ZCT280 - Marginal

[Zapper]

Hello,

Marginal Track is my debut in the Zakstunts competition as a guest track entry. It was intended to be a dual way path race, a 2 minutes run either using 1 of 2 alternative ways depending on car used.


However it seems to need some attention to avoid dual switch as @Duplode exemplifies on You cannot view this attachment..

You cannot view this attachment.

[alanrotoi]

The easiest solution without changing the track probably is the custom rule "forbidden to switch ways".

[Zapper]

The easiest solution without changing the track probably is the custom rule "forbidden to switch ways".

I support that solution.

[dreadnaut]

Yep, that's the way. Dual-way switching is not allowed for this race.

I would have called this out during review, but I failed to realise that the second route was connected, rather than decorative. The additional rule keeps the track as-intended.

[Duplode]

All right, we're good to go, thanks @dreadnaut and @Zapper !

Since we're talking about tracks in which dual-way switching is forbidden, there's an interesting corner case raised by @Argammon and @alanrotoi which is worth considering, in case it becomes relevant.

Suppose dual-way switching is not allowed in a race. Then, someone finds a line which involves leaving one path, driving on the other and then returning to the initial path, but without skipping more than two elements of the initial path (so that there would be no penalty even if the other path didn't exist). Such a situation could easily arise with a wide powergear line that spills over the other path, but it's not the only scenario it might happen (the attached track and replay provides a non-PG example).

Should such a line be allowed? My gut feeling says that yes, it should. If the line would be valid and penalty-free if that part of the track weren't dual-way (say, if we broke the other path, turning it into scenery), it arguably shouldn't count as dual-way switching. The underlying assumption would be that a dual-way switching shortcut is, strictly speaking, something that is only possible thanks to the dual-way bug.

Edit: Adding a map of the shortcut in the attached demo:

[alanrotoi]

Initially, I agree with you. It should be allowed but in order to not burden more responsibilities and check-up times to @dreadnaut I would go to avoid it. But when? Dual-way switch is fun but sometimes is not so easy to find. In the case of this track I would forbid this in order to avoid a PG ride but we could talk about how to regulate dual-way switch in ZakStunts in another thread foreseeing all possible cases.

[dreadnaut]

Agreed, the scenario you describe looks fine to me: we are not cutting between two paths, but taking a different route along one path.

[Shoegazing Leo]

@Zapper Is that Marginal Tietê or Pinheiros?

[Zapper]

@Zapper Is that Marginal Tietê or Pinheiros?

Neither of them. It's only a coastal track between hights and sea. You could consider a mildly based on some Portuguese roads 

[Argammon]

I thought I would share the concrete line we were discussing on Telegram. This line only makes sense with a PG car. The issue described by Duplode arises because the car technically switches from one path to the other when next to the dirt road. However as has been pointed out this path would also be valid if the second path did not exist. 

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[Duplode]

Regardless of what happens at the deadline (and I think a lot will happen!), this is already a memorable race, made possible by a very good track, challenging in its own peculiar style. Great work, @Zapper !

[Spoonboy]

This track has demanded attention to detail from the very beginning, which has been very challenging and entertaining!
Unlike tweaking lap a lap gradually, this race has involved more complete re-drives than I remember in a long time.
One of my favourite laps of the year!

[Mortimer Macmire]

Have to agree with the people above me. It was a very fun and challenging track with a lot of things to learn (having good teammates helped a lot with that!)

And as Spoonboy already mentioned the amount of detail that came into driving the lap as clean as possible was a really interesting experience (and frustrating at times, but heck that's what makes it so much more fun when you finally make something work  !)

[Zapper]

Congratulations to @Argammon on a well-crafted Indycar lap, well done pipsqueak!
I'm glad to hear that this track was at least an enjoyfable event and didn't bring too much frustration while tackling all its elements through its extension. Maybe the next time I create a shorter one