Stewards Driver Instructions for the EU race
Looks like we are hovering right around 16... with under four hours to go until race time we are at 15 + 1 reserve (+ pekka?). The most likely scenario is we'll all race in one large grid in which case we are going to run the following procedure:
- Pre-race practice in GTP_3D3Racing starting by 19:00 GMT (hosted and announced by Speedy)
- Group qualifying in GTP_3D3Racing starting at 20:00 GMT. Track reset at 19:59 GMT sharp.
- After qualification Speedy will exit lounge and setup GTP_3D3_A while I review quali order and staging instructions
- Drivers will exit GTP_3D3Racing and enter the GTP_3D3_A lounge
- Drivers will enter pits/track immediately (after checking their car settings/tires) and park in start order at end of first straight
- Race timer will be started by a racing steward. All drivers remained parked in order (no horns)
- Race Start!
Lounge Switch: For those that are new, we are switching over to GTP_3D3_A for the actual race because it's a mic-disabled lounge and that uses less bandwidth and has fewer connection problems with large grids over 12. Even if all drivers mute/disable their mics a mic-enabled lounge has extra overhead. We'll go over all the procedure while still in the mic-enabled lounge so everyone is clear on the procedures because once we migrate any communication will have to be via text.
Group Qualifying: Check the driver registration image for your qualifying group. We will reset the track at exactly 20:00 GMT and Group A will enter the track immediately. Each driver will have a single untimed out-lap and then
2 timed hot laps. After your second hot lap you should continue at reduced speed until you find a safe place to park off track. When we've recorded all your times we'll ask for the track to be cleared and you should exit to the lobby. You can use the watch race function while the other group qualifies to follow the action. Keep text/voice chatter for emergency/admin only use during qualification so as not to distract drivers running hot laps. During the out laps we will be giving instructions, but we'll try to keep everything quiet for all hot laps.
The following web page will be updated live by Speedy and myself as drivers qualify:
Quali Times (EU). If you have access to a smart phone or PC while you drive then you can view that page to find out where you are positioned for staging. We will also announce the order via voice before and text after we switch lounges. It's most important to know who you are positioned behind so you can park direct behind them for staging.
Grid Start: If for some reason after we stage the grid order is wrong (rare, but it happens) just go with it. Don't slow or try to give back positions as it can result in some ugly turn 1 outcomes. No restarts for grid mis-placement. Also with a large grid there are occasional occurances where a driver has a delayed black screen and misses the start by a second or so. You'll just have to gather yourself and take what you've got as we will not restart for this either -- happened to me two weeks ago. In the future we are going to start doing rolling starts as our regular procedure and this will alleviate the problem, but for this week we're sticking with an automated standing grid start.
Turn 1: Turn 1 is more of a kink this week and we should be able to take that safely if everyone is patient and most should be single file by the turn. It's a long race and drafting/tire wear will play a large roll so you will have plenty of time to gain positions with smart and safe driving! The sand to the left of the "kink" is unforgiving... remember if you push someone off there you have to wait for them to get back on track losing a lot of time so it's worth displaying a little caution for the start.
Change your oil before entering the lounge for pre-race practice. Free run laps will not impact your oil condition and you will not need to leave the lounge and change the oil again before the race.
Good Luck, OLR Team
I'll have to try the new setting tomorrow and see if it works. 👍 
And the mic has an easy-to-adjust telescoping arm and it easily could be too far from my frothing mouth. 
