rec.autos.simulators

Let me start off by saying that after reviewing the race several times, I
agree that compared to most of the rest of you,  I was not leaving as much
room for error when being overtaken.  That said, I'd like to point out
several points in my defence (this all came about on lap 84, restarting from
yellow, I was in the lead on older tires, guys behind me had newer tires):
-I have not run any other races this year other than 3 RASCAR races (no
time).  I came 4th at both Pocono and Sears Point and ran very
convervatively.  I was extremely happy to just finish those races and felt I
drove clean  and consistently.  Nobody had complained about my conduct at
that time.  I felt I could push a bit  now that I had those races under my
belt.
-I had never turned a lap at Vegas prior to Friday night, at which time I
practiced for several hours, most of which was running in traffic against
the AI
-I was second in the half-hour warmup with a time of 32.925.  I felt that I
was a fairly fast driver in comparison to the field.
-I did not cause a single caution.  I got nerfed once by the 7 car (see John
Simmons' race recap) but from my replay, it looked like he warped into me
and it was not his fault.
-taking the green at lap 84 in the lead, I knew I would be passed several
times by the end of the race.  I figured I had a 5th-10th placed car.
-I was very surprised how fast the 27 car came up behind me in the first
turn.  I got out of the way at the exit of the turn as quick as I could and
ran the outside of the corners for 2 laps, allowing 6 cars to go by without
incident.
-on lap 86, the 98 car was about two carlengths behind me.  We went into T1
and he didn't make a move to the inside to show he wanted to pass, so I took
the inside line.  I guess I misjudged the closure rate, because in the
middle of T1 he suddenly came up behind me and braked hard to avoid
rear-ending me.  It happened too fast for me to do anything about it.
-this incident caused the field behind me to slow down.  I ran the racing
line for two laps until they caught me again.  I guess the incident had
spooked the field that I wasn't going to give the inside line, and started
to try and pass me on the outside.  That caught me totally by surprise and I
ran several laps in the middle of the track in fear, which I imagine would
cause other drivers to think I was blocking or holding them up
intentionally.

In short, it looks like my inexperience of running in multiplayer traffic at
Vegas ruffled some feathers.  It surprises me a bit because RAS is basically
open to anyone, and I think there will be drivers making a lot more mistakes
than myself!  Suggestions on how to better handle situations like this much
appreciated!  It was a really fun race.

Thanks,
    -Phasor

From a technical point of view your driving was above par at all times, no
question. You were/are on top of you game, which made things seem all the
more deliberate, if you know what I mean.

Again: you were well prepared and knew the track well. No one is questioning
that.

This is something that used to surprise me too... a relatively small
difference in laptime can equate to a big speed difference at certain
"money" sections of the track. Haven re-reviewed the race in the wake of
your comments the way you drive the track also has an impact on this. See
next section.

You seem to have taken to driving fairly deep into the turns then slowing
quite sharply to make an apex, while "the rest of us" slow fairly early and
try to carry speed to the apex, bleeding it as we approach it. This is, IMO,
to you Larry didn't appear to make a move, while to Larry it appeared as if
you were going high. You then proceded to enter the turn which to us behind
looked like chopping down on Larry who, because he was carrying speed had to
brake quite sharply indeed. This put us on our toes for sure.

Likewise on fresh tyres when you re-passed me... I had already more or less
committed to the turn when you came screaming in on the inside (possibly
avoiding me). I was convinced unless I went way up the track we'd have an
accident. I still don't see how you managed to hold the line you did. Must
be the default <fast> setup was made by someone using the exact same rig as
you, having the exact same overtaking style as well.<g>

That said, it might be worth your while to experiment with the alternative
(from your perspective) style with regard to tyre wear.

Larry and myself had to yield to Colin Harris and Frederickson, so
hostilities were suspended for a while. Look at it from this side... we were
able to run about a second faster than you at the time, either through
pitstop "strategy" (I use the word loosely ;-)) or managing the tyres better
through not running them flat out (i.e. not running the high 32's/low 33's).
On worn tyres you were either going into the turns deep and coming down on
anyone on the "normal" racing line or hogging the centerline of the track,
i.e. pinching the exit for those trying to set up a run underneath out of
the even numbered turns. I will accept you were just trying to stay out of
trouble, but, effectively, you were blocking the ***out of us.

This is indeed the case... I think none of the "more experienced" drivers
would consider lashing out at those who show definate signs of being a
little out of their depth. You, on the other hand, appeared to show definate
signs of extensive multiplayer experience, more specifically: experience at
keeping multiple players behind! ;-))

However, I appreciate you coming forward with your side of the story and
apologize for my terse remarks earlier.

Keep at it and keep your eyes and ears open. You'll get the hang of it.

Jan.
=---

Brian Oster

I remember that.  You had old tires and I was on brand new ones.  I
was kinda surprised myselft how fast I pulled up on you in the middle
of the corner myself.  However, I was actually letting off quite a bit
and I knew that the guys behind me had new tires and if I didn't go I
was going to lose several spots, so I had to get a little aggressive,
but felt like it was a very clean and safe pass.

Brian Oster

Thanks for the offer, but the server replay download is about 98%
complete... I'll get in touch if I want it.