Motorsport Deprivation

[Londoner]

F1 Deprivation is one of the bigger in-jokes on the forum, but I feel this winter has the potential to be much, much worse than usual. Effectively there's no top-line motorsport happening from the last Supercars round (which was a fortnight ago) until the middle of February. In the last couple of years that hasn't been a problem thanks to Formula E, but even they've decided to stop holding races in December/January. The potential for Motorsport Deprivation to set in is substantial and d.angerous

Already I've had a dream where I thought the Indy 500 was tomorrow, and woke up feeling excited, until the crushing reality set in.

[watka]

I'm coping by playing Project Cars all winter.

[UncreativeUsername37]

I'm coping by playing Project Cars all winter.

Similar idea with me. Whether it's actually playing the games or running series, less real racing means more fake racing.

[Rob Dylan]

As a cure I'm going through the 1997 season one race at a time, after...legally purchasing it from a local retailer who happens to have full race-length movies of the 1997 races...

[Barbazza]

Lucky you! I...ahem...also used to have a source (mainly for highlights rather than full races) but they disappeared and I've been unable to find another barring some jokers based in Australia who think I'm as rich as Bernie.

[tommykl]

I'm filling this gap with the fun of university coursework. What joy.

[girry]

For me it's not gonna be as bad as in many of the years previous, as WRC is set out to be more interesting than in ages with the VW steamroller having left the sport to the disappointment of no one, and there will be three rallies before Albert Park. Not to forget about the Daytona 24 in late January.

Still, it's a relevant topic as Formula E (and to an extent, Indycar - if they only could make Latin American races happen) would have great potential helping cure the Motorsport Deprivation during the winter months, as it somewhat did the last couple of winters -- but this year, obviously those in charge of Formula E thought the best way to attract potential fans is to schedule 11 of its 12 events to take place during the Formula 1 season, with some races competing directly against F1

[mario]

I'm coping by playing Project Cars all winter.

Similar idea with me. Whether it's actually playing the games or running series, less real racing means more fake racing.

I'm half surprised that I haven't seen some suggesting perhaps having a few online sim races amongst the forum members in the off season (or perhaps they already have and I've just missed them).

[TheFlyingCaterham]

I'm coping by playing Project Cars all winter.

Similar idea with me. Whether it's actually playing the games or running series, less real racing means more fake racing.

I'm half surprised that I haven't seen some suggesting perhaps having a few online sim races amongst the forum members in the off season (or perhaps they already have and I've just missed them).

I'd certainly be up for doing a couple of races on Gran Turismo, at least.

[dr-baker]

I think the shock retirement of the reigning world champion and speculation over permutations of his replacement have helped against the deprivation in the run-up to Christmas.

[mario]

I'm coping by playing Project Cars all winter.

Similar idea with me. Whether it's actually playing the games or running series, less real racing means more fake racing.

I'm half surprised that I haven't seen some suggesting perhaps having a few online sim races amongst the forum members in the off season (or perhaps they already have and I've just missed them).

I'd certainly be up for doing a couple of races on Gran Turismo, at least.

I'd thought more of PC racing sims, since it seems that everybody and their dog has a copy of something like rFactor or GT Legends (especially the former given the sheer volume of mods developed for it).

I think the shock retirement of the reigning world champion and speculation over permutations of his replacement have helped against the deprivation in the run-up to Christmas.

True, I do think that the sheer abruptness of Rosberg's resignation and the subsequent speculation over who would come after him has staved things off this side of Christmas. Furthermore, given the major shake up in the regulations for 2017, there has been a gradual rise in articles speculating about what the 2017 cars will look like and what impact there will be on the sport.

[TheFlyingCaterham]

I'd certainly be up for doing a couple of races on Gran Turismo, at least.

I'd thought more of PC racing sims, since it seems that everybody and their dog has a copy of something like rFactor or GT Legends (especially the former given the sheer volume of mods developed for it).

Unfortunately, I don't have a decent PC to play thess games or the game themselves, hence why I suggested Gran Turismo.

