The Front Office BATracer career challenge -- season 1 started!!!

[FrogMan]

The idea with this is to play an ongoing game of BATracer seasons in which your finishing position in one season determines your picking order for the choice of your car for the following season. This is not a team competition, your picking order will be determine by your individual position, although the more you and your teammate work together, the better you will both do and the better chance you will both have of getting a better car the following season. Obviously, with no data at the start of season 1, we will have a randomized draft order.

The challenge will be played with the F1 2006 carset, of which you can find the car comparison for the top 8 cars:


Signups for the random draft will be open for the next 48 hours or so, at which point I will randomize the picks and we will start picking cars. After that, and until the draft is over, new players from FOFC will be welcome to sign up, but their names will be added to the bottom of the picking order.

My hope is that we will get more than 10 FOFCers interested and after that, I plan on advertising the challenge on the BATracer forum, not by making the series ID available in the open but by asking interested drivers to contact me by PM . From there, my plan with outsiders is this: (1) I reserve the right to reject anyone and black flags are BIG no-no's and (2) FOFCers will always have priority over outsiders. That second point means that if we ever have a waiting list, I will maintain two separate waiting lists, i.e. one for FOFCers and one for outsiders. To manage that, I have applied for a free ftlog forum which is the same kind of forum already used by BATracer... Obviously, I would open the doors of the challenge to outsiders after FOFCers would have picked their cars so for season 1 they would pick their cars after every FOFCer would have picked theirs.

I'm also asking one tiny thing of anybody who enters: please be committed. If you sign up for it, please do your laps. Nothing sucks more for a dedicated driver to see his teammate go AWOL in the middle of the season.

So who's up for this!

Please sign up below with your real driver name, i.e. the one on the account that you will use on BATracer.

FM

[FrogMan]

Signed up for the random draft (numbers don't mean anything)
1) FrogMan (Steve Gougeon)
2) Brillig
3) Emiliano
4) Killebrew (Buddy Grant)
5) Alan T
6) kurtism
7) TexasT (Kent Coleman)
8) kingfc22 (David Gonzalez)
9) SnDvls
10) Mr. Wednesday (Craig Powers)
11) vex
12) TonyR (Tony Rodriguez)
13) RPI-FAN

Provisional/waiting list
1) Scoobz0202
2) Breeze

[FrogMan]

forgot to add, this will obviously start after the current FOFC private game has ended, so if that's your only private game slot left, this shouldn't be a problem by the time we start picking cars...

FM

[Brillig]

In!

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Brillig

In!

mind me using your real life name in the list?

I gotta say I put that in there mostly for when I'd open up the thing to outsiders, and for players I can associate an FOFC handle to. I know yours so I can deal with it no problem...

FM

[Emiliano]

Nice! I'm obviously in.

[Brillig]

You can use either name, no prob. (It's not my real name anyway - like I'd hand that over to a webgame

[Killebrew]

I'm in after the current FOFC private game is completed:
Buddy Grant (Killebrew)

[Scoobz0202]

Hmm.. I have 7 races in my A1GP. When do you think this will get started?

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Hmm.. I have 7 races in my A1GP. When do you think this will get started?

7 races is still 10 days, I'd think we will have start before that.

I could make you a provisionnal in case we still have not started, but don't think I can guarantee you a spot in the draft and hold up everyone for 10 days...

FM

[Scoobz0202]

Alrighty. Just make me a provisionnal.

[Alan T]

I'll sign up for this. I got a bit burned out from doing so much batracer at once before.. Just sticking to this one game sounds like it would be fun though .

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I'll sign up for this. I got a bit burned out from doing so much batracer at once before.. Just sticking to this one game sounds like it would be fun though .

I actually thought about you when I had this idea. Running a ton of series can be tough but only one is what, 5 minutes a day, if that, and the banter can be fun...

Welcome back!

FM

[FrogMan]

dola, and we also have the great hype maker signed up for this in Killebrew. Read this writeup he did prior to race 15 in the FOFC F1 series that just ended:

There have been three dominant teams this season and if recent races are any indication, Fuji is likely going to be a very eventful race.

