RDRC Season 4 Postponed

[Rick Bamford]

After duscussion within the irecting team the decision has been made to to postpone Season 4 of the RaceDepartment rally Championship for the following reasons. The season has NOT been cancelled just postponed

1/ After the departure of Norman Buiscuits, a new session creation and results program has needed to be built from the ground up. This program is so far untested and still being developed.

2/ With still much confussion over the grading system from drivers we need to modify and clarify the system for easy of understanding. PLEAE NOTE: The planned changes should NOT affect the CAR sellection for most drivers.

3/ The A8W car classes and their distibution though the grades.

4/ Normal early issues with the RSRBR mod. A postpone will allow rallyesim to correct problems and maybe even release the long awaited Mini before the first round.

5/ Health Issues effecting some of the Directing team.

6/ Rally plates and other images have not been finished

7/ General "burn out" of the directing team.................................we need a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In an effort to correct these issues and make sure the RDRC runs smoothly and problem free for all drivers, we will postpone the start of the season to the 5th of March. The new rules will be posted on 5th Febuary. The grading events for new drivers can still be run whenever you request from either myself or Pete Mull.

Some of the issues will simply take time, however I would like to get feedback on the rules from all drivers (current, past and prospective). We normally end up with a small handful of drivers posting their thoughts but never hear from the majority of those that read the forum. I would really like to hear from everyone.

Below is a link to the previously posted rules for the season for your reference.

http://www.racedepartment.com/forum/threads/rdrc-season-4-rules.44729/

If you would like more information or would prefer to give your feedback in PM please contact me.

Rick Bamford

(RDRC Co-ordinator)

a/ What do you see

 

[Ondrej Kapal]

Firstly, I would change the possibility of creating the teams in 2WD cup. With the same regulations as for everyone in the championship - maybe there will be no team, or only one/two, but the possibility should be there. It won't make you work more.

Secondly, and you mentioned that, the grade system regulations should be clarified better. I was already discussing about it and Chris got a good point to make it clear "To qualify for Grade 3 a driver must have: Been classified as grade 1 or 2 and having not scoring outright points at the end of season 3 of the RDRC"

Considering the A8W classes, according to Warren that A8W-99 to 06 are slower than 07 to 10. My recommendation: Grade 1 - A8W-11 to 12, Grade 2 - A8W-99 to 06. It will make both of them competitive and there will be no more disadvantages of Grade 1.

I hope those who are affected by health issues in directing team will get better soon - and all of you will have a proper break before RSRBR 2012 will be playable and suitable for smooth running of the league

 

[Senad Subasic]

Firstly, I would change the possibility of creating the teams in 2WD cup. With the same regulations as for everyone in the championship - maybe there will be no team, or only one/two, but the possibility should be there. It won't make you work more.

I felt that there would not be a great number of drivers running in the 2WD cup and as it is open to drivers from any grade it would create an imbalance in the class. 2 grade 1 drivers running R3 or A6K cars would be almost unchallenged in the teams championship.

The 2WD cup is intended for those of us that want to enjoy the championship, drive something that is entertaining/challenging but not have the pressure of serious competition.

 

[Ondrej Kapal]

I really dont see your point of quoting what Rick said. I can quote himself too:

"Some of the issues will simply take time, however I would like to get feedback on the rules from all drivers (current, past and prospective). We normally end up with a small handful of drivers posting their thoughts but never hear from the majority of those that read the forum. I would really like to hear from everyone."

EDIT: Plus, the enjoyment of racing in a team is something different to racing alone whether you are challenging or not. And finishing will make you challenging. I also said the regulations for making a team should be the same as for everyone - the same grade, the same car. It is not really any extra work.

 

[Senad Subasic]

I really dont see your point of quoting what Rick said. I can quote himself too:

To point out the reason why that wouldn't work.

 

[Ondrej Kapal]

I see. But if there will be even one team, it is worth it. The element of being in a team.

 

[Senad Subasic]

I am for it, since I'm planning on a RWD drive , but it's an inherently unbalanced thing. A lot of very different 2WD cars, and drivers of different skills.

 

[Rick Bamford]

The issue is not about the work load for the directing team. It is that a 2WD team would have an unfair advantage.

 

[Viesturs Priede]

Considering the A8W classes, according to Warren that A8W-99 to 06 are slower than 07 to 10. My recommendation: Grade 1 - A8W-11 to 12, Grade 2 - A8W-99 to 06. It will make both of them competitive and there will be no more disadvantages of Grade 1.

Grade 2 could take older cars like A8W-99 to 02 or 03

 

[David Jundt]

To point out the reason why that wouldn't work.

..and if one of that glory grade drivers gets a corner wrong and smashes into a tree, the advantage's null and void.

Take your time guys, to get better and take a rest.

Although I am not sure if Grade 3 is the best for me. I have some experiance already, but so have some other grade 4 drivers.

And even if they release the Mini, I won't be able to drive it

 

[Warren Dawes]

..
And even if they release the Mini, I won't be able to drive it

You will if they release the S2000 Mini.

 

[David Jundt]

I'm actually a lover of old Minis and dislike the new. The S2000 Mini probably doesn't look as good as the big brother in WRC.

Looks like for me it's either Escorth Cossie, Subaru or Mitsubishi.

