Difference between revisions of "League Racing Guide"

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==What is this about?==
 
==What is this about?==
LFS has a built-in server browser to find public servers.
+
LFS has a built-in server browser to find public servers. There's nothing wrong with racing on these servers, but this guide is mainly for people who want to try something new. Besides these servers, there are some groups of people who organize races and championships at set times. This guide is aimed at those LFS drivers who already have some experience in single player or public servers, and now want to join a league. It explains finding such servers and tries to answer some frequently asked questions.
Nothing wrong racing on these servers, but this text is for people who want to try something new.
 
 
 
Besides these servers, there exist some groups of people who organize races at set times and championships.
 
This guide is aimed at those LFS drivers who already have some experience in single player or public servers, and now want to join a league.  
 
 
 
It explains how to find such servers and tries to answer some common questions.
 
  
 
==Why organized racing?==
 
==Why organized racing?==
Everyone has their own opinion on that.
+
Everyone has their own opinion on that. Some reasons can be:
Some reasons can be:
 
 
* better driving standards (no crashers)
 
* better driving standards (no crashers)
 
* championships
 
* championships
Line 18: Line 11:
  
 
==Finding a suitable league/event==
 
==Finding a suitable league/event==
[[File:Lights_out.jpg]]
+
[[File:Lights_out.jpg|right|270px]]
 +
There are different ways to find a league or event. First of all, you can check out the [https://www.lfs.net/forum/22 Leagues & Events subforum]. However, over the years there are now so many sub-subforums and threads, it is like finding a needle in a haystack. The easiest way is looking at the race calendar: https://www.lfs.net/leagues/calendar . Be aware: the racing calendar is not always complete. Some league organizers forget to add their dates to the calendar, or just never do it because they organize them on TeamSpeak or via their own sites. Despite that, you should find some great events there to participate in.
  
There are different ways to find a league or event.
+
[[File:Race_calendar_2015.png|500px]]
There is of course the [https://www.lfsforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=22 Leagues & Events subforum.]
+
<!--
 
 
But over the years there are now so many sub-sub forums and threads, it is like finding a needle in a haystack.
 
 
 
The easiest way is probably the race calendar: https://www.lfs.net/leagues/calendar
 
 
 
[[File:Race_calender.png]]
 
 
 
 
 
<!--
 
 
Displayed above the forum are also news headlines about upcoming (or finished) events and today’s events:<br />
 
Displayed above the forum are also news headlines about upcoming (or finished) events and today’s events:<br />
 
[[File:Race_news_headlines.png]]
 
[[File:Race_news_headlines.png]]
 
-->  
 
-->  
  
You can also check the [https://www.lfs.net/news News] that sometimes announce special events or start of a new saison.
+
You can also check the [https://www.lfs.net/news News section] where special events or start of a new season are announced. Some races are long or short, for new or experienced drivers, and so on. Describing all the different types of leagues or events is impossible. Just pick something that looks interesting for you.
 
 
But be aware: The calendar is not always complete.
 
Some league organizers forget to add their dates to the calendar, or just never do it because they organize them in teamspeak or via their own sites. But for the beginning it should give you some places for starting out.
 
 
 
Some races are long or short, for new or experienced drivers, and so on.
 
Describing all different leagues or events is impossible in this text.
 
Just pick something that seems suited or looks interesting.
 
  
 
==Before joining==
 
==Before joining==
[[File:Lights_red_1.jpg]]
+
[[File:Lights_red_1.jpg|right|270px]]
 
+
*Make sure you own the required LFS license for the event (S1, S2 or S3).
*Basically all events need an S2 license.
+
*Most races are open for everybody. (Although there might be pre-qualifying or a requirement of a minimum laptime)
 
 
*Most races are open for everybody. (Rarely there is pre-qualifying or a minium laptime)
 
 
 
 
*Visit the forum/site of the particular league and read around a bit.
 
*Visit the forum/site of the particular league and read around a bit.
 
 
*Mind the time zones!
 
*Mind the time zones!
  
 
==Signing up==
 
==Signing up==
[[File:Lights_red_2.jpg]]
+
[[File:Lights_red_2.jpg|right|270px]]
 
 
 
*Somes leagues require registration of some sort. That might be as simple as posting "Hello, I want to race" in the forum.
 
*Somes leagues require registration of some sort. That might be as simple as posting "Hello, I want to race" in the forum.
 
 
*Sometimes that post has to be more formal and include some information like driver name, car number, team etc. (Just follow the format that others use.)
 
*Sometimes that post has to be more formal and include some information like driver name, car number, team etc. (Just follow the format that others use.)
 
 
*It might also be that you have to create an account on their site or forum.
 
*It might also be that you have to create an account on their site or forum.
  
