Rhino_WJB
Premium
- 114
- Leeds, UK
- Rhino_WJB
This is a race report I posted in a private forum 6 months or so ago. Some members there suggested I share the story in the public race reports forum, so here it is. Hope you enjoy!
Prologue
Though, as you guys know, I do enjoy racing with friends in a (relatively!) controlled and mature environment, I also often race online in random Public lobbies. The experience is generally good, partly as one never knows against whom they shall be competing, which for me adds to the adventure.
On this particular occasion, I found myself in a room with 7-8 other randoms, though clearly 4 or 5 of them were friends and hailed from our close and honourable neighbour, Scotland.
The room was limited to 415BHP with no other restrictions. I picked my car, in this case my trusty Gran Turismo 350Z RS, and hit the Trial Mountain for some practice. Having then set the fastest qualifying time, the room collectively decided my 350Z was not permitted and that I should join them in using a Lancia Delta, at the same BHP. Of course I did, though the second fastest, a Subaru WRX STI, was not asked to change. Inconsistencies such as these are generally frustrating, but I prepared my Delta and made the grid before the race start.
Starting in Pole, I lead the 6 lap race from lights out to chequered flag. On the last 3 laps however, my lead was being reduced by around 1.5 seconds a lap. Open mic chatter soon confirmed that the trailing cars were all using the short-cuts just prior to and immediately after the start-finish line, in an effort to catch up. Undeterred, I continued taking my normal legal lines and finished the race 4.5 seconds up on second place, which was, not surprisingly, the WRX STI.
Trial Mountain 6 Laps Race 2
As others joined during my first race in this lobby, various cars were appearing in the pits preparing for the upcoming race. Amongst the Deltas were a Challenger, Clio, and of the course the Subaru. Given the grid was now mixed I re-joined in my Nissan and set about some practice laps.
Starting in 10th and last on the grid, I gave myself the usual talking too prior to the race start (dont out-brake yourself into T1, give the other cars plenty of room, tyres are cold, my Z looks stunning etc.) and prepared to launch!
[Photo - Trial Mountain Grid]
Lap 1 went without incident for me, though there were some causalities at T1 and a few sleeping drivers on the grid.
By Lap 2 I was in P1, when the fun and games began
Taking exception to the fact I was in my Z (despite seeing me in the practice laps!), disregarding the other non-Delta drivers, the room decided I was to become their target for a demolition derby and promptly set about some very intentional wrecking behaviour.
Feeling somewhat disappointed I continued on my way, though 2nd place showed his determination to fulfil the rooms request, firing his Lancia toward my Nissan with only one objective
[Photo Flying Lancia]
The outcome was inevitable, and the impact was fierce.
[Photo First Contact]
Leaving me stricken on the grass run-off, facing the wrong direction, the room were unanimous in their praise as they filed past, with comments of, great job! and, awesome take-down!.
[Photo Wipe Out]
As I corrected the cars direction, I re-joined in 7th place and more than 20 seconds off the leader. At this point, I decided to remove the gloves. Play by their rules.
My come-back was met at every turn by blocking and intentional contact. There were no clean passes, as every step up the order was contested. Undeterred, I pushed on, and by the 6th and final lap, I had made it to 3rd, chasing down the car that had so triumphantly wiped me out just a few laps before.
I would have my revenge!
[Photo Remember Me?]
Heading into the distance, I had but one car left to overtake for P1, and half a lap to do it.
[Photo Go Z!]
Out-braking the Subaru into the tight left hander after the tunnel, P1 was again mine, which I held until the chequered flag.
[Photo Winner]
Then I got kicked.
Prologue
Though, as you guys know, I do enjoy racing with friends in a (relatively!) controlled and mature environment, I also often race online in random Public lobbies. The experience is generally good, partly as one never knows against whom they shall be competing, which for me adds to the adventure.
On this particular occasion, I found myself in a room with 7-8 other randoms, though clearly 4 or 5 of them were friends and hailed from our close and honourable neighbour, Scotland.
The room was limited to 415BHP with no other restrictions. I picked my car, in this case my trusty Gran Turismo 350Z RS, and hit the Trial Mountain for some practice. Having then set the fastest qualifying time, the room collectively decided my 350Z was not permitted and that I should join them in using a Lancia Delta, at the same BHP. Of course I did, though the second fastest, a Subaru WRX STI, was not asked to change. Inconsistencies such as these are generally frustrating, but I prepared my Delta and made the grid before the race start.
Starting in Pole, I lead the 6 lap race from lights out to chequered flag. On the last 3 laps however, my lead was being reduced by around 1.5 seconds a lap. Open mic chatter soon confirmed that the trailing cars were all using the short-cuts just prior to and immediately after the start-finish line, in an effort to catch up. Undeterred, I continued taking my normal legal lines and finished the race 4.5 seconds up on second place, which was, not surprisingly, the WRX STI.
Trial Mountain 6 Laps Race 2
As others joined during my first race in this lobby, various cars were appearing in the pits preparing for the upcoming race. Amongst the Deltas were a Challenger, Clio, and of the course the Subaru. Given the grid was now mixed I re-joined in my Nissan and set about some practice laps.
Starting in 10th and last on the grid, I gave myself the usual talking too prior to the race start (dont out-brake yourself into T1, give the other cars plenty of room, tyres are cold, my Z looks stunning etc.) and prepared to launch!
[Photo - Trial Mountain Grid]
Lap 1 went without incident for me, though there were some causalities at T1 and a few sleeping drivers on the grid.
By Lap 2 I was in P1, when the fun and games began
Taking exception to the fact I was in my Z (despite seeing me in the practice laps!), disregarding the other non-Delta drivers, the room decided I was to become their target for a demolition derby and promptly set about some very intentional wrecking behaviour.
Feeling somewhat disappointed I continued on my way, though 2nd place showed his determination to fulfil the rooms request, firing his Lancia toward my Nissan with only one objective
[Photo Flying Lancia]
The outcome was inevitable, and the impact was fierce.
[Photo First Contact]
Leaving me stricken on the grass run-off, facing the wrong direction, the room were unanimous in their praise as they filed past, with comments of, great job! and, awesome take-down!.
[Photo Wipe Out]
As I corrected the cars direction, I re-joined in 7th place and more than 20 seconds off the leader. At this point, I decided to remove the gloves. Play by their rules.
My come-back was met at every turn by blocking and intentional contact. There were no clean passes, as every step up the order was contested. Undeterred, I pushed on, and by the 6th and final lap, I had made it to 3rd, chasing down the car that had so triumphantly wiped me out just a few laps before.
I would have my revenge!
[Photo Remember Me?]
Heading into the distance, I had but one car left to overtake for P1, and half a lap to do it.
[Photo Go Z!]
Out-braking the Subaru into the tight left hander after the tunnel, P1 was again mine, which I held until the chequered flag.
[Photo Winner]
Then I got kicked.
) but find that, for the most part, rooms are full of rather congenial people. The trick is to find a few hosts that you know you agree with in terms of race philosophy and stick with them. The turds will get booted or asked to leave soon enough.
Cheers, Mario.
