SNAIL - Endurance Series (Archive)

[TVV0_]

I definitely should have practiced more probably lost 5mins to wrecks and repairs myself but still had a good time.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Any other track in the game will be more forgiving in regard to wrecks because the time to get back to pits will be substantially lower. I think we got the toughest one out of the way first so the rest is smooth sailing 👍

 

[Sean Renon]

Any other track in the game will be more forgiving in regard to wrecks because the time to get back to pits will be substantially lower. I think we got the toughest one out of the way first so the rest is smooth sailing 👍

That depends, if I had won this week - I was thinking of choosing Big Willow, if you go off on the back end of that track it can take a very very long time to limp back to pits in the sand.

 

[Sean Renon]

Also, does anyone have a record of the results from this week and last?
I would like to put together a spreadsheet to keep track.

 

[DesertPenguin]

That depends, if I had won this week - I was thinking of choosing Big Willow, if you go off on the back end of that track it can take a very very long time to limp back to pits in the sand.

Long, but not minutes long like if you crash at the start of a 'Ring lap

 

[Sean Renon]

Long, but not minutes long like if you crash at the start of a 'Ring lap

True,
Did anyone have a major crash (like engine damage major) at the beginning of the lap?
I know I lapped BradESPN, and it looks like Neutty was sitting at the start finish, but anyone else?

 

[TVV0_]

True,
Did anyone have a major crash (like engine damage major) at the beginning of the lap?
I know I lapped BradESPN, and it looks like Neutty was sitting at the start finish, but anyone else?

I had 4 total laps w engine damage only one was early in the lap though. No incidents in the gp part of the track ahahha

I kept messing up half way through usually at the uphill left that lifts you off the track i would turn to early catch the strip which shot me to the fence.

 

[DesertPenguin]

There should be a way back to the pits after the GP section before the Nordschleife so if there are any problems people can get back to the pits quickly. I mean this in real life and therefore we'd get it too.

 

[TVV0_]

There should be a way back to the pits after the GP section before the Nordschleife so if there are any problems people can get back to the pits quickly. I mean this in real life and therefore we'd get it too.

Should have gave it a try last night DP. 13 entrants at start 10 finished was plenty of room with people on all sorts of different paces

 

[DesertPenguin]

I watched a bit of Sam's stream and most of it was people running by themselves with the gaps between being in seconds. I'd rather not do a time trial for an hour and a half. A smaller track would at least create lap traffic situations and things may be different in general.

 

[BradESPN]

Also, does anyone have a record of the results from this week and last?
I would like to put together a spreadsheet to keep track.

I do, I can send them to you when I get home.

 

[BradESPN]

Does anyone have any alternative ideas on how to handle qualifying? There are a few problems with our current system:

- Random drivers can join, enter, and disrupt (unless the host waits in the pits with a handy boot)
- It's hard to draw the line for the "end" of qualifying - What if the unofficial "timer" runs out when someone is about to finish a lap? What if the timer runs out and a driver still completes another lap that is his/her best (we'll have no way to go back to their previous best time)
- It's annoying that you have to stay on the track (or re-enter) in order for your lap time to be considered in the "Fastest First" grid order​

Luckily we didn't have either of these problems last night because I wanted to stay in the pits anyways (I'm terrible at Nurb), and it was very clear where to draw the line for the end of qualifying based on where everyone was on the track. However, I'm obviously not always going to want to stay in the pits, and with the smaller tracks it gets more difficult to decide who's lap is the last lap allowed to finish. So I think we need to at least consider some other options.

 

[Sean Renon]

Does anyone have any alternative ideas on how to handle qualifying? There are a few problems with our current system:

- Random drivers can join, enter, and disrupt (unless the host waits in the pits with a handy boot)
- It's hard to draw the line for the "end" of qualifying - What if the unofficial "timer" runs out when someone is about to finish a lap? What if the timer runs out and a driver still completes another lap that is his/her best (we'll have no way to go back to their previous best time)
- It's annoying that you have to stay on the track (or re-enter) in order for your lap time to be considered in the "Fastest First" grid order​

Luckily we didn't have either of these problems last night because I wanted to stay in the pits anyways (I'm terrible at Nurb), and it was very clear where to draw the line for the end of qualifying based on where everyone was on the track. However, I'm obviously not always going to want to stay in the pits, and with the smaller tracks it gets more difficult to decide who's lap is the last lap allowed to finish. So I think we need to at least consider some other options.

