On Sat, 07 Nov 1998 20:22:27 GMT, Jason Monds
>> I have recently started to try some online races via VROC. As this is
>> my first online *** experience, I was a little concerned about
>> etiquette.
>Do not try and pass 10 cars before turn 1.
>Everyone hates crashes / major pileups at the start.
Great point. I was at a long race (professional) at... Kyalami, I
think it was. I practiced for 40 minutes, worked my way to the optimum
place on the grid for me (7th or something... out of WAY too many
drivers for an online race (over 20, maybe 30)). Then we started.
Someone behind our row felt this was the time to risk all, and took
several rows out.
THere is no Shift-R in professional races, so of course, it was over.
My lesson- don't race professional races unless they are passworded!
Because you can't avoid this type of person in a random group that
large, and I don't have time to waste like that. Shift-R is necessary
for starts like that, IMHO.
Another good point. It is ok to say "hi", but just don't be annoyed if
nobody answers you.
These aren't necessarily FAQ tips, but they are sort of what I am
thinking:
Look in your mirrors and listen hard before leaving the pits- ruining
someone's hot lap is bad. If you are really paranoid (newbie or new
track or just slow), do a driver's view of each of the drivers to get
a good feeling for when to PO.
Don't ask how many laps are in the race- it says right on the front of
your bulletin.
Type "Sorry" if you have just unjustly ruined somebody's lap or race.
Sure- it takes time, but then, you just took somebody else's time. If
you don't get a response, assume the guy is just driving hard.
Type "NP" (no problem) or something forgiving if someone says "Sorry"
to you.
My own feeling about online racing- don't block a clearly faster
competitor for more than a lap. The internet warping jitters are too
much to really allow much really close driving in many instances, and
if a guy is just plain a lot faster than me, I don't drive in the
middle of the road, I pick a reasonable line and give him a shot. If
we are really evenly matched, I will usually take him immediately on
the exit of the turn, or will outbrake him.
If you are being lapped... *pull over*. Internet latency jitters
sometimes make me choose to get on the grass if necessary- to mess up
that persons lap is a real sin.
I've had some close racing with a few guys, and in the end, after a
few laps, because of warping or such, it often does end up in the
dirt. But if it was good racing, generally we complement each other
after the race. Generally it was the best part of the race.
In general, I never- no matter how stupid somebody's mistake- flame
them online if it was an honest mistake. Racing ain't Quake2- I find
that an obvious mistake in everybody's replay is embarassment is
enough. And if the guy is making that many mistakes, I should be way
ahead of him on the grid and not seeing him... right? ;-)
My tips- take 'em or leave 'em.
