Hello all,

First off I've been asked by a lot of people if the events will continue once the real race season begins. I can tell you I plan to continue to run this series on Thursday & Sunday nights (except after events on Sundays) for the foreseeable future.

So with that said, if you don't own a PS3 & GT5 it's time to run out and buy one so you can participate in our most ambitious (and expensive) racing series yet...

The 24 Laps of Le Mans!


This series will introduce a number of "firsts" for our GT5 racing series!
-First series with Cars Valued Over $1 Million cr
-First series with New or Used Cars
-First series with Prizes for Top 3 Competitors
-First series with Races longer than 20mins
-First series with Medium Racing Tires permitted
-First series with "Heavy Damage"
-First series with Pit Stops
-First series limited by Performance Points

This will be clean racing! (For an example of rules and etiquette please see the link below)
http://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=111241

Schedule & Tracks
Before we race at Le Mans we will have three 24 lap races in the series, plus free practice and a short non-points race. There will be a short qualifying session before each race to determine your starting grid position.

(The schedule for this series will be posted once the PSN is online)

Sunday May 29th - 8pm
Indy Road Course - 30min Free Practice / Qualifying - 12 Lap Non-Points Race
Laguna Seca Raceway - 15min Qualifying - 24 Lap Race

Thursday June 2nd - 8pm
Daytona Road Course - 15min Qualifying - 24 Lap Race
Autodromo Nazionale Monza (Weather) 15min Qualifying - 24 Lap Race

Sunday June 5th - 8pm
Circuit de la Sarthe 2009 (Time / Weather) 20min Qualifying - 24 Lap Race

At Le Mans, 24 laps with an average lap time of 3-4mins will take us aprox 90mins (or about 1.5hrs)
Time advance will be set to 15x, which means it will go from day to night and back to day again (simulating 24hrs)
Start time will be 1500hrs and random weather will be enabled. Due to the length of the race, pit stops will be more than likely required.
Racing Medium & Hard tires will be permitted. In testing the Medium tires do not last as long as the Hard, so different pit stop strategies may occur.

Race Restrictions
-No ASM
-No Skid Recovery Force
-No Active Steering
-Tire Restrictions (Racing Medium & Hard)
-Weight Restrictions (None)
-HP Restrictions (None)
-700pp (Performance Points) Max

TCS & ABS will be permitted
False Starts will be enabled
Driving Live will not be permitted
Off Track Grip will be set to Real
Penalties will be set to None
Damage will be set to Heavy (You will need to pit to repair damage to your car)


Disconnects/Drops/Connection Errors Policy
Our normal policy has been if 2 people drop the race is discontinued/restarted or not counted towards the points. Due to the length of these races, we will increase this number to 3.

If the race time is less than 5mins into the race, and one person drops we will restart the race. At the same time if there is less than 25% laps remaining of the race left and then +3 people drop, as long as it's not more than 1/2 the field we will continue the race and the points will count.

If 50% of the field drops the race points will not be counted towards the series.


Bluetooth Headsets Strongly Recommended!
I can't stress that enough! Any Bluetooth headset will work, just make sure to pair it with your PS3. Futureshop has a good selection as well.

Championship Points Structure
Points Structure will be a bit different with Daytona/Laguna Seca and Monza having 1/2 the point values of Le Mans.

Position (Daytona/Laguna Seca/Monza) - (Le Mans)
1st 15 - 30
2nd 13 - 26
3rd 11 - 22
4th 9 - 18
5th 8 - 16
6th 7 - 14
7th 6 - 12
8th 5 - 10
9th 4 - 8
10th 3 - 6
11th 2 - 4
12th 1 -2
13th 1 - 2
14th 1 - 2
15th 1 - 2
16th 1 - 2


Important Information

-The cars range in price from $1,000,000cr to nearly $6,000,000cr, meaning that they can not be traded, so start saving now!

-This is the first time we are allowed "used" cars meaning that you'll have to keep an eye on your "Used Car Dealership" and "Online Dealership" for most of these cars.

-Everyone must choose a different car!
(See list below)

-When buying a used car if the mileage is over 4000, you may want to do a engine restore and/or chassis restoration to get the car back into peak performance.

