New news about the WRS

[Tedehur]

This is not something I wanted to post so early, but I'm afraid people might misunderstand my reasons when I do it later, so I decided to post it today.
Sorry, it's gonna be a long post.

As the old WRSers know, I'm not the one who created the WRS, I simply accepted to become the new steward when the previous steward chose to retire.
Boombexus who posted the first WRS race ever, more than three years and a half ago, retired after the first year. Kent, the second steward retired after another year. And CFM proposed me to take over after only 7 months. This is not because they had lost all interest, but rather because the administration of such a series is very demanding. After a quick calculation, I can estimate that I've spent an average of 3 hours a days on WRS issues over the past 11 months.

I want a few things to be clear.

First, I've always been planning to stay for one year before giving the responsibility to someone else, as the previous stewards did, and I've been mentioning this several times to different WRSers over the past year. As planned, I've already started to organize that succession. The process takes time and not everything is ready yet so I can't give you further details, most of which I don't even know myself so far.

Second, I dream of a tuesday night when I don't need to switch on the PC and spend 2 hours administrating things. I want to be able to go to the cinema or restaurant with my wife and kids without having to check first if it fits in my WRS planning.
I haven't been able to do that over the past year (because I chose to, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about it), and I now definitely need a break.

Third, the delayed european launch of the PS3, the fact that the specifications of GT:HD don't match my expectations probably cooled a bit my enthusiasm about GT, and I'm looking forward to playing other games (I just bought MGS3 : Subsistence to keep me busy this fall and winter).

These are the only reasons why I'll soon stop stewarding this series (well, if everything goes ok).

I've really been enjoying what I've been doing here, and I've spent so much time on-line over the past 2.5 years, and so few in real life, that most of my friends now are here, and I'm not gonna disappear.



As many of us, I'm getting fed up with all the arguments and trollings that happened in the threads recently. But that doesn't account for the fact that I'll be retiring. This isn't even a speeding up factor for it. It is only a coincidence. Or perhaps a sign that the WRS needs a change.

I truly believe that every racer has a role to play in the WRS, that it would be extremely sad and totally wrong to consider that the WRS steward is some kind of a leader and that the racers are sheep that should blindly follow him. The WRS is what you want it to be, and more than that, it's what you make of it.
If you expect it to be a crap place where you can argue about any sort of things, then that's what you will eventually achieve.
Don't rely on me to prevent this from happening. I know what I want the WRS to be, I try to behave in a way that matches my expectations and I try to be faithful to my beliefs, but I don't want to force anyone to share my views.
Instead, I consider that each of us has to be critical about their own posts, and decide to stop or switch to PMs rather than starting to be annoying to everybody else reading the thread.
If you don't like the race I posted (which can happen frequently since I'm trying to post a wide variety of combos), then don't race it, but please don't consider it an opportunity to go on trolling in the thread.

I've changed my plans for week 78 and posted a fast combo, hoping that it would drag people back into racing hundreds of laps, leaving no time for pointless arguments.
I will also change my plans for week 79 : go post your dream combo in the Suggestions thread, I will pick one in there.

Have a nice race,

Cyril

 

[Smallhorses]

There's not a single racer among the many hundreds that have participated in a WRS event that can't agree that you've done an excellent job of keeping things going, as did CFM, Kent and Boombexus before you.
While I'm no longer a regular WRSer, (I have my own reasons) as I was in the latter days of the GT3 WRS, I do still check in here a lot to see who's hot and who's new. There's always a varied mix of people here, superfast-aliens, slower-but-enthusiastic-participants, mouthy-upstarts who disappear quickly, long-time-middle-of-the-roaders, and that's a good thing. But one oft-overlooked thing that remains consistent round here longer than any other is the amount of effort that organising a race series of this magnitude takes. Variety is the spice of life here, what appeals to one may not appeal to all. What appeals to me probably would be met with consternation by a great many others. You've always seeked to please everyone, if not necessarily everyone at once!
Anyway, will be sad to see you leave administration here, but can hopefully count on the fact that with less organising to do, of those 3 extra hours you'll get you'll still have time to devote to racing and submitting in WRS, a privelidge which I think you've denied yourself long enough, in order that so many others have a challenge to commit to every week.
I know your thoroughness of preparation will not see the passing of the administrative baton taking place until you've coached your protege to as high a standard as you yourself have achieved. You'll go down as a GTP legend!
Congratulations on a job well done. I think a little unity in saying that from all WRSers, despite recent and not-so-recent squabbles, is due here.

