M E M O R A N D U M
_________________________________________________________
From The Directors:
Peter Burke ([email hidden])
Andrew Colfelt ([email hidden])
To: All IndyCar Drivers
Regarding:
INDYCAR HEAD-2-HEAD RACING SERIES: ICR-H2H, Spring 1994
_________________________________________________________
THE EVENT:
==========
The competition will be run on a roughly-weekly basis
using the Papyrus IndyCar Racing Simulation v1.04.
Drivers will race in individual Head-to-Head
competitions for points. The driver who accumulates the
most points by the end of the season will be crowned the
winner of the ICR-H2H championship.
REQUIREMENTS:
=============
o MUST use version 1.04 to participate
o MUST use UNmodified program files
- NO mods to DRIVERS.TXT
- Car Colors fix = OK
o SHOULD have 486sx/25 machine or greater
o MUST have 9600 baud modem
o MUST disable call-waiting whenever possible
A sign-up sheet with a hardware/software questionnaire
will be sent out to all interested drivers.
RACE FORMAT:
============
The head-2-head series will position each contender
against each other driver in the series. The ICR-H2H
directors propose to limit the total number of drivers
to 5, and to limit the number of races to 16 (4 tracks
with 4 matchups each).
Driver | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
-----------------------------------------------------------
Driver1 | __ __ __ __
Driver2 | __ __ __ __
Driver3 | __ __ __ __
Driver4 | __ __ __ __
Driver5 | __ __ __ __
If 5 drivers participate, each will run 4 races on each
track, as shown above.
In case of serious interest from more than 5 drivers, we
will require a qualifying procedure, where drivers will
qualify for placement in 2 or more classes of about 5
drivers each. This is in the interest of all drivers,
since it groups drivers of equal skill into each class,
and it reduces the phone bills to a more manageable
amount. (See the appendix to this document for details
regarding the qualifying procedure.)
The number and type of tracks in the series will be
decided by a driver vote.
Choice A:
2 tracks: 1 Oval, 1 Roadcourse/Streetcourse
(5 drivers * 4 matchups/track = max 8 races)
Choice B:
4 tracks: 2 Ovals, 2 Roadcourses/Streetcourses
(5 drivers * 4 matchups/track = max 16 races)
The vote will be conducted via the aforementioned
questionnaire.
COSTS:
======
Total cost for participating will depend on 2 factors:
1. the number of drivers and tracks chosen
for the series.
2. the quality of modem connections. Lost
connections will require a restart.
We will be running 18%-30% race distances. Under ideal
conditions this will limit the connect time to about 30
minutes. However, it is reasonable to assume that some
connections will be lost.
At worst, a connection will break on the white flag lap
and the race will have to be restarted. Assuming that
this will happen 50% of the time, the average duration
of a matchup will be 45 minutes.
Therefore, assuming 45 minutes each @ $0.11 per minute,
we can estimate a maximum total cost for the series.
Assuming a 4-track season:
DIAL: $0.11 per minute * 45 min. = $5.00
ANSWER: $0.11 per minute * 45 min. = $0.00
DIAL: $0.11 per minute * 45 min. = $5.00
ANSWER: $0.11 per minute * 45 min. = $0.00
PER RACE TOTAL: 4 races @ $10.00 = $2.50 each
SEASON TOTAL: 4 tracks * $10.00 = $40.00 total
SCHEDULE:
=========
Each driver will receive a race schedule FOR EACH TRACK
used in the series. Assuming a 4-track season, each
driver will receive 4 schedules in all.
The sequence of each driver's 4 matchups will be
randomized for each track. Drivers will be given a
deadline by which results from all 4 four races must be
delivered to the directors. Drivers will submit all
races from a particular track at one time, by the due
date.
Races will be held at the convenience of the involved
drivers (email-negotiated). The phone numbers and email
addresses of all involved drivers will be made available
to the other racers.
Deadline times will usually be 10pm for incoming
results. The race schedule will take time restraints of
individual racers into account (see signup document).