-Car restrictions are 700pp MAX with Racing Medium & Hard tires permitted and only cars that competed in a 24hrs of Le Mans are approved. 700pp = ~800hp/900kg
All other modifications are permitted!

-All cars have a 100L fuel tank, however some cars use more fuel than others.

-Different cars have different tire wear. There are two types of tires (Racing Medium & Hard) that can be used during the race.

-The permitted cars are all Le Mans cars from '88 to '10, I've provided the list below. If I've missed a car (or placed one on the list by error) please let me know.

====================================================================
Car selection/reservation will being next after next Sunday's race.
This will give everyone 1 week to save their CRs and test cars.
I have many of the cars listed below, so if anyone would like to test, please ask and I can put them online to be "borrowed" for testing. Varga and Harrod have offered to do the same.

Starting Monday April 11th please reply to this thread and/or email me with your choice of car. Submissions before April 11th will only be accepted if no one else picks that car.

First come first serve!
(MAKE SURE YOU OWN THE CAR BEFORE RESERVING IT)
====================================================================

Approved Cars
Only the stock hp and weights are listed, cars can be modified for more hp and less weight, as long as they are <700pp. Some cars (Audi, Pescarolo & Peugeot) have different liveries allowing two cars to be used. The different liveries are indicated by italics.
(No Chromeline or Stealth models permitted)

Color Codes:
>700pp Stock - These cars may require engine power limiters and/or ballast to meet the 700pp restriction.
<700pp Stock - These cars may require upgrades to bring them closer to the 700pp restriction.
<600pp Stock - These cars probably can't be upgraded enough to compete with 700pp cars.
BOLD - This car has been reserved and is unavailable.