 

[AngelCreator]

All though I have not been here long, I have always thought that you did a
good job and I would say to myself (i'm glad I don't have his job because I
don't think I could do that day in and day out). And all though I don't always like
the race's you post I always race because I know how much work can go into
one as I have ran time trials. And I know this is not the same, but if you think
about it you are just running a new time trial ever week. So it will be sad
when you leave and some one else is running the WRS, but with you picking
the next person to run the WRS I know everthing will workout. Well thats
everthing I wanted to say, and if you ever have some time maybe you could
come and race with us, for fun not for work. You will be missed.

 

[KLR142]

I love you Cyril!!!



Oh, and everyone else too.



And no, I'm not gay.


But Cyriously, Cyril kicks ass! Thanks for doing such an awesome job while you've been here man! 👍 !!!

 

[ßen]

Ouch.

I feel that what you are doing is right Cyril, you can't spend all the time you have on here. Arguments happen though, we just have to live with it, I tried my best to keep it hidden from a thread.
Anyway, thanks Cyril, you've been great over the time I've been here.

 

[Dr_Watson]

oh wow, has it been almost a year??
i can understand the need for a break; keeping this animal on a straight course must be a handful.
i have to give you a big hand, you're a stastically minded individual which gave a nice spicey variety to the challenges.
You obviously listen to the suggestions and going's-on around the forums as well, which is also a good thing.
i've only been around for CFM and You, but i'd have to say you're reign didn't make me want to storm the bastile.
you had a good run of it, and i'm certain (like kent and the rest) you'll be back.... they always come back. 👍

 

[steven]

i think words cannot express how thankful we should be - i am anyway - about cyril's contributions to the little village we call gtp/wrs.

like him i have also experienced that olr activities should not interfere with real life, at least not to any degree. so if tuesday nights become an item of family discussion there is only one choice to be made, however nice us gt4 addicts might (most of the time) be.

you're not gone yet, cyril (and hope you never really will), but it has been a pleasure and a privilege gaming with you. tu est un vrai copin.

to all who take things more seriously than they should i want to say: it's just a game

steven/bigracer

 

[Tedehur]

You will be misted.

...a privelidge...

...a stastically minded...

I truly appreciate to see so many people wanting to keep the typo comp going.

But Cyriously...

That one kicks ass 👍

As I said, I won't vanish into thin air. I'll simply have more free time, and I don't even know if it'll affect my on-line time. I might even have time to race and show everybody my craptastic racing skills.

 

[TheCracker]

I've only competed in a couple of the WRS events, but i must say they were extremely well organised 👍 Unfortunatly i found i never really had the time to do the competition justice, and as a non-Maxdrive owner i never felt happy posting my unverified times. I guess once you get to a certain time in your life, you find it harder and harder to justify spending all that time on a 'computer game' - no matter how much you enjoy it!

The WRS is one of the corner stones of this great forum. Every steward has done a fantastic job of what i can guess is a statistical nightmare keeping the thing running and on time. You can't be blamed Cyril, for wanting out after a years worth, and i doubt anyone will hold it against you.

I'm sure your replacement will be suitably dedicated to the job and will keep things running as well as ever.

Enjoy your new-found free time

 

[NielsG]

I have had the honor of racing under all 4 administrators, and the WRS has never been better organized and running smoother, than under your reign. 👍

Thanks a lot, Cyril.

 

[Small_Fryz]

Ive also raced under all 4 and while you cant compare them since they all had their special touch to WRS. Cyril defeintly stands on his own and has left his own bit of legacy to the WRS. Wonderful stats and colourful posts. Gold/silver/bronze and his own flags for WRS replays etc etc.

Cyril you done a wonderful job mate 👍

 

[Mr P]

Here Here! .... Cyril for President

A job well done mate 👍 ..... enjoy the rest home

 

[KLR142]

I truly appreciate to see so many people wanting to keep the typo comp going.


That one kicks ass 👍

As I said, I won't vanish into thin air. I'll simply have more free time, and I don't even know if it'll affect my on-line time. I might even have time to race and show everybody my craptastic racing skills.

Maybe you'll be able to prove to yourself that you're not as craptastic as you think because you'll be able to spend enough time on them that you're a little better and can improve further?

 

[Tedehur]

I hope so Kyle, but it is very unlikely since I was already craptastic when I was a regular racer.
Thanks for your support mates, looking forward to eating your dust on the tracks

 

[MinorShunt]

A job well done mate 👍 ..... enjoy the rest home

So that's how it goes. You join Todd in the WRS rest home for the infirm, senile, and sexually inadequate eh Cyril?

All kidding aside, although I don't WRS much anymore either, (has nothing to do with anything other than boredom with GT4 and RL priorities)and really have no clue how it is to be in your shoes for the past year, it appears to be a huge undertaking to steward this series. How is that for a run-on sentence?

