How about if someone leaves the track (HLVC?) then his current and next sector times are checked if they are faster than the one a Pro AI would drive. If he is faster, a penalty is given. Alternatively there could also be some node trickery done to avoid having to rely on sectors.

Maybe implement separate "cut zones" (manually, or automatically as HLVC-off on the inside of a corner) so it doesn't start the check every time you go off on irrelevant places, and to make this more transparent display a message to the driver in question that he is under cutting observation.

Quote from Hyperactive :

We all know that you can get faster laps if you cut the track in some places. Like As3, before the main straight in the chicane or in BL1 in the T2 or T3 for example.

One thing that is common between these places is that you have to go trough sand or grass to do it. What if this sand or grass would get grooves and holes as you drive through it again and again and again? This would make it harder to use the shortcut as there would be a 20 centimeters (10") deep hole, which could easily break your suspension! Other thing I mentioned some time ago in the RSC forum was that dirt could spread to the track.

Or maybe the effect wouldn't be so huge in short races, but in longer races it would make some difference.

Comments?

You know how with autox layouts you can create forbidden areas? I've done the same thing on the insim relay now. Just for one spot so far though; the blackwood chicane. If ppl drive around the chicane, they are forced back to spectating.
Atm that only works on our own host (connected to the relay), but i can make it an option on the relay setup pages if more people want that functionality. I can also easily add more forbidden areas on any other track if needed.

(why not just load an autox layout? Because our host is demo, which cannot load autox layouts)

Quote from Victor :

You know how with autox layouts you can create forbidden areas? I've done the same thing on the insim relay now. Just for one spot so far though; the blackwood chicane. If ppl drive around the chicane, they are forced back to spectating.
Atm that only works on our own host (connected to the relay), but i can make it an option on the relay setup pages if more people want that functionality. I can also easily add more forbidden areas on any other track if needed.

(why not just load an autox layout? Because our host is demo, which cannot load autox layouts)

Ha! Great minds. I've just been playing with autox layouts using invisible marshalls. When you go off line you're given a penalty but I'm not sure what that penalty relates to. I've tried a race with AI and funnily enough they all got a penalty first lap. They learnt very quickly not to do it again! I doubt humans would be so quick on the uptake. At the end of the race the penalties weren't shown nor accounted for on the results list.
Where can I find out more about the effects of marshalls, restricted areas, penalies etc?

In LFS' shift-u mode, the yellow circles are route checkers and give time penalties for missing the route.
The red circles are marshall checkers (restricted areas) and should spectate you when driving on them. However i just tried, but i wasn't spectated. Not sure why. Maybe a bug.

Ideal. We need that everywhere. Or we do once it's working properly

You weren't flying through the air at the time or something, were you?

.. Vic, in SP mode, Marshall checkers give a time penalty (at least on AutoX track), rather than spectate. Online however they do spectate.

Quote from dawesdust_12 :

.. Vic, in SP mode, Marshall checkers give a time penalty (at least on AutoX track), rather than spectate. Online however they do spectate.

Makes sense.

Quote from Dajmin :

Ideal. We need that everywhere. Or we do once it's working properly

You weren't flying through the air at the time or something, were you?

Well, if you meant my relay option, as said I can add checks anywhere on any track. If it's wanted, a separate thread might be good to have people list desired forbidden areas.
I could also apply different penalties on different shortcuts if needed. A blatant shortcut could mean forced to spectate, but somewhere else it could give a time penalty, or a drive through or whatever. Open for discussion.

Another one, at Aston, although I think spectate is a bit harsh (except for the BL one), I think that a drive-through is a better penalty for cutting corners as the one attached.

Quote from Bob Smith :

Seems a bit harsh for accidentally cutting a kerb too tight, especially if it was because you had half lost control (for some other reason).

Depends on the spot I suppose, but if people are aware, they might try harder to keep on the tarmac at any cost. The penalty could be far into the sandtrap for instance, but still in the "optimal" cut line or the most popular route.

I don't see how you would penalize someone otherwise and drive throughs are normal in real life racing right? The main difference between lfs and real life IS accidental detours as you point out.

As far as I can tell route checkers spectate. That is too severe. a 5 second penalty tops. Enough to discourage cutting but not enough to really alienate the punters. They must also be on the lenient side as to how far out they extend.
@ Dawes. That's the very chicane that's bugging me at the moment.

nope it doesnt, i would like a "pit" or valley down it those areas full of sand

Regarding the shortcut question, why don't we consider this question...

"What would the FIA do?"

Actually, no, that's a bad idea. Scrap that!!!

I agree that it doesn't want to be too harsh, but maybe a 5 second penalty or something like that. Failing that, how about this....

Yep! That'd do it.

How about a swarm of mutant Antlions that can run at 225 mph that come out of the sand and chanse you when you drive over it?

Quote from DodgeRacer :

One word...

Snipers.

i rofl'ed when i saw that

I forget what track or server it was but i remember there was a very unexpectedly sharp bend and if you ran off wide into the stack of tyres they didnt move, you just stop stoned dead if you hit them,

Quote from danthebangerboy :

I forget what track or server it was but i remember there was a very unexpectedly sharp bend and if you ran off wide into the stack of tyres they didnt move, you just stop stoned dead if you hit them,

That I think Is Fern Bay.


pyramids might as well be a good idea for preventing cheating