Generic Weekly Hotlap Challenge 215 – Less is more, with Asian fusion

Welcome to the Weekly Hotlap Challenge 215 - Less is more, with Asian fusion
Featuring Assetto Corsa and Assetto Corsa Competizione challenges.


Assetto Corsa Hotlap:
Car: Lotus 3-Eleven
Track: Vallelunga


We haven’t used one of these nutcase (track only road car) cars for a while, or recently been at the Vallelunga circuit, the home of Kunos, so WHC 215 almost picks itself.

And having driven big beasts for the last couple of weeks, this week you’ll find the difference from behind the wheel is amazing!

The nutcase is the “Race Car” version of the Lotus 3-Eleven. Lotus produces a “Road Car” version with no boot and a six speed manual transmission. The Race Car version, which we enjoy, has a six speed paddle-shift sequential (my shifter has not yet returned ,) a touch more power, some carbon fibre bits and an LSD.
The 3-Eleven is powered by a supercharged version of Toyota's Dual VVTi-i, 3.5-litre V6, similar to the motor in the Evora, which together with the featherweight chassis results in more than 500bhp per ton.

Automotive manufacturer marketing departments often deliver horrendous guff and despite excellent heritage, Lotus is one of the experts:
"Designed as an uncompromised manifestation of the Lotus spirit, the car is focused on providing an undiluted driving experience, and underlines the company’s ability to deliver legendary handling and blistering speed" say Lotus.

Despite its brilliant cars, Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious has always had a huge value-for-money problem and the 3-Eleven doesn’t disappoint. Oh no. For a Toyota V6, four wheels, a seat, a gearbox, chassis and clip on fibreglass body, in the UK, you are charged a completely astonishing £116,500 (including tax.) But if you want the carbon fibre lid add £2000, and the green and yellow livery shown above is an extra £3500.

Caterham’s 620R has 580bhp/ton and is £67,500 less.

Colin Chapman advised “simplify and add lightness,” so perhaps “Less Is More” should be the Lotus motto. As in, you get less, for more.


AC Tyres and Fastest Lap:
Recommended operating pressures:
Hypercar Trofeo - 30 psi all round
Hypercar Road - Front: 30 psi - Rear: 31 psi
Fastest Lap: 1:34.326 set at the end of March last year by GoodGame.ExistenZ
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Assetto Corsa Competizione 10 mins Hotstint
Car: AMR V8 Vantage GT3
Track: Suzuka
Weather: Clear

This week is a fusion of the best of Britain and Japan.
The new Vantage GT3 is based on the road car and powered by the same Mercedes 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine, optimised by Aston Martin Racing, then de-optimised by the FIA regs.

In only its third competitive outing, following races in the Nürburgring Nordschleife-based VLN series and the Abu Dhabi 12 Hours last year, the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 took its debut win at Suzuka, in the opening round of the GT3 Super Taikyu series.
It will be interesting to see how Aston’s new owner, Lawrence Sheldon Strulovitch, best known as Lawrence Stroll develops the brand. There is talk of a customer Vantage GT3 in DTM, Sebastian Vettel now drives for the Aston Martin F1 team, but very, very sadly, yesterday they cancelled the Le Mans “Hyper” Class Valkyrie entry due to the cash crisis. That leaves Toyota as the only entrant in the new Class. Here’s what we will miss:

Maybe next year.


Recommended Tyre Pressures:
Ideal GT3 dry slick operating pressures are between 27.4 psi and 28.0 psi


☆☆PLEASE NOTE: WHC 214 IS STILL OPEN UNTIL 18:00 (GMT+1) TOMORROW. ☆☆
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How to take part:
*Assetto Corsa Hotlaps Challenge*
To enter the Assetto Corsa Hotlap Challenge, select Hotlap, choose the Lotus 3-Eleven and the Vallelunga Circuit. Please setup the session as follows:
Mode: Hotlap / Ambient Temp: FREE / Time of day: Free / Controller: Free / Assists: Free / Stability: Free.

*Assetto Corsa Competizione 10mins Hotstint*
1. Car: AMR V8 Vantage GT3
2. Challenge type: Hot Stint - 10 mins
3. Time of day: 18:00
4. Track: Suzuka
5. Weather: Clear
6. Dynamic Weather: Disabled
7. Cloud: n/a
8. Ave Temp: n/a
9. Grip level: Optimum
10. Wetness: n/a
The screen shot required to enter your time is in Timetables at the end of the session.
Realism and Assist Settings are up to you. Ideally, please use PRO

POSTING FORMAT:
For ease of admin, please use the following format to post your times to be included on the leader boards:
* Improvement (Only required if you have already posted a time)
* Challenge – AC or ACC
* Your name (as you would like it to appear on the leaderboard)
* Your time - shown as x.xx.xxx.
* Number of laps - ACC Hotstint
* Your platform (PC Xb1 PS4)
* Screen shot showing your time.
(Optional but in the spirit) Your thoughts or any comment.
Please post video clips and share information here as well.

