Lemons to Le Mans Tuesday Series

[Vol Jbolaz]

The race is tomorrow and I only have 2.5 parts lists. I say .5 because Diabolic keeps sending me PMs that say, "I'm going to get x or y or maybe z." It is dizzying.

I practiced some tonight, and I was horrible. I was doing 1.47s, and I couldn't go ten laps without wrecking the car.

But... I have some bad news. My wife was scheduled to have a little surgery on Friday the 29th. No biggie, and it gives us the weekend, the kids with the grandparents.

The surgery has been pushed back to Tuesday the 9th. It is possible that everything will be fine and I'll be home and the kids will be in bed and I'll make the race. It is also possible that I'll miss it. We'll see how it goes. It is a shame, since my car and I will suck hard until La Sarthe.

 

[diabolicwyvern]

In preparation for tomorrow's race I've watch Michael Gambon lapping the TGTT.

Just trying to keep the host in the loop Garris. I sent you my final list. I know that because I said in the PM that these were the parts I was going with and that my car was shared for you. Not sure what about that was confusing. Edit: I've changed my mind. I'm going to just run the Veyron instead

 

[pyxen]

Garris, if you're going to miss it, who should host the room? I can do it, if need be..just need the specs (ie: what is/isn't allowed).

 

[chuyler1]

I can probably host as well.

 

[Vol Jbolaz]

I can probably host as well.

This is what I was expecting. And even if I can make it that night, there is the chance that I won't be online until just before the race starts, so it may be best if you just count on hosting that night (unless her surgery gets pushed back again).

 

[chuyler1]

Ok, will do.

 

[GeezerG123]

I practiced some tonight, and I was horrible. I was doing 1.47s, and I couldn't go ten laps without wrecking the car.

I am wrecking all over the place also. I have crashed at least once in every corner...........lol. Lap times still about 1:42.........tires go away after about 15 laps. Good Luck tonight everyone. I will be practicing most of the day today. You all are welcome to practice in my lounge.

GeezerG

 

[pyxen]

I'm beat tonight...gotta go get me some caffeine

 

[Vol Jbolaz]

I'm in my lounge and ready whenever you guys get online. Qualifying starts at 9:30 Eastern. Race starts at 10:00 Eastern.

 

[pyxen]

Car shared, Garris. I wish you guys could hear me over the mic...

BTK - nice leap @ the start of lap 44! I'm definitely gonna try to get a pic of that one, if I can watch that long.. and Diabolic, you really stressed me out at the end, there...my tires were nearly gone, and you just kept coming! yeesh...actually felt relieved when you got by

I lost 2 hp by the end of that race..gotta time my engine/chassis refresh better.

 

[BTK]

Thanks pixen!

Also, I made up 52 seconds, in 20 laps, and my tires gave in, and slammed me into a wall. Atleast I got 2nd with the same car as last week.

 

[Vol Jbolaz]

I have to say, the first 9 laps were exciting. The best online racing I've had, ever.

I wrecked myself on lap 16. Two laps after I pitted for tires. That was when Cujo passed me. That was when I considered the race a failure.

Cujo was raving about someone stuffing him, so I watched the first seven laps.

• Lap 2: Cujo puts himself in wall going into last tunnel, Slight bumps his rear. Cujo takes damage on the front right.
• Lap 2: Cujo gets very sideways, Slight into his rear left corner. Cujo takes damage on the rear left. I can't fault Slight for that collision. He tried to avoid it.
• Lap 5: Cujo catches inside wall on the second tunnel. He takes damage on the left front.
• Lap 7: Dika tried to get on the inside of Cujo. It was Dika's fault, and he went into the wall. Cujo tried to get on the inside of me. It was his fault, and went into the wall.

Looking at the standings, the points are starting to spread. The top three finishers this week have all had podium visits earlier in the season. So Huyler is now in first with 59 points. Slight holds second with 46, and Diabolic has third with 41. Bowtie and I are tied in fourth with 38 points.

 

[Dikarika]

One word to sum up the race?

Frustrating.

I had a horrible start, spinning my wheels trying too hard out of the box. Ok, my fault.

Tapped by chuyler early. Maybe my lift was an overreaction. Keep going.

Cujo coughs into the mic as I enter the final chcane. ARGH! I jump and lose it into the bank. Now I'm in twelfth place.

