KL-Racer's Alternative DTM: 2002 Season

[KL-racer]

DTM chairman game: 2002 Season!

Well, first off, I was working overtime to try to figure out a way to do the following things:
1. How to Implement a success ballast system
2. How to give the Renaults a fair chance to succeed in their first season by using car stats
3. How to fix the upgrade system to slow down the rate of development.

So, here’s how I did each of the following three things!

Success ballast (borrowed from the JGTC now called Super GT series):

In the first 8 rounds of the season, success ballast will be used according to the following formula: 0.2 x number of points earned. So, with our current points system it will be like this:

1st: 2 points off each stat
2nd: 1.6 points off each stat
3rd: 1.2 points off each stat
4th: 1 point off each stat
5th: 0.8 points off each stat
6th: 0.6 points off each stat
7th: 0.4 points off each stat
8th: 0.2 points off each stat

Success ballast will carry on from race to race until round 9 qualifying, when all of the cars that have success ballast will have their success ballast removed by half. Before the final round’s qualifying, all of the success ballast will be removed for a straight-up fight. Therefore, success ballast will not be awarded for the final two races of the season. The Reason why, to prevent intentional sandbagging!

Renault’s car stats:

Well, I did some simple averaging out the stats and I determined that the following stats for the Renault cars should be: +12 acceleration, +12 cornering and +9 reliability. If any team wants to switch to Renaults for this season, the above will be the stats at the start of this season, no matter what the other upgrades the individual teams had done the previous two seasons. So think carefully before you switch.

Upgrades:

Since the money system is now in Euros, I needed to convert the money to euros, which I did. But the bigger problem is how to slow down the rate of upgrades. After much debate, I decided that 1 point = 1500 euros would be part of the solution. In terms of budgets for upgrades, I decided that the following will work:

If the team finishes 1st-3rd in the teams standings last season: 10,000 euro budget
If the team finishes 4th-7th in the teams standings last season: 13,000 euro budget
If the team finishes 8th-11th in the teams standings last season: 16,000 euro budget

EDIT: The manufacturers themselves also can upgrade their cars, but their budget is limited to 10,000 euros per season

Likewise, prize money from the races will be slightly different this season due to the change to the euro:

1st: 2000 euros
2nd: 1500 euros
3rd: 1100 euros
4th: 800 euros
5th: 600 euros
6th: 500 euros
7th: 400 euros
8th: 300 euros
9th: 200 euros
10th: 100 euros

One more note on the car stats: I set each team’s car stat limit on every category to +20

So, without any delay here’s what I have for drivers and teams so far. Don’t worry this post will be updated of course!

Lamb Motorsports [honorarynortherner]: +19.96 acc. +20 cornering +15 reliability Budget: 3900 Euros (opel vectra)
1 Olivier Beretta
2 Chico Serra

The Defending driver's champion, Olivier Beretta is back for his 3rd season with Lamb Motorsports, but this time he's looking to defend his title. And guess that switch to Opels has helped last season, they came within a few points of taking the team's title, but fell short. However, they lost Manuel Reuter as a result of having to pay for Beretta. A team title challenge seems unlikely.

Dominic Racing Team [fmecha]: +17.86 acc. +17.53 corning +15.53 reliability Budget: 15550 Euros (opel vectra)
3 Timo Scheider
4 Laurent Aiello

the defending team's title winner, they are looking for the 3-peat. They still have a healthy budget and they keep both drivers for the third straight season.

D2-Kabel Racing [shizuka]: +20 acc. +20 cornering +14.6 Reliability Budget: 650 Euros (BMW M3 E46)
5 Jörg Müller
6 Johnny Cecotto

Meanwhile, the sole BMW team for the time being and the best of the rest are steadily improving their results. Keeping both drivers for a 3rd straight season helps.

Belgian VW/Audi Club [this]: +16 Acc. +16 Cornering +9.79 reliability Budget: 900 Euros (audi tt)
7 Yvan muller
8 Vanina Ickx

Well, they decided to keep both drivers from last season, and hope that they could be a dark house for the teams title.