[yannicksamlad]

..feeling deprived..so I've booked my flights for Bologna in May..for Minardi weekend at Imola.
Doesn't clash with a GP..so I reckon I'll go.
.....got to find a hotel, and then maybe train details, so there is a bit more to keep me from turning on Motors TV and looking in vain for something new

[Ataxia]

I'm half surprised that I haven't seen some suggesting perhaps having a few online sim races amongst the forum members in the off season (or perhaps they already have and I've just missed them).

A few of us used to race against each other in GT6 a while ago, although it usually resulted in either RRR or peteroli winning. Regardless, it was fun; if people have PS4s, we'll have to try and get something together when GT Sport comes out...whenever the hell that is.

[FullMetalJack]

I'm half surprised that I haven't seen some suggesting perhaps having a few online sim races amongst the forum members in the off season (or perhaps they already have and I've just missed them).

A forum that I used to frequent had a PS3 championship for F1 2010 and 2011, I like to think i'd have been everyone's favourite as I was almost always the slowest driver, but unlike Hulkenberg I somehow fluked a podium eventually.

A few of us used to race against each other in GT6 a while ago, although it usually resulted in either RRR or peteroli winning. Regardless, it was fun; if people have PS4s, we'll have to try and get something together when GT Sport comes out...whenever the hell that is.

And it resulted in me trying not to block people like Arnoux did.

Also, I have a PS4, should this become a thing again in the future.

[mario]

I'm half surprised that I haven't seen some suggesting perhaps having a few online sim races amongst the forum members in the off season (or perhaps they already have and I've just missed them).

A few of us used to race against each other in GT6 a while ago, although it usually resulted in either RRR or peteroli winning. Regardless, it was fun; if people have PS4s, we'll have to try and get something together when GT Sport comes out...whenever the hell that is.

Well, unfortunately you'd have to count me out in that respect, since I've gone down the route of the PC based racing sims instead and don't have a PS4.

With regards to GT Sport, all Sony seem to be saying is that it will be out in "early 2017", with the delays coming in part because Sony have been pushing for a "VR-tour" mode to push sales of their VR headsets - so if you want to do some online races with that game, you might be waiting for a while.

[Miguel98]

A F1 2010 championship on PC isn't a bad idea actually - I think the "cracked version" (PIRACY TRIGGERING) has online available to play.

[girry]

If people were up for some casual PC racing I would vouch for rFactor; yes it's outdated, but the upside is that it will run on even terrible PC's, it functions reliably online, and most importantly it's got a wide variety of tracks and different historical mods that would work as an equalizer. On a forum like this, what more exciting prospect would you imagine than the, uhm, slower guys in a Ferrari 641 or a Williams FW14B, competing against the quicker guys in the cockpit of the beautiful sticker-free Andrea Moda -- or the W12 engined Life that sounds in-game exactly like James Allen once described it...?

Not sure how much the cost is these days, but then again there are *certain* ways to circumvent that as well...

[Miguel98]

If people were up for some casual PC racing I would vouch for rFactor; yes it's outdated, but the upside is that it will run on even terrible PC's, it functions reliably online, and most importantly it's got a wide variety of tracks and different historical mods that would work as an equalizer. On a forum like this, what more exciting prospect would you imagine than the, uhm, slower guys in a Ferrari 641 or a Williams FW14B, competing against the quicker guys in the cockpit of the beautiful sticker-free Andrea Moda -- or the W12 engined Life that sounds in-game exactly like James Allen once described it...?

Not sure how much the cost is these days, but then again there are *certain* ways to circumvent that as well...

rFactor can be easilly obtained online for free, and it does bring up with the online mod on - I just don't remember if to setup a random server you had to pay or not (i don't think so).

Doesn't take much to setup a mod as well, and it's playable with a PS3 controller or something alike, for those who don't own a steering wheel.

