This is for the like 4 people here that might be interested. I want to start a Hexbear Racing League and hotlap leaderboard. How I imagine the leaderboard will work is like this: post your system and game, the track, the car, and the track conditions. Then post proof of the lap time. I will curate the lap times into a spreadsheet/document that we can all see, and I will update it as new laps come in.
Other racers may then challenge your hotlap time. This will force people to use cars on tracks they may not be familiar with, but that’s how we get better. Also, it’s helpful to see how someone else’s line affects their time.
I might also set up a discord if there is enough interest in it to facilitate the need. If we can get enough people interested in it, I would like to start a regular extremely low stakes live event for us to race against each other. I think this could be a fun way to meet some new people and have a good time.
So to start things off, here is my submission: PC/Assetto Corsa 1; 4:57 on the fan made Battenbergring in the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. Track conditions are dry with 100% grip. This isn’t my personal best, but it’s within a second of it and I didn’t record that so I’m not submitting it. I need to work on my heel toe and I know I’m leaving time on the table around those hairpins and through the village.
Edited to post a link to the free download for the track https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/battenbergring.51838/
Edit: Edit: There is a post in the comments that has a ping list, comment on it if you’d like to be pinged when someone submits a new lap or challenge to an existing lap.
And to clarify, please feel free to submit your own personal best on whatever track and whatever game. Just notate your system or console, the track, track conditions, the car, and the time. I’ll keep track of them and I’m sure someone will want to try to beat it. I will need some kind of proof. A vid is best since then I get free racing content from some of my favorite people.
A beautiful track that is deceptively difficult with razor thin margins of error in a bunch of places. I’ve had so many good laps ruined by touching dirt in the wrong place. The car is underpowered too, so you gotta really send it places to keep it in the powerband. There are lots of blind corners, uneven pavement, and obstacles just off the track. Fruit stands, poles, and walls are gonna be everyone’s friend.
But my technique sucks and there is tons of time out there to shave. So it should be fun.
This combo really reminds me of the Grand Prix Legends days, although obviously the car is much easier to drive than a 60s F1 car.
I finally got a couple of valid laps, but my best was about a 5:35 so I won’t bother recording anything yet. It seems to be really hard to lock the brakes, so you can use some serious braking force into the hairpins. Honestly I’m surprised that you right foot brake.
Several of the best drivers in the league I mentioned are right foot brakers. It’s not required to be fast until you’re shaving like hundredths.
For me it’s about comfort more than speed (because I’m slow), obviously you can be good either way, and some successful real life drivers like Dario Franchitti right-foot brake too.
Any luck yet? I have been working on a lap around Laguna Seca in that Lada you shared. I’ll probably have a good lap to share later today. By the way, a full grid of Ladas at Laguna is some of the most fun I’ve ever had racing.
Yeah, sorry, I gave up and started practicing this week’s iRacing combos around Monday or so
That comment probably will inspire me to try some laps in the next couple of days though.