#59 | Gateway Long | 1965 Mini Cooper S | COPA-B | AMS2 | V1.6

[@andy_east]

Not raced at gateway before, only TT’d here. I thought it suited the CopaB class really well. Produced a good race with varying strengths and weaknesses. I hope you enjoy it 👍 All the best Andy

[@ElShogoso]

Greetings from Brazil! Cool to see the brazillian cars being explored, those fiat unos are very iconic

[@andy_east]

Hello and welcome, It's a great series with a very good mix of cars. It's made even better when you have a circuit that has enough garages to host a multi-class race with the Copa FL class well. The speed differences are just about right for an enduro-style race. Hopefully, you'll see more of the other cars in the coming races. I'm looking to peg-back the other Mini a little further and bring the general AI skill up, so fingers crossed it should produce more exciting races with more cars in the mix. Thanks for watching and thanks for the support. All the best Andy

[@JohnLaban-z2s]

Hi Andy, just wanted to let you know i really enjoy what you do and post up for us. It took the algorithm a while to point me to you and then to be fair it took me a couple of visits to realise the quality of what you do. I really enjoy how you wring all the fun and depth out of AMS2 that it has to offer. Your 70 odd subscribers is a travesty to be frank, but part of your appeal to me is the low-key expertise you bring to the table, and sadly this just isn't compatible with what's needed to attract clicks. No accounting for the algorithm, and the herd it so effectively shepherds! I've learnt a lot from you, not least to be more respectful of the AI drivers (I only play offline). FYI I'm spending my time in the RS1600 escort. I love it - on paper very similar to the Copa B cars, but in reality stickier tyres, so quite a bit racier through the corners. Anyway, all the best, and I'll push on with your back catalogue of content! Johnny.

[@andy_east]

Hi Johnny, Thanks for the message, I do appreciate that. Nail-and-head on the algorithm, but it's fine by me. I am far too narrow and obscure in my subject to get picked up by a broad audience. I could race GT3's over multiple games and platforms and try to get clicks that way... but then I'd have to drive cars that don't really interest me and also do so in an environment that would not be as enjoyable to me. I suspect I'd also need to change my personality to be much more flamboyant to really increase the audience further. I'm definitely one of those people where the saying "I like what I know, and I know what I like" applies haha! I saw the Escorts on Owen Evans' channel, they look great. It's such a brilliant era for racing where new ideas created quantum leaps in performance. It must have been very special to be around the racing/development scene back in those days... hard work, but special. I haven't downloaded them, but they would make a good addition to a multi-class race. One for another day, maybe. Anyway, I'm glad that you're enjoying the channel, that's more than enough for me. I really do appreciate you taking the time to say so as well. All the best Andy

[@mxracinguy5993]

Hi Andy, is the second place finisher your evil twin? I mean, it's gotta be, seeing how there are only two British flags among all those green/yellow/blue ones. If so then prepare to be slapped around since you stole his top podium with him starting in the pole and all.

[@andy_east]

He can’t be my evil twin for a few reasons: 1) He’s not my twin (fairly critical criteria) 2) He doesn’t have an evil moustache 3) He doesn’t wear a black leather jacket Also, my mum wouldn’t be happy if she’d found out that he’d slapped her favourite child.

[@mxracinguy5993]

@@andy_east Favourite? Oh man, you better hope your brothers/sisters don't see this message, or it'll be an unpleasant Thanksgiving dinner. Isn't it odd how the random bots found a name and flag that matches you perfectly. What are the odds of this happening? I'd play the lotto tonight if I were you, there could be some good karma coming your way.

[@Justmeeeeeeeeeeee]

Happy New Year fella. Thanks for all the fun and excitment last year, and looking forward to more chaotic moments this year. Learned alot from you, needless to say, the other night, i managed to get a 1:40 at laguna seca in mx5 cup race 🤪 well happy, as it was only couple months ago i was strugglin to get below 1:50. Its funny how walls always seem to pop up with relation to lap times, was stuck at 1:42 for ages, then one simple setup change and a little different mindset and hey presto. It will be interesting to see you work with the JCW again after yr time in this mini, see if theres improvement as with what you mentioned about the JCW hiding some skill issues compared to this mini some time ago. Thanks for all info, guidance and inspiration. Much respect ❤

[@andy_east]

Happy New Year, it's been a while. Nice to hear from you. 😊 Yeah, those pesky mental-block walls do tend to crop up at the most inconvenient times, don't they! The nice thing is that the answer is nearly always a logical one, and once you do work it out you often wonder why it took you so long. The joys of racing haha! Laguna Seca is a funny circuit for me... a bit like Donington Park... I found I had to drive the circuit and not attack it. Give the car just a little more time to settle on the apex before getting back onto the throttle. Before I realised that, I found it quite frustrating... but when I started doing that it was a completely different (and very enjoyable) experience. I'd like to get back into the JCW but it's going to be a little while. I'll get the Force Feedback video finalised, then do the Copa-B Mini set-up video and then I'll look to jump back into the JCW and give that some time again. All the best and thanks for the continued support Andy

[@Justmeeeeeeeeeeee]