NO-SHOWS:
=========
In the case where a driver fails to communicate with the
opponent before a deadline ("no-show"), the driver
failing to communicate forfeits that race. No-Shows
must be reported to the ICR-H2H directors whenever
possible. The directors will make additional attempts
to contact the absentee. (See the POINTS SYSTEM discussion
later in this document for more information regarding no-
shows.)
COMPETITION
********************************************************
CAR SETUP:
==========
We will be running all races using the FAST or ACE car
setups; the FAST setup for roadcourses; the ACE setup
for ovals. NO OTHER CAR SETUP WILL BE ALLOWED. The
only modifications to this setup that will be allowed
are those which can be accessed from the cockpit.
Drivers WILL be allowed to change tires and alter fuel
loads, but NOT wing settings. You will not be allowed
to visit the garage, except to load the specified car
setup.
GAME SETUP:
===========
Each competitor will meet every other driver on all
tracks. The races will be run with the following
settings:
o NO DAMAGE
o NO YELLOW FLAGS
o NO PACE LAP
o OPPONENTS = 1
o OPPONENT STRENGTH = 105% (see below)
o WEATHER: 75 degrees, no wind, no rain
o DISTANCE: TBA for each track (usually 25%-30%)
RUNNING A RACE:
===============
Driver's schedules will detail who should be the dialer
and who should be the answerer. In the early stages of
the season it may be a good idea to perform a short test
session to characterize connection quality. In cases
where connections are only reliable in one direction,
drivers should notify the directors of this fact and
outline the details of such connections:
1. day of week
2. time of day
3. geographical locations
4. long-distance service used
After the hosting driver selects the track, both drivers
proceed to choose the required setup for the race from
the garage. There will be NO qualifying and NO warm-up.
The host will immediately choose RACE from the menu and
begin the race. There are no restarts, unless technical
problems interrupt the race. It is recommended to check
for the yellow phone icon at the base of the screen to
make sure both players are still connected. Should it
be neccessary to restart a race, the restart will be run
under conditions IDENTICAL to those of the original
attempt.
The race is finished when both drivers have crossed the
finish line and moved into the pit area (one cool-down
lap). It is recommended that both drivers park in the
pits before pressing ESC to end the event. After the
modem connection is terminated the player on the hosting
computer must exit the game immediately and copy the
RESULTS.TXT file from the \INDYCAR directory to another
file. This file must be emailed to the ICR-H2H
directors. Any race comments regarding matchups are
appreciated and may be published in a small newsletter.
This email message must also indicate who the second
driver was (ICR reports #99 Jones as the second car in
the results.txt file. If desired, players can save a
replay of the action and upload it to
didnt.doit.wisc.edu (contact [email hidden]
for instructions and passwords).
Race regulations are quite simple: stay on the track and
be fair. Since people are paying for this series,
please make the experience as fun as possible, even if
it looks as if you have lost all hope of winning the
race. Driving in the opposite direction is not allowed
(you can't win anyway - damage is off)! Drivers make
mistakes and tires can blow, even with damage off.
Pit stops are allowed, but race distances will not
necessarily require refueling. Testing for this series
has shown that pit stops can be the single most decisive
factor in a race's outcome. The directors feel that pit
stops are a separate skill, and not part of the spirit
of this series.
POINTS SYSTEM:
==============
The winning driver in each matchup will earn 20 points;
the second place (losing) driver will earn 16 points.
The fastest overall race winner (highest average speed)
on each track will be awarded one extra point at the end
of the series. In the event that a qualifying procedure
is used (see appendix), the fastest overall qualifiers
on each track in each division will receive one extra
point at the beginning of the season.
Drivers who do not participate in a scheduled race will
receive zero points. No-shows must be reported to the
directors whenever possible. The driver who's opponent
does not participate in a scheduled matchup will run the
race solo, with one computer-controlled opponent at 105%
strength. This will enter them in the competition for
the bonus point for fastest overal race average.
The driver with the highest total score at the end of
the series will be named champion of the ICR-H2H series.
If we run in more than one class, an individual champion
will be named from each division.
