Any interest in a Kart Series on custom tracks?

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Johnnypenso

Johnnypenso

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Johnnypenso
I'm just throwing this out there to see if anyone is interested and if I get enough interest I'll throw something together. I love the karts in GT5 (125 shifters in the next update please!) , used to race karts when I was a kid, but the tracks available for racing them in GT5 aren't exactly kart tracks. It's fun going wide open for a while, and drafting to finish but it definitely wears thin over time. I haven't raced the kart for a few weeks now because of that.

So since the update came out I've monkeyed around making some kart tracks and I think I've come up with some much more realistic tracks 1-2 km in length with around 40-70 second lap times. You get a long front straight usually and a shorter back straight, some fast esses, a tight hairpin or two (60 km/h), and a good run up to the finish line to promote some exciting finishes. They aren't tracks you are going to learn in 1 lap because you've driven them in a car already 100 times but they will definitely separate the men from the boys as far as driving skills go. You can download friends tracks from their profile I believe so everyone can have and practice on the same tracks.

I've eliminated the random bumps throwing the karts sideways, but in the course designer there are always random elevation changes and it's hard to make one without 1 turn that is at the peak of a slope and you lose traction. However, it is predictable and you will only spin if you go too fast, same as any other corner.

If you're interested in what would likely be a series on weeknights just drop a line here and if there's enough interest maybe we can get something going.
 
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Depending on the time and day I might be interested. Been looking for another series to join.
 
I've been waiting for something like this since the update came out and was considering setting one up myself. I love the karts but so many of the standard GT5 tracks have random bumps that toss the karts all over. Frustrating.

I played around with the course maker the other night and ended up with a great kart track that has no bumps at all and lots of great elements for exciting kart racing. It rekindled my love for the karts!! I'm in Indiana and we should be on similar times, so depending on what time/day I'd probably be interested.

Do you have any other thoughts for the league, like qualifying format, race length, pitstops, etc.? I'm in another league where a lot of different ideas and methods have been used, some worked well and some didn't. I'd gladly offer any insight I could.


Brandon
 
Count me in, either way we can still race in other tracks with other cars as well, dont you?

Let me know for details and I will add you as a friend.

A big Hug.

Eager Snake.
 
Maybe if we can get a few more people and if the time works.
I need this to prepare for the real karting season. :D
 
see below...tried to edit, didn't work...lol
 
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StigsHero
I've been waiting for something like this since the update came out and was considering setting one up myself. I love the karts but so many of the standard GT5 tracks have random bumps that toss the karts all over. Frustrating.

I played around with the course maker the other night and ended up with a great kart track that has no bumps at all and lots of great elements for exciting kart racing. It rekindled my love for the karts!! I'm in Indiana and we should be on similar times, so depending on what time/day I'd probably be interested.

Do you have any other thoughts for the league, like qualifying format, race length, pitstops, etc.? I'm in another league where a lot of different ideas and methods have been used, some worked well and some didn't. I'd gladly offer any insight I could.


Brandon
Click to expand...

Hey Brandon, thanks for the input. We could test out your track if you like and include it in the mix. I haven't really thought this out beyond finding out if there is any interest but a few things come to mind just off the top of my head.

1. I'd like to keep the whole thing under an hour and stick to a rigid schedule. Room open at a certain time, qualifying closing at a certain time. Everyone will know well in advance and I'm not one for inconveniencing everyone that showed up on time for the 1 or 2 guys that were late. If you're late you can always start at the back in the first heat or if later than that, you'll start at the front of the second heat.

2 I'd like to do a couple of heats and a final format but since it doesn't work too well on GT5 to set that up I think we'd be looking at something like qualifying for 15 minutes or so, a short break then a couple of 15 lap mains, possibly with a reverse grid for the second round. 15 laps is around 12-18 minutes on most of the tracks and allows enough time to chase someone down if you can, without having to crash everyone out in the first corner to do it. On most of the tracks I've designed, there's a good run before the first corner, allowing everyone to get a bit sorted out and hopefully reduce the first corner accidents. There's also a good run up to the finish line allowing lots of opportunities to pass up to the flag if you are the following kart. Just time it right so you don't get repassed in the draft!!

3. A clear code of racing guidelines would help. One thing I've noticed online in a lot of rooms, at least the non-league rooms, and in my opinion is the cause of most accidents is who has the right of way and when. In my opinion, the lead kart has the right of way to the racing line unless and if the trailing kart can make a pass before the corner entry that puts him in the sight of the leading kart. Getting your front tires in front of the leading kart's rear tires and having him turn into you is the fault of the trailing kart pure and simple. In other words no divebombing and if you can't pass clean, then don't do so. I will be more than happy to record and review replays and we could determine appropriate penalties ahead of time.

4 I don't think I'd be up for pitstops. Karts, these types of karts anyway, are sprint machines, designed to carry enough fuel and have enough tire to run 10-20 laps easily without pitting. Perhaps at some point we could have a karting enduro and include pitstops but not at this point.

5. I can do a spreadsheet of course for tracking points but I don't know how to do some of the fancy graphics I see on here so don't expect anything too elaborate...lol.

6. First time out, I'd do a short series of races, perhaps 4 races, counting your best three finishes, allowing you to miss one race without harm, because we're all busy and have lives outside of PS3 and can't necessarily make every race.

