be and in 2014 a new series will bring the chance for me to race it again. A new Porsche Supercup and may be I have a name for it: Sean Edwards Trophy. A young, talented and fast racer, who died in October. He was on his way to win the Porsche Supercup. One of the losses of 2013.

Good racing is not depending on used cars. There can be fun in racing not a extremely horse powered car. The Atlantic Yaris Cup, which ended in February, was a good example for that statement. Close racing in a funny little car with great guys. Months later the Supermini Series was opened and again that statement was proved right. It was so much fun to race those little “go-karts”, that at 5th January 2014 a one/off event will be held. With the same cars and on well known tracks. I expect much entertainment.

[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/11653160053_dd1ed49418.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/11653265084_3f9dc31142.jpg[/img]

For me those races with “slower” race cars were great lessons in racing with others. First I learned to stay with the pack and afterwards I developed some defensive racing skills. For 2014 I want to improve my overtaking skills!

In February my until now most beloved series started. In real life racing this series is much, much more entertaining, than the German Touringcar Masters ”DTM”. For me it is not easy to follow that series, because I am living in Germany and here not a single TV station presents the BTCC. Sometimes I find secret ways via the net to watch. I hope that will be possible for me in 2014, because I expect a great season.

The virtual BTCC 2013, in which I selected a Lexus IS 300 - of course a RWD, which is my favourite -, was great. It was my plan that this series should be my first whole racing series. That worked out, but it was a tough experience.

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/11652901035_990e4f1a71.jpg[/img]

In some races I was bumped from behind and even if I knew, that this was sometimes because of my fast braking and slow driving, I was angry. Not every bump was with intention, but not all were race incidents either. My anger showed on the back of my car.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/11653263684_0b4bfc3520.jpg[/img]

I knew it then and learned it afterwards the hard way: They cannot bump you, if you are fast enough! If someone does, you are too slow!

The BTCC was superb. Two full rooms. One with aliens and one with pros, midfield racers, slow ones and me. Many different cars and a handicap system. First I felt sorry for leaving those drag tyres (EUSL IV) behind, because that made races more realistic due to the necessary pit stops. But with three sprint races on a Sunday, that format was great for me.

I had two special liveries during this series.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/11653668896_d504b1b263.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/11653156833_6dee89b2d9.jpg[/img]

This long series lasted until April. In March at Sebring I reached my first second place ever, but this series had a even bigger event for me in store.  In the last race I finished in two from three races as FIRST! Wow, I was happy and even if some race circumstances helped me - in one race was a big crash behind me (Nurburgring) and I suddenly had air to breath - I was proud.

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/11653262174_3a723aeae9.jpg[/img]

My preview for 2013 was: “Often I will have to leave my home on Sunday. I want to make as much races as possible, but I won’t do it in a racing team. It is necessary for me to be flexible and mobile, so if I am online I will compete. I am a privateer, who won’t be able to do a whole racing series. Maybe that is possible 2014.“

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/11652897885_2e3a1266f0.jpg[/img]

That all changed in March. In preparation of a new series “Seat Leon Super Cup” a racing team shown up in the forums.

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/11653667066_0efdf88691.jpg[/img]

After that first many others were founded. Team Vodafone, PistonHeads, DBBQ, FMMotorsport. There were privateers, but suddenly I had a idea. Wednesday, 27th March I posted my first press statement about missing a race and with a hint of talks with another privateer. JDRT was founded a few days later.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/11653666826_773bee8525.jpg[/img]

It was a great time of creativity. Press releases were written and many liveries from all teams were built. And the team competition in the championship was sometimes “hard”. One team made a one, two and three. Pistonheads.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3776/11652896245_20d83caab0.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/11653259584_1ec489b9e4.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/11653258854_1ef0a0e481.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/11652894655_76dd5a804b.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/11653662996_e87caee2df.jpg[/img]

Writing this review was fun for me, because I read those old press statements in the forum. The thread about the Seat Leon Super Cup contains most of them.

As driver - this is more important for me, even if I am a very serious team owner - I managed my first ever first place in this Seat Leon. It was 7th April and it happened at the Nurburgring. And it happened because one other driver - GRD4L - acted as gentleman. It was the last lap and he overtook me in a not clean manner, but he gave me the position back! That is my reason  for loving our community - 2o4f -. Clean, fair and space giving racing.

[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/11653256494_7d5449f81e.jpg[/img]

I finished in 8th place overall and was very happy with my development as racing driver, but real life had other plans than to make more progress in racing. Many weeks I had no chance to drive a single race or training session.

But in my rare free time I thought about my racing team. I started a blog, wrote some press statements and had fun. There were team vans too.

[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/11653255964_d1be6130bf.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/11652891195_36865556d7.jpg[/img]

In my free time I sometimes had a chance to watch some races. I want to thank brntguy for making those great video captures in 2013. He even streamed races live via the net. For me it was a highlight to see me racing in a film. I hope he will do this in 2014 too.

In August I came back. For the DTM with “my” Audi.

[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/11653657906_c5bd9cb4cd.jpg[/img]

The first race was a real experience. 25 laps at Le Mans. I survived with neck and back problems. In the end I was 4th from 5 racers, who had the courage to start in this event. This race was somehow a virus for me. Since that I love endurance racing, because of the challenge to finish.

Later there were V8 Supercars Endurance races and all of them were massive fun. I am very sorry, that I could not take part in the last one - 29th December. There was a Xbox Live issue, I lagged and I was not able to hear anyone. So I left the race, because I did not want to ruin anyone others.

