2024 WRL: COTA T+8+7 GP2
- Sean Suputra
- Dec 9, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 31, 2024
This is the third year to continue my COTA tradition! It was a hard earned weekend, working races for Mike throughout the year, but I felt prepared for this race and ready to have a working #racecation. Overall, this was one of the most fun weekends I have had in a while, containing most of the elements I love about racing. Something that made it particularly special was the amazing support from my family and friends and the opportunity for me to show them what this is all about. Personally, I had a good and clean driving weekend, starting both days in the wet...crazy but an awesome learning experience.
World Racing League
National Championship - COTA T+8+7
Circuit of the Americas - Austin, TX
December 6-8, 2024
Open Throttle Racing
GP2 Class - Car #168 "Artie"
'03 BMW Spec E46
| Race 1 - Saturday | Race 2 - Sunday |
Class || Overall | 11th || 52nd | 10th || 50th |
Starting Pos. | 16th of 18 | 13th of 18 |
Driver 1: | Sean Suputra | Sean Suputra |
Driver 2: | Tiger | Jeff Toewe |
Driver 3: | Nick | Tiger |
Driver 4: | Jeff Toewe | Sean Suputra |
Driver 5: | -- | Nick |
Driver 6: | -- | Sean Suputra |
TLDR (more below): | No ABS. No MAF. Overall did not have the pace. | Pit early to accommodate driver scheduling. |
Official Results: |
The Build Up
After VIR 24, I was determined to redeem myself from a strategy perspective. This meant preparation for driving and running strategy. I spent a lot of hours trading off between the simulator and the Race Management tool. I eventually found out that I would be driving and doing strategy for their new Spec E46, it's first race with Open Throttle.
Focus:
Did a bunch of laps so I should have more metal capacity to think about more things and in a sustainable manner. I also reached somewhat of a plateau in iRacing with the FR500S, the most similar to whatever I would be driving.
Ramp Up:
Since I know the track well, my ramp up should be better than usual.
Line:
Mainly thinking about gear selections in T3 to T9. I don't think I will use 2nd gear anywhere unless I am in a situation.
Driving Inputs:
Don't get into ABS.
WAIT on Throttle!
Traffic:
Use all that I've learned and look ahead and be patient. Get closer and make my presence known. Be more aggressive and clear with line.
Practice/Qualifying
Race 1 - Saturday 8 hour
Race 2 - Sunday 7 hour
Driving Analysis
Opportunities
Race Log
Have a full plan for pit stop events, like tire changes.
Race Engineer Google Sheets
Pay close attention to strategy all the way to the end of the race. Use both, computer and paper logs.
Supplemented with Bradley papers
Measure amount of fuel that goes in.
Updates to both logs are performed
Have place to record tire measurements through the day
Race Engineer Google Sheets
Team Walk Thru
Car Prep & Maintenance
Road Trip Tips
Vlogging