Sorensen Motorsport [vepe]: +15.57 Acc. +16.24 cornering +15.03 reliability Budget: 6700 Euros (Renault Megane)
9 Jean Alesi
10 Tom Kristensen

One of the bigger stories is Sorensen switching to the brand new Renault Megane's. They keep Kristensen from last season, and bought in Renault Works driver, Jean Alesi.

Zakspeed [pi314159]: +12.47 Acc. +12.47 Cornering +5.9 Reliability Budget: 1350 Euros (mercedes CLK)
11 Bernd Schneider
12 Giovanni Lavaggi

In an effort to save money, Lavaggi was bought back for a second straight season, but Bernd remains a darkhouse at any time.

DSR Racing [pycku]: +13 acc. +12 cornering +11 reliability Budget: 6325 Euros (hyundai sonata)
14 Henry Lee Jr.
15 Ryo Michigami

With Brandrill's bankruptcy, this is the only team running hyundai Sonatas as of right now. At least they kept both drivers from 2001.

JLD Motorsport [wizzie]: +10 acc. +9.53 cornering +8 reliability Budget: 200 Euros (audi TT)
16 Christian Abt
17 Daisuke Ito

JLD keeps both drivers but money is a big concern.

Fischkopf Motorsports [klon]: +10 Acc. +10 cornering +7 reliability Budget: 1700 Euros (Mercedes CLK)
18 Sven Heidfeld
19 Akira Iida

Fischkopf decided to keep heidfeld and bought in JGTC ace Iida to drive the second car for 250 euros.

Liqui Target [Andrew] +13.66 acc. +8.2 cornering +11.27 reliability Budget: 100 Euros (mercedes CLK)
20 Darren Turner
21 Pedro Lamy

Well, 2001 was a slight improvement for these guys, but still that limited budget is making progress difficult for them. At least they are sticking with the same drivers for one more year. They barely managed to get a deal done to use the Mercedes CLK for this season.

Warsteiner Renault [fantometteBR] +14.79 acc. +14.68 cornering +10.94 reliability Budget 3480 euros (Renault Megane)
22 Alain Menu
23 Eric Van De Poele

With Brandrill Motorsport and Kissling motorsport going bankrupt at the end of 2001. In addition, with the recent news of Restov racing pulling out. Warsteiner Renault is hoping for a big improvement, with brand new renault Meganes. In terms of drivers, they kept Van De Poele and boguht in restov outcast Alain Menu.

Here's the 2002 race calendar

Nurburgring 33 laps
Eurospeedway Lausitz 34 laps
Zolder: 36 laps
Norisring 65 laps
Hockenheim 32 laps
Sepang: 27 laps
Oschersleben 40 laps
Sachsenring 44 laps
Donington Park 37 laps
Hockenheim 32 laps

Yeah, due to the construction of the new hockenheimring. The first race on the new hockenheim has been moved back to round 5, but the second race on hockenheim will still be the season finale!

Otherwise, the circuits remain the same, but the order will be vastly different.

Drivers Standings after round 9 of 10
J. Muller 42pts
Beretta 42pts
Cecotto 37pts
Alesi 29pts
Y. Muller 27pts
Serra 27pts
Aiello 23pts
Menu 22pts
Michigami 15pts
Lee Jr. 12pts
Kristensen 11pts
B. Scheider 9pts
Ickx 9pts
Turner 5pts
Van De Poele 5pts
Iida 3pts
Abt 2pts
Ito 1pt
Heidfeld 1pt


Teams Standings after round 9 of 10
D2-Kabel Racing 79pts
Lamb Motorsports 69pts
Dominic Racing Team: 52pts
Sorensen Motorsport 40pts
Belgian VW/Audi Club 36pts
Warsteiner Renault 27pts
DSR racing 27pts
Zakspeed 9pts
Liqui Target 5pts
Fischkopf Motorsports 4pts
JLD motorsport 3pts

[FantometteBR]

Midfield, here we expect to go!

[pi314159]

Lavaggi gets a second season for Zakspeed, not due to his results, but because of the low costs.

[Klon]

My financial situation apparentely is quite bad. Fischkopf Motorsport approaches José María López and inquires about his sponsorship situation.

[Shizuka]

One more note on the car stats: I set each team’s car stat limit on every category to +20

Great, so now BMW will mostly be able to focus on the reliability.