Audi R8 LMS '09 513 HP - 1300 kg 522 Nm - MR
Audi R8 LMS Team Playstation '09 554 HP - 1300 kg 566 Nm - MR
Audi R8 Race Car '01 798 HP - 900 kg 927 Nm - MR (#1 - Silver w/ Red Details)
Audi R8 Race Car '01 798 HP - 900 kg 927 Nm - MR (#2 - Silver w/ Yellow Details)
Audi R8 PlayStation Team Oreca Le Mans '05 841 HP - 950 kg 957 Nm - MR
Paul Audi R10 TDI Le Mans '06 662 HP - 925 kg 1119 Nm - MR
Jason Bentley Speed 8 Race Car '03 824 HP - 900 kg 1006 Nm - MR
BMW McLaren F1 GTR Race Car '97 633 HP - 950 kg 746 Nm - MR
Steve BMW V12 LMR '99 582 HP - 900 kg 682 Nm - MR
Chevrolet Camaro LM Race Car '01 622 HP - 1160 kg 710 Nm - FR
Dodge Viper GTS-R Team Oreca Race Car #91 '00 617 HP - 1150 kg 738 Nm - FR
Dodge Viper GTS-R Team Oreca Race Car #51 '00 617 HP - 1150 kg 738 Nm - FR
Ford LM Race Car 617 HP - 1140 kg 727 Nm - MR
Ford LM Race Car Spec II '04 629 HP - 1130 kg 740 Nm - MR
Ford LM Edition Spec-II Test Car 601 HP - 1165 kg 736 Nm - MR
Gillet Vertigo Race Car '04 913 HP - 780 kg 778 Nm - FR
Honda NSX-R Prototype LM Race Car '02 505 HP - 1120 kg 359 Nm - MR
Honda NSX-R Prototype LM Road Car '02 537 HP - 1230 kg 390 Nm - MR
Honda S2000 LM Race Car '01 331 HP - 1050 kg 238 Nm - FR
Jaguar XJR-9 Le Mans '88 762 HP - 894 kg 794 Nm - MR
Jaguar XJ220 LM Race Car 552 HP - 1180 kg 655 Nm - MR
Lister Storm V12 Race Car '99 604 HP - 1438 kg 800 Nm - FR
Varga Mazda 787B Race Car '91 702 HP - 830 kg 619 Nm - MR
Mazda RX-7 LM Race Car '01 525 HP - 1080 kg 577 Nm - FR
Mazda RX-8 Concept LM Race Car '01 525 HP - 1100 kg 576 Nm - FR
Mercedes-Benz Sauber Mercedes C9 Race Car '89 723 HP - 893 kg 798 Nm - MR
Mercedes CLK-GTR/LM Race Car '98 824 HP - 1000 kg 970 Nm - MR
Nismo GT-R LM Road Going Version '95 306 HP - 1580 kg 379 Nm - FR
Nissan 350Z Concept LM Race Car '02 525 HP - 1120 kg 710 Nm - FR
Nissan Fairlady Z Concept LM Race Car '02 619 HP - 1120 kg 799 Nm - FR
Nissan GT-R Concept LM Race Car '02 627 HP - 1100 kg 798 Nm
Nissan R92CP Race Car '92 1027 HP - 900 kg 997 Nm - MR
Nissan R89C Race Car '89 954 HP - 900 kg 864 Nm - MR
Nissan R390 GT1 Race Car '98 828 HP - 1000 kg 864 Nm - MR
Pagani Zonda LM Race Car '01 683 HP - 1150 kg 786 Nm - MR
Panoz Esperante GTR-1 LM '98 779 HP - 1150 kg 930 Nm - FR
Pescarolo C60 Courage Peugeot Playstation Le Mans '03 828 HP - 900 kg 1053 Nm - MR* (#17 - Green Intake & Mirrors)
Pescarolo C60 Courage Peugeot Playstation Le Mans '03 828 HP - 900 kg 1053 Nm - MR* (#18 - Red Intake & Mirrors)
Pescarolo C60 Hybrid-Judd GV5 Playstation Le Mans '04 833 HP - 900 kg 692 Nm - MR* (#17 - Green Intake & Mirrors)
Pescarolo C60 Hybrid-Judd GV5 Playstation Le Mans '04 833 HP - 900 kg 692 Nm - MR* (#17 - Green Intake & Mirrors)
Pescarolo C60 Hybrid-Judd PlayStation Le Mans '05 648 HP - 900 kg 611 Nm - MR (#16 - Green Mirrors)
Pescarolo C60 Hybrid-Judd PlayStation Le Mans '05 648 HP - 900 kg 611 Nm - MR (#17 - Red Mirrors)
Peugeot 905 Race Car Le Mans '92 839 HP - 750 kg 513 Nm - MR
Trevor GrayPeugeot 908 HDi FAP Team Oreca Matmut '10 713 HP - 930 kg 1222 Nm - MR
Harrod Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Team Peugeot Total '10 713 HP - 930 kg 1222 Nm - MR
Toyota GT-ONE Race Car (TS020) '99 610 HP - 900 kg 661 Nm - MR
Craig M. & McIntyre Toyota MINOLTA Toyota 88C-V Race Car '89 936 HP - 850 kg 921 Nm - MR (TGTT race needs to happen)



Prizes
To honor Audi's recent domination at Le Mans (9 wins in 11 years), the top 3 competitors will all receive premium Audi R8s.

1st Place - Gold
-Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro ‘09 (Fully Tuned) / Blue
-1 Gold Chrome Paint Chip
-1 set of Hard/Medium/Soft Race Tires

2nd Place - Silver
-Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro ‘09 (Stock) / Red
-1 Silver Chrome Paint Chip
-1 set of Hard/Medium/Soft Race Tires

3rd Place - Bronze
-Audi R8 4.2 FSI R tronic ‘07 (Stock) / White
-1 Matte Black Paint Chip
-1 set of Hard/Medium/Soft Race Tires

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

This is important so I'm posting it again down here:

Car selection/reservation will being next after next Sunday's race.
This will give everyone 1 week to save their CRs and test cars.
I have many of the cars listed below, so if anyone would like to test, please ask and I can put them online to be "borrowed" for testing. Varga and Harrod have offered to do the same.

Starting Monday April 11th please reply to this thread and/or email me with your choice of car. Submissions before April 11th will only be accepted if no one else picks that car.


I personally tested the majority of these cars on Monza and could easily lap them around 1:36 (+/- 1.5 seconds) with medium racing tires and 700pp.
Normally to achieve the 700pp I would just lower the HP, but sometimes I increased the weight (787 & 905).

In testing (10 lap tests) I found the following:
-Some cars went through fuel more than others, not a whole lot, but noticeable.
-Tire wear was vastly different. Some cars could easily do 10 laps, however some had lots 1/2 their tires after 5-6 laps. This could make a difference in a 24 lap race.

