Coming soon! (Track submitted)
The concept of this track is to add a brand new way (Way 2) to the spiral (Way 1) from https://zak.stunts.hu/tracks/ZCT067.
The simple rule is that it is not allowed to switch from Way 1 to Way 2 or vice versa. However, it is allowed to use dual-way switching within Way 2. The picture below shows some examples of what is allowed and what is not:
ZCT302.jpg
The dual-way switches indicated by the red and yellow arrows are not allowed. That's because one switches from Way 1 to Way 2 or the other way round. Note that the red arrow in particular cuts most of the track.
The purple arrows indicate allowed dual-way switches that occur strictly within Way 2.
I'm away from my Dosbox-equipped laptop these days, so I'll play with the track by doing some exegesis.
"79 vs 78": track ZCT079 was Default, while 078 was Brain Work. The right half of the track might be seen as Argammon's reinterpretation of Brain Work? but the left part is 067 as stated by Argammon himself.
Is the central tree formation supposed to be a hourglass? This would be consistent with the title. But what about the trees west of it?
For now, more questions than answers. Maybe veteran Zakstunters will be able to make more progress in the decryption.
Hello my friends,
0110111 = 7
0111000 = 8
0100000 = space
1010111 = W
1001001 = I
1001110 = N
1010011 = S
Tree work, 7 columns binary code
Brain work wins.
Central tree formation meant to be a hourglass? It's a cup.
If you decode the cactus + palm tree formation on he lower left it reads :
1010011 = 83
0110111 = 55
binary code translates 83 to "S" and 55 to "7". Flip the S and it becomes a 2.
That's a 27. It relates to the 27 wins for Argammon thru the ages from 06 to 26.
But Argammon started at zakstunts in september 2001 and earned 6 wins from 2002 to 2004. GG for that career record, my friend.
But those are not the intended code for ice drawn characters "06" and "26": there's an easter challenge at Z302: we have to beat Ayrton's 1:21.05 with a slightly different track and a Porsche Carrera.
Good luck!
Well, to beat somebody's lap after watching his replay isn't a hard task (and 20 years later! ;D ).
My original design goal was to fine tune the coefficients so that Way 2 is a few seconds faster than Way 1. In that sense Way 1 was meant to be a side quest - just like the car podiums.
To achieve that goal, I was planning to adjust the bonuses such that there is an 8% bonus point difference between the Carrera on the one hand and the Acura and the GTO on the other. That plan got spoiled by the ZCT301 results. 8)
Predictions (edited)
1. MiDiaN (I think he will give the utmost on Arg's track)
2. Argammon (I think he won't give the utmost on his own track)
3. Victor Narl (seems it's possible to be competitive without power gear, and he still has to try the Carrera)
4. Alain (his trickfinding skill is of help on this track, but he'll probably rather help Victor to the podium)
5. Duplode
6. Alan Rotoi
7. Spoonboy
8. Zapper
9. Mark Nailwood
10. HerrNove
11. RC Bandit (has more free time than dreadnaut, and more motivation to get points)
12. dreadnaut
@Duplode is not on the scoreboard yet, and he's unlikely to completely miss a race!
Quote from: dreadnaut on September 16, 2026, 06:46:51 PM@Duplode is not on the scoreboard yet, and he's unlikely to completely miss a race!
Silly me! Predictions amended.
Quote from: dreadnaut on September 16, 2026, 06:46:51 PM@Duplode is not on the scoreboard yet, and he's unlikely to completely miss a race!
You bet ;)
Some late comments on the trivia and other points.
1) There is nothing hidden on the track referring to my own achievements. I do not like to wave my own flag unless pressed. What Alain found is a coincidence. :)
2) 78 is the atomic number for platinum and 79 is the one for gold. The best replays on the classic route did not just copy the pre-existing replays. They invented new tricks and beat the old winning time by 4-5 seconds, which is a lot. In a sense my "prediction" was correct.
3) I did write early on that "My original design goal was to fine tune the coefficients so that Way 2 is a few seconds faster than Way 1. In that sense Way 1 was meant to be a side quest - just like the car podiums." Hence, I was a bit surprised that nobody else gave Way 2 a serious attempt.
4) I think that a maxed-out replay on the Acura route is a few seconds faster than what I submitted. If true, Herr Nove's comment "I think he won't give the utmost on his own track" is correct and so is ""My original design goal was to fine tune the coefficients so that Way 2 is a few seconds faster than Way 1 (...)".
5) Regarding Midian's comment "It's amazing what a difference a good track can make. Having much more fun on this one!", I would like to say that I am sorry he did not enjoy the track. I would like to point out, though, that it is possible to praise a track (alanrotoi's) without putting down somebody else's.
6) Thank you for the offer to join your team Victor and Alain. You do have an active and cool team that is contributing a lot to the community. Unfortunately, I do not feel like racing and have to pass.
Wishing you all a lot of fun racing! 8)
Quote from: Argammon on September 26, 2026, 11:25:03 AM5) Regarding Midian's comment "It's amazing what a difference a good track can make. Having much more fun on this one!", I would like to say that I am sorry he did not enjoy the track. I would like to point out, though, that it is possible to praise a track (alanrotoi's) without putting down somebody else's.
I'm sorry
@Argammon, that comment is demeaning and it's totally fair to call it out — and I should have done so myself when I read the shoutbox. Rivalry can be fun, but more so if it is not offensive.
Quote from: Argammon on September 26, 2026, 11:25:03 AM3) I did write early on that "My original design goal was to fine tune the coefficients so that Way 2 is a few seconds faster than Way 1. In that sense Way 1 was meant to be a side quest - just like the car podiums." Hence, I was a bit surprised that nobody else gave Way 2 a serious attempt.
I think the "a few second faster" ended up being quite narrow: Way 1 felt like an equal contenter for victory through-out the race. As you say, 'platinum-era' racers found new tricks and shortcuts!
The result is that we found ourselves with two ways to fully investigate. Way 2 however, seemed complex in a "I'm hiding one narrow correct solution" way (vs "I am a playground with many solutions"). In my experience "narrow-solution" tracks are more frustrating, and given the option racers will skip the race, or in this case take left at the junction.
This is making me think about what is "fun" in a track, and in a
race. The two seem related to me, but not the same. I'll take this discussion as an opportunity to mull this over further.
But also to point out: folks, be kind to each other, there's enough going on out there.