- Unless the host is willing to not race, can't really deal with random drivers - not until they implement a password protected lobby (seriously can't believe this isn't a thing)
- IMO this was only really an issue last night because a) nurb is super long and b) we had a very messy beginning of qualifying, for the sake of simplicity, imo we should run qualifying exactly how FIA races do - when the "timer" runs out it's over - you don't get to complete the lap you're on.
- Take a screenshot of the qualifying ranks as soon as the timer ends, then manually set the starting grid to match, then you won't have to worry about staying on track - or people completing qualifying laps after the qualifying sessions are over.
- Another way to do it would be we skip the qualifying sessions altogether, and simply seed people based on where they finished the week before - or where they are in a point standings if we wanted to do that. It would suck for people who are fast and missed a week, but it's an option.

 

[DesertPenguin]

You can set the room to host sets manual grid.
-Host does their qualifying run before starting the room's qualifying. Make note of your time.
-Run qualifying. When over write a message saying "Qualifying Over! Finish your lap and return to pits"
-Make a note of everyone's time and set the grid manually, including your time.
-This allows the host to boot people during the room qualifying and still have a grid position for the race.

 

[TVV0_]

Could just do random grid order. Forgo qually all together..

 

[Lessen]

I watched a bit of Sam's stream and most of it was people running by themselves with the gaps between being in seconds. I'd rather not do a time trial for an hour and a half. A smaller track would at least create lap traffic situations and things may be different in general.

DP, if this is your hangup then there likely won't be any track that will give you the type of entertainment you're looking for. That is what endurance racing is all about, especially if you're racing with similarly skilled opponents. Endurance isn't for everybody I know, but just saying it seems like youre interested, but when it com snto the realities of what's actually going to take place, you seem to check out. I'm kinda not sure what you thought endurance racing entails???

 

[DesertPenguin]

I know everything spreads out for a bit but on more traditionally sized tracks it can bunch cars up causing gaps to close. It's also easier to hold a rhythm an enjoy it when you're seeing the same turns more than once every 9 minutes so you can really attack them and learn things each and every lap. More fun to be had there I guess.

 

[Sean Renon]

I know everything spreads out for a bit but on more traditionally sized tracks it can bunch cars up causing gaps to close. It's also easier to hold a rhythm an enjoy it when you're seeing the same turns more than once every 9 minutes so you can really attack them and learn things each and every lap. More fun to be had there I guess.

I can't speak about other people experiences, but on Suzuka (granted I think we only had 8 drivers complete) it was a pretty lonely race. I had a few people close behind me for a few laps until they got into an accident, then I spent the next 30~ laps driving alone in P2 - lapped 4 people I think.

I actually had more "racing" on Nurb than I did on Suzuka last week - people around me were on different strategies, so I had about 3-4 minutes where P4 was right behind me on fresher and softer tires but I held him off (only to run wide on a corner and give him the position), this happened a total of 2 times vs the same driver.

 

[TexasJDC]

Something to think about I know everyone's schedual is crazy (especially if your like me and work at a car dealership) but what about running a 3 to 5 lap sprint race a day or two before the endurance race to determine the grid order? I know not everyone could do it but hopefully together we can all figure out a way so it doesn't screw anyone

 

[DesertPenguin]

Well having only 8 drivers is more of a factor so there's that. A full room would be awesome right?

 

[JLBowler]

Generally speaking, for endurance to be interesting and entertaining, you have to get drivers on multiple strategies. If you don't do that, the first 15 minutes is the field getting in order and the rest of the race is a parade as long as there is one strategy being employed. When there are multiple strategies being employed, you get pit stops and guys on fresh tires against guys on used tires and guys that normally would pass each other are racing together for a bit.

 

[Sean Renon]

Generally speaking, for endurance to be interesting and entertaining, you have to get drivers on multiple strategies. If you don't do that, the first 15 minutes is the field getting in order and the rest of the race is a parade as long as there is one strategy being employed. When there are multiple strategies being employed, you get pit stops and guys on fresh tires against guys on used tires and guys that normally would pass each other are racing together for a bit.

This happened last night, P1 started RH and went 4 laps without a stop (saving a loooot of fuel)
P2 started RS and conserved fuel, but changed for tires every 2 laps (I think)
P3 (me) did a half and half strategy, 3 laps on RH+3 laps on RH+2 laps on RM+2 laps on RM
P4 had roughly the same strategy as P2.

I'm not sure about the guys behind that.

P1 finished P2, P2 finished P1, P3 finished P4, P4 finished P3, it was pretty interesting.

 

[JLBowler]

This happened last night, P1 started RH and went 4 laps without a stop (saving a loooot of fuel)
P2 started RS and conserved fuel, but changed for tires every 2 laps (I think)
P3 (me) did a half and half strategy, 3 laps on RH+3 laps on RH+2 laps on RM+2 laps on RM
P4 had roughly the same strategy as P2.

I'm not sure about the guys behind that.

P1 finished P2, P2 finished P1, P3 finished P4, P4 finished P3, it was pretty interesting.

That makes for a pretty good endurance race. Different strategies and position changes going on.