[mario]

If people were up for some casual PC racing I would vouch for rFactor; yes it's outdated, but the upside is that it will run on even terrible PC's, it functions reliably online, and most importantly it's got a wide variety of tracks and different historical mods that would work as an equalizer. On a forum like this, what more exciting prospect would you imagine than the, uhm, slower guys in a Ferrari 641 or a Williams FW14B, competing against the quicker guys in the cockpit of the beautiful sticker-free Andrea Moda -- or the W12 engined Life that sounds in-game exactly like James Allen once described it...?

Not sure how much the cost is these days, but then again there are *certain* ways to circumvent that as well...

rFactor can be easilly obtained online for free, and it does bring up with the online mod on - I just don't remember if to setup a random server you had to pay or not (i don't think so).

Doesn't take much to setup a mod as well, and it's playable with a PS3 controller or something alike, for those who don't own a steering wheel.

That was my reasoning towards suggesting something like rFactor, or any of the older gMotor based titles (rFactor, GTR2, GT Legends and the like) - although they are on the old side, that does also mean that the system requirements are fairly light and you do have tonnes of mods out there (although there is quite a lot of garbage out there, there are also excellent mods like Virtua_LM's Group C mod).

You could also choose whether or not you want to go for something like a historical mixed class mod, or perhaps aim to even things up with a league mod (where the cars have the same physics).

[Miguel98]

If people were up for some casual PC racing I would vouch for rFactor; yes it's outdated, but the upside is that it will run on even terrible PC's, it functions reliably online, and most importantly it's got a wide variety of tracks and different historical mods that would work as an equalizer. On a forum like this, what more exciting prospect would you imagine than the, uhm, slower guys in a Ferrari 641 or a Williams FW14B, competing against the quicker guys in the cockpit of the beautiful sticker-free Andrea Moda -- or the W12 engined Life that sounds in-game exactly like James Allen once described it...?

Not sure how much the cost is these days, but then again there are *certain* ways to circumvent that as well...

rFactor can be easilly obtained online for free, and it does bring up with the online mod on - I just don't remember if to setup a random server you had to pay or not (i don't think so).

Doesn't take much to setup a mod as well, and it's playable with a PS3 controller or something alike, for those who don't own a steering wheel.

That was my reasoning towards suggesting something like rFactor, or any of the older gMotor based titles (rFactor, GTR2, GT Legends and the like) - although they are on the old side, that does also mean that the system requirements are fairly light and you do have tonnes of mods out there (although there is quite a lot of garbage out there, there are also excellent mods like Virtua_LM's Group C mod).

You could also choose whether or not you want to go for something like a historical mixed class mod, or perhaps aim to even things up with a league mod (where the cars have the same physics).

I imagine the best thing would be touring cars - they have decent power to provide good racing and aren't hard to drive.

[Nuppiz]

While a GP Rejects Prototype C session sounds like a lot of fun (although most of the people would be fighting over who gets to drive the infamous BRM P351 ), I agree that touring cars offer the best balance between competitiveness and ease of driving. They can also be driven decently enough on a keyboard if no proper controller is available.

[This Could Be You]

How about the Touring Car Legends mod for rFactor- it offers a multi-class touring car setup, runs OK on rubbish computers and offers interesting cars (Holden Commodore and Ford Mustangs vs Toyota Corollas and Volvo 240s anyone?) that have... entertaining handling.

[Miguel98]

How about the Touring Car Legends mod for rFactor- it offers a multi-class touring car setup, runs OK on rubbish computers and offers interesting cars (Holden Commodore and Ford Mustangs vs Toyota Corollas and Volvo 240s anyone?) that have... entertaining handling.

I... aproove this.

[pi314159]

I'm really looking forward to the Daytona 24 this year. The 24 Hours of Daytona are set for the most high-profile field in many years. The old tube-frame DPs have finally been sent to their rightful place in historic racing, and their place is taken by the new DPi class - modified LMP2 cars that are, behind LMP1, the second-fastest sportscar category. So far, Cadillac, Mazda and Nissan have committed to the new class, which is combined with unmodified Dallara, Ligier, Oreca and Riley LMP2 cars into the Prototype class. Many famous drivers will make an appearance at Daytona: Rebellion Racing are showing up with an all-star lineup of Brendon Hartley, Sebastien Buemi, Nick Heidfeld and Stephane Sarrazin. DragonSpeed are running Loic Duval. Jeff Gordon will race for Wayne Taylor Racing.