I think the 700pp limit is going to make for very close racing.
PP (Performance Points) is a mathematical formula PD has put into GT5 to account for more than just hp/weight. Don't ask me how it works, but in testing 700pp compared to say 900hp/800kg, the gap was over 6 seconds using the hp/weight formula, and less than 2 seconds using the performance points.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

Due to the issues recently with the PSN and the B-Spec Auto Grinder, we may push this series back a few weeks and put another spec series in it's place to fill the gap.

Also tonight if multiple people choose the same car, we'll have races to determine who gets to use the car. It will be the car in question, and 3 laps around the Top Gear Test Track. Winner gets to use the car for the series.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

Last night everyone picked their cars.
The only duplicate was Craig and McIntyre, they will need to have a 3 lap race on the Top Gear Test Track to determine who gets the Minolta.
(McIntyre is away on business and emailed me in his request during our races last night)

According to GTP the B-Spec Grinder is back up and running.
I still think there maybe a need for a stop-gap.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

I'll let Craig have the Minolta for a set of race tires for my Talon.

The TGTT is probably not the best venue as it's a little tight for these cars and it's too easy to cut corners w/o penalty. Le Mans would be more appropriate.

_________________

1997 Talon TSi AWD
2008 EVO X MR

Hmm... I've got 4 hoosier's in R25, but I don't think you've got any 13 x 5.5" rims.

When do you want to race?

And I'd be fine with doing at Sarthe (or some other agreed upon track) or turning on penalties, take your pick.

We can just turn penalties on.
But if you two can decide on another track, that's cool.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

Penalties could work, but I find there's no clearly define boundaries and you can get penalized w/o even realizing you crossed them.

I won't have PS3 access until Saturday, and would need time to do some test & tuning. But then the first race is scheduled Sunday night so that doesn't leave much time (unless the series is pushed back).

I think we should do a "Spec Miata" series before the 24.

_________________

1997 Talon TSi AWD
2008 EVO X MR

Sounds like a good idea.

i havent got a chance to test out any cars yet.

Will be home tomorrow night to try some on and see what there like

But i would be in for a miata series also before this one

_________________
2001 Bullitt......Not Mine, I Just drive it
2012 ARMS Regional Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ARMS
2012 ASCC Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ASCC
2009 ARMS AutoSlalom Top Novice
2009 1st ESP

You guys know what the real Spec Miata restrictions are right?

1st gen NA model (1990-93 1.6L 115bhp)
2nd gen 94-97 they upped it to a 1.8L with a restrictor plate.
3rd gen 99-00 NB model the restrictor plate is even smaller.

All cars would run with the LSD & coil-over setup with sway bars.

90-93 cars = 2285 (with driver)
94-97 cars = 2375 (with driver)
99-05 cars = 2450 (with driver)

Based on the info above the restrictions for the series would be, ~115hp & 950kg.This would make the Spec Miata Series our lowest HP series yet, by far.

There are ~35 different Miata's in the game (if you count Roadsters and MX-5s). If we only used new dealership cars we could all drive the:
Mazda Eunos Roadster J-Limited (NA) '91

If we wanted a car with "Miata" in the title we'd have to buy a used car, and there's no way we'd all be able to buy the same used car, therefore we'd have to set specs. (We'd set the specs above anyways, but the suspension geometry of the used cars would be different)

HP aside, the biggest downside is the cars won't have #s and sponsors on the side of them, they will just look like Miata's in different colors with wings.

The other option I was thinking about was a Lotus Racing Cup, with the Lotus Elise RM '96 and/or Lotus Elise 111R RM '04.

Thoughts?

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

I was thinking any Miata with a PP limit. Nice & simple.

Something has come up and I won't be able to make the 8pm start time for the first few nights of the 24 series, so Craig can have the MINOLTA. I may be able to pop in later in the evening, but no guarantees. I'll just pick one of the available cars after I get back home.

_________________

1997 Talon TSi AWD
2008 EVO X MR

I don't know if the PP go that low...
Or if you can reduce a modded Miata to such a low PP (you'll have to watch installs that can't be removed).