 
==Preparation before the race==
 
==Preparation before the race==
[[File:Lights_red_3.jpg]]
+
[[File:Lights_red_3.jpg|right|270px]]
 
 
 
* If it is your first race of this kind, sign up early enough so that you have time to practice.
 
* If it is your first race of this kind, sign up early enough so that you have time to practice.
 
* Speed does not matter – but rule of thumb make sure you can do at least half the distance without spinning.
 
* Speed does not matter – but rule of thumb make sure you can do at least half the distance without spinning.
 
 
* Do some long stints too, so that you know what tire temperatures to expect.
 
* Do some long stints too, so that you know what tire temperatures to expect.
 
+
* Look (or ask) if the server is open for practice in days before the race, or if there is another place where people practice. It's much more fun to practice together with others.
* Look (or ask) if the server is open for practice in days before the race, or if there is another place where people practice. Much more fun to practice together with others.
+
* Make sure you know how pit stops work: how to enter pit lane, speed limit, pit-menu (F12).
 
 
* Make sure you know how pit stops work: How to enter pit lane, speed limit, pit-menu (F12).
 
 
 
 
* Make sure you know how much fuel you need.
 
* Make sure you know how much fuel you need.
 
+
* Acquire a setup: Build one yourself, get one from [https://www.lfs.net/files/setups the Car Setups page] or ask other drivers.
* Acquire a setup: Build one yourself, get one from one of [http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=79996|see the various setup sites] or ask other drivers.
 
 
 
 
* If you have any questions, ask them as soon as possible, before lights go green. ;)
 
* If you have any questions, ask them as soon as possible, before lights go green. ;)
  
 
==Racing==
 
==Racing==
[[File:Lights_green.jpg]]
+
[[File:Lights_green.jpg|right|270px]]
 
+
* It's your first race in a new environment: better be careful and instead of winning, concentrate on getting familiar with rules and behaviour of other drivers.
* First race in new environment: Better be careful and instead of winning, concentrate on getting familiar with rules and behaviour of other drivers.
 
 
 
 
* Take no risks and just try to finish the race – there will be more laps than on a public server. Later there will be plenty more races to push harder.
 
* Take no risks and just try to finish the race – there will be more laps than on a public server. Later there will be plenty more races to push harder.
 
+
* If you are out, you are out: no automatic restart or "second chance".
* If you are out, you are out:
+
* Obey whatever racing rules there are – otherwise it might gain you a penalty during or after race. Usually following the [[Rules_of_Clean_Racing|rules of clean racing]] is enough.
No automatic restart or "second chance" when the race restarts in 10 minutes.
 
 
 
* Obey whatever racing rules there are – otherwise it might gain you a penality during or after race.
 
Usually following the [[Rules_of_Clean_Racing|rules of clean racing]] is enough.
 
  
 
==After the race==
 
==After the race==
* Wait a few days then check on the site/forum for official results.  
+
* Wait a few days then check on the site/forum for official results. Read the race report (if there is one) or the comments by other racers. Post your own comments, if you want to.  
Read the race report (if there is one) or the comments by other racers.
+
* If you caused a crash it might be good idea to apologize. Watch the replay and learn from mistakes.
Post your own comments, if you want.  
+
* Prepare for the next race. :) Repeat until champion.
 
 
* If you caused a crash it might be good idea to apologize.
 
Watch the replay and learn from mistakes.
 
 
 
* Prepare for the next race :) Repeat until champion.
 
  
 
==Questions==
 
==Questions==
 
 
===Looks very hard. Am I good / fast enough?===
 
===Looks very hard. Am I good / fast enough?===
If you have enough interest in LFS to be reading this, then you are probably fast enough.  
+
If you have enough interest in LFS to be reading this, then you are probably fast enough. There are leagues aimed at casual or beginner drivers. Often one can race in mid-field even with lap times some seconds of the world record. A minimum of car control is always required to finish the race, of course.
 
 
There are leagues aimed at casual or beginner drivers.
 
Often one can race in mid-field even with lap times some seconds of the world record.
 
 
 
But of course a minimum of car control is always required to finish the race.
 
  
 
===Is this only for dedicated hardcore drivers?===
 
===Is this only for dedicated hardcore drivers?===
I think it is for everyone: The tracks and dates of race are known in advance so there is plenty of time to prepare. (When you join an open server there is usually no time to practice at all.)
+
It's for everyone: the tracks and dates of race are known in advance, so there is plenty of time to prepare. (When you join an open server there is usually no time to practice at all.)
  
 
===I am scared of so many cars. What happens if I cause big accidents?===
 
===I am scared of so many cars. What happens if I cause big accidents?===
There are races with slower drivers or small grids, start in those.
+
If you are really scared of racing in a crowd, there are races with slower drivers or small grids, start in those. After a crash you can always explain the situation in chat (wait until race is over so you don't disturb others in the race) or in forum. Usually it is solved after that. :)
 
 
After crash can always explain situation in chat (wait until race is over) or in forum.  
 