The GT Le Mans class is also worth watching, with four Fords, two Porsches, two Corvettes, two BMWs and a Ferrari expected for Daytona.

[mario]

While a GP Rejects Prototype C session sounds like a lot of fun (although most of the people would be fighting over who gets to drive the infamous BRM P351 ), I agree that touring cars offer the best balance between competitiveness and ease of driving. They can also be driven decently enough on a keyboard if no proper controller is available.

I'd thought more of the one by Virtua_LM, which covers the earlier days of that class and does include a small selection of GT cars as well (the BMW M1, Porsche 928, 930 and 934 IIRC), along with the C2 category cars (i.e. the less powerful prototypes, such as the Alba).

I'd agree that GT classes would potentially be better, or possibly a lower formula such as some of the historic Formula 2 mods which are out there, if you wanted to balance up the question of competitiveness and ease of driving. Course, the problem for some of those mods is then finding a working download link to get the mod in the first place...

I'm really looking forward to the Daytona 24 this year. The 24 Hours of Daytona are set for the most high-profile field in many years. The old tube-frame DPs have finally been sent to their rightful place in historic racing, and their place is taken by the new DPi class - modified LMP2 cars that are, behind LMP1, the second-fastest sportscar category. So far, Cadillac, Mazda and Nissan have committed to the new class, which is combined with unmodified Dallara, Ligier, Oreca and Riley LMP2 cars into the Prototype class. Many famous drivers will make an appearance at Daytona: Rebellion Racing are showing up with an all-star lineup of Brendon Hartley, Sebastien Buemi, Nick Heidfeld and Stephane Sarrazin. DragonSpeed are running Loic Duval. Jeff Gordon will race for Wayne Taylor Racing.

The GT Le Mans class is also worth watching, with four Fords, two Porsches, two Corvettes, two BMWs and a Ferrari expected for Daytona.

It'll be an interesting race, no doubt, though the one concern that I do have is whether or not they will be able to balance up the performance of the cars in the GTLM category given that there are a number of fairly new cars in that category (the BMW M6 is one, and I think that Porsche is due to introduce an updated version of the 911 as well). There is almost always an argument about the balance of performance - and we know that there were some races in the WEC where the Ford GT seemed to have a massive performance advantage over their rivals - so I can see that casting a bit of a cloud over the race weekend if there is a major performance imbalance in that area.

[girry]

Yeah I would be up to race any mod with four wheels or more - be it F1, F2, TCL, GT, Group C (although for some reason I have never enjoyed prototypes that much personally), or even the LADA mod...

A more important question than the mod chosen though, should the idea go forward, would be the timing of the races. When would most people generally be available for racing -- on a weekday night, or a weekend (Sunday) evening/night? Imaginably with 2, max 3 shortish races done each session, since with small grids, one long race has potential to get rather tedious towards the end?

---

Is there a full (or even a partial) entry list for the Daytona 24h available yet? At least I couldn't find one with my limited internet skills.

[Nuppiz]

While a GP Rejects Prototype C session sounds like a lot of fun (although most of the people would be fighting over who gets to drive the infamous BRM P351 ), I agree that touring cars offer the best balance between competitiveness and ease of driving. They can also be driven decently enough on a keyboard if no proper controller is available.

I'd thought more of the one by Virtua_LM, which covers the earlier days of that class and does include a small selection of GT cars as well (the BMW M1, Porsche 928, 930 and 934 IIRC), along with the C2 category cars (i.e. the less powerful prototypes, such as the Alba).

As it turns out, the rFactor version has a different selection of cars, concentrating on 1983-84. The Prototype C mod I have for F1 Challenge (also made by Virtua_LM) mainly concentrates on the late 80s/early 90s with some IMSA cars from the same era thrown into the mix as well.

[Miguel98]

Maybe we can throw a strawpoll to see what mod seems to be the most popular?