Fight back. Run Hard. Get punted into a wall. Get damage. Try to drive hard. Can't steer well.

Screw it.

Pit...

Race Angry.

Very Angry.

I hit my tires so hard, I was running consistent low 1:40 laps but shredding my tires in the process. I think I was getting eight laps to a set, if that. Cujo and snoopy probably thought I was insane, I'd pass them, then pit and they'd go by. Then I'd roar out of the pit again and fly hard around again.

Probably not a good idea to post directly after the race. My temper definitely flared this race. I'm a little peeved that I (felt like I) was the only person backing off and trying to give some space on the first lap.

Yeah, frustrated.

 

[Dikarika]

Lap 7: Dika tried to get on the inside of Cujo. It was Dika's fault, and he went into the wall. Cujo tried to get on the inside of me. It was his fault, and went into the wall.

Really? Didn't feel like my fault at all.

I'll watch the replay, I suppose.

 

[BTK]

Curious, everyone's fastest laps this race?

Mine was a 1.38.248 which I thought was pretty darn good for 416 pp.

 

[Vol Jbolaz]

Really? Didn't feel like my fault at all.

I'll watch the replay, I suppose.

I could be wrong. It looks to me as though Cujo is starting his turn wide, and that you don't get far enough along side of him to claim the inside.

Unrelated, I've dropped Booch from the series, and Lumberjack has pulled out. I've gotten word from Bender that he hopes to make next week. Something came up this week.

 

[chuyler1]

Tapped by chuyler early. Maybe my lift was an overreaction. Keep going

None of our contact was extreme. When I'm on the outside I do my best to calculate about 1.5 car widths inside of me for the guy inside. Minor contact is expected. I was pushing hard at the beginning because I knew my best lap times were going to require drafting someone faster than me.

Chuyler's Race Report

Lap 1: First left hander, minor contact with Dik but really no big deal. Both of us were racing for position. Exiting the tunnel, Cujo checked up and I bumped him. Watch the video to see him brake after the apex. I can understand cold tires...but since I race with one foot, once I'm off the brake and expecting someone to accelerate out of a corner...I won't be getting back to the brake again that quickly. At the hairpin sl3ight does the same thing in front of me. He taps the brakes one more time exiting the hairpin and I tap him.

Lap 2: Entering the tunnel, both sl3ight and geezer get loose and make contact in front of me. Geezer lifts and I slip into his spot. It was a bit aggressive but it ended up not making a difference. I tried to follow sl3ight's line onto the back straight and scrubbed the wall. Entering the final hairpin, Cujo takes a super inside line and as expected his tail comes out mid-corner. sl3ight makes a little contact and geezer and I get by. I really thought cujo was going to hit me regaining control.

Lap 3: Geezer is slow entering the first tunnel and I carry more speed on exit, enough to compensate for my car being slower to begin with. I do my best to run a 2-wide line into the next turn but we do make a little contact. Another aggressive move but with a slower car, I knew I'd have to put the moves on faster cars well before that long straight if I was going to get ahead. Geezer was just too fast for me though and easily pulled ahead on the rest of the uphill.

Laps 4-18: Eventually sl3ight's tires gave out and Geezer got around him. A few laps later I was able to get around him. Geezer eventually gave himself damage and I was able to get past him. Then I started chasing Diabolic and BTK. Their pace had slowed down to basically my speed so I could gain a 10th here and there. By lap 18, I was about 2.5 seconds back and went in for my pit.

Lap 19: I ran a clean lap on cold tires (much better than my 50% worn tires) and I think that was enough to close the 2.5 second gap on the leaders. When I came around again, Diabolic was just exiting the pits and I went by him at full speed. He was claiming some pit road glitch but I think I was just able to make up the time on fresh tires.

Laps 20-37: I waited patiently for Diabolic and BTK to catch up to me. I was running a few 1:39s and mostly 1:40s and 1:41s trying to conserve tires with light braking. I pulled a 25+ second lead and made my pit stop without losing any positions.

Laps 38-49: I watched Diabolic and BTK switch positions a few times and then with BTK out front my lead started dwindling. 20 seconds...18 seconds...17 seconds.

