W.M.A. International Touring Car Championship-Season Wrap-Up!

[Johnnypenso]

Suzuka East, Indy or Monza is a toss up for me. Any one is fine, but my preference would be for Indy because it's a big, wide track with plenty of room for dicing. First corner is a bugger on all three tracks but that's the case with most tracks anyway.

I'll put in a plug again for trying the single file start, with the cars up to race speed before the Start/Finish line, but no passing before the Start/Finish line. Spreads the field out a bit, avoids the bunching up in the first corner, and far fewer incidents and contact in the first corner. It's also a much easier format to get right as you need only follow and stay close to the car in front of you and don't have to worry about who is beside you. The polesitter sets the pace around 80 km/h and everyone else keeps up.

I'm not sure if the shorter tracks are part of the theme of the series, if they are then so be it, but many of the shorter tracks produce bad racing. London is a terrible track to race on as is either version of Madrid. Even Rome isn't a great track to race on. When you only have one or two possible passing places and the track narrows to one lane in several parts, to me it's more of a novelty, or something suited to 400PP or less street cars on street tires. They are fun tracks to hot lap on but rarely produce good, clean racing, especially on RS tires with 275 hp and 1100kgs, where grip and cornering speeds are high. Ok to have one of them on the schedule to mix things up a bit but not more than that, if good, clean racing is part of the goal of the series.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

That is correct. If we want to be as close as possible to real life then no ovals. With the current horsepower settings, I believe that we need to run as small of a track as possible. Tsukuba IMO was the perfect length track. GVE was good as well. Tracks like Clubman Route 5, Autumn ring mini, London, various smaller configurations of Cape Ring, Suzuka east, GVE, and any other track where the lap time is less than 1.30.💡

Pit stops... No London. Though, Autumn Ring Mini is a good track. It's kinda like Brands Hatch (the shortest layout.)

Clubman Route 5 is a maybe. My TV's a little brighter now.

 

[anirishnirvana]

I prefer the idea of running Suzuka full. Yes, we may have to near on half the number of laps. However, the same may be said of Monaco (I believe), we can get some wet practice in, and it's still got a lot of straights for power to be tested.

Failing that Monza.

Haha ... you kept lagging behind, what happened?

As with Nascar, if you lose the draft, you're screwed, so cross grass trip time. I don't remember how I got so far behind though, probably trying to destroy Storm

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Suzuka's huge though. It's sorta the same deal as Nordschleife and La Sarthe; too long. Most of the tracks that we run are 2:00s or less lap times. It fits better with touring cars. They don't have too much speed to give on straights, so the straights get pretty boring.

 

[cnd01]

Suzuka East, Indy or Monza is a toss up for me. Any one is fine, but my preference would be for Indy because it's a big, wide track with plenty of room for dicing. First corner is a bugger on all three tracks but that's the case with most tracks anyway.

I'll put in a plug again for trying the single file start, with the cars up to race speed before the Start/Finish line, but no passing before the Start/Finish line. Spreads the field out a bit, avoids the bunching up in the first corner, and far fewer incidents and contact in the first corner.

IRL how many Touring car series use single file starts. They use single file re-starts, but we don't use cautions. By doing that you open up a whole new can of worms on start rules. I think the double file starts worked well at Tsukuba with the exception of race 2. I am trying to be unbiased here. How do the people in the rear of the field feel having to start a full second or more behind the leader. It actually promotes dive-bombing and subsequent blocking. In a double-file start it is obvious who dive-bombs because you see 3 wide in the first turn. Lastly, who wants to drive a race that starts spread out. I like the thrill of passing cars and running near other people in order to win races rather than already starting clear of other cars. I like the challenge of navigating traffic.

 

[anirishnirvana]

Suzuka's huge though. It's sorta the same deal as Nordschleife and La Sarthe; too long. Most of the tracks that we run are 2:00s or less lap times. It fits better with touring cars. They don't have too much speed to give on straights, so the straights get pretty boring.

The straights get boring huh? I see, so Monza...

Huge... well, so much for anyone who wanted Spa in the series.