[andrew]

same drivers

[Gerudo Dragon]

I didn't even know I went bankrupt

[HonoraryNortherner]

Ouch! My monies weren't what they were... Oh well, rules is rules! We'll try and defend Beretta's title as best we can!

[Nessafox]

Is it financially possible to keep the same drivers as previous year?

[TomWazzleshaw]

JLD will also keep their lineup from last year if that is possible. We'd also like to send appeal with the Belgian VW Club to beg the overlords at Wolfsburg for more money.

[KL-racer]

Is it financially possible to keep the same drivers as previous year?

Yes, Muller is a works driver anyway and Ickx will cost you only 550 euros.

[KL-racer]

JLD will also keep their lineup from last year if that is possible. We'd also like to send appeal with the Belgian VW Club to beg the overlords at Wolfsburg for more money.

Christian Abt is a works driver, and Ito will cost you 375 euros.

[pycku]

I said I'd like to keep both drivers. What happened?

And I'm interested to switch to Renault from 2003 onwards if they can provide us with a decent driver.

[DemocalypseNow]

I said I'd like to keep both drivers. What happened?

And I'm interested to switch to Renault from 2003 onwards if they can provide us with a decent driver.

We are only allowed two works drivers at a time, and so far both of them are on loan to current teams. So unless we can obtain a third works driver it doesn't look likely.

[KL-racer]

I said I'd like to keep both drivers. What happened?

And I'm interested to switch to Renault from 2003 onwards if they can provide us with a decent driver.

Well, I edited the first post to include both drivers from last season. Sorry, If I missed that post from the end of the 2001 season. Everyone seems to forget something on occassion!

[Nessafox]

Is it financially possible to keep the same drivers as previous year?

Yes, Muller is a works driver anyway and Ickx will cost you only 550 euros.

Alright, consistency is the key word, then!

[Bleu]

BJ Racing was not completely happy with James Thompson's performance and is asking another possibility of factory driver. Once that is settled, it is time to sign second driver.

[pasta_maldonado]

BJ Racing was not completely happy with James Thompson's performance and is asking another possibility of factory driver. Once that is settled, it is time to sign second driver.

Jaguar, in a shock decision, announce that they are pulling out of DTM. Sorry about that.

[takagi_for_the_win]

Jaguar, in a shock decision, announce that they are pulling out of DTM. Sorry about that.

Ah, thats a bit of a bummer. Is it possible to run last seasons cars for this season while I decide on the teams future?

[TomWazzleshaw]

JLD will also keep their lineup from last year if that is possible. We'd also like to send appeal with the Belgian VW Club to beg the overlords at Wolfsburg for more money.

Christian Abt is a works driver, and Ito will cost you 375 euros.

Yeah, that works for me. It's not as if I can afford anything else at the moment.

[Klon]

Fischkopf Motorsport would like to hire Akira Iida. He most certainly cannot ask for much money.

[FMecha]

There are rumors that Dominic Racing Team will leave Opel after this year and going with a new manufacturer. Stay tuned.

[RonDenisDeletraz]

There are rumors that Dominic Racing Team will leave Opel after this year and going with a new manufacturer. Stay tuned.

If you do that you are losing your drivers as they are under contract to Opel

[HonoraryNortherner]

Would Lamb Motorsports be in line to pick up the lost works driver/s?

[KL-racer]

Fischkopf Motorsport would like to hire Akira Iida. He most certainly cannot ask for much money.

Iida is available. He is asking for 250 euros. Yeah, I know that you are low on money, so I choose the amount wisely.

[takagi_for_the_win]

If Dominic Racing do leave Opel, could Restov Racing replace them as a works team please?

[KL-racer]

If Dominic Racing do leave Opel, could Restov Racing replace them as a works team please?

As far as I can undertand it, if dominic racing team would leave opel, it would be more likely be at the end of 2002 than right now. So, you will have to look somewhere else for a car to use for 2002.

[KL-racer]

Would Lamb Motorsports be in line to pick up the lost works driver/s?

If Dominic Racing team leave opel at the end of 2002. Then you are in a tough situation. Beretta is still a works driver because you resign him in 2001, depsite switching car makers from hyundai to opel. therefore, you can only have one of them. While the other one that you didn't choose, will have to go to a different opel team, or risk losing his works driver status to be a free agent.