Lap 50: My tires were starting to go and I lifted off on the left-hander before the first tunnel. I started loosing the car and let it slide onto the dirt. I feared spinning around completely so I tried to ease it back onto the track. I got it back on but scuffed the outside tunnel wall and gave myself an open circle on the front right.

Laps 51-55: Racing with damage and worn tires I watched the split times drop to 14...13...11. Then they started going back up 13...15...18...25! Woot, if I could keep the damaged car on the track I had the win!

Boy was that intense. Being out front is never relaxing when you know there are cars on the track that can run a second faster. I was a sitting duck with no straight line speed. This win was very unexpected. I think a 4th or 5th place finish would have been more appropriate for my car. It is shared so take it for a spin. I doubt controller drivers would have been able to keep it straight after 10 laps though. Major oversteer issues...especially when lifting off the throttle.

First 20 minutes of the race, mostly from my POV.

 

[sl3ight]

Pretty frantic racing for the first stint. FF wasn't kind to the SS tires and I ended up going on a 3 stop strategy. Good race overall and I'm happy with the prize credits.

I'd like to apologize to anyone I may have cut up while in front of them. I accidentally unbound the control for looking behind while remapping my look left/right buttons. So I was stuck with guessing where people behind me were. It makes no sense that the hood cam doesn't show a mirror like the bumper cam does.

 

[chuyler1]

It makes no sense that the hood cam doesn't show a mirror like the bumper cam does.

I agree. I wish you could mix and match camera angles with control layouts and rearview mirrors. I need the analog gauges of bumper cam to race, as well as the constantly available rearview...but I'd love to have hood cam for placing the car just right in the turns. The only way I know if I'm hitting my lines right is when I hit the rumble strips.



I was just glancing at the rankings, winnings, and placement. So far the season is going very well.

* Drivers are still appropriately bouncing from the front to about mid-pack between races. That's about all I can expect. A good driver will easily get around drivers who can't get the most out of their cars so expecting the guy who places first to end up in last just won't happen unless everyone was at the same skill level.

* Clean drivers can keep up with faster cars for some interesting racing
I enjoy drafting the faster cars. It is quite a challenge knowing that you are only running 1-2 seconds faster per lap because someone is pulling you down the straights.


* Drafting, accident avoidance, tire conservation, and pit strategy all play a key role in placement.
Numerous examples of this in every race. I've passed cars in several races after they pushed their tires too hard.

* Cars with different drivetrains need to race their own race.
FF cars, via points and the pp system are given a huge straight line advantage. They need to pull away early in the race to keep the FR/MR cars from drafting them and staying close enough to pass when the FF tires give out.

The only issue with the reward system I see is with Bowtie's car. Him missing a race has made him extremely competitive, especially since his car was quick from the start of the season. Part of the issue could be that when people miss a race in a car that should be competitive, it skews the results for everyone. A few other drivers have missed races though, and haven't been able to capitalize on the rewards.

And on another note, this 1st place finish has totally messed up my strategy. i went with power mods for Trial Mountain hoping for 4th place finish so I could install the suspension for Suzuka. I am afraid to see how my car is going to behave on racing tires. I've already got too much body roll.

 

[Vol Jbolaz]

I was just glancing at the rankings, winnings, and placement. So far the season is going very well.

* Drivers are still appropriately bouncing from the front to about mid-pack between races. That's about all I can expect. A good driver will easily get around drivers who can't get the most out of their cars so expecting the guy who places first to end up in last just won't happen unless everyone was at the same skill level.

* Clean drivers can keep up with faster cars for some interesting racing
I enjoy drafting the faster cars. It is quite a challenge knowing that you are only running 1-2 seconds faster per lap because someone is pulling you down the straights.


* Drafting, accident avoidance, tire conservation, and pit strategy all play a key role in placement.
Numerous examples of this in every race. I've passed cars in several races after they pushed their tires too hard.

* Cars with different drivetrains need to race their own race.
FF cars, via points and the pp system are given a huge straight line advantage. They need to pull away early in the race to keep the FR/MR cars from drafting them and staying close enough to pass when the FF tires give out.

The only issue with the reward system I see is with Bowtie's car. Him missing a race has made him extremely competitive, especially since his car was quick from the start of the season. Part of the issue could be that when people miss a race in a car that should be competitive, it skews the results for everyone. A few other drivers have missed races though, and haven't been able to capitalize on the rewards.

