OVGGT6 Spec Miata

OVGGT6 Spec Miata was a weekly one-make series in Gran Turismo 6 featuring the Mazda Roadster Touring Car, organised by BlackDog (PSN: rab1dmonkey). It is considered a more easy-going alternative to the hardcore PC sim series, so feel free to head straight to the Spec Miata sheet of the /ovg/ Google Doc and sign up. This article is intended as a reference for the series organiser and drivers - not required reading, most of it is not relevant to those who drive clean and can follow simple instructions. Each week's race event starts at 20:30 UTC on Sundays (room opens at 20:00 UTC), with Timed Training/Pre-Qualifiying running throughout the week. The series is now over: it ran from 2015-11-29 to 2016-01-10. The series has been succeeded in the same timeslot by OVGGT6 'Murrican Muscle. The race results and final standings can be viewed at the archived series sheet.

Series entry

1. Put your details in the OVGGT6 Spec Miata sheet of the /ovg/ Google Doc. Choose a unique driver number and a distinctive colour.
2. Join the /ovgGT6/ Spec Miata Club. Click on the link (sign into PSN) or search club ID 1053805 in-game.
3. Enter an upcoming event, either in-game or via the web interface. Links to events will be posted on the Doc as and when they become available. Read the event description and any comments on the event page to ensure you are up to date on any rule changes or track-specific regulations.
4. Turn up for the event in good time.

Technical regulations

The series is a one-make competition for the Mazda Roadster Touring Car. The performance limits for each event reflect this car with an oil change from the Pit Service and no tuning. Tuning is prohibited; the only permissible modifications to the car are tyre change to Comfort Medium (or lower), wheels (no size up) and anything found in Pit Service (rigidity improvement is not recommended). Applying a driver number is mandatory (base without Gran Turismo logo preferred) and painting a distinctive colour is strongly encouraged. Unfortunately, custom rear wings are considered 'tuning' by the game and are therefore prohibited by the event rules. This means you won't be able to paint your wing, so take this into account when choosing your paint scheme.

All driver aids except ABS are forbidden. These are modestly powered cars, so they shouldn't be necessary in any case.

Timed Training and Pre-Qualifying

Timed Training

For events where the number of entries is less than the grid capacity of sixteen, Timed Training will run during the week preceding the event. Timed Training is an optional session for all drivers and is provided simply as a convenient method of comparing lap times in advance of the race event. The physics in Gran Turismo 6 are slightly different online and offline, so it is recommended for drivers to practice online. In order for your lap time to be submitted and visible to other drivers, you must start the Time Trial session after entering the lobby.

Pre-Qualifying

Should the number of entries for a race event exceed the grid capacity of sixteen, Timed Training will be replaced by a Pre-Qualifying Session. For those drivers ranked twelfth or higher, Pre-Qualifying serves the same function as Timed Training: an optional session with no bearing on the race event. Drivers ranked thirteenth or lower are required to submit a lap time in Pre-Qualifying. Setting one of the four fastest times pre-qualifies the driver to join the higher ranked drivers in Room A for the race event. Drivers ranked thirteenth or lower who fail to pre-qualify or do not take part in Pre-Qualifying will race in Room B.

The start of the points scale applied to Room B is based on the number of drivers taking part. With four or more drivers, the points awarded to first place in Room B are equal to thirteenth place (i.e.: fourth from last) in Room A. With each driver less than four taking part in Room B, the points awarded for first place drop one place. In all cases, lower placed drivers in Room B will be awarded points according to the scale as it continues from the points awarded to first. In the case that only one driver fails to pre-qualify, they will be awarded points equivalent to sixteenth place in Room A and are not required to complete the race distance in Room B. If however, a single non-pre-qualifying driver starts a race in Room B with a driver who did not take part in Pre-Qualifying, they must complete the race as normally required to receive points.

Procedures

Vision Check

Before starting a race or qualifying session, the host may call for a Vision Check. All drivers must enter the track and report how many drivers are visible to them according to their 'Position' indicator (e.g.: 3/8, 8 drivers are visible). Drivers reporting fewer than the true number must leave the lobby and re-connect to correct the issue.

Manual Grid Order (not currently in operation)

All drivers must vacate the track and refrain from using the chat for the duration of the procedure. The host will then call drivers to enter the track one by one from fastest to slowest. This procedure can be used in place of a formal qualifying session to permit a second heat to be automatically gridded in reverse order.

Restart

In the event that the start of a race is compromised by a poor connection to the extent that the race starts before one or more drivers are in control of their car, a restart may be requested by any driver. The request will take the form of the word 'restart' in chat and must be submitted within ninety seconds of the race start or before the first lap is completed - whichever is sooner. If the request is considered valid, the series organiser will announce 'abort' and all drivers will abandon the heat. No more than one restart will be undertaken per heat and restarts will not be undertaken in consecutive heats at the request of the same driver. For races containing more than ten drivers, at least two drivers must request restarts. Drivers requesting a restart are expected to continue racing while they await a decision.

Rules and enforcement

Drivers are expected to conduct themselves according to the general principles of good sportsmanship. All drivers are expected to save replays immediately after each heat to allow for review of the race if necessary. Punishable behaviour falls under four categories:

• Disregard for track boundaries
• Avoidable contact with other drivers
• Requesting a restart for the sole purpose of improving one's start
• Other behaviour which tends to disrupt the race meeting

Such behaviour that is observed by or reported to the Chief Steward will be punished - according to its severity - with one or more of the punishments listed below, at the Chief Steward's absolute discretion. If the punishable behaviour is not seen to advantage the driver involved or to disrupt the race of other drivers, it is less likely to be subject to punishment.

Reporting infractions

Reports must be made within 48 hours of the end of the race event and should include the following information:

• Driver being reported
• Punishable behaviour engaged in
• Advantage gained by said behaviour and/or disadvantage caused to other drivers
• Heat number, lap number and approximate location on track

The driver making the report should be readily identifiable and prepared to make a copy of the replay available to the Chief Steward if necessary. A similar procedure should be followed for reporting errors in the results recorded on the Google Doc.

Punishments

A non-exhaustive list, from least to most severe:

1. First warning
2. Final warning (does not require a first warning)
3. Time added to heat result
4. Loss of placing
5. Exclusion from heat results
6. Loss of points
7. Suspension from the next [1 to 3] race meetings
8. Expulsion from the series/banned from the club

Series report

src_ej6 once again asserted his dominance over the realm of GT6, with an unbroken streak of podiums from start to finish. dethadder93 started off strong and saw off a late charge by BlackDog to hold on to second place in the standings. Cobra performed very strongly when he turned up, winning all bar one of the heats he finished, but spotty attendance saw him rise no further than fifth.

Resources

• How to share a replay in GT6
• Track boundary database and tips on reducing connection issues (subject to modification: track limits in force will be noted on event pages)