 

[Manuel De Samaniego]

Mini WRC and Mini S2000 will come in update 1 of RSRBR 2012

 

[David Jundt]

Were there any problems with them so they are included in an update instead of the first release?

 

[Manuel De Samaniego]

No idea, i just know that they will come in update 1 tomorrow and the physics of the current WRC cars will be changed, perhaps the Mini's phyisics weren't ready, also i think we'll see a new model for the Polo WRC

 

[David Jundt]

Really? TBH, The Polo didn't look real(not as much as the test car). A bit too fat, too small(In other words the proportions/dimensions of the car), like a modded Golf. At least the pictures I have seen made me wonder if that really looked like a rather small Polo.

It always cool to have more variety for the championship, now that it starts a bit later. So we can have Citroëns, Fords, Minis, VWs, etc. fighting for wins

 

[Rick Bamford]

Secondly, and you mentioned that, the grade system regulations should be clarified better. I was already discussing about it and Chris got a good point to make it clear "To qualify for Grade 3 a driver must have: Been classified as grade 1 or 2 and having not scoring outright points at the end of season 3 of the RDRC"

That confuses me more than the other way......and is also wrong. The current rules state this.....

To qualify for Grade 3 a driver must have:- Been classified as grade 2 at the end of season 3 of the RDRC,
Or set a grade 3 qualifying time in an RDRC Qualifying event.

If AFTER THE LAST ROUND OF SEASON 3 you have qualified for grade 2 you would be classed as grade 3 for season 4. I think the issue is that people are not thinking about their grade at THE END of the season, they just look at the grade they drove the last round in. Many drivers qualified for a higher grade during the season but didn't take up that offer to move, this doesn't mean they are not classed in the higher grade, just that they decided to stay in the lower for Season 3, they still have to make the move for the following season. Also, if a Grade 1 driver hasen't scored a point during season 3, they would drop to grade 2 AFTER THE LAST ROUND. Grade 2 after the last round, becomes grade 3 for season 4.

Anyway, can someone please explain what part of the grade rules they find confusing. If I am wrong about the above I still don't understand what the issue is.

Considering the A8W classes, according to Warren that A8W-99 to 06 are slower than 07 to 10. My recommendation: Grade 1 - A8W-11 to 12, Grade 2 - A8W-99 to 06. It will make both of them competitive and there will be no more disadvantages of Grade 1.

I could live with that. But I am guessing people don't want us to simply drop the old WRC cars and use the new ones?

 

[Chris Williamson]

Anyway, can someone please explain what part of the grade rules they find confusing. If I am wrong about the above I still don't understand what the issue is.

Like I've said before it's not really a big issue, but for me it's down to the issue of when the grading happens as you pointed out above. The current wording doesn't necessarily imply that the the grading takes place straight after the last round, leaving room for confusion. In fact on my first reading of the rules I'd actually taken a different assumption to the two you posted above; that the grading change took place at the start of the next season since that's normally when it's dealt with, hence why I was a little unsure where what exactly was happening until it was cleared up.

 

[Ondrej Kapal]

To qualify for Grade 3 a driver must have:- Been classified as grade 2 at the end of season 3 of the RDRC,
Or set a grade 3 qualifying time in an RDRC Qualifying event.

If AFTER THE LAST ROUND OF SEASON 3 you have qualified for grade 2 you would be classed as grade 3 for season 4. I think the issue is that people are not thinking about their grade at THE END of the season

You are absolutely right Rick, that's the main issue. There was no list after S3 who is in which grade for next season you know - and because this list is made on the rules of SEASON 4, people can expect that they will be classified by that rules. And the Chris's proposal make it clear, if you take a look at it:
To qualify for Grade 3 a driver must have: Been classified as grade 1 and having not scoring outright points at the end of season 3 of the RDRC or been classified as a grade 2 (or set a grade 3 time in the event, but thats not the issue).

-Been classified as a grade 1 - I was in S3
-Not scoring outright poiints at the end of S3 - I didnt
-> I am grade 3 by this statement.

BUT If I take a look at the current rule:
To qualify for Grade 3 a driver must have:- Been classified as grade 2 at the end of season 3 of the RDRC,
I tried to explain it before, so you may know what I am going to say.
There was no re-classification after S3. As I said, by the rules, one could think the re-classification is made on the start of the next season by THAT season's rules you know.

I don't think I can explain it better - I am OK with the rules how they are, with my grade and everything - but I wasnt alone who was at first confused why am I in a grade x

I could live with that. But I am guessing people don't want us to simply drop the old WRC cars and use the new ones?

I thought the grade 1 should be only the best of the best. Grade 2 shouldnt in my opinion - but they should be allowed to drive WRC cars. Remember, the A2-RDRC were for grade 2 only (who couldnt run A-RDRC cars = A8W07-08 if I remember?). Now it is the same, just the years of the cars would move forward. But I think you are right with postpone and wait how the WRC 2011-12 really drive. Update can change things, and if they are not OK, let back to the old A2 and A1 RDRC set of cars.

 

[Ondrej Kapal]

And - according to the new release - I think it should be allowed drivers to change theirs cars (NOT GRADE!) and this change must be done before the sign ups for Round 1 will be closed, or not allow the cars from the update to be involved in this season.