To submit a time, pause the game and select 'session' from the menu and screenshot this page or take a photo of your screen and post it in this thread - Note all the information from the screen is required including temperature, lap mode, weather and of course the car being used!
You can run as many laps as you can manage and update your times as often as you like. It is all about taking part, pushing yourself and enjoying Assetto Corsa and Competizione. All Platforms are welcome.


Deadline: Sunday 28th February 2021
Chequered Flag will drop shortly before 6pm.

 

I'll make a start
Lotus are great cars and the 3-Eleven has almost GT3 performance, it's insane : )

AC
GoodGame.eXistenZ
PC
1:33:825

 

ACC
Mike Reynolds
10:20:631
5 laps
PC

It's a 10 min hotstint BTW

 

AC
Emmanuel Tubbiolo
1.36.550
Xbox

Couldn't bit my time on the Pagani last night so I started early for this week. Also because I am expecting ACC early next week... I know there is mix feelings about it on console but I sawxit passing bye for €20 so couldn't resist. Have to try. I have cravings for races lately so I tried an online on AC and it was a desaster. Ending up chasing a couple of guys for revenge... impossible to do a proper race in peace. I have hope with ACC but maybe it's going to be the same.

 

AC
Totall Wrytoff
1.36.707
PS4

Nice opening laps this week!
My first few laps were 1.39s, but less is more in sector 3 and I still haven't got T1 right.

 

I completely agree, but would you buy one?

Here is this weeks conversation topic!

If you had a budget of £120k for a track machine, would you buy the 3-Eleven, for £120,000?
If not, what would you choose? You can keep the change....


I would get the Caterham 420 with all the trimmings, the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and still have £60k to spend on a motorhome with trailer.

 

Excited for this

 

I almost bought a Elise 250 Cup last year Drove it - loved it. Not many cars can beat it for that price.
Unfortunately my life plans have changed a bit - you know a house and that sort. So for now I am saving all I can and tbh sim racing is just sooo much cheaper... Spending 60k on a car that you drive a few times a year is quite a big investment. But who knows ; )
For 120.00 I think I would choose a Honda NSX Type R! : )

 

Great!
Can we see those back to back lap times this week then?

Interesting and quality choice! Senna did the set up for you.

 

Improvement
AC
Totall Wrytoff
1.36.523
PS4

Va bene. I'm trying hard.

 

I'll do my best to get some back to backs for sure!!!

 

AC
Jimmy_3226
1:39.662
PS4

This is such a joy to drive after the Pagani, but unlike T_W I am still stuck in the 1:39's. On the subject of speaking Italian in our comments:

£120k on a track machine? An old Aprilia RSV1000R Factory. Plus a mechanic and a van full of spare parts...

 

Nice choice too! Hope your mechanic is attractive.

BTW @Jamieandhismagictorch - Il consiglio è: your track grip level is only 98%, probably costing you at least 3 secs.

 

Improvement
AC
Totall Wrytoff
1.36.237
PS4

The best of the Sunday evening session.

 

Improvement
AC
Jimmy_3226
1:37.738
PS4

I am grinding away; an extra 2% track grip meant only an extra 1.924 seconds in my case!

 

AC
BenBB
1:34:788
PC

Previous WHC's discussion made me reconsider my setup, and after a lot of explaining ("you understand, it's SO much more convenient for work"), I bought a 32" screen in 21/9 format. Really happy with the result, and the fact that this week's challenge features a roofless car makes it even more enjoyable

Pushed quite hard already, now I'd be curious to see GGE's setup & lap for this combo !
And why is everyone running at 20+ degrees ?

 

Sure it is not a 34" screen?
Anyway, my jump from a standard 16:9 to 21:9 was highly appreciated. Congrats!

20° works really well with the hypercars tyres. The benefit from lower ambient temps is not that great. Try it out yourself. 10° vs 20° and post your results

 

Improvement
AC
BenBB
1:34:663
PC

Slight improvement, still using 10° setup. Higher rear wing to attack a bit more the corners
Tried 20° for quite some time, but couldn't make it work. Don't really know why, but it definitely required minor adjustments (like shorter braking distance) compared to the reference points I got used to... And the fact that hundreths tend to drift away in straights was driving me nuts
And yes, my bad, it's a 34" indeed !

 

AC
Laughing Gravy
1.39.438
PS4

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

Im here for the back to back.

Im also learning the car and track so bear with me.

Starting on PS4.

ACC
SlowGrayAudi
5 laps
10:26.376
PS4

Best lap 2:04.527.

Took a bit to get the rear end under control. Car can handle lots of rear camber and toe for stability.

Playing on PS4 feels sluggish and "off"

Due to the frame pacing issues im sure. Not having a locked stable frame rate is not great.

Now that i realized how much better the game can play its hard doing this challenge on ps4 lol.