SCHEDULE:
=========
The ICR-H2H directors will email a schedule of all
matchups with respective phone numbers and email
addresses to all competitors. Tentative race dates for
each matchup will be included, as well as deadlines for
results. The drivers are ultimately responsible to
schedule a race, but results need to be received by the
directors before the deadline. The schedule will allow
for a 7 day range for each matchup. A series with 5
competitors will be scheduled over a 3-week period,
averaging about 1-2 matchups per week (4 races each)
GENERAL:
========
If you have any questions regarding these regulations,
contact Director Peter Burke ([email hidden]).
Each driver is responsible for their own phone bill.
The directors encourage everyone to help the series to
succeed. If phone problems occur, try to negotiate a
mutually agreeable solution. If connection problems
cannot be resolved, the race will be cancelled and
points will be split between the drivers (18 points
each).
APPENDIX:
--------------------------------------------------------
QUALIFYING:
===========
In case of serious interest by more than 5 drivers, the
ICR-H2H directors will notify all interested parties and
arrange a qualifying run. QUALIFYING WILL ONLY BE
NECCESSARY IF INTEREST EXCEEDS 5 DRIVERS.
The directors of the ICR-H2H series will host 2
qualifying sessions for all interested drivers using a
head-to-head connection. The 2 sessions will be
conducted on one roadcourse and one oval circuit. A
driver who wishes to qualify will dial a director's
machine and perform the qualifying runs. The hosting
director will remain in the pits and record the best
time. The directors will also be required to qualify.
QUALIFYING REGULATIONS:
=======================
Qualifying runs will be made by appointment with the
directors of ICR-H2H. A sign-up sheet will be mailed to
all interested parties, allowing these events to be run
in an efficient manner within one week. Results will be
used to roster drivers into 2 or more classes with about
5 drivers each. The 2 qualifying speeds achieved by a
driver from the 2 tracks will be averaged and published
to all participants together with the resulting race
schedules.
QUALIFYING CAR SETUP:
=====================
Car setup regulations are the same for qualifying as
they are for the regular season. That is, the FAST
setup will be used for the roadcourse qualifying
session; the ACE setup will be used for the Oval
qualifying session. The cockpit-only rule will be in
effect for car modifications.
--------------------------------------------------------
FINAL INTERPRETATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS RESTS
SOLELY WITH THE ICR-H2H DIRECTORS. THE RULES AS STATED
MAY CHANGE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE SERIES.
========================================================
-last revision 5/1/94
========================================================
ICR-H2H SIGNUP SHEET
If you are interested in competing in the first ICR
Head-2-Head modem competition, please answer the
questions below and mail the completed form back to
Peter Burke:
[email hidden]
This form is mandatory for all drivers. The data will
be used to design the series in the interest of the
drivers involved.
HARDWARE:
=========
Please let us know on what equipment you are playing
ICR:
CPU type/speed :
RAM amount :
Modem speed/make :
Free disk space :
COMMUNICATION:
==============
Phone number for Computer :
Call waiting (yes/no) :
Phone for voice (if different) :
Email address (internet) :
FAVORITE RACE TRACKS:
=====================
small oval :
street course :
road course :
super speedway : MICHIGAN (sorry, no choice - yet)
CAR SETUPS:
===========
Are you comfortable with:
FAST and ACE setups? :
cockpit-only modifications? :
Which chassis/engine combination will you be racing in
the series?
FINANCIAL LIMITS:
=================
What is the maximium phone cost you would tolerate for
the completion of this series? We estimate that a 5-
player series would cost about $40 per player. If we
enlist 6 or more drivers, the cost could increase to a
higher value. The directors of the series will consider
an elimination qualifying to keep the phone cost at a
target value everybody is comfortable with.
How much is this series worth to you?
Check one-
$30 :
$40 :
$50 :
$50+ :
ONLINE HOURS:
=============
What are the most likely hours you are going to be able
to race online? Getting drivers synchronized may become
a problem unless we are aware of each driver's
approximate schedule. Are there any longer vacations
(away from your computer) planned in the next weeks?
Online hours :
Vacations :
QUESTONS/SUGGESTIONS:
=====================
Is there anything that is unclear about the series, or
do you think there is a way to improve the format of
this competition?
-last revision 4/30/94
========================================================