Gogatrs, What kind of kart do you race? I started out in four stroke Hondas at was the largest track in the world at the time in Whitby, Ontario, 2.5 miles I recall, although we only used a portion of it. I moved to what was then called 100 cc National, 100cc direct drive karts, European motors like Parilla, DAP, Komet etc and that was a blast. I raced in the first Professional Series here in Ontario, in the Nationals and twice in the North American Championships, losing one time to Scott Goodyear of Indycar and then announcing fame. Most fun you can have on four wheels in my opinion...lol.
 
Later tonight when I get home, I'll put one of the new tracks on my profile, so if you're interested, send me a friend request to the PSN to the left (don't ask) and then you can download and run a few laps on the track to see if it interests you and put some feedback on here so everyone can see it, good or bad.
 
I am very interested. I was just thinking the last night how I would like to get a good kart series going. I'm very interested, keep us posted
 
Better late than never but I've posted up a track I think would work for this. Feel free to add me, PSN to the left and download the track thru the community area. I'm taking off for the weekend tomorrow afternoon so any friend requests I get before that I'll accept, any after will have to wait until Sunday night/Monday morning.
 
Johnny, I also am trying to get a kart series going, do you think that maybe we could integrate them together, or do you think that would be too complicated?
I've got a couple of guys and we are going to start the preseason races next week.
 
Gogatrs,

To be totally honest I just want to race...lol. I don't really want to do the hosting and organizing I'm only doing it because I don't see any other kart leagues on custom tracks. I tried a kart league once before and I"ll just say I wasn't happy with it at all.

My main objectives are this:

1. I want to race on tracks that are more like real kart tracks, with a tight hairpin or two, some sweepers, a good size front straight, some esses, and no bumps to send you flying off the road. I think a fast kart oval would be fun too and I've made a couple of those as well but only for one race or two.

2. I want it well organized and run on time. I think it's totally disrepectful and a waste of time to keep 12 guys who showed up on time waiting because 1 other guy is "coming" and then you have to wait for him to qualify. That's bs. Most of us are old enough to know how to show up on time and be respectful of other people's time and effort. I think the events should be run on a clock with fixed starting times and strict adherence to it. I don't want a one hour night of racing to turn into 2 hours. Of course we can practice and fool around after with mini races and such but the actual race events should run on time.

3. I think the points system often makes or breaks a series. I really believe in online racing a "best of" format works best. It's not likely everyone will be able to make every race, so having best 4 of 6 for example will mean that you can miss a race or two and still be in the hunt, while still providing a small advantage to those who make every race because they have 6 chances for a good finish as opposed to 4 or 5. Lets face it most of us are busy off the PS3 too at times and this race series won't be our top priority. Keeping everyone in the hunt will keep everyone interested and wanting to show up. I'd also make sure points when all the way out to 16th place because again, it keeps everyone interested. No one wants to look at the standings after fighting hard for a couple of 8th or 9th place finishes and have zero points.

I'd also consider adding one point for each participant in a race. For example if I win in week one and it's 30 points for a victory and 10 guys start the race, you get 40 points. If the next week there are 14 starters and I win, I get 44 points. Everyone down the line gets that 10 or 14 point boost based on the number of drivers. That way if you beat 13 guys instead of 7, you get more rewarded and I think that's fair.


Beyond that, I don't care much what happens...lol. If you want a 10 race series that's fine. If you want an enduro or two that's fine. If you want to run a race on Autumn Ring Mini that's fine too. If that is what you are doing then let's throw the two together. If you have a thread somewhere we can redirect everyone from here over to there and me too.

I guess it'll depend on when you are racing too. Weekends are not good for me as I'm gone every other weekend and the weekend I am here I'm on call 24/7 and although it's pretty rare to get called out on a Saturday or Sunday night it does happen. I was hoping for something Monday to Thursday, preferring Thursdays around 8-10 but open to other nights as well so long as we can hold it to an hour or so.

I'm taking off in a few hours for the weekend. I'll check back here before then, if I don't see anything from you, I'll be back late Sunday or Monday.
 
I hope you guys combine efforts, I am waiting to get into a new season :).
 
Well in 3 days+ no one has downloaded my sample track so I think I can safely assume there isn't enough interest and I'm gonna close the book on this one. Sorry to anyone that was looking forward to this.
 
In reading and following this thread, it didn't appear there were any instructions to dl your custom track.

I am interested and have checked the post and gogatrs every day since I found it for more details
 
Johnnypenso
Better late than never but I've posted up a track I think would work for this. Feel free to add me, PSN to the left and download the track thru the community area. I'm taking off for the weekend tomorrow afternoon so any friend requests I get before that I'll accept, any after will have to wait until Sunday night/Monday morning.
Click to expand...

Maybe some of you missed it...
 
Guys, if you want to combine we can, the only thing is that you have to be warned that we won't be racing only on custom tracks.
I'm letting each entrant choose the track they want to race on.
 
I think it would be a good idea to combine- it would be a good idea to use some custom and none custom tracks. I'm in for combining
 
I think it would be a good idea to combine- it would be a good idea to use some custom and none custom tracks. I'm in for combining
 
I don't care what we race on, but it should happen.. I missed the download instructions as well...
 
gogatrs
Guys, if you want to combine we can, the only thing is that you have to be warned that we won't be racing only on custom tracks.
I'm letting each entrant choose the track they want to race on.
Click to expand...

I'd suggest anyone interested in Kart Racing sign up with Gogatrs. He's got a thread with Karting in the title and it's usually on the first or second page this same area.
 
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