Usually it is solved after that. :)
 
  
 
===What league is the best?===
 
===What league is the best?===
Depends on what you expect: Ask in LFS forum what league is suitable for your preferences and skills.
+
Depends on what you expect: ask in LFS forum what league is suitable for your preferences and skills.
  
 
{{Guides}}
 
{{Guides}}

Revision as of 19:34, 21 April 2018

What is this about?

LFS has a built-in server browser to find public servers. There's nothing wrong with racing on these servers, but this guide is mainly for people who want to try something new. Besides these servers, there are some groups of people who organize races and championships at set times. This guide is aimed at those LFS drivers who already have some experience in single player or public servers, and now want to join a league. It explains finding such servers and tries to answer some frequently asked questions.

Why organized racing?

Everyone has their own opinion on that. Some reasons can be:

  • better driving standards (no crashers)
  • championships
  • longer races are more fun and challenging
  • time to practice because the tracks are known in advance
  • more similar to how real motorsport works

Finding a suitable league/event

Lights out.jpg

There are different ways to find a league or event. First of all, you can check out the Leagues & Events subforum. However, over the years there are now so many sub-subforums and threads, it is like finding a needle in a haystack. The easiest way is looking at the race calendar: https://www.lfs.net/leagues/calendar . Be aware: the racing calendar is not always complete. Some league organizers forget to add their dates to the calendar, or just never do it because they organize them on TeamSpeak or via their own sites. Despite that, you should find some great events there to participate in.

Race calendar 2015.png

You can also check the News section where special events or start of a new season are announced. Some races are long or short, for new or experienced drivers, and so on. Describing all the different types of leagues or events is impossible. Just pick something that looks interesting for you.

Before joining

Lights red 1.jpg
  • Make sure you own the required LFS license for the event (S1, S2 or S3).
  • Most races are open for everybody. (Although there might be pre-qualifying or a requirement of a minimum laptime)
  • Visit the forum/site of the particular league and read around a bit.
  • Mind the time zones!

Signing up

Lights red 2.jpg
  • Somes leagues require registration of some sort. That might be as simple as posting "Hello, I want to race" in the forum.
  • Sometimes that post has to be more formal and include some information like driver name, car number, team etc. (Just follow the format that others use.)
  • It might also be that you have to create an account on their site or forum.

Preparation before the race

Lights red 3.jpg
  • If it is your first race of this kind, sign up early enough so that you have time to practice.
  • Speed does not matter – but rule of thumb make sure you can do at least half the distance without spinning.
  • Do some long stints too, so that you know what tire temperatures to expect.
  • Look (or ask) if the server is open for practice in days before the race, or if there is another place where people practice. It's much more fun to practice together with others.
  • Make sure you know how pit stops work: how to enter pit lane, speed limit, pit-menu (F12).
  • Make sure you know how much fuel you need.
  • Acquire a setup: Build one yourself, get one from the Car Setups page or ask other drivers.
  • If you have any questions, ask them as soon as possible, before lights go green. ;)

Racing

Lights green.jpg
  • It's your first race in a new environment: better be careful and instead of winning, concentrate on getting familiar with rules and behaviour of other drivers.
  • Take no risks and just try to finish the race – there will be more laps than on a public server. Later there will be plenty more races to push harder.
  • If you are out, you are out: no automatic restart or "second chance".
  • Obey whatever racing rules there are – otherwise it might gain you a penalty during or after race. Usually following the rules of clean racing is enough.

After the race

  • Wait a few days then check on the site/forum for official results. Read the race report (if there is one) or the comments by other racers. Post your own comments, if you want to.
  • If you caused a crash it might be good idea to apologize. Watch the replay and learn from mistakes.
  • Prepare for the next race. :) Repeat until champion.

Questions

Looks very hard. Am I good / fast enough?

If you have enough interest in LFS to be reading this, then you are probably fast enough. There are leagues aimed at casual or beginner drivers. Often one can race in mid-field even with lap times some seconds of the world record. A minimum of car control is always required to finish the race, of course.

Is this only for dedicated hardcore drivers?

It's for everyone: the tracks and dates of race are known in advance, so there is plenty of time to prepare. (When you join an open server there is usually no time to practice at all.)

I am scared of so many cars. What happens if I cause big accidents?

If you are really scared of racing in a crowd, there are races with slower drivers or small grids, start in those. After a crash you can always explain the situation in chat (wait until race is over so you don't disturb others in the race) or in forum. Usually it is solved after that. :)

What league is the best?

Depends on what you expect: ask in LFS forum what league is suitable for your preferences and skills.


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