Top 3 top teams:
McLaren (Gougeon/Delian) - A tremendous season with two strong pilots in a strong car, but recent DNF's and course misfortunes have put the McLaren Constructors Championship in some doubt. As always with McLaren, politics have played a role in this seasons results, and the team bosses have been concerned the drivers were going against each other as much as the rest of the field. According to sources this controversy is all but over now as team leader & fan favorite Michael Delian has finally accepted his role as the #2 driver at McLaren.

BMW Sauber (Powers/Brown) - Craig Powers is almost singlehandedly putting Sauber into the Constructors mix, but Will Brown has shown steady improvement after a disastrous start to 2007. Powers is aggressive on the track, something that has won him begrudging respect from the other drivers, and he tends to finish with a podium or not finish at all.

Honda (Marshall/Grant) - If not for Kurtis Marshall's early season bad luck (3 straight DNF's) Honda might actually be close to the Constructors lead right now. Since that rough patch Marshall has been the hottest driver in FOFC F1 and together with Buddy Grants relatively consistent results Honda are now only 22 points back of McLaren with 3 events to go. That's a high mountain to climb but they do have some momentum on their side:

Points since Magny Cours:
Honda: 77 Championship Points (38+39)
McLaren: 59 Championship Points (30+29)
BMW-Sauber: 52 Championship Points (31+21)

Best of the Rest:
It seems to me David Gonzalez (Toyota) and Tony Rodriguez (Williams) could have made some big noise this season if they had teamed up together instead of driving on opposite sides of the paddock. Toyota & Williams are not the strongest cars out there, yet these drivers have been consistent all season. Gonzalez had 3 straight podiums recently, and teammate-less Tony Rodriguez did not let that fact bother him as he achieved a P2 finish at Silverstone. Brett Hawkins is a very new replacement driver, but his obvious talent might throw a wrench into the best laid plans of McLaren/Sauber/Honda. In his very short stint at Ferrari Hawkins has already won a race (Monza).

Good stuff...

FM

[kurtism]

In.

[TexasT]

I'm in.
Kent Coleman

[kingfc22]

in - David Gonzalez

[SnDvls]

I'll jump in

[FrogMan]

we're now up to 9 but I was thinking that maybe the long weekend had people away from their computers so I'm thinking about leaving it open for one more day.

After that, I know I had said I wanted to open it up to outsiders to fill up the other spots, but what do you think? Do you want to keep it FOFCers only, at least for the first season? Or should I go forward and advertise it on the BATracer forum, while still making a selection of who i let in?

FM

[Emiliano]

FOFCers only, FOFCers only!

[Mr. Wednesday]

I'll give it a go. Craig Powers.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Dola, I think it would be interesting to do some sort of a "reverse grid" initial assignment... see how the guys like me, who are pretty good as frontrunners, do trying to gain points with the backmarker cars...

[Brillig]

I'd say FOFCers only... we're (still) more reliable than the general rank and file...

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wednesday

Dola, I think it would be interesting to do some sort of a "reverse grid" initial assignment... see how the guys like me, who are pretty good as frontrunners, do trying to gain points with the backmarker cars...

I really want to make this a straightfoward draft and have people try to win to get the better cars. Feel free to pick a bad car with your pick though.

FM

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Brillig

I'd say FOFCers only... we're (still) more reliable than the general rank and file...

true, but then again, I'd want to use outsiders as fill-in for the first season. With an even number of FOFCers, we would all be teamed up with somebody from here and we could still evaluate their participation as the season goes on. I would make it very clear that participation is required or else they'd get the boot...

FM

[Brillig]

Hey, and then we could get tons of people going, and set up a series system with promotion and relegation and stuff...

*snorfle* or maybe I should cut back on the tequila...

[vex]

I'll give it a go.

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Brillig

Hey, and then we could get tons of people going, and set up a series system with promotion and relegation and stuff...

*snorfle* or maybe I should cut back on the tequila...

now, that's the spirit

Seriously, the E-race career challenge had something like 4 guys on their waiting list before season three, we ended up needing three because some drivers decided to not come back for more. I was on the waiting list for a while and came in as a midseasoner in season 2. The guys I see in there are all dedicated, and when one isn't participating, he hears about it and if there's no response, he gets sacked and replaced...