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/11653251124_6008fbc845.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/11653144623_7e573af7b4.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/11653249584_ec0e83a882.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/11653142293_c7fd06fb92.jpg[/img]

It is fun to finish a endurance race. There is no fun in being overtaken two or three times by the leaders, but as I will be faster, they won’t do that again. Wait. Faster is the wrong aspect. I need to be more consistent in my times. Too many mistakes and bad laps are in total “Hello again” from those “Aliens”.

During the DTM was one race at “The Ring”. After many months of not racing that track, now I found the beauty and the pure joy to race that track. I took many laps in different cars and if there is time, I regulary go back and race the “Green Hell”.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/11653140793_58d36a0977.jpg[/img]

My last 1st place was at 18th August in a MX 5 Cup race. Sounds good “the last”, but okay I tell you the truth. It was a race from only three drivers. And yes it was my fourth 1st place. To step onto the podium is for me always a great emotional experience.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/11653650616_0d5b4a71b2.jpg[/img]

The Global Icon Series gave me the opportunity to race again in a Porsche 911. This one was my childhood’s dream car. I only could make two races.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/11652880515_e96f17fa4d.jpg[/img]

In 2012 I said: „Somewhere in future I will win my first race. After that I will try harder to get the first championship. And then…….. I’ll go back to the roots. Simple, clean and fair racing with some great guys. That’s it!“ Now nearly two years later I have achieved the first part. Now I will go for a championship.

The same did Steviegers this year. He was BTCC 2013 room B champion and made it again in the BTCC 2013 Season II. He won the Jack Sears Trophy. Second title in row. Gratulation for that.

That BTCC 2013 Season II was for me the best series ever. Top organization (CProRacing), top host for room B (Skiwi), top competitors (too many to write), top races on different tracks and my top racing car ever: Audi S4.

[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/11653138243_901fefacfa.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/11652878445_acb5afe608.jpg[/img]

As I knew all tracks for this series I made my self a trainingsplan. I raced each track regulary with my trainingcar, noted the times and was able to improve very much.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/11652877065_6124ecd06d.jpg[/img]

Since June 2012 I try to note each lap time from races and trainingsraces on each track. For now my excel sheet contains 1501 rows and I have personal reference times. I can see that my times are getting better, but not as fast as I want to. So I will have to get more seat time in 2014.

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/11653643526_5fe39df5a9.jpg[/img]

My racing in BTCC 2013 Season II was okay. I finished 8th overall, but I had only three podiums in 30 races. And no win, but I am satisfied with my development.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/11653642066_84961a6944.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/11653640566_47e1872f2a.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/11652870365_af646ef7b9.jpg[/img]

I wish a new BTCC for next year. Again with two full rooms and such great and fair racing in room B. Room A is known for hard and sometimes extremly hard racing. There were some incidents and one driver left. He changed to room B just for the fun of racing.

This is something I think we - 2o4f - have to work on. The race stewards this year had work to do. There happened some incidents and finally all were solved without anger, but we all have to respect track limits more. For me it is always a goal to have finally one clean lap in a race. The discussion wether simulation damage should be on or off is ongoing, but for me that would make our racing much more realistic.

I am fan of realistic racing. So I go the hard way and shut down all assists. Even with high PI cars I raced without TCS, but now at the end of this year I must admit, that I am a little bit faster with TCS. My pedals are not sensitiv enough to handle the throttle good enough. And my braking is also something, which have to be improved.

The last two series, which started in 2013, were: Super GT ( I am in the GT 300 class) and Peugeot 207 Supercup. Both series are well organized and there is much fun in them.

[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/11653232524_ce7652d358.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/11653126073_16643a42e1.jpg[/img]

I love the 207. It is a very driveable AWD and the racing is close. After the race in Catalunya one of the fastest aliens - HLR King Cobra - gave me some tipps due to my driving style. And he was not the only one, who helped me to become faster. I am very thankfull for all support from so many different guys. Some examples: Snoop for trainingraces. GRD4L for testing. Max for tunes.

This support and will from each member to help the “younger” ones is faszinating and I think we are unique in the whole sim racing community. Our composition young-old, America-Canada-Britain-Europe, experienced-unexperienced,…. is great. I am proud to be a member of it.

And now …………….. 2014

As I wrote above I founded the J Dankert Racing Team in March. Now, after signing all former drivers - Church, Mapo, Antz, Stevie - and new drivers - Sim, Jorm, Rabbit - the team will make the next step to professionalism and to more wins in 2014.

We change from the shortcut JDRT to a simple 3-character shortcut: JDR, aka Joerg Dankert Racing. The team is our core value and our origin for founding and coming together. Team is the most used word in our mission statement text.

[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2868/11653124713_62542e7966.jpg[/img]

A corporate identity must be simple and clear to be a brand. So I changed the shortcut. More corporate identity facts are in working progress and will be anounced later. The blog will play an important role.

After racing better, becoming faster and win races to manage JDR is my second goal for 2014. I want to built up a team for different plattforms. To help each other with tunes, tipps, liveries, trainings,…… is my motivation. “Each other” means different individuals and personalities, who can follow our set of values and rules.

[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/11653122613_04d90eb376.jpg[/img]

I am proud team owner or boss, as some of my drivers say, and I am sure we will achieve our goals.

There is one more personal goal for me in 2014. I want to learn to tune a car. I made my first small steps and begin to understand. Somewhere in 2014 I will race in my first totally alone built and tuned car.

And finally: This is all about FUN! Life is too short for being old, for not playing games and for not racing. Come on guys: “Reach for more!”

Additional text:

As I had wrote my last sentence, I got the news about Michael Schumacher. So our slogan now have another and very serious meaning: I wish and pray for a Michael Schumacher who wants to “reach for more”. Whatever the consequences from his injuries will be.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3711/11653122223_ed1de7078e.jpg[/img]