I agree with this. And the only ideas that I'm kicking around so far for next season are:

* Cars to start with: maybe 385-400 PP. Or maybe different PP levels for different drivetrains. And maybe, just maybe, include cars from 2000.

* I would like to put some safeguard in there to keep people from sandbagging. I just don't know what would be appropriate.

* Monza was a pure speed track. Monaco is very much so not. I like the mix, but I'm wondering if the order of the mix has an effect on anything, and if we should plan the mix more carefully. This would require quite a bit of testing possibly. What I'm wondering is: my car did fantastic at Monza. That was all my car, not me. So I don't win anything going into Trial Mountain. Trail Mountain doesn't favor my car (though, it isn't as anti my car as Monaco). The cars that placed poorly at Monza get the biggest cash bonus going into a race that favors their car. Now, honestly, last night was much closer than we've had all season, but I'm wondering if there is a way we can lay out the mix of speed and cornering tracks so more of them are closer as the season goes along.

 

[sl3ight]

I think sandbagging is really a matter of opinion. I don't see a problem with it. If someone wants to sacrifice points for credits, that is their decision.

 

[BTK]

I think sandbagging is really a matter of opinion. I don't see a problem with it. If someone wants to sacrifice points for credits, that is their decision.

I second this, yes, my car was crazy fast first race, but do remember I missed a race. That puts me at an disadvantage, where now I have to stretch my money, because I have too finish as high as I can due too points. Sure, I was fast at Trial Mountain last night, but look at Sleight and Diabolic, they haven't missed a race, and were just as fast as me.

 

[chuyler1]

I was pretty careful selecting tracks and I think it is working out. After each technical track, there is a straight line track to ease the pressure off some of the less experienced drivers.

Grand Valley -- relatively fast, only 3 brake zones.
Tsukuba -- Slow and technical, 4 brake zones, but they need to be precise
Monza -- Fast but with 6 brake zones
Trial Mountain -- Mostly technical but one fast straight for catching up, 7-9 brake zones (depending on speed an lines taken)
Suzuka -- Fast (two very long back-to-back straights) but with some rain to toss in a curveball, 8-10 brake zones depending on whether you lift off or brake for the esses.
Monaco -- technical, also the only street course
Sarthe -- fast as all get out

Each track is unique and will favor different driver abilities and car setups. Next week in the rain the FF cars will likely dominate if it stays wet. Tires won't wear down as fast and they won't have to worry about throttle oversteer. If you drive FF, you better practice wet driving because Monaco won't be as forgiving. I really don't think i could have incorporated any more fast tracks into the schedule. If drivers can't make it around these tracks with a car that has 20-30 more pp than others...its not the fault of the reward system.

 

[chuyler1]

Sure, I was fast at Trial Mountain last night, but look at Sleight and Diabolic, they haven't missed a race, and were just as fast as me.

Just curious, were you pushing hard the first part of the race? If you could run 1:38s, you should have beat me by a good 30-40 seconds by the end of the race. I ran very few 1:39s and most of my laps were high 1:40.5-1:42. I was squeezing everything out of those laps too, trying my best to maintain momentum without cooking the tires.

 

[diabolicwyvern]

I wasnt claiming glitch. I was ahead of you when you pitted and I ran the same lap times up to my pit. In stands to reason that I should come out right next to you, but the spread was 5 seconds I reckon. I went from 2nd to 6th from the pit. My pit was the last one so my driver was immediately stopped when I pit. If it was nearest to start the car still takes an extra second I believe to slow down on pit row. Its not a complaint, just an observation. I wanted top three and I got top three. Great race though. The most I was behind was 62 seconds and in the final 23 laps I closed to within 48 seconds so not quite a second a lap, but close.

@ Chuyler - He was keeping me within drafting range +plus we missed a couple corners together that really shortened the lead.

 

[BTK]

Not as hard as the final segment, I was mostly pacing myself ahead of Pyxen, cruising when I needed too, and going fast when best suited me. I almost broke 1.37 last night, and my tires finally gave in, and I started getting slower, and slower, and slower.

Also, next week. I know we're in the rain, but must we START on Hard's or can we start on Rain tires? Also, is TC allowed? Or are Rain Tires allowed at all?