I doff my chapeau to you Cyril on a job well done. I never knew you before WRS, but you have proven to be more than adequate for the task at hand. You have shown enthusiasm and competence in fulfilling the member's wishes whatever they may be.

I had fun in the races I participated in under your stewardship, which to me is always the point of doing this GT4 thing in the first place. I consider it a bonus to have become aquainted with a few fine people such as yourself in the GT world as a result of this participation.

Enjoy your retirement Cyril! I'll see you 'round the next curve.
Steve

 

[Ren-Tec]

I don't have any idea how much work is involved in running the WRS. But from what iv seen since i started racing here is that you have done a Great job Cyril. 👍 Sorry to see you go but family is more important and i hope the WRS will still be as good as it is now. Thank You and i can't wait to see you racing more

 

[holl01]

great work cyril, u have done really well as the racing steward over the past year or so, thats for sure:tup: 👍 good luck in ur future adventures, all the best, holl01

 

[Jump_Ace]

Sorry to hear you go Cyril, you did a great job balancing races for all walks of life, whether the driver is from Earth or another Galaxy . Any clue on who is going to be next?

Jerome

 

[Tyre King]

Glad to see that you are doing this Cyril!

And before everyone jumps down my throat for saying that...........please allow me to elaborate.

You have done a FANTASTIC job as steward of the WRS, and I have heartily enjoyed most of the races you have set in the year that you have been in charge.
But, as you say, the constant arguments about trivial matters, the overwhelming work load required to keep things going at the excellent level you have done, HAS to have taken a toll on both your real-life and your sanity.

You have been a steady hand on the tiller, an imaginative combo setter, a mediator for the often petty disagreements, and above all else a good friend to us all.

Now to my point, and the reason I am glad you are handing over the reins to another.
It would have been a shame if you had carried on doing what you do, letting it get to you, effecting your RL etc. After all is said and done this should be an enjoyable experience, not a chore!

I applaude your descision, respect you for it enormously, and look forward to you racing once in a while, and being one of the great unwashed of the WRS again.

Neil

 

[Randymcchickenf]

Its been great Cyril, ive loved every minute of the vast majority of combos youve posted. You deserve all the free time you want, andwere all so so so thankful for everything youve done. Even the typos 👍

 

[ßen]

*Removed*

I think perhaps I should leave it till later

 

[Touring Mars]

As a former participant in the WRS, I can only imagine the time, effort and sheer commitment required to actually run this thing - for me, the WRS is the epitome of what GTP should be all about - about playing Gran Turismo. I take my hat off to all of the former organisers and regular participants, but there must come a time when the reins should be passed on to someone new... Congrats Cyril on a terrific job, and for taking the time to explain your decision in such an honest and open manner 👍

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

If I remember correct, I was driving in the time you were in Division 2, right? Or Division 1, you were always a great guy but I'd never expect to see you at the head of this big racing series. But you did an incredibly job Cyril, every week, you come with a fun combo, you always post the pages with a nice picture and you always explain stuff very clearly. Besides, thanks to you, I'm still here

Now, did you do it for fun or just to become a moderator

Just kidding man, cheers! 👍

 

[Canoe]

There are very few places on the internet that are as well organized and fun to participate in as the WRS!

My compliments to you Flat-out, for an outstanding effort!

I look forward to racing with the next mod.

The best to you!

 

[Tedehur]

Thanks mates for the support.

There are new news about this.

Colby (aka MisterWeary) has been promoted a moderator so that he can take over the WRS administration from week #80 on.
He's been very involved since he joined the WRS in June 2005, updating Luxy's leaderboard several times a week, answering questions when I was away (or lazy) : he's the most logical choice and I'm certain nobody will be surprised.

I have many things to discuss with him backchannel, and the two of us might bring some changes to the WRS, so I'd like everybody to keep in mind a few things.
The WRS does not belong to any individual but is the product of a community. You, me, Colby, each of us takes on his free time to race/administrate/participate in any other way and expects no reward for that.
My point is that nothing should be taken as granted. Take the points leaderboard for instance. There was no leaderboard in the WRS when I designed mine and posted it in August 2004. Kent, who was the steward at that moment didn't like the idea much because it was rewarding regular racers more than skilled racers (which was exactly my point), but yet he let me post it in the forum and update it on a weekly basis. I have the feeling that this is now taken as granted that I'll update this leaderboard with the results and that nobody else has to worry about this issue.
Which is wrong. It has been time consuming and I've been wanting to stop updating it for a while now.
So it'll be up to those of us who like the idea of a leaderboard to come up with different (better) ideas and post their tentative leaderboards in the forum.
One of them will perhaps be more original, more relevant or more structured than the other ones, and it will have other racers' preference and thus will remain as the new WRS leaderboard.
Colby will perhaps have to take decisions about this too, the plan is not that we have 30 new leaderboards next week, but you see my point : don't rely on him to do everything, and don't be afraid of having constructive ideas.