Speaking of works drivers, Hyundai, as far as I have it recorded, only have one works driver, and since only one team is using Hyundais. Pycku, you have a tough decision to make, do you want to declare michigami as Hyundai's second works driver or do you rather want someone else to be hyundai's second works driver. Keep in mind, if you choose someone else to be hyundai's second works driver, you will get that driver for free as long as he stays with your team or any other team that uses hyundais in the future, but you have to release michigami to the open market.

[RonDenisDeletraz]

Would Lamb Motorsports be in line to pick up the lost works driver/s?

If Dominic Racing team leave opel at the end of 2002. Then you are in a tough situation. Beretta is still a works driver because you resign him in 2001, depsite switching car makers from hyundai to opel. therefore, you can only have one of them. While the other one that you didn't choose, will have to go to a different opel team, or risk losing his works driver status to be a free agent.

Speaking of works drivers, Hyundai, as far as I have it recorded, only have one works driver, and since only one team is using Hyundais. Pycku, you have a tough decision to make, do you want to declare michigami as Hyundai's second works driver or do you rather want someone else to be hyundai's second works driver. Keep in mind, if you choose someone else to be hyundai's second works driver, you will get that driver for free as long as he stays with your team or any other team that uses hyundais in the future, but you have to release michigami to the open market.

Wait, how is Beretta a works Opel driver, I wouldn't hire him when there are better people available

[pycku]

Would Lamb Motorsports be in line to pick up the lost works driver/s?

If Dominic Racing team leave opel at the end of 2002. Then you are in a tough situation. Beretta is still a works driver because you resign him in 2001, depsite switching car makers from hyundai to opel. therefore, you can only have one of them. While the other one that you didn't choose, will have to go to a different opel team, or risk losing his works driver status to be a free agent.

Speaking of works drivers, Hyundai, as far as I have it recorded, only have one works driver, and since only one team is using Hyundais. Pycku, you have a tough decision to make, do you want to declare michigami as Hyundai's second works driver or do you rather want someone else to be hyundai's second works driver. Keep in mind, if you choose someone else to be hyundai's second works driver, you will get that driver for free as long as he stays with your team or any other team that uses hyundais in the future, but you have to release michigami to the open market.

Well, is it up to me to decide who are Hyundai's work drivers? I might keep michigami as work driver, providing that Hyundai invest more money into developing the car.

[KL-racer]

Would Lamb Motorsports be in line to pick up the lost works driver/s?

If Dominic Racing team leave opel at the end of 2002. Then you are in a tough situation. Beretta is still a works driver because you resign him in 2001, depsite switching car makers from hyundai to opel. therefore, you can only have one of them. While the other one that you didn't choose, will have to go to a different opel team, or risk losing his works driver status to be a free agent.

Speaking of works drivers, Hyundai, as far as I have it recorded, only have one works driver, and since only one team is using Hyundais. Pycku, you have a tough decision to make, do you want to declare michigami as Hyundai's second works driver or do you rather want someone else to be hyundai's second works driver. Keep in mind, if you choose someone else to be hyundai's second works driver, you will get that driver for free as long as he stays with your team or any other team that uses hyundais in the future, but you have to release michigami to the open market.

Wait, how is Beretta a works Opel driver, I wouldn't hire him when there are better people available

But Beretta is the defending DTM champion. So you saying you want someone else to be a works driver rather than beretta?

If that's the case, then Lamb Motorsports would have to pay for beretta then for 2200 euros. So, what's going to be Honorarynortherner, keep Beretta and pay him or release him into the open market?

It's all up to you to make your decision.

[HonoraryNortherner]

Wait, Beretta was works Opel driver? No mention was made of this when I resigned him at the start of 2001....! I know Reuter isn't, hence the 6000+DM that when his way last year. I was under the impression I was paying Beretta's wages last year and the money had been deducted when I resigned him for this year.

Any way, my original plan was to plonk either Timo Scheider or Laurent Aiello next to Beretta next year, as the next in line Opel works team (results wise).

