2024 State of Play: where things stand after round nine

[Clairwil]

The deadline of the ninth race in September is an important moment in a ZakStunts season. Since the three worst results of each pipsqueak are discarded, it is only with three rounds remaining that a definite picture of what each competitor needs to reach their goals becomes possible. That being so, let's use that opportunity see how the various battles across the season scoreboards are playing out!

Meanings of the columns: Current is the sum of points at the end of ZCT278. Discards are the three worst results so far, which may still be discarded. Available is how many additional points a pipsqueak would get with three perfect races at the end of the season, with the discards having been subtracted. Maximum is the maximum possible points, current plus available. The sums in the Current, Available and Maximum columns show the "base points" and LTB components that make up the respective totals.

1st place

Räcer	Current	Discards	Available	Maximum
Duplode	101 + 6 = 107	8 + 10 + 11 = 29	7 + 6 = 13	114 + 6 = 120
Alan Rotoi	97 + 5 = 102	9 + 9 + 11 = 29	7 + 6 = 13	109 + 6 = 115

The ZakStunts title will return to South America in 2024, in the hands of either Alan Rotoi or Duplode. The Brazilian is currently 5 points ahead of his Argentinian rival. That is a considerable advantage at this stage of the season, specially considering the two of them are tied when it comes to available points (seven points plus LTB). The three-point swing in ZCT278 suddenly looks very significant! Still, the title race is far from over. In particular, Alan can catch Duplode without depending on others' results by attaining three victories and a two-point LTB advantage in the final races.

3rd place

Räcer	Current	Discards	Available	Maximum
Frieshansen	71 + 3 = 73	6 + 6 + 6 = 18	18 + 6 = 24	91 + 6 = 97
Spoonboy	70	4 + 7 + 7 = 18	18 + 6 = 24	88 + 6 = 94
Zapper	68 + 1 = 69	6 + 7 + 7 = 20	16 + 6 = 22	85 + 6 = 91
Mark Nailwood	68	4 + 6 + 6 = 16	20 + 6 = 26	88 + 6 = 94

We're in for a spectacular four-way battle for the final podium place in the 2024 season! Frieshansen has a decent head start by being three points ahead of his closest rival. Spoonboy and Mark Nailwood are in a virtual tie, with the former two points ahead but the latter having two extra available points in hand, while Zapper is in a slightly more difficult position due to having two fewer available points than Frieshansen or Spoonboy. In any case, it's all to play for, and one race result (or a single LTB point!) might change everything.

7th place

Räcer	Current	Discards	Available	Maximum
Erik Barros	44 + 1 = 45	1 + 2 + 3 = 6	30 + 6 = 36	75 + 6 = 81
dreadnaut	43	1 + 3 + 3 = 7	29 + 6 = 35	72 + 6 = 78

In another close battle, we have two Doubleplusspeed teammates vying for the overall seventh place. At the moment, Erik is two points ahead of dreadnaut on the season scoreboard and has one more available point over the final races. Nonetheless, the margins feel narrow, and a strong result from either of them could prove decisive.

9th place

Räcer	Current	Discards	Available	Maximum
Overdrijf	31 + 1 = 32	0 + 0 + 1 = 1	35 + 6 = 41	67 + 6 = 73
Ryoma	32	2 + 2 + 3 = 7	29 + 6 = 35	61 + 6 = 67

Overdrijf and Ryoma are currently tied at 9th place on the season scoreboard. On the one hand, the Cork's Crew driver has six more points in play than his French opponent, which could provide him an important advantage over the final rounds. On the other hand, Ryoma is carrying good momentum over the last several races. It will likely take another round for the direction this battle will take to become clearer.

Am League, 1st place

Räcer	Current	Discards	Available	Maximum
Ryoma	92	9 + 9 + 9 = 27	9	101
Mortimer McMire	73	0 + 7 + 7 = 14	22	95

Ryoma is in a very strong position in the fight for the Amateur League title, with a win and a third place over the final three races being enough to secure his overall victory. The only other pipsqueak with a chance in this battle is the steadily improving Mortimer McMire. Having joined the competition in the second round, Mortimer has a large amount of available points that keeps him in contention for the title. His path towards that, however, is a narrow one which depends on combinations of results across the final races.

Am League, 3rd place

Räcer	Current	Discards	Available	Maximum
Spoonboy	81	N/A (graduated)	0	81
Cas	74	6 + 7 + 7 = 20	16	90
Shoegazing Leo	72	7 + 7 + 8 = 22	14	86

Cas is the favourite for the final Am League podium place, being expected to reach the points total of already graduated Spoonboy. Shoegazing Leo can still do likewise; however, being two points behind the Rolling Stunts driver in both current and available points, he needs a strong run of results in the final races. A second place and two third places, for instance, would suffice for him to draw with Spoonboy.

[dreadnaut]

🤩
Great to see these numbers in easy to grasp tables, thank you @Duplode! Looking forward to the heated battle in the end of season.

I have to say, I'm quite enjoying ZakStunts 2024! (and sorry for not having time for R4K)

[alanrotoi]

Great job, thank you!! As seen some months ago, the most insteresting battle of the year is between @Frieshansen, @Spoonboy, @Zapper and @Mark Nailwood.

This is the relative position between these pipsqueaks. Every month is different for them. What a season! A special mention to Zapper who is racing without a team. I'm enjoying watching your fight, it's like this since January!

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[Cas]

Great analysis!  I've also not had much time. I've been able to post here and there, but generally, my performance in all events has been very poor this year. There was only one month in which I kind of felt a little more skilled.