 

[sl3ight]

I don't see the point of making everyone start on hards if everyone is just going to switch to full wets or inters after one lap.

 

[chuyler1]

I think sandbagging is really a matter of opinion. I don't see a problem with it. If someone wants to sacrifice points for credits, that is their decision.

I agree that there is a sacrifice involved...but I want to make sure it doesn't skew the the season. If you give up a position here and there that's one thing. But if someone places poorly for several races just so they can dominate the final races...that's where i have a problem. I don't want to see back-to-back winners...ever. So far, so good. In fact, no one has cracked the top-3 2 races in a row on Tuesday night. Wednesday night is another story. We've had multiple drivers with back-to-back podium finishes.

Next season I will definitely change the starting pp to allow selection of different cars. Y2K cars might be acceptable as well...or possibly up to 2001 (cars that are at least 1 decade old). As of right now...the rewards and points appear to be working. I'm way ahead because last night people were very inconsistent. had I placed 4th like my car should have, i'd only be at best 2 points in the lead.

 

[chuyler1]

Also, next week. I know we're in the rain, but must we START on Hard's or can we start on Rain tires? Also, is TC allowed? Or are Rain Tires allowed at all?

I don't see the point of making everyone start on hards if everyone is just going to switch to full wets or inters after one lap.

Tire options are open. You can run Racing Hard, Rain Intermediate, or Rain Wet tires. ****, you could run sport softs if you want.

There is no ruling on what you start the race with. I would like to start the race in the rain as to guarantee it will be raining at some point. But the weather will be dynamic and it could stop/start raining at any time.

Traction Control will be disabled as always. As I mentioned above, the FF drivers may have a slight advantage...They have struggled with tires all season and this may be their opportunity to shine. God knows they'll suffer at Monaco.

The dynamic weather will make things very interesting. I strongly recommend everyone test lap times on each set of tires in each type of condition. That will have you best prepared for the conditions that may occur during the race.

We may also want to schedule some practice races so people can get used to following someone in heavy rain. You've got to leave significantly more space because its hard to see braking points when your screen is covered in mist.

 

[Vol Jbolaz]

I second this, yes, my car was crazy fast first race, but do remember I missed a race. That puts me at an disadvantage, where now I have to stretch my money, because I have too finish as high as I can due too points. Sure, I was fast at Trial Mountain last night, but look at Sleight and Diabolic, they haven't missed a race, and were just as fast as me.

Diabolic has sandbagged once.

I really don't think i could have incorporated any more fast tracks into the schedule. If drivers can't make it around these tracks with a car that has 20-30 more pp than others...its not the fault of the reward system.

I don't want to incorporate more fast tracks (sorry if I said that), I'm just wondering about the flip flopping. It is almost like a double penalty for doing well in a race. Yes, you won't get as much cash, and the next course will favor the other cars.

Mind you, I don't know if there is a better way. Starting all technical and going fast or starting all fast and going technical would just be screwed up in other ways.

I think the reward system is working out well, though. The only change I can think of might be to lower the 5K steps, but it really doesn't feel too broken.

I agree that there is a sacrifice involved...but I want to make sure it doesn't skew the the season. If you give up a position here and there that's one thing. But if someone places poorly for several races just so they can dominate the final races...that's where i have a problem. I don't want to see back-to-back winners...ever. So far, so good. In fact, no one has cracked the top-3 2 races in a row on Tuesday night. Wednesday night is another story. We've had multiple drivers with back-to-back podium finishes.

Next season I will definitely change the starting pp to allow selection of different cars. Y2K cars might be acceptable as well...or possibly up to 2001 (cars that are at least 1 decade old). As of right now...the rewards and points appear to be working. I'm way ahead because last night people were very inconsistent. had I placed 4th like my car should have, i'd only be at best 2 points in the lead.

Yes, I think the reward system is working out, and sandbagging hasn't completely wrecked anything, yet. I just want to avoid that possibility. Last night was the first time we've even had people make a second trip to the podium. I think that is working out well.

Clearly, driving cleanly is much more important than driving fast. Regrettably, the only thing I can think of to ease that also removes all of the fun, and that is to lower the damage. So I, and others, need to just drive better. Maybe we can keep the majority of the same tracks from season to season and only change out a few. We've already put practice in these tracks.