Simulation Computer and Console Auto Racing League
The Competition
With nearly 700 cars to choose from in 10 classes of racing, there is plenty of room for everyone. This league is designed to simulate close competition that would be found at any weekend event.
How does it work?
For the purposes of this league, we will be running cars in "showroom stock" condition. This means minimal to no modifications allowed, the only modifications allowed will be mandated by the administrators for competitive alignment. Future plans for competition will include Touring classes (limited modifications), GT classes (extensive modifications), and Open competitions. However, with nearly 3,000 (yes, that's three THOUSAND) combinations available, one could understand how that could overwhelm administrators at the moment so we'll start simple and small with Showroom Stock competition only, for now. Using "road" cars only (no racing purpose only built cars allowed) we have divided the competition into 9 different groups of racing, ordering the cars by group by similar performance standards. Each color is represented and can only be used once, unless campaigned by a Team (more on this later). In other words, if there are 5 colors in which a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is available, there are only 5 instances of availability for that model (unless being run by a Team). Once there is an entry for each available color then that model is closed for new entries until such model is again available (see "Claiming Rule"). With all the available model/color combinatons available, that brings us to over 675 vehicles availble for Showroom Stock competition.
Privateer or Teams?
You can enter competition as an individual, or join up with a partner to form a Team. Points will be awarded to everyone on an individual basis and seperate points will be tallyed for Team competition. As a privateer, you are limited to only one entry per group. You submit your request for a number, model, and color and use that for the duration of the "season" unless "claimed". As a Team, you are limited to 2 cars of the same model and color for competiton per group (unless "claimed").
Claiming Rule
Alright, what's all this talk about "Claiming" cars? In the interest of trying to provide continuity among competition (and also in hopes that this league grows popular enough), you are encouraged to participate in an entire season. This should be simple enough, as events will take place on a staggered schedule spread over 2 weeks time. Events will consist of Open practice (you practice when and where you want to, this is not directed by the administrators), a 5 lap qualifying race, and a 10 lap sprint race. All in all, total time requirements will be less than 1 hour, so it should be easy to make time for running an event in 2 weeks time. If you fail to appear at an event, your car will then become open to be claimed. For instance, if you've entered the famous Pink Vitz in Group 7 competition (because Pink is your lucky color) and run 3 events and miss the fourth scheduled event, you may lose your entry. Once you miss an event, your particular color and model will go on the "available"board, and may be claimed by another contestant. If another competitor really wants that Pink Vitz, he/she can put in a claiming request to use that car because of inactivity. However, if you feel lucky, you may be able to keep your car if it's not claimed duiring the availability period.
How does the competition itself work?
Once an event is scheduled, the competition goes as follows. Races are run in Arcade Mode. Qualifying races are 5 lap races run on the "Hard" setting. Your best lap of this race is recorded as you qualifying time and sets your grid position among your fellow competitors for the Sprint race. Points will be assessed based on your qualifying position so your qualifying session is important. For qualifying, you will be awarded 1 point per contestant you out-qualify. Pole position gains maximum points. For instance if you qualify on the pole in a total field of 20, you will receive an additional 19 points to your total for the event. If you qualify 2nd in the same event, you will receive 18 points, 3rd gets 17 points and so on. For the main sprint race, all competition will be held on the "Professional" setting, for a 10 lap sprint race in which tire wear will be a factor. In the interest of equality, everyone will start their own race from the sixth grid position (the default starting position can't be changed in Arcade Modes Single Race selection anyway. You run your 10 lap race and record your overall time. Your overall time will determine your finishing time among your fellow league competitors. Essentially, you are running two different races here, one on your computer (your local race), and one against your unseen league competitors. Don't be suprised if you finish 1st in your "local" race but finish 5th in the league race. League results are determined by your cumulative overall time, fastest time wins. Strategy has an effect here, will tangling with the AI hinder your overall time? Is the AI holding you up from potentially finishing quicker? This is something to think about while dicing with that Skyline, bang against him and take a chance at losing more time than being patient and passing him cleanly and lose less time? The choice is yours.
What does Showroom Stock mean?
In these first seasons of competiton, we will be running Showroom Stock cars. This means NO PERFORMANCE modifications. The only parts that are open for changing are tires. You are allowed any tire compound including racing tires for this competition. This is for two reasons. You can make a tire choice based on the length of the track and the weight of your car. This way you will not be punished if you have a heavier car, you will not "run out of tire" before the checkers if you opt for a harder compound. Likewise if you have a lightweight car, you can opt for a softer compoud and bring your tires up to temperature for some good driving. Also, this way competition is not skewed towards one type of driving style. You can shod your car to match your own driving style. You like to throw the car around, fit a hard compound so they will last the entire race. You're fast yet smooth, maybe you can fit softer tires and possibly finish quicker? Yet, if you go too soft, will your tires last? Strategy!