Granted, first lap on Suzuka is 2:13, but Monza is 2:03, so there's not enough difference to say it's huge. Then to compare it with Sarthe and Nordschleife .

Think about Monza's Parabolica to the chicane, then Suzuka's Casio triangle to turn 1. Actually, even go back to the 130R. Which is going to give you less incidents? Which track filters the cars better?

What happens if you're a victim of divebombing at turn 1 for each course? Divebombing may have been prohibited in the rules, but it will still happen. Think about weather changeability. As you said, if we do Monza we're doing changing weather. Well then, what happens when someone who isn't used to the weather misjudges a corner? Again, what about that poor sod who was in the wrong place at the wrong time? Especially each respective turn 1..

Suzuka: into run off area, lose some time getting back on track, then we're away.
Monza: into barrier, heavy damage, lose time getting to pits, going into the pits to the repair damage.

Finally, what about corner cutting? You can't confirm it in qualifying, will have to be watched for in the races and to be frank, Monza is a prime target for it. Where in Suzuka can you cut a corner without going onto the grass or astro?

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Anyways, I can't give too much away, but, there are some BIG announcements coming this week here.


One of them might be more obvious, and the others... Keep your mouths TIGHT-lipped Team of Stewards. NO SLIP UPS.


It'll be an epic surprise later.


IN THE MEAN TIME: We will be running some of our normal races in the rain. I'll update the rules for rain races right after dinner. Gotta go make that.


One more thing: After Saturday's Preseason finale round, we'll be running some testing for polarbear345's Rolex Series season 2. We hope to double check the performance specs, and finalize all of the rules for cautions. We hope to be well adjusted to the cautions system before the first round of Polarbear345's Rolex season 2 series. Therefore, I'm asking all interested drivers, and all currently registered drivers to stay after the ITCC preseason round is finished, to run some Rolex testing.

Finally: the normal season will be run in my lounge. I'm sick of "removing" the people who aren't registered. In saying that, though, I have registered some new drivers as well.

 

[polarbear345]

Anyways, I can't give too much away, but, there are some BIG announcements coming this week here.

One of them might be more obvious, and the others... Keep your mouths TIGHT-lipped Team of Stewards. NO SLIP UPS.

It'll be an epic surprise later.

IN THE MEAN TIME: We will be running some of our normal races in the rain. I'll update the rules for rain races right after dinner. Gotta go make that.

So well have announced rain races? Or will you surprise us with rain?

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

It'll be based on a system;

I'll put the weather at a specific amount (which I won't announce until the day of,) with all specific settings. It will be different between races, though, so there will be some portions of dry races, some portions of the "I don't know what it's going to do " races, and some with the "yeah... Rain tires are best now..." races.


It could be something like:

Race 1: (early in the morning) 100% rain, 100% weather, 10 changeability.


Race 2: (midday) 20% rain, 50% weather, 10 changeability.

Race 3: (evening) 0% rain, 0% weather, 0 changeability.


It would follow a logical explanation; in this example, heavy rain overnight left the track very wet for race 1, but the track dried out over the course of the day, and left us with a nice sunset for race 3.


For race 1, I would mandate that all drivers must use wets, by calling "Race 1=Wet Race" and then, I would let people go crazy with their Race 2 strategy.

 

[polarbear345]

It'll be based on a system;

I'll put the weather at a specific amount (which I won't announce until the day of,) with all specific settings. It will be different between races, though, so there will be some portions of dry races, some portions of the "I don't know what it's going to do " races, and some with the "yeah... Rain tires are best now..." races.

It could be something like:

Race 1: (early in the morning) 100% rain, 100% weather, 10 changeability.

Race 2: (midday) 20% rain, 50% weather, 10 changeability.

Race 3: (evening) 0% rain, 0% weather, 0 changeability.

It would follow a logical explanation; in this example, heavy rain overnight left the track very wet for race 1, but the track dried out over the course of the day, and left us with a nice sunset for race 3.

For race 1, I would mandate that all drivers must use wets, by calling "Race 1=Wet Race" and then, I would let people go crazy with their Race 2 strategy.