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

I have two Miata's (premiums)

1) ROADSTER RS (NC) '07 >>323 HP, 925kg, and 509 PP

2) EUNOS ROADSTER J-LIMITED (NA) '91 >>239HP, 840kg, and 471 PP

What about 420 to 460 PP range??

Note: Roadster #2 above was able to go as low as 301 PP but has 73HP, and weighs 1040kg.

_________________
2008 Toyota Prius (Currently 180,000km)
2002 BMW M3 (Currently 197,000km, was 96,300km Jan of 2009)
2006 Toyota Prius (R.I.P 2011, 182,000 km)
1990 Beretta GTZ (R.I.P 2009, 396,000 km)
2000 Grand Cherokee (Sold 2006, 105,000 km)
1990 Laser RS (R.I.P 1989 Halloween day, 2,500 km)

Varga, we're trying to do a real to life Spec Miata. (Aren't we?)
What is the PP range when you're down to ~115hp ~950kg?

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

uhh...That would be 353 PP..with the roadster number two mentioned above...the '91.....

The '07 roadster will be at 376 PP

I am home sick with a badd cccouggghhh.....hurts like heck....

_________________
2008 Toyota Prius (Currently 180,000km)
2002 BMW M3 (Currently 197,000km, was 96,300km Jan of 2009)
2006 Toyota Prius (R.I.P 2011, 182,000 km)
1990 Beretta GTZ (R.I.P 2009, 396,000 km)
2000 Grand Cherokee (Sold 2006, 105,000 km)
1990 Laser RS (R.I.P 1989 Halloween day, 2,500 km)

If we do a true spec miata, then everyone has the same car, why not with just a simple sport setup, no adjustments!
Just keep it a true spec series, no more screwing with setup BS to find an advantage, just drive the thing.

_________________
Paul

The problem is we can't restrict suspension setup.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

You can if you leave it stock or just sport setting, no adjustable stuff.
Or you can't restrict what parts people buy?

_________________
Paul

We can't restrict what people buy/install on the cars.

We can only restrict the following:
-car model (by visually looking)
-horsepower & weight OR Performance Points (A magical calculation of HP, Weight & Aero)
-Tires


Anything that does not effect HP or weight can't be restricted. (EG: Suspension, LSD, Wings, Drive Shafts, Clutch, Flywheel, etc)

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

Keeping in mind that this is a video game, and that super low hp cars are painfully mind numbingly BORING to drive, we need to do something with at least 200-250hp. I think the Spec Elise would be fun. I think I mentioned in a PM about a 2001 Golf GTI race mod spec series, that would be pretty fun.

It just has to be more exciting than my commute and I doubt a 115hp spec Miata series would be all that fun. I could bungee down my throttle pedal and make dinner on some of the straightaways.

Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Team Oreca Matmut '10 713 HP - 930 kg 1222 Nm - MR


Just baught this

_________________
2001 Bullitt......Not Mine, I Just drive it
2012 ARMS Regional Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ARMS
2012 ASCC Autoslalom 1st Place Overall
2012 1st SM ASCC
2009 ARMS AutoSlalom Top Novice
2009 1st ESP

Are we racing tonight? If so, what are we driving?

_________________
2013 BMW 128I - 2 DS

Lets aim for the Le Mans cars... however if we get less than 7 people we'll race something else, and vote on the tracks.

I'm thinking the Lotus 111 Elise RM.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

I'll probably be on late if I make it tonight, but I'm trying to get there.

I'll be in for tonight. Would love to do the LeMans cars, but the Lotus sounds good too if we need it. If we make the decision to use the Lotus we'll have to take a 10 min recess so I can go buy it and prep it lol. I'm trying to save up my credits and don't want to spend them on something I won't use.

Oh yea no problem.
Either way we'll have lots of prep and practice time.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

So do you guys want to start this series tomorrow night or do something else like:
-Shuffle Races
-Performance Point Races
-Spec Races (Elise, NSX, Miata, etc)

Wanna dust off the Spec M3s and take them out again?

I kinda would like to have at least 6 people for the 24 laps races, other than that I'm up for anything.

_________________
"The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed."-William Gibson
1989 Van Diemen - Formula 2000 Continental

I'll tell you what's making it harder for me to do these, some other people can chime in, but for me, the races - and therefore the nights - are getting longer and longer. Tough sell to the boss.