As I said, I've always had the feeling that many WRSers were relying on me to carry the WRS on my shoulders. That suited me because I can hardly delegate and I like to be in control, yet I've always known that it was a wrong approach. It is a project that we need to carry together.
The steward's role is to coordinate everybody's effort and to take decisions when decisions need to be taken. That's why moderating powers are required for the job. It doesn't mean we all have to be standing at attention, we can disagree with the decisions taken, but someone needs to do the job and Colby is that one now, so if he's drawn the line to end a debate like can we have 4 wheels on the cobblestone area ? or should we split the results between NTSC and PAL ?, then his decision has to be respected.

I'm only saying all this because over the 2.5 years I have spent in the WRS I could notice a certain change in the atmosphere, a drift from a bunch of mates racing together towards a more schoolish (pardon me the neologism) atmosphere.

Okay, I've played Mr Smart-ass enough for tonight. More than I wanted at first.


As far as I'm concerned, I bought Metal Gear Solid 3 : Subsistence ten days ago, so that I have something different to keep me busy while I'm taking a break from GT4. I'll stay tuned however, I can't possibly leave definitely, but I certainly won't be racing much until I defeated colonel Volgin, the Shagohod and the Boss half a dozen times

Now I'll take a look at the rest of the WRS and first the suggestions thread to see what race I'll be posting tomorrow.

 

[ßen]

Whoaaaa.

I knew Colby was the one for the job, I just knew it.
I'm still only a relative newbie to WRS, having been here for only 12 weeks, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Even talking to you on MSN has been a pleasure Cyril (remember our convo about custard? ).
Please, please, please, please enjoy your time in WRS, for 78 and 79 and admin and the time you may spend here afterwards.
I applaud the work you have done.
I appreciate all the work you have done.
And now is the time to pass it on. You've timed it perfectly Cyril. As always.

With regard to these arguments lately I've no idea why they have happened really, but don't take it as your responsibility either, it isn't your fault.

Thanks, 100%, for all your WRS work. I can say personally, and on behalf of the GTP WRS that we'll miss you as our race steward.
Ben

PS. Enjoy MGS3, I certainly did, it's the only game for me that rivals GT4.

 

[MisterWeary]

Well the very first thing I want to say is thank you to Cyril.

Cyril has run the WRS so superbly that my only trepidation about taking over was how I would fill those ginormous boots You've streamlined and organised this series into a finely tuned machine and regardless of any disappointments you may have, this comp has grown from strength to strength with you at the front Cyril and the whole OLR community, not just GTP owe you a MASSIVE thanks!!!

I was looking through past WRS races on the weekend and I can see you've been OLR'ing for quite some time so I can imagine a change is due. And as Ben pointed out above, for your last couple of races you should be enjoying them. If you'd like me to do some of the more tedious jobs during that time so you can just enjoy it I am more than happy to do that. You've earnt more than just the respect and admiration of every racer here, you've earnt the right to relax and enjoy these last few weeks so whatever I can do to help just let me know 👍

As for changes...I don't picture myself doing much differently, I think like Cyril mentioned involving everyone a bit more with various aspects to the administration would be good, the leaderboards, replay checking etc, all these things ought to be shared around but my main goal as WRS administrator will be to not stuff up the brilliant work Cyril has done

So thanks again Cyril, I feel honoured to be given the privilege of taking over the reins and I hope you thoroughly enjoy your last few organised races and your subsequent free-time.

Three cheers for the grooviest Frenchy we all know

 

[Casio]

Three cheers for the grooviest Frenchy we all know

I don't know. Bob Sinclar is pretty groovy....

...but no where near as groovy as Cyril!!!

Seriously Cyril, you've done as awesome job 👍, I have no problems saying that you're the best steward I've raced under. Colby has some big shoes to fill 👍

I. Love. You.

*call me*

 

[AngelCreator]

I knew MisterWeary was who you picked when I saw that moderator badge
below his picture. I do have to say that you could not have picked anyone
better. And about this "we all need to help, not just the WRS Steward", I
have always helped where I can, and I would love to help if you ever need
it because I have alot time free time most of the time. With that I hope you have
fun with all of your free time Flat-out, and congrats to MisterWeary in being
the new Weekly Race Steward.

 

[ferrari_chris]

Congratulations Colby!



I'm sure you'll do a fine job as a Moderator here at the WRS. 👍

If you ever need any help with anything, I know there are plenty of people around here willing to lend a hand - just holler.

I don't get to race as much as I'd like to anymore ( ) but I still keep an eye on the WRS when I can.

Keep up the good work and add your own, distinctive flavour.

Congrats again dude.