It's endurance racing. You're just not normally going to see people fighting for position on track for laps on end. It's more about running your pace and strategy and finishing the advertised distance first as opposed to using up your stuff racing side by side and having to adjust strategy because of it.

 

[SAMHAIN85]

Did anyone have a major crash (like engine damage major) at the beginning of the lap?

I ran off twice. First time was towards the beginning of lap 3. (I was doing 4 lap stints) I kissed the wall hard enough for rear suspension and aero damage. It wasnt too costly, but it still made a difference. I wasnt going to sway from my original strategy of:

Lap1-4 RH conserve fuel
Pit
Lap 5-8 RH conserve fuel
Pit
Lap 9-10 RM all-out

So I battled on for another 1.5 laps.

Start of lap 7? I was 18 seconds back from Mike in P1, and by the time I got to the fast section before the carousel I cut it down to 11. I lost concentration for a split second and ran off with significant engine and aero damage. I finished the lap +40 seconds slower than my normal time and limped back to the pits where I was forced to change up my pit strategy.

This is all new to me and I've been loving it so far.

Does anyone have any alternative ideas on how to handle qualifying?

I like the idea of running reverse grid from the previous weeks. New guys can either start up front or in back, whichever you guys decide. Then we can just use the time before the race as practice and to fine-tune any sort of strategies.

If this series really starts to blow up and we get more than 16 people wanting to race (lets say 20), a KOQ Knock Out Qualifier would be pretty cool. 16 fastest quallys stay, the other 4 can then go create their own lobby and race the same enduro if they choose.

 

[DesertPenguin]

What about a 20 minute sprint qualifying race to get the blood flowing?

 

[BradESPN]

What about a 20 minute sprint qualifying race to get the blood flowing?

I like the idea of this, but we'd still have the problem of deciding the starting order for the sprint qualifying race.

For simplicity, unless anyone strongly opposes, let's go with this in lieu of qualifying:

- Reverse grid from previous week's results
- New comers will go in front unless they request to start in the back​

 

[TVV0_]

I like the idea of this, but we'd still have the problem of deciding the starting order for the sprint qualifying race.

For simplicity, unless anyone strongly opposes, let's go with this in lieu of qualifying:

- Reverse grid from previous week's results
- New comers will go in front unless they request to start in the back​

I like this idea and will work for me if it does others.

@BradESPN and everyone else would you be willing to change up the car limitation? Instead of a certain car we run a certain group of cars(ex. gr4)? That way the winner just has to decide track we will know its gr4(also for ease of participating and not havinf to buy everycar) and have a variety in the field with thier own strenghts weaknesses. (I know their is META cars but doubt they will be that advantageous over 1.5hrs?) Again just a thought and have no strong convictions to this idea just something i thought would play into strategy.

 

[BradESPN]

I like this idea and will work for me if it does others.

@BradESPN and everyone else would you be willing to change up the car limitation? Instead of a certain car we run a certain group of cars(ex. gr4)? That way the winner just has to decide track we will know its gr4(also for ease of participating and not havinf to buy everycar) and have a variety in the field with thier own strenghts weaknesses. (I know their is META cars but doubt they will be that advantageous over 1.5hrs?) Again just a thought and have no strong convictions to this idea just something i thought would play into strategy.

I think if we gave the winner the option to pick a category instead of a specific car, that would be a cool idea - we'd just have to turn BoP on.

 

[Whitey093]

@DesertPenguin

Having done an endurance race with 24 hours of lemons, it really is just one big long time trial. We never raced wheel to wheel, most of our gained positions were through efficient pit stops and avoiding mistakes (penalties). With 80 cars on track who even knows who youre racing against for position 10 hours in. You filter everyone else out, hit your marks and try to maintain the best average lap time you can manage over your 2 hour stint and let the chips fall where they may. If you want wheel to wheel excitement i heard on sunday nights theres a league for sprint racing.

As far as this league goes, i am hoping to catch a few races soon. I have been busier than ever at work lately and barely have any time anymore to dedicate to racing but if i happen to be free when there's a race ill jump in. Also as far as organizing the league and the races goes i can help a bit after my experience trying to run the GT1 series last year. I at the very least learned what not to do haha.

 

[DublDee]

I bought a basically brand new G29 off Kijiji for $280.

I'm sure you did, but if (I mean when, I'm just really bitter about it all right now) I replace my wheel, it will be brand new and most likely a T300 Thrustmaster. I've always been a Logitech guy, but after taking my G27 apart multiple times and seeing the Micky Mouse engineering inside, it's time for a change. Not too mention, anyone I talked to who has switched from the 27/29 to T300 were very happy with the wheel, but most agreed the Logitech had better pedals, and apparently you can get an adapter for the G27/29 pedals to T300 wheel, so that might be an option too since my pedals are fine, as far as I know.