Administrative Modfications
There is absolutely no circumstance allowed where you can change parts of your car, or perform any performance altering modifications! However, if administration sees it necessary to align competition, admin may mandate some performance modifications for a particular model. Competitors will be informed of any changes by the administrators. Most likely the only changes that will be mandated will be weight reductions to bring a car that may not be competitive with its group to bring it to a more competitive level. No suspension mods will be made whatsoever, and if a cars HP rating needs to be improved, it will only be in changing the chip. All decisions made by Admin are final and firm. If a change is seen as detrimental Admin is open for discussion and will set up a review process. However, any and all administrative decisions are not open to argument. In other words, if there is a problem with any decision we can discuss it in a civilized and constructive manner. If you whine and cry about it, you will not be heard. Period.
The results process
To prevent the possibility of contestants from running a race over and over and over to only send in the best time achieved, a strict timeline will be used. One you decide to run your event, you must first send an email to admin stating your starting time (remember, admins email records "time sent" for emails), you then run your qualifying race and send admin the results. You then run your sprint race and send admin the results. For race reports, your final results must include all lap times. You can record your individual lap times via the replay function. Your final results must be sent within the allowed time period, yet to be exactly determined but most likely will have a 1 hour time limit. Any results received after the allowed time period, or without all individual lap times will be disallowed and you will be informed of either their acceptance or denial. You will then have a choice of re-running the event or be placed at the end of the final results. The maximum number of attempts will be 3.
Honor Code
We are all doing this for fun. That's what this is about, having fun. It's not any fun if someone cheats. The honor system will be all that holds this league together. If it comes to the point where cheating is suspected, then there are measures that may be implemented. Mailing memory cards takes a lot of time and can be costly. If everything checks out as OK, your memroy card will be sent back at no charge. However, if you get caught blatantly cheating, you may lose it. I think the thought of having a $30 memory card lost would be good enough incentive not to cheat. But, none of this will be implemented unless cheating is seen as a problem. Bottom line is, please, PLEASE, don't cheat. Let's keep this as a fun and amusing, yet sportsman and competitive. End result is I would like this to grow in popularity, and possibly even have prizes for races and championships. Wouldn't that be great!
This is only a rough outline of this new league, many details are yet to be worked out (actually, they're worked out already, they just have to be decided upon). Look for competition to begin in early January, with a sign up period beforehand. This is open to everybody of all experience and ability.
If you're interested in helping with this league, I'm looking for the assistance of some special individuals. 9 seperate groups of racing among 675 different cars can be a lot for one person to track, so I'm looking to create an admin board of 3 individuals. But most importantly, I'm looking for someone as a webmaster to set up and maintain a site containing all information and results for this league. I will track and compile all results, I just need someone to post them. If you're interested in either participating, administrating, or hosting a site, please contact me asap at jghinkle@ctive.com.
The Competition
With nearly 700 cars to choose from in 10 classes of racing, there is plenty of room for everyone. This league is designed to simulate close competition that would be found at any weekend event.
How does it work?
For the purposes of this league, we will be running cars in "showroom stock" condition. This means minimal to no modifications allowed, the only modifications allowed will be mandated by the administrators for competitive alignment. Future plans for competition will include Touring classes (limited modifications), GT classes (extensive modifications), and Open competitions. However, with nearly 3,000 (yes, that's three THOUSAND) combinations available, one could understand how that could overwhelm administrators at the moment so we'll start simple and small with Showroom Stock competition only, for now. Using "road" cars only (no racing purpose only built cars allowed) we have divided the competition into 9 different groups of racing, ordering the cars by group by similar performance standards. Each color is represented and can only be used once, unless campaigned by a Team (more on this later). In other words, if there are 5 colors in which a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is available, there are only 5 instances of availability for that model (unless being run by a Team). Once there is an entry for each available color then that model is closed for new entries until such model is again available (see "Claiming Rule"). With all the available model/color combinatons available, that brings us to over 675 vehicles availble for Showroom Stock competition.
Privateer or Teams?
You can enter competition as an individual, or join up with a partner to form a Team. Points will be awarded to everyone on an individual basis and seperate points will be tallyed for Team competition. As a privateer, you are limited to only one entry per group. You submit your request for a number, model, and color and use that for the duration of the "season" unless "claimed". As a Team, you are limited to 2 cars of the same model and color for competiton per group (unless "claimed").
Claiming Rule
Alright, what's all this talk about "Claiming" cars? In the interest of trying to provide continuity among competition (and also in hopes that this league grows popular enough), you are encouraged to participate in an entire season. This should be simple enough, as events will take place on a staggered schedule spread over 2 weeks time. Events will consist of Open practice (you practice when and where you want to, this is not directed by the administrators), a 5 lap qualifying race, and a 10 lap sprint race. All in all, total time requirements will be less than 1 hour, so it should be easy to make time for running an event in 2 weeks time. If you fail to appear at an event, your car will then become open to be claimed. For instance, if you've entered the famous Pink Vitz in Group 7 competition (because Pink is your lucky color) and run 3 events and miss the fourth scheduled event, you may lose your entry. Once you miss an event, your particular color and model will go on the "available"board, and may be claimed by another contestant. If another competitor really wants that Pink Vitz, he/she can put in a claiming request to use that car because of inactivity. However, if you feel lucky, you may be able to keep your car if it's not claimed duiring the availability period.