1000 posts!!!!! Congrats Mel!

And sounds like that's a plan for a time change track....possible hint?....


But it sounds fun!

 

[cnd01]

It'll be based on a system;

I'll put the weather at a specific amount (which I won't announce until the day of,) with all specific settings. It will be different between races, though, so there will be some portions of dry races, some portions of the "I don't know what it's going to do " races, and some with the "yeah... Rain tires are best now..." races.


It could be something like:

Race 1: (early in the morning) 100% rain, 100% weather, 10 changeability.


Race 2: (midday) 20% rain, 50% weather, 10 changeability.

Race 3: (evening) 0% rain, 0% weather, 0 changeability.


It would follow a logical explanation; in this example, heavy rain overnight left the track very wet for race 1, but the track dried out over the course of the day, and left us with a nice sunset for race 3.


For race 1, I would mandate that all drivers must use wets, by calling "Race 1=Wet Race" and then, I would let people go crazy with their Race 2 strategy.

Looks like a good challenge to me. 1000 posts in the thread whoop whoop

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Oh, oops, did I just let that slip too?


Yeah, we'll be doing some time change tracks. My bad, for letting that slip, but, enjoy your little trickle of information.


And, yep, thanks for the 1000 posts guys! it means a lot, running a successful series. And, as a result of the 1000 posts, I'll be announcing a whole bunch of new things in the morning. (Much later than now.) I promise, though, that the secrets will be out before Thursday, at the absolute latest.

 

[polarbear345]

Oh, oops, did I just let that slip too?

Yeah, we'll be doing some time change tracks. My bad, for letting that slip, but, enjoy your little trickle of information.

And, yep, thanks for the 1000 posts guys! it means a lot, running a successful series. And, as a result of the 1000 posts, I'll be announcing a whole bunch of new things in the morning. (Much later than now.) I promise, though, that the secrets will be out before Thursday, at the absolute latest.

Maybe Wednesday? I'll be in the car all day... 3d Mario kart is only fun for so long....

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Are you trying to tell me, that you want me to delay my post until Wednesday, so you can read through the new releases of information while on a long car drive? Hahaa, jerk, you've got a deal!

 

[cnd01]

Oh, oops, did I just let that slip too?


Yeah, we'll be doing some time change tracks. My bad, for letting that slip, but, enjoy your little trickle of information.


And, yep, thanks for the 1000 posts guys! it means a lot, running a successful series. And, as a result of the 1000 posts, I'll be announcing a whole bunch of new things in the morning. (Much later than now.) I promise, though, that the secrets will be out before Thursday, at the absolute latest.

I already know some of them lol (zips lip before i say anything)

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I already know some of them lol (zips lip before i say anything)

Polar's on the Team of Stewards too...

 

[polarbear345]

Polar's on the Team of Stewards too...

Yep! I know too much already....

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Oh god, I could so troll everyone: "HUGE SPEC CHANGES! ALL CARS ARE BEING REPLACED BY FIAT 500s! Have a nice season."



(Disclaimer: that's a blatant lie, for humourous effect)

 

[cnd01]

Ok guys we will all have to drive 1 stint backwards in every race from now on. oops i have said too much

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Ok guys we will all have to drive 1 stint backwards in every race from now on. oops i have said too much

(Disclaimer: this is funny! but not true either)

 

[polarbear345]

(Disclaimer: this is funny! but not true either)

Or is it... Just kidding! But man, wouldn't that be a real b**ch to regulate... "on lap 5, make a u turn and go backwards for 5 laps...."

 

[Johnnypenso]

IRL how many Touring car series use single file starts. They use single file re-starts, but we don't use cautions. By doing that you open up a whole new can of worms on start rules. I think the double file starts worked well at Tsukuba with the exception of race 2. I am trying to be unbiased here. How do the people in the rear of the field feel having to start a full second or more behind the leader. It actually promotes dive-bombing and subsequent blocking. In a double-file start it is obvious who dive-bombs because you see 3 wide in the first turn. Lastly, who wants to drive a race that starts spread out. I like the thrill of passing cars and running near other people in order to win races rather than already starting clear of other cars. I like the challenge of navigating traffic.

