ZCT285 - String Theory II

[Duplode]

Might as well make a poll this time!  The context:

@ Herr Nove, I will add a new color after the public days making it even more colorful 

I am not surprised that @ Argammon is going to hide the secret sauce he's preparing with a (I guess) blue car.

[Matei]

Can someone add a semi-trailer truck?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-trailer_truck

[Cas]

So far, all the effort in calibrating the bonuses for this race and having to modify the track seem very fruitful!  I'm so happy with the results   Thanks, @Duplode and @dreadnaut for your help on getting this tuned 

[Duplode]

The not-something-else plurality of our poll was right at least

[HerrNove]

I voted for the NSX but was very unsure. In terms of odds I would have said: Acura 35%; Indy 30%; Lambo 25%; Other 10%; P962 %

[alanrotoi]

Is it a prediction?

[Cas]

I think I'm winning the most-variety-in-the-scoreboard prize with my track/race, ha, ha

[HerrNove]

Is it a prediction?

After trying out Acura and Indy, I'm not sure :-) My understanding of power gear is very lacking, but after trying out both cars I found myself unable to activate the extra speed fast enough to compensate the low bonus.

My new prediction is that Argammon has many PG replays hidden in his pocket, to be posted only in case of need, and that other masters may have them too or will prepare them for the quiet days. But probably with the GTO.

My end-of-race predictions:

1. Argammon (seems in top shape and the most willing to invest time in this year's compo)
2. Alan Rotoi (is hiding something big)
3. MiDiaN (managing to master PG but still unaware of some tricks of the veterans)
4. Duplode (in a more relaxed mood than the other bigs)
5. KyLiE (staying hidden but beating me with a quiet replay)
6. HerrNove (quite happy with a +1 amateur XP)
7. Frieshansen (after choosing a competitive car for this track)
8. Spoonboy
9. Mark Nailwood
10. Zapper
11. dreadnaut
12. Overdrijf

[alanrotoi]

Is it a prediction?

After trying out Acura and Indy, I'm not sure :-) My understanding of power gear is very lacking, but after trying out both cars I found myself unable to activate the extra speed fast enough to compensate the low bonus.

My new prediction is that Argammon has many PG replays hidden in his pocket, to be posted only in case of need, and that other masters may have them too or will prepare them for the quiet days. But probably with the GTO.

My end-of-race predictions:

1. Argammon (seems in top shape and the most willing to invest time in this year's compo)
2. Alan Rotoi (is hiding something big)
3. MiDiaN (managing to master PG but still unaware of some tricks of the veterans)
4. Duplode (in a more relaxed mood than the other bigs)
5. KyLiE (staying hidden but beating me with a quiet replay)
6. HerrNove (quite happy with a +1 amateur XP)
7. Frieshansen (after choosing a competitive car for this track)
8. Spoonboy
9. Mark Nailwood
10. Zapper
11. dreadnaut
12. Overdrijf

Nice prediction. Also about Dups' mood haha. And about me, I quit the fight for the championship. I need the time other stuff like professional development. I'll keep staying around and organizing live events but forget me from sending competitive replays.

[Duplode]

A quick report on PTB. As week 3 begins, two pipsqueaks are in contention for PTB +2: current leader MiDiaN (32:47 margin at midnight -- right now, as I post this, it's about six hours smaller) and Argammon (84:09 margin at midnight). Both of them have reached PTB +1. KyLiE and Spoonboy have earned PTB +0.5, while HerrNove could guarantee it as early as by the next update.

[Duplode]

KyLiE and Spoonboy have earned PTB +0.5, while HerrNove could guarantee it as early as by the next update.

As predicted, congratulations @HerrNove for reaching PTB +0.5!

[HerrNove]

Thanks @Duplode ! The track really played to my strengths. I hope not too many other pipsqueaks manage to master the power gear, so that I can defend my high position till the end.

[Argammon]

Here is my top 10 prediction:

1. MiDiaN: MidiaN's determination + Alanrotoi's experience = victory.
2. Argammon: Submits a good lap but without any stunts magic. Ca. 0.5 - 1 seconds behind MiDiaN.
3. Duplode: Conserved some energy by not fighting for the leading time. Comes close to the top two.
4. KyliE: Got Argammon's final lap over 10 days before the deadline. Has the skills to "copy" the replay.
5. Alanrotoi: Focuses on giving his pupil advice. Frequently lost against his pupils before (Ayrton, Gutix).
6. Frieshansen: Manages a GTO power-gear lap but takes an easier path than MiDiAN.
7+. Overdrijf: Has the power-gear skills to copy Duplode's lap assuming he cares. Ends outside the top 10 if he doesn't.
7-9 Spoonboy: Very uncertain here. Beats Herr Nove if and only if he manages to do a power-gear lap. (50/50)
7-9 Herr Nove: Underestimates the number of opponents being able to do a power-gear lap.
10. Zapper: Does not even try a power-gear lap but submits a decent replay as usual.


Dark Horse: Dreadnaut. Is good with power-gear cars and I can see him on place 6-7 if he bothers. But when was the last time he did?

[Duplode]

ZCT285 has motivated a new subsection in the "Illusion track" Wiki article 

[dreadnaut]

Dark Horse: Dreadnaut. Is good with power-gear cars and I can see him on place 6-7 if he bothers. But when was the last time he did?

Ouch, I take light offence at the language   I actually had to stop myself from going "oh, just an easy GTO lap, let's see where I can reach powergear" because it would have spent hours optimising it and searching for the right carpet for a slightly faster trajectory. You know how it goes! And I have to chose whether the hours I have for ZakStunts go into racing, or other sides of the competition and the website 🥹

For the record, the last time I "bothered" was ZCT277