FM

[TonyR]

I'll join. Tony Rodriguez from FOFC clan

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by TonyR

I'll join. Tony Rodriguez from FOFC clan

cool, with Tony, this gives us 12 drivers/6 complete teams. I'll give it until 12:15 eastern for anybody to come forward and sign up. At that time, I'll go forward with the draft.

FM

[RPI-Fan]

I haven't played this before, but wouldn't mind trying to dabble with it.

Would a newbie be accepted or is it better to just fill empty slots with AI teams? (no hard feelings if that's the case)

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

I haven't played this before, but wouldn't mind trying to dabble with it.

Would a newbie be accepted or is it better to just fill empty slots with AI teams? (no hard feelings if that's the case)

It's not very hard to figure out and as long as you do your runs, I'm sure nobody would mind having you as a teammate.

The game is not very demanding, time wise. The game advances every 24 hours. The first 24 hours, you do practice laps trying to better your setup, then qualifying happens (that's when the game advances) and you have another 24 hours to better your setup for the race. In that second 24 hours, once you've come to the best setup you can, you'll have to set your race strategy and driving style, but your teammate would be able to help you out with that. All in all, with only one series, I'd say 5-10 minutes a day is enough. Probably more when a race has just happened, if you take your time watching it lap by lap, which is highly recommended.

Basically, if you want in, you can. So, you in?

FM

[FrogMan]

dola, there won't be any AI teams/drivers. We will have the possibility of either going with a short field of whatever how many drivers we have, or I will advertise the game on the BATracer forum for outsider to fill in the remaining spots in the lower cars...

FM

[RPI-Fan]

In.

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

In.

cool, you should go to batracer.com and register, then find a midseason academy game to join, maybe one with a high percentage of the season already done so to you can learn a little about how it goes.

You start with only one private game slot, make sure you keep it for our game...

FM

[FrogMan]

Okay, time has come and I don't think we'll get any more drivers signed up for this. I know it's an odd number now, but I plan on posting something in driver chat of the E-race career challenge and I'm pretty sure we should get a few from there over to our side and these guys are very good, and dedicated.

I have randomized my list on my end and have sent a copy of it to Brillig, cause I'm sure he'll bark at me if anything is not kosher.

Now I'd need one of you to go over to sequences on random.org and post here a sequence of numbers from 1 to 13 that I will match with my randomized list. From there, I will post the draft order and we will start picking cars...

FM

[Alan T]

Here is your sequence:

• 13
• 1
• 9
• 11
• 10
• 3
• 6
• 12
• 8
• 5
• 4
• 7
• 2

Timestamp: 2007-09-04 17:31:30 IST

[Breeze]

I'd like to stay on this list...I currentlly don't have supporter/kook tools or whatever it is that gives you access to additional seasons, but I may be getting it soon. Plus I can be a mid-season replacement if needed.

Regards...

[FrogMan]

thanks Alan, here's my list, randomized once on my end, with the draft position appended to it:

Alan T	13
TonyR	1
Mr. Wednesday	9
vex	11
Killebrew	10
Emiliano	3
kingfc22	6
SnDvls	12
Brillig	8
kurtism	5
TexasT	4
FrogMan	7
RPI-FAN	2

Here's the draft order sorted out:
1) TonyR
2) RPI-FAN
3) Emiliano
4) TexasT
5) kurtism
6) kingfc22
7) FrogMan
8) Brillig
9) Mr. Wednesday
10) Killebrew
11) vex
12) SnDvls
13) Alan T

Tony, you're on the clock, well, I've not set up a time limit, guess we'll play it by ear at first...

I have asked Brillig to create the game, as I can't since I created one for the A1 cup, and once I have the series ID, I'll let you all know personally as your turn comes to pick your car. For now, you can post it in here if you want.

FM

[FrogMan]

series created and PM sent to Tony with the series ID and password...

FM

[TonyR]

With my pick, I have chosen to drive with the BMW Sauber Team.

Anyone is welcome to join me

[FrogMan]

gutsy first pick, reliability over speed? interesting...