How does the competition itself work?
Once an event is scheduled, the competition goes as follows. Races are run in Arcade Mode. Qualifying races are 5 lap races run on the "Hard" setting. Your best lap of this race is recorded as you qualifying time and sets your grid position among your fellow competitors for the Sprint race. Points will be assessed based on your qualifying position so your qualifying session is important. For qualifying, you will be awarded 1 point per contestant you out-qualify. Pole position gains maximum points. For instance if you qualify on the pole in a total field of 20, you will receive an additional 19 points to your total for the event. If you qualify 2nd in the same event, you will receive 18 points, 3rd gets 17 points and so on. For the main sprint race, all competition will be held on the "Professional" setting, for a 10 lap sprint race in which tire wear will be a factor. In the interest of equality, everyone will start their own race from the sixth grid position (the default starting position can't be changed in Arcade Modes Single Race selection anyway. You run your 10 lap race and record your overall time. Your overall time will determine your finishing time among your fellow league competitors. Essentially, you are running two different races here, one on your computer (your local race), and one against your unseen league competitors. Don't be suprised if you finish 1st in your "local" race but finish 5th in the league race. League results are determined by your cumulative overall time, fastest time wins. Strategy has an effect here, will tangling with the AI hinder your overall time? Is the AI holding you up from potentially finishing quicker? This is something to think about while dicing with that Skyline, bang against him and take a chance at losing more time than being patient and passing him cleanly and lose less time? The choice is yours.
What does Showroom Stock mean?
In these first seasons of competiton, we will be running Showroom Stock cars. This means NO PERFORMANCE modifications. The only parts that are open for changing are tires. You are allowed any tire compound including racing tires for this competition. This is for two reasons. You can make a tire choice based on the length of the track and the weight of your car. This way you will not be punished if you have a heavier car, you will not "run out of tire" before the checkers if you opt for a harder compound. Likewise if you have a lightweight car, you can opt for a softer compoud and bring your tires up to temperature for some good driving. Also, this way competition is not skewed towards one type of driving style. You can shod your car to match your own driving style. You like to throw the car around, fit a hard compound so they will last the entire race. You're fast yet smooth, maybe you can fit softer tires and possibly finish quicker? Yet, if you go too soft, will your tires last? Strategy!
Administrative Modfications
There is absolutely no circumstance allowed where you can change parts of your car, or perform any performance altering modifications! However, if administration sees it necessary to align competition, admin may mandate some performance modifications for a particular model. Competitors will be informed of any changes by the administrators. Most likely the only changes that will be mandated will be weight reductions to bring a car that may not be competitive with its group to bring it to a more competitive level. No suspension mods will be made whatsoever, and if a cars HP rating needs to be improved, it will only be in changing the chip. All decisions made by Admin are final and firm. If a change is seen as detrimental Admin is open for discussion and will set up a review process. However, any and all administrative decisions are not open to argument. In other words, if there is a problem with any decision we can discuss it in a civilized and constructive manner. If you whine and cry about it, you will not be heard. Period.
The results process
To prevent the possibility of contestants from running a race over and over and over to only send in the best time achieved, a strict timeline will be used. One you decide to run your event, you must first send an email to admin stating your starting time (remember, admins email records "time sent" for emails), you then run your qualifying race and send admin the results. You then run your sprint race and send admin the results. For race reports, your final results must include all lap times. You can record your individual lap times via the replay function. Your final results must be sent within the allowed time period, yet to be exactly determined but most likely will have a 1 hour time limit. Any results received after the allowed time period, or without all individual lap times will be disallowed and you will be informed of either their acceptance or denial. You will then have a choice of re-running the event or be placed at the end of the final results. The maximum number of attempts will be 3.
Honor Code
We are all doing this for fun. That's what this is about, having fun. It's not any fun if someone cheats. The honor system will be all that holds this league together. If it comes to the point where cheating is suspected, then there are measures that may be implemented. Mailing memory cards takes a lot of time and can be costly. If everything checks out as OK, your memroy card will be sent back at no charge. However, if you get caught blatantly cheating, you may lose it. I think the thought of having a $30 memory card lost would be good enough incentive not to cheat. But, none of this will be implemented unless cheating is seen as a problem. Bottom line is, please, PLEASE, don't cheat. Let's keep this as a fun and amusing, yet sportsman and competitive. End result is I would like this to grow in popularity, and possibly even have prizes for races and championships. Wouldn't that be great!
This is only a rough outline of this new league, many details are yet to be worked out (actually, they're worked out already, they just have to be decided upon). Look for competition to begin in early January, with a sign up period beforehand. This is open to everybody of all experience and ability.
If you're interested in helping with this league, I'm looking for the assistance of some special individuals. 9 seperate groups of racing among 675 different cars can be a lot for one person to track, so I'm looking to create an admin board of 3 individuals. But most importantly, I'm looking for someone as a webmaster to set up and maintain a site containing all information and results for this league. I will track and compile all results, I just need someone to post them. If you're interested in either participating, administrating, or hosting a site, please contact me asap at jghinkle@ctive.com.
