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IfAndOr

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The (almost) British Touring Car Races

Project CARS 2_20230623122113.jpg

(Starting Monday 1st July)


I have an idea for a new series. It features the 4 TC class motors in races around 8 UK circuits. Well mainly, there's a couple of missing tracks in Pcars that are normally used, so I've picked suitable replacements that are in some ways similar.


The meetings will consist of 3 races...

1st race - 10 minutes qualification with approx. 15 min race (standing start)
2nd race - approx. 20 min - grid based on finishing positions in the previous race.
3rd race - approx 20 min. - reverse grid based on finishing positions in 2nd race.
Formation laps and rolling starts for race 2 & 3.

Timings approximate. I might convert the times into laps for the actual races

For the formation laps we'll get organised into our starting positions over the course of the lap, no rush. Stay in single file with the pole sitter controlling the pace (keep it steady) and the race will begin when the lights go green on the start straight.

Track List
Silverstone - National

Brands Hatch - GP
Knockhill*
(Ruapuna club / Oschersleben B)
Donington Park - National
Thruxton
(Silverstone classic)

Car handicap reset
Oulton Park - Island
Snetterton - 300
Croft
(Zolder)

Silverstone - International

*Knockhill only supports 12 cars. There's been less of us than that recently so it would be fine, but If there's more than usual we'll use one of the alternatives - yet to be decided.
As Zolon did with his last series if the number of drivers is particularly low one week we'll postpone the series and run a filler instead.

Weather will be approximately based on the actual conditions from throughout the day. That's from my local perspective, not at the circuit. So everyone will get to experience a British summer.
I'll try to avoid having to pit for wets since that will disrupt the racing, but it might happen sometimes.
So if you're really keen you might want to look up the weather in Shrewsbury. 😉

Mechanical damage, tyre wear (normal) and fuel usage will be on. Damage will be visual only.


Rules.
Drivers can change cars each week if they want to, but not during the meeting, you must use the same car throughout.
It's not essential but if possible try to pick different colours.


A slight handicap system.
If you win in any of the races during a meeting, although you can continue to use it during the current meeting, you can't use that type of car again in the following meetings until you've won a race in all 4 car types.
This rule is reset mid-season following the race at Thruxton (Silverstone classic) after which the process begins again.


A bit more of a handicap system!
Not applicable for race 1 at Silverstone national because there will not be any scores yet.
During race 2 the three current front runners in the series have to take a drive through pitstop. It can be taken any time other than on the final lap - you have to finish the race on track.
Because pitstops will be on full manual that does allow you to speed into some of the pits. Penalties are off so you will not get disqualified. However please try to drive in at the normal pitlane speed and then let the limiter take over as you drive through. (You can wave to your pit crew as you pass if you want)


Scoring
  • Points are per usual, 16 for 1st and 1 less for each lower place down to 1 for 16th.
  • Drop round - remove the worst one meeting score for each driver. This includes nil scores where a driver could not attend.
  • Each driver gets one joker race during the series, nominated by them no later than the start of the race they wish to use it on. In that one race, if they finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd, they get twice the usual points for that position and if they finish 4th or lower, they get three time their usual points for that position. It can be any of race 1, 2 or 3 in a round.

Most of our usual other rules and notes apply. I'm going to have to turn penalties off due to the formation laps (see above) otherwise it will penalise you for being out of position.


Any questions etc...
 
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Congratulations to half_sourly on championship win.

Championship Standings
1698747977836.png
 
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i'll give it a go ...🤕
I'll have to introduce a new injured driver subsection to the scoring. Being the only entrant at the moment you'd be in with a good chance of winning that. Although I'd get claims of "I've bruised my big toe" or "I've broken my nail" to join you. I'm going to need a doctor's certificate. 😄
 
Slight change to the opening post.

Donington Park has been added to the track list (thanks to @Oldbass47 for noting its absence) and the handicap reset point rule has been updated.
 
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Sign me up, quite relieved to see that Cadwell Park, despite its britishness, isn't in the schedule ... :nervous:

Havent tried the game lately so I'm not sure what cars are we talking about (besides the Renaults in the OP picture) but will try to check what are the available options (several cars in the same category, or different touring car categories?) so I can understand the handicap system
 
quite relieved to see that Cadwell Park, despite its britishness, isn't in the schedule .
Well I have actually been considering adding it. No really. 😉

They are the 4 cars in the Touring car class (TC). We tried them out a couple or so weeks ago when Zolon was on holiday. You didn't like the Astra too much.


The scoring and a couple of other things are currently under review. I'll update when sorted out.
 
Oh I remember, we raced them at the Nurb GP track. BMW, Opel, Renault and ... Mercedes (I think). Cool cars, nice to drive! 👍
 
Cadwell Park, despite its britishness, isn't in the schedule ..
There is a shady group working in the shadows, planning on sneaking onto the list Mario... I haven't a clue who it might be... but we did have a little run there on Monday, and it was well liked by all... so I understand...
 
The initial post about the series has now been updated with a few changes and additions. The scoring procedure is now also included. It's worth having a read through again because of the new additions.


planning on sneaking (Cadwell) onto the list Mario
It is perhaps a bit narrow for the full on TC races. That and Lyden Hill. They might make an appearance as surprise special guests though. Perhaps a special race in the very British Ford Escort racing on a quiet week?
 