PM sent to RPI-FAN, here's what's available to him:

Cars	Drivers	pick
BMW Sauber	TonyR	1
BMW Sauber
Ferrari
Ferrari
Honda
Honda
McLaren
McLaren
Midland
Midland
Red Bull
Red Bull
Renault
Renault
Super Aguri
Super Aguri
Toro Rosso
Toro Rosso
Toyota
Toyota
Williams
Williams

FM

[FrogMan]

dola, and here are the write-ups for each car as they appear on BATracer:

Renault
Mild Seven Renault F1 Team R26. Renault RS26 V8 engine. Michelin tyres. Estimated budget: 125m GBP.

Championship winners in 2005 looking to defend the title. 12 setup parameters.




McLaren
Team McLaren Mercedes MP4-21. Mercedes F01085 V8 engine. Michelin tyres. Estimated budget: 238m GBP.

Fast but fragile, results may not start to flow until later in the year. 12 setup parameters.




Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 248 F1. Ferrari 056 V8 engine. Bridgestone tyres. Estimated budget: 241m GBP.

Improved performance expected, given poor performance last year. Questions hanging over engine reliability, though should be quick. 12 setup parameters.




Toyota
Panasonic Toyota Racing TF106. Toyota RVX06 V8 engine. Bridgestone tyres. Estimated budget: 312m GBP.

Continues to make gains, huge budget must surely start paying off at some point. 12 setup parameters.




Williams
Williams F1 FW28. Cosworth CA 20067 V8 engine. Bridgestone tyres. Estimated budget: 159m GBP.

Mid fielder expects a transitional year, having split from BMW and having to work with development of new Cosworth V8. 12 setup parameters.




Honda
Honda Racing F1 RA106. Honda RA806E V8 engine. Michelin tyres. Estimated budget: 232m GBP.

Massive expectations this year, with excellent testing and reliability results. Finally shakes off BAR branding this year. 12 setup parameters.




Red Bull
Red Bull Racing RB2. Ferrari 056 V8 engine. Michelin tyres. Estimated budget: 125m GBP.

Mid-grid team may surprise, though lots of work to do. Gained legendary technical chief Adrian Newey from McLaren this year. 12 setup parameters.




BMW Sauber
BMW Sauber F1.06. BMW P86 V8 engine. Michelin tyres. Estimated budget: 205m GBP.

Facing a transitional year, as BMW buys old Sauber team and fits their own engine. 12 setup parameters.




Midland
Midland F1 M16. Toyota RVX06 V8 engine. Bridgestone tyres. Estimated budget: 110m GBP.

First year without old Jordan branding, expected to start edging forward. 12 setup parameters.




Toro Rosso
Scuderia Toro Rosso STR 01. Cosworth TJ2005-2 V10 engine. Michelin tyres. Estimated budget: 95m GBP.

New Red Bull "juniors" formed from old Minardi team. Granted use of V10 engines. 12 setup parameters.




Super Aguri
Super Aguri F1 SA05. Honda RA806E V8 engine. Bridgestone tyres. Estimated budget: 85m GBP.

All new team! Lot's of passion but painfully slow 4 year old cars coupled to one of the best engines. Warning: game is extra hard driving this car! 12 setup parameters.

Gotta love the special warning for the Aguri

FM

[FrogMan]

RPI-FAN has picked a Ferrari, PM sent to Emiliano who is now on the clock...

Available cars as of now:

BMW Sauber

Ferrari

Honda

Honda

McLaren

McLaren

Midland

Midland

Red Bull

Red Bull

Renault

Renault

Super Aguri

Super Aguri

Toro Rosso

Toro Rosso

Toyota

Toyota

Williams

Williams

FM

[FrogMan]

Emiliano has picked the second Ferrari, seriously, what did you expect?

TexasT, PM sent, it's your turn to pick...

FM

[FrogMan]

draft so far:

pick	driver	pick
1	TonyR	BMW Sauber
2	RPI-FAN	Ferrari
3	Emiliano	Ferrari

FM

[kurtism]

Kent (TexasT) took the Renault ride. Seemed like the cool thing to do, so I did as well. I believe that has kingfc up next.

[Alan T]

I guess it looks like you all get to tell me what I pick by whatever is left

[Brillig]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I guess it looks like you all get to tell me what I pick by whatever is left

Well if you don't want to wait, I suppose we can get you an exemption to slide right into one of the Super Aguris

[TonyR]

I just didn't want to slide right into the "top" teams.