Even with double file starts, the field is generally single file by the second corner, third corner at the latest. So all you are really doing with a single file start is moving the race ahead 2 corners or 20-30 seconds, but avoiding all the chaos that often happens in the double file restart. I like the thrill of passing cars too, but in the double wide start, there is no passing before the apex of the first corner anyway, and often by the exit of the first corner most of the field is single file heading down to the next corner.

But if the plan is to stick as close to the real life series as possible then double wide it is. Of course I bet they aren't racing on super soft slicks either so maybe a tire change to RH is in order:idea:

 

[cnd01]

Or is it... Just kidding! But man, wouldn't that be a real b**ch to regulate... "on lap 5, make a u turn and go backwards for 5 laps...."

yes and you can't look back and your horn must be blowing the entire time.

 

[polarbear345]

Even with double file starts, the field is generally single file by the second corner, third corner at the latest. So all you are really doing with a single file start is moving the race ahead 2 corners or 20-30 seconds, but avoiding all the chaos that often happens in the double file restart. I like the thrill of passing cars too, but in the double wide start, there is no passing before the apex of the first corner anyway, and often by the exit of the first corner most of the field is single file heading down to the next corner.

But if the plan is to stick as close to the real life series as possible then double wide it is. Of course I bet they aren't racing on super soft slicks either so maybe a tire change to RH is in order:idea:

...and we're back to this...

 

[cnd01]

Even with double file starts, the field is generally single file by the second corner, third corner at the latest. So all you are really doing with a single file start is moving the race ahead 2 corners or 20-30 seconds, but avoiding all the chaos that often happens in the double file restart. I like the thrill of passing cars too, but in the double wide start, there is no passing before the apex of the first corner anyway, and often by the exit of the first corner most of the field is single file heading down to the next corner.

But if the plan is to stick as close to the real life series as possible then double wide it is. Of course I bet they aren't racing on super soft slicks either so maybe a tire change to RH is in order:idea:

Let's just run double file. You start first just about every week anyway. The field is flipped every race, so you try starting single file in last and try to stay behind people. Makes the last race even crazier.

 

[NizmoDr3]

I say stick to double file rolling starts ... everyone must just learn discipline and patience ... good idea with the weather change MrM, that would make the races much more interesting ... I would say last pre season should be Monza or Suzuka wet ... choice one and two respectively ... (with Fiat 500F's of course) ... lol

 

[freshseth83]

Looking forward to winning many races in my GT86. I know I've got the car to do it, looking forward to some clean racing as well. Just gotta have a little give and take, remember- sharing is caring.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I say stick to double file rolling starts ... everyone must just learn discipline and patience ... good idea with the weather change MrM, that would make the races much more interesting ... I would say last pre season should be Monza or Suzuka wet ... choice one and two respectively ... (with Fiat 500F's of course) ... lol

All in good time, but, you won't be disappointed. I promise you, that this series will not leave you disappointed, in terms of a schedule.


Oh, did I just leak even more top secret information? Perhaps, that I've developed a rough schedule idea? Which has A HUGE FINALE? Hmmmmmmm...


This isn't a schedule announcement, nope. Click to see what it REALLY is.

 

[NizmoDr3]

Well I've got the day off today so I have been testing some other cars at someone's suggestion (BMW is a bit on the heavy side) ... Two specific cars stand out for me so I will have a different car come last round of pre-season ... one of them is on the original car list and they are both within regs ... some fine tuning is needed but it would help if I knew where the last round is being held ... any hints? Lol

 

[anirishnirvana]

Oh god, I could so troll everyone: "HUGE SPEC CHANGES! ALL CARS ARE BEING REPLACED BY FIAT 500s! Have a nice season."



(Disclaimer: that's a blatant lie, for humourous effect)

TOO LATE! I'm on my way Fiat!

Now, how about my idea for a post season race. It would be such a clean race