Oh dear, aren't you over-complexifickexpiallidocioscating the rules? :odd: :crazy: :dopey:

I'm imagining this. 4th week, 2nd race, sitting 3rd in the champioship ... won one race in week one with the Merc, in week 2 with the Opel, in week 3 no wins in the Bimmer so I can use either the BMW or the Renault. After winning race 1 I'm entitled pole for race 2, however I must do the drive through ... should I use the joker???? I need Ross Brawn to run the numbers for me !!!!!!! :dopey:
 
Who knows what will happen! It all adds a bit of strategy/intrigue/confusion. 😉

It was all worked out by AI. Sort of.
 


I guess Papaul is more appropriate :lol:

Paul, I'll try to check later but I think that if you dont set a button to activate as pit speed limiter, it will kick in automatically when the game thinks it is due (like headlights at night or wipers in the rain). However if you have a button mapped for this the limiter won't kick in and without penalties you'll be able to drive through pitlane at 300kmh/h. Im only saying this because if this happens you won't be able to wave at your crew. a) you'll be going too fast :cool:; b) they'll be running for their lives! :scared:

 
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Yes Mario, it's how you say. If you've got it mapped you'd need to activate it to make the handicap work equally. 👍


I never thought before but can you relay any relevant series details to Raeggee. He's quite often up near the top these days so might need to know about those drive though (and joker). Tanks. 🙂
 
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Monday's race details for anyone who might want them.

Silverstone National
Race 1 - 14 laps. Set during late morning. (Qualification earlier)
Race 2 - 21 laps. Set in early afternoon.
Race 3 - 18 laps. Set in late afternoon.

Set to Current date.

Weather will be approximately based on the actual conditions from throughout the day. That's from my local perspective, not at the circuit. So everyone will get to experience a British summer.
I'll try to avoid having to pit for wets since that will disrupt the racing, but it might happen sometimes.
So if you're really keen you might want to look up the weather in Shrewsbury. 😉

This weather selection system will now be the case for every race unless wet weather is a problem at a particular circuit.


I originally forgot to mention above but mechanical damage, tyre wear (normal) and fuel usage will be on.
 
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So if you're really keen you might want to look up the weather in Shrewsbury. 😉
Good news chaps, the BBC recon there's an 85% chance of a thunderstorm just about when we're qualifying/racing at the beginning of the meeting. Woohoo!
 
No snow though.

Actually there's just been a rain shower with a possibility of more this afternoon!
 
Quick recap, first to say that, judging by yesterday's experience I think this series is the one that will most probably provide the closest racing we ever had. It was really great fun and I am happy that I didn't wreck anyone (or even myself) considering we were really bumper-to-bumper racing yesterday

Race one I made a strategic error, pitting for slicks without considering that rain would return. In any case I went in with absolutely zero practise so I wasn't still able to keep up with you guys (I have FL in that race just because when the track was at its dryest I was with slicks already, everyone else with wets).

Race two was one of the most intense ever, I think I spent the better part of it (some 15 laps?) being the last guy in the front group, and although we never really had a chance to keep trading places (we didn't) we were all doing our best and just the fact that all mistakes (if any) were minor during such a long 3-way battle was ... fantastic. Great win by Rich, no less great 2nd place by Zolon, and I was there to witness it all up close, so it was great for me as well.

Race three I got lucky. Don't even remember exactly how I got into 1st place early on but I did and from that point on I just kept at it on my own while you guys battled among yourselves. raeggee got disconnected but in our post-race debrief (it has become a tradition, raeggee calls me, without fail, every monday night after the races to discuss what happened in them) he told me that after retunring to the lobby he stayed on as spectator and that watching you all battling for position was thrilling, he mentioned it being a spectacular race to watch. Had I known I would have saved the replay.

Final words of praise to Rich, he was on it yesterday. Great driving!


See you all at Brands!
 
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without considering that rain would return.
Always expect the unexpected this series. I don't even know what's happening. 😄
Final words of praise to Rich, he was on it yesterday.
He was indeed.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. There was certainly some close racing going on, which is what I was aiming for. Going forward the car handicap might even make it closer and with the pit run through making the overall scores tighter.

Shame Raeggee was disconnected, he was going strong. I noticed his connection bar was on red earlier. Has he changed anything, It's usually high yellow - like most from Portugal.


I think perhaps I shouldn't have chosen the Opel until I had to. It's quite quick but a bit wayward. There were quite a lot of drifting moments. Fun to drive through.
 
The amount of laps for each race at Brands Hatch added above.

The current weather prediction for Monday.
Screenshot_2023-07-08-10-34-10-700.jpg

Subject to change on the day of course.


A reminder that Rich and Mario can't use the Mercedes and that both of them, plus Zolon, must take a drive through during race 2.
Should make it interesting!

Happy racing. 🙂
 
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Here here for the congratulations to @richroo

Always quick, his fastest lap in any event is faster than mine 99% of the time, but I've always been able to rely on some incident ruining his race. Get back to doing it how you used to do Rich, and give us a chance.
 
The updated weather forecast for tomorrow looks, interesting!

Screenshot_2023-07-09-12-09-40-721.jpg


Gotta love British summers. 🙂
 
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