Bracket Racing and Staggered Starts?

[smokee]

I am curious if bracket racing and staggered starts could be done in rFactor?

Bracket racing seems the easiest in theory, everyone is in the lobby, the race is started and only the two players who's "turn" it is enters the race. Rinse, wash, repeat. I see there is drag racing, so I am thinking this is how it is done?

Second question: could staggered starts be done for hillclimbs?

Anyone have any experience or input on this?

[Phil E]

Aaron

Yes, both could be done if you have an admin running the server.

Bracket racing, whether done as a drag race or on a short circuit (rallycross anyone) would work as you described it. Admin just needs to quickly move server thru sessions to keep things moving.

For staggered starts, you'd need someone not racing to admin, and everyone on TS. Admin sets server to race. On green, pole goes. Then admin watches clock and at predetermined interval calls next car to go. Racers (after first 2 spots) would roll up to starting line, pay attention to admin, and depending on the mod/track, maybe shut off the engine to keep from overheating/burning too much gas. The admin would then take finish times minus start interval to determine winner. So more complicated, but doable.

[Phil E]

Also, we are hoping new Race07 Retro add on, which adds hill climbs, might automate MP staggered starts. David...did you test that yet? I got the mod but have been so busy on Dirt3....

[davidan]

I have not had a chance to test the staggered starts / hill climb yet on the RACE 07/Retro Pack, but would like to soon. Also, I have RACE 07 on the server right now if we want to play with it ...

[corsa]

I have the Retro Pack for Race 07 and have only had time to run up the hill once in a Volvo and once in a Camaro... if you want to find some time some night to test the online Hill Climb stuff let me know.

[smokee]

Aaron

Yes, both could be done if you have an admin running the server.

Bracket racing, whether done as a drag race or on a short circuit (rallycross anyone) would work as you described it. Admin just needs to quickly move server thru sessions to keep things moving.

For staggered starts, you'd need someone not racing to admin, and everyone on TS. Admin sets server to race. On green, pole goes. Then admin watches clock and at predetermined interval calls next car to go. Racers (after first 2 spots) would roll up to starting line, pay attention to admin, and depending on the mod/track, maybe shut off the engine to keep from overheating/burning too much gas. The admin would then take finish times minus start interval to determine winner. So more complicated, but doable.

Thanks Phil, that makes sense. After posting this I downloaded Targa Florio and saw that it has a staggered start mode, but it appears done more with a grid that was very spaced out along the track, instead of a hill climb where everyone uses the same start/finish.

With brackets would you need to change the grid order before each race start, or would the specified players entering the race be enough? I am thinking it would depend on how the grid is laid out?

I have Race 07 but have yet to play more than a race in it since I haven't had a reason to yet The hillclimbs sound cool tho!

[Phil E]

With brackets would you need to change the grid order before each race start, or would the specified players entering the race be enough? I am thinking it would depend on how the grid is laid out?

Changing grid order is easy on rfactor using server client. If i were running it, I'd have a predefined grid order so I could call people to the line and to go appropriately.

[smokee]

Changing grid order is easy on rfactor using server client. If i were running it, I'd have a predefined grid order so I could call people to the line and to go appropriately.

Thanks for your input Phil, I appreciate it.

For the bracket racing, the track I am looking at is a rallycross crossover loop, so only the 2 racers that are up can be on track at a time. So my current plan is to:

1) Announce next 2 drivers
2) Get lane choice from appropriate driver
3) Set the grid positions #1 and #2 based on lane choice
4) Advance session to race
5) Cross fingers and hope that only the correct divers enter race
6) Reset race and repeat process as efficiently as possible to keep things moving

I will be practicing this before the event of course, just trying to make 100% sure this is going to work so I don't crash and burn come race night.