@@andy_east just trying to practice....."not spamming the comments just to feel noticed" 🤣👍 Yes totally agree, laguna seca is a pain in the rear lol, but yeah, learning alot from it as it is deffianately a "drive it" type track", and when someone mentioned "you dont need to break as hard as you think" its deffinately been easier to race, as opposed to say Brand Hatch where i feel i can push harder and reap rewards. I was getting very frustrated for a while as anything less than 1.42s means a poor finish. People managing 1.38s tho, so still room to improve. But as you mentioned, i am enjoying it again. Anyways, assetto corsa evo doesnt look too promising, so eagely awaiting a new job so i can join the AMS2 crew. Above all, the ai just always looks amazing and competitive. Peace for now bud 👍

[@andy_east]

If you have a question, feel free to ask it here. You'll not be viewed as Spamming if all you are looking for is an answer to a question you have... Well, so long as it's relevant to the subject, anyway haha! From the little I have read about it, AC Evo seems to be filling the void of a different playing experience to what AMS2 covers. In many ways, AMS2 does its best to cover a range of interests, from vintage racing to GT Racing to the more obscure series', like the COPA Classes... (well, they're obscure to the European's, but to South American's they are regular series'). It's one of the reasons I don't play anything else other than AMS2, I really like that it's not filled with just the usual famous circuits and cars. I'd of never even have known about the Velo Citta, or Curitiba or Cascavel circuits (to name just a few, and there are many-many more) without AMS2. This alone, to me at least, makes it special. Personally, I enjoy how the AI in AMS2 Races, but if you trawl through the Reiza Forums, you'll see people who don't feel the same. It's difficult to know quite why that is, as there are so many variables, not least the human in the seat. AMS2 isn't perfect, Reiza know that and they are working very hard to make it as perfect as they possibly can. For every person that loves it, you'll find 10 that prefer something else, I'm sure. It's horses for courses I'd say, as with all things in life. As a community, we are spoiled for choice for Racing Simulations. None of them are really any better than the other, it's simply a matter of which one suits your preferences the best. GrandPrix2, GrandPrix3, GT7, AC, ACC, AC Evo, RaceRoom, iRacing, AMS2... who cares? Does the game you are playing make you smile? - No... Then maybe it's time to try something else - Yes... That's awesome, because that's what it's all about.

[@Justmeeeeeeeeeeee]

@andy_east wow, i couldnt have summed the racing sim genre as well as you have just there 👍 makes me think im expecting too much from assetto now. Also.....im single, lonely, depressed and worse......out of work 🤣 way too much time right now to chat about anything and spend ages summing up my thoughts, when its not really needed lol. That aside, with AC, i find theres just soooooo much missed opitunity with respect to online racing and the modding community. The amount of absolute classic 80s and 90s cars ive downloaded over past few months, and not one of them is catered for online in AC, suppose i just feel a bit let down by it all. The game itself, when in a good online race with other capable drivers, can get astonishingly good and fun, esspecially moments like 2 wide through the corckscrew at laguna with someone who knows how to take a different line to ensure you both get through.....sometimes i just burst into lafter at just how mental fun it can be at times, win or loose. For me racing is not about the no1 spot podium finish, but just like seeing you smile from ear to ear from a really close race but not acctually winning, its about the journey and the adrenalin you get from good close racing. Maybe if i had spare cash i could invest a bit of time into making a server that does cater for older classics, im 47 and did mechanics at Perrys Ford after school in mid 90s, just when the escort cossie came out. We used to PDI new cossies before sending them to the customer, and the mondeo st's. My first car was an Orion A reg with spotlights an rs spoiler and pepperpot alloys 😜 with the obligatory big sub in the boot, baseball cap on backwards and jungle blasting out the speakers 🤣 I guess im just a Max Power/Fast Ford guy lol. AC at moment online just seems to be full of either GT's on the standard spa or monza, or the mx5s on laguna or brands hatch.......and the level of driving skill.....well, im sure you know the score there lol. We all start somewhere, but id rather finish last without smashing people off track than try and shoot for first and ruining everyones race. The biggest rush is making through a pile up without getting shunted and going from last to top 5 in one corner haha. But when online isnt fun, AC ai is just not competitive for myself......guess ive improved alot recently 😍 And i see so much good with ams2 ai right now, agreed AC is old platform now, but evo doesnt look like its attacking the right points for me......there goes that grumpy depressed side again 🤣 hating the world coz im not being productive lol. 🤦‍♂️ Anyways, im glad you said it the way you did. Yes AC has some special moments, but i think ams2 is catering for that particular itch i have right now. Call me grumpy, but i think diversity and options is what makes a really good game, it doesnt have to be AAA standard. Anyways, im waffleing 🤣 Yeah, maybe i just need a different avenue to persue, and fingers crossed something comes my way with work very soon....couple things in pipeline 🤞 Then i can persue a new wheel, maybe build me a rig, and not have to sit in a swivel chair in an ergonomically wrong driving position haha. But yeah, im trying not to just type my thoughts to everything i see, coz its too easy to moan and complain nowadays.....cough cough thank you Starmer 🤣 Heres looking positively to the future anyways. Ive learned so much about taking my real world street burnout skills to the track (albeit virtually) and im luving it! The discipline and control of ones skill, going slower to be quicker, understeering and actually straightening the steering to catch grip and turn again while heading to the barrier.....all amazing things i dare not do in real world as there is no reset and continue lol. Its thanks to people like yrself, gplaps, broadbent, to name just a couple of people that have reignited my passion for driving. Now just need to find some good old 80s/90s racing and id be set just fine 🤗

[@Justmeeeeeeeeeeee]

@andy_east to sum it up.... AC does make me smile.....awesome But it also pisses me off.....not so awesome. I guess its like having a woman in my life 🤣🤣