As I see it, I have 3 options:

1) Fire Reuter, use the money I'm paying him to pay Beretta, the reigning drivers champion and sign someone else, like Deletraz. Or Britain's Andy Neate or Tom Chilton (who is 16 but his dad owns the AON company). I don't want to do this, as Reuter is an Opel driver through and through, and has been driving their cars since '95. I can't see Opel doing this in real life. Any way, how much am I paying Reuter?
2) Drop Beretta. He's the reigning champ. This simply isn't happening.
3) Plead mercy on Opel and get some more funds. Better get the begging bowl out...

I'll begrudgingly sign Beretta up front, reducing my budget to 50 euros................! I'd like some funds from Opel, say 5000 euros to effectively operate as an Opel works team. I'd also like to point out that we are no planning to leave Opel after next season.

With Dominic Racing Team losing Opel works drivers next season, we'd like to sign Laurent Aiello as an Opel works driver for 2003, with the other 2003 seat tbc.

[KL-racer]

Wait, Beretta was works Opel driver? No mention was made of this when I resigned him at the start of 2001....! I know Reuter isn't, hence the 6000+DM that when his way last year. I was under the impression I was paying Beretta's wages last year and the money had been deducted when I resigned him for this year.

Any way, my original plan was to plonk either Timo Scheider or Laurent Aiello next to Beretta next year, as the next in line Opel works team (results wise).

As I see it, I have 3 options:

1) Fire Reuter, use the money I'm paying him to pay Beretta, the reigning drivers champion and sign someone else, like Deletraz. Or Britain's Andy Neate or Tom Chilton (who is 16 but his dad owns the AON company). I don't want to do this, as Reuter is an Opel driver through and through, and has been driving their cars since '95. I can't see Opel doing this in real life. Any way, how much am I paying Reuter?
2) Drop Beretta. He's the reigning champ. This simply isn't happening.
3) Plead mercy on Opel and get some more funds. Better get the begging bowl out...

I'll begrudgingly sign Beretta up front, reducing my budget to 50 euros................! I'd like some funds from Opel, say 5000 euros to effectively operate as an Opel works team. I'd also like to point out that we are no planning to leave Opel after next season.

With Dominic Racing Team losing Opel works drivers next season, we'd like to sign Laurent Aiello as an Opel works driver for 2003, with the other 2003 seat tbc.

Okay, after reading this, if you are indeed successful of getting 5000 euros from Opel, and if you want to keep Reuter on your team for this season, it would cost you 3000 euros.

[HonoraryNortherner]

Wait, Beretta was works Opel driver? No mention was made of this when I resigned him at the start of 2001....! I know Reuter isn't, hence the 6000+DM that when his way last year. I was under the impression I was paying Beretta's wages last year and the money had been deducted when I resigned him for this year.

Any way, my original plan was to plonk either Timo Scheider or Laurent Aiello next to Beretta next year, as the next in line Opel works team (results wise).

As I see it, I have 3 options:

1) Fire Reuter, use the money I'm paying him to pay Beretta, the reigning drivers champion and sign someone else, like Deletraz. Or Britain's Andy Neate or Tom Chilton (who is 16 but his dad owns the AON company). I don't want to do this, as Reuter is an Opel driver through and through, and has been driving their cars since '95. I can't see Opel doing this in real life. Any way, how much am I paying Reuter?
2) Drop Beretta. He's the reigning champ. This simply isn't happening.
3) Plead mercy on Opel and get some more funds. Better get the begging bowl out...

I'll begrudgingly sign Beretta up front, reducing my budget to 50 euros................! I'd like some funds from Opel, say 5000 euros to effectively operate as an Opel works team. I'd also like to point out that we are no planning to leave Opel after next season.

With Dominic Racing Team losing Opel works drivers next season, we'd like to sign Laurent Aiello as an Opel works driver for 2003, with the other 2003 seat tbc.

Okay, after reading this, if you are indeed successful of getting 5000 euros from Opel, and if you want to keep Reuter on your team for this season, it would cost you 3000 euros.

I have my fingers crossed! Reuter at 3000 euros is pretty expensive, so I'm temped to let him walk as he wasn't super fantastic as I hoped last season. I'll decide after I hear what eurobrun has to say. How much would it cost me to hire Mattias Ekstrom, Gary Paffett or Christian Albers??

