Pit window?

[Doorman]

I've been pondering (don't mock, try it sometime :norty:) the feasibility of having a pitstop window in our races. Now I appreciate that it's not enforcable, but given the high quality clientele we have on the server these days, an rcm message to the effect of "Pit window lap 3 only" (5 lapper) or whatever we choose, would have the desired effect. To my mind it would add another element to our way of running things. Not to mention the closely fought battles that have to be taken into the pits as well as on track.
Of course if you're damaged severely on lap one then pitting is a necessity but we have our honour (and stats) to prevent lap one pitters.
 
Anyway, it's a thought. Discuss.

[Aquilifer]

That sounds bit harsh.

Usually it gives a tactical element if you can freely choose when to pit (except the first and the last lap). For example if you think you are faster, but cannot quite manage to find a way past somebody it might be a good idea to pit first that you are not forced to drive slow behind that other guy. :g:

Of course we could try it few times to see how it feels.

[Doorman]

Harsh? Me? :norty: I just figured it might add a little frisson. Now we all know how we like a bit of frisson don't we? :woot2:

[Iron]

I don't know. Sometimes it's pretty exciting to see the other you're fighting with to pit earlier/later than you, to see the outcome as you're approaching the pit exit on the main straight with full speed while the other is still crawling with 80kph, or vica versa, to keep your right foot from pushing the loud pedal in the pit lane seeing as the other approaches fast.

On the other hand, this whole forced pitstop idea is awkward, imo it'd be better if, as a server admin, you could set a max amount of fuel which every driver could use with one fill up (including the amount you can carry at the start). Of course this is just me toying with the ideas, this should go into the improvement suggestions on the lfs forum.

[Doorman]

I'm pretty certain that the suggestion has already been made on LFS forum. Besides, I'm not looking to complicate matters with fuel etc. This, as I envisage it, would simply be a dMr agreement, in the interests of fun.

[OldBloke]

I'm against a forced pit window. I'm now not even fussed about first lap pitters.

The way I see it - you pit when you think you should to gain an advantage. If you pit early you risk having to drive later laps with accumulated damage. It all evens out I'm sure.

[Iron]

I'm pretty certain that the suggestion has already been made on LFS forum.

Yes, I'm sure.

Besides, I'm not looking to complicate matters with fuel etc. This, as I envisage it, would simply be a dMr agreement, in the interests of fun.

I understand, it was really just a sidenote, I've been pondering loudly.

[Doorman]

I'm against a forced pit window. I'm now not even fussed about first lap pitters.
 
The way I see it - you pit when you think you should to gain an advantage. If you pit early you risk having to drive later laps with accumulated damage. It all evens out I'm sure.

My thought is that it would add a bit of mayhem/interest/excitement/fun/action/w.h.y. at pitting time. But hey, if it's not on, it's not on.

[Aquilifer]

I understand what you are after. It's just that in the current combo Deetz and Iron have managed to pull such a gap I can't see their tail lights anymore at lap 3... with or without a pit stop.

[Doorman]

I surrender.

[vobler]

I surrender.

I have another one;

If you mess up and take somebody out, instead of waiting for them, you are expected to take a penalty by driving through the pits as soon as possible.

[Aquilifer]

I don't see why we couldn't try it at least once or twice. It's just that I fear it doesn't work in the intendent way. Because...

1) In a short race the pit stop is just a stop and go punishment (unless if you have damage). The stops should have bit different lengths that it would mix the order, but now their durations are between 1.2-1.4 secs. (I don't suggest that we should stop using the the pit stop for short races)
2) The pack of racers gets spread out fast (usually) so if you want large amount of racers to pit at the same time it should be forced to very early laps (lap 1 or 2)
3) There is really no good way to control it w/o some insim app. If somebody pits at lap 2 instead of the intended lap 3, LFS still allows it. It would be just some moral DQ in that case.

EDIT: @Vobler ... Good suggestion, but again it would be again only a moral punishment/DQ if you don't do it, unless admin was watching and punishing with /spec, /kick or other command

[Doorman]

Vobler, good idea. Stopping and letting the victim go by was never very satisfactory. Self imposed punishment, I like it.
 
Aquilifer, if you recall, I suggested this pit stop idea as an honour thing because there is no way to control it. Besides, we are all honourable enough not to need 'control'. Outsiders of course may well need educating. :lightbulb:

[Iron]

I have another one;

If you mess up and take somebody out, instead of waiting for them, you are expected to take a penalty by driving through the pits as soon as possible.

What exactly do you classify as "taking somebody out"? If you mean rear ending someone with ~30kph or more of speed difference (so he spins), or forcing him onto the grass, and such obvious cases, then I agree. But if you mean all the contacts that can take place in door to door racing, then I feel it's too harsh a punishment because it's never obvious from the driver's seat if you were at fault, or your opponent. Sometimes not even from the replay... In these cases, I prefer the "wait for the other and try a clean pass again" move.

[vobler]

What exactly do you classify as "taking somebody out"? If you mean rear ending someone with ~30kph or more of speed difference (so he spins), or forcing him onto the grass, and such obvious cases, then I agree.

Thats what I mean.
You make a mistake, know it, says sorry, take penalty.