[KL-racer]

Wait, Beretta was works Opel driver? No mention was made of this when I resigned him at the start of 2001....! I know Reuter isn't, hence the 6000+DM that when his way last year. I was under the impression I was paying Beretta's wages last year and the money had been deducted when I resigned him for this year.

Any way, my original plan was to plonk either Timo Scheider or Laurent Aiello next to Beretta next year, as the next in line Opel works team (results wise).

As I see it, I have 3 options:

1) Fire Reuter, use the money I'm paying him to pay Beretta, the reigning drivers champion and sign someone else, like Deletraz. Or Britain's Andy Neate or Tom Chilton (who is 16 but his dad owns the AON company). I don't want to do this, as Reuter is an Opel driver through and through, and has been driving their cars since '95. I can't see Opel doing this in real life. Any way, how much am I paying Reuter?
2) Drop Beretta. He's the reigning champ. This simply isn't happening.
3) Plead mercy on Opel and get some more funds. Better get the begging bowl out...

I'll begrudgingly sign Beretta up front, reducing my budget to 50 euros................! I'd like some funds from Opel, say 5000 euros to effectively operate as an Opel works team. I'd also like to point out that we are no planning to leave Opel after next season.

With Dominic Racing Team losing Opel works drivers next season, we'd like to sign Laurent Aiello as an Opel works driver for 2003, with the other 2003 seat tbc.

Okay, after reading this, if you are indeed successful of getting 5000 euros from Opel, and if you want to keep Reuter on your team for this season, it would cost you 3000 euros.

I have my fingers crossed! Reuter at 3000 euros is pretty expensive, so I'm temped to let him walk as he wasn't super fantastic as I hoped last season. I'll decide after I hear what eurobrun has to say. How much would it cost me to hire Mattias Ekstrom, Gary Paffett or Christian Albers??

Ekstrom: 1750 Euros
Paffett: 1400 Euros
Albers: 2000 Euros

[takagi_for_the_win]

How much would it cost us to run customer Opel Vectras for the season?

[RonDenisDeletraz]

Wait, how is Beretta a works Opel driver, I wouldn't hire him when there are better people available

But Beretta is the defending DTM champion. So you saying you want someone else to be a works driver rather than beretta?

If that's the case, then Lamb Motorsports would have to pay for beretta then for 2200 euros. So, what's going to be Honorarynortherner, keep Beretta and pay him or release him into the open market?

It's all up to you to make your decision.

Beretta is one of the people who is better in this league than real life. Opel certainly wouldn't be opposed to Lamb Motorsports keeping him but I don't understand how he can suddenly become a works driver when I never said anything about that.

[HonoraryNortherner]

Wait, how is Beretta a works Opel driver, I wouldn't hire him when there are better people available

But Beretta is the defending DTM champion. So you saying you want someone else to be a works driver rather than beretta?

If that's the case, then Lamb Motorsports would have to pay for beretta then for 2200 euros. So, what's going to be Honorarynortherner, keep Beretta and pay him or release him into the open market?

It's all up to you to make your decision.

Beretta is one of the people who is better in this league than real life. Opel certainly wouldn't be opposed to Lamb Motorsports keeping him but I don't understand how he can suddenly become a works driver when I never said anything about that.

That I can't answer, he was a works Hyundai driver, but when we became an Opel team I was under the impression the he was paid by Lamb motorsports. Everyone must have got their wired crossed after then tricky end to the 2000 season.

[HonoraryNortherner]

Okay, after reading this, if you are indeed successful of getting 5000 euros from Opel, and if you want to keep Reuter on your team for this season, it would cost you 3000 euros.

I have my fingers crossed! Reuter at 3000 euros is pretty expensive, so I'm temped to let him walk as he wasn't super fantastic as I hoped last season. I'll decide after I hear what eurobrun has to say. How much would it cost me to hire Mattias Ekstrom, Gary Paffett or Christian Albers??

Ekstrom: 1750 Euros
Paffett: 1400 Euros
Albers: 2000 Euros

Who can I sign for 50 euros?

[KL-racer]

Who can I sign for 50 euros?

Yes, drivers database is my best friend in situations like these! Here's three drivers that I found:
Sten Pentus: 2001 Baltic Formula 4 Champion
Nattavude Charoensukawattana: 2001 Asian Touring car division 1 champion
Chico Serra: 2001 Stock car brazil champion