Community Event / Creation Buckyball Racing Club presents: Double Action Jackson (01.07.3303 - 09.07.3303)

[Bruski]

Attention video fans! I use Windows Movie Maker for video editing which used to be free. I just spotted over on facebook that one kind commander has archived the last free version of Windows Live Essentials (which includes Movie Maker). Grab it while it's still available!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nz9s47uswaozg0n/Windows Essentials.zip?dl=0

P.S. I haven't verified this download so you should probably virus check it although it was on the private Hutton Orbital group and they're usually a pretty trustworthy bunch ... right?

Woot, thanks! Picking that up right now. I'll hold them responsible if my compy explodes.

Did the same , still haven't managed a practical double charge while in the race though. Also, that damn literal bucket of bolts can't make the single jump from Jackson's to Beta Sculptoris, so the only actual instance where the double jump is practical remains to O'Neill and back. May I say, it's a pity to see so few racers (but probably the summer season is taking its toll on our availability), this course is a blast and offers yet another new thing to learn/practice/apply. Kudos to the spacebear!

Thanks! This was a cool course to design, although I'm worried I may have taught everyone else a skill I now lack.

I'm in the same boat (relatively speaking). My Dolphin only has a moderately good tier 5 engineering mod, but even with an excellent one it won't be enough. (edit: a highly engineered) DBX or Asp X will be necessary for an optimal run.

I'm willing to be proven wrong (waiting for cookiehole to show up here) but I think it's impossible for an AspX, and barely possible for a DBX. The problem is that the DBX will need enough fuel for 3 jumps, and at that point I think it loses boosting capabilities, along with severely gimped thrusters and PP. A Conda would work, but you then pay the price in supercruise maneuverability and realspace slowness. I hope.

Agreed! I won't be able to take many more cracks at it, but I'm already much much better at the double action charging than I was a few days ago. I can now easily imagine that with enough practice, using x2 charging for refuel jumps during an Unlimited Sadge A* run would be reasonable.

That's...good to know. I've been wondering if that was workable, but so far all my attempts at double-charing have failed miserably.

intent to burn baby burn!
I have been distracted by unknown probes and the like but should have that wrapped up this evening. really looking forward to this one. those neutron stars are fun!

Woohoo!

Well I managed to execute a fairly smooth, mid-race DAJ supercharge, but due to a tank overfill and other minor mistakes it did not improve on the time that I submitted last night; missed by 21 seconds.

The tank filling is rough in this one.

 

[Bruski]

Time for a new scoreboard.... FREEDOM EDITION!

Normal colours will resume tomorrow.

Today CMDR Aken B shows up with a flash, despite the unassuming name of his DBX, Bucket Of Bolts, sliding into first place with a time of 21:33, despite not getting his preferred pad selection at O'Neill Settlement. Seriously, when will station controllers start respecting our docking preferences? It's like we don't pay them or something. Where's the Pilots' Federation when you need them? ANyways, congrats to CMDR Aken on his sterling performance!

Close behind is CMDR Jak, who shaved more than three minutes off his time, possibly thanks to a pre-race Double Jackson Action. As I said, steadying those nerves helps when bouncing around in the purple haze. The race officials were also confused by his secondary video entry, which appeared to be an ancient melody from the 22nd century, a catchy tune by a folk singer called "Rickastley." An odd selection, but they grooved to it for a whole hour while updating the scoreboard. Quite an earworm that one!

Last and also least (in terms of time), CMDR Samwell Drakhyr apparently got his fuel tank filled juuuust right, cruising the Regulation Hauler Shirley Knot in the course's double loop in a speedy 15:19. The 15 minute mark beckons CMDR, will you let someone else break it?

 

[AkenBosch]

Thanks! This was a cool course to design, although I'm worried I may have taught everyone else a skill I now lack.

No worries then, up to now I've managed the trick just a single time, and it has been for the start of that run. Today I must have tried near twenty times with no luck, for some reason it didn't overcharge even when fully inside the jet for the full 5 seconds countdown. As if the countless useless trips to Hammond and back weren't enough, this evening the game is again borderline unplayable as yesterday...I'll surely go for another run in the next days, but I'm starting to think I'd be better leave the double-charge trick to more skilled cmdrs, or the only long jump that will happen will be the four-stories one of my pc down the window.

Close behind is CMDR Jak, who shaved more than three minutes off his time, possibly thanks to a pre-race Double Jackson Action. As I said, steadying those nerves helps when bouncing around in the purple haze. The race officials were also confused by his secondary video entry, which appeared to be an ancient melody from the 22nd century, a catchy tune by a folk singer called "Rickastley." An odd selection, but they grooved to it for a whole hour while updating the scoreboard. Quite an earworm that one!

So if I got this right, Cmdr Jak managed to Rickroll race officials more than a thousand years after that joke went out of fashion? Because if I got this right, it's utterly awesome.

 

[Rankaze]

Still hoping to run today... if they get the server problems straightened out. This is going to take long enough without minute+ hyperspace jumps.

 

[Edelgard von Rhein]

Did the same , still haven't managed a practical double charge while in the race though. Also, that damn literal bucket of bolts can't make the single jump from Jackson's to Beta Sculptoris, so the only actual instance where the double jump is practical remains to O'Neill and back. May I say, it's a pity to see so few racers (but probably the summer season is taking its toll on our availability), this course is a blast and offers yet another new thing to learn/practice/apply. Kudos to the spacebear!

I think that unless you have a ship with a really long jump range, this is a race that needs a bit of plotting/scouting out before making a run, which might explain why there aren't many entries on the board at the moment. It's only a couple of days in and there are plenty of people in the staging area
.
Definitely learning a thing or two about handling the Corvette. It runs hot, even with an A-rated, unengineered power plant (and I will need a grade 3 or 4 overcharged mod for my upcoming expedition) and minimal internals. Slowing down is tricky - she can out-turn my Anaconda in normal space but my Anaconda is faster and comes to a halt more quickly (both use downsized thrusters, both engineered with the same mod, although my Corvette has a better roll). Fortunately, I have also found that it is possible to fit the Corvette through the airlock of a Coriolis at the same time as an Asp Explorer coming in the other direction, without making contact. I've been taking part in the trade CG today, though, and training a fighter pilot but will be back on the course soon.

 

[Jhyrryl]

I'm willing to be proven wrong...fuel for 3 jumps...

I'm not sure why you ever need 3 jumps?

(fill)
HIP 27980 -> JL -> HIP 41817
(scoop)
HIP 41817 -> JL -> Chacocha
(scoop, do not fill at station)
Chacocha -> JL -> Beta Sculptoris
(scoop)
Beta Sculptoris -> JL -> HIP 27980

The race officials were also confused by his secondary video entry, which appeared to be an ancient melody from the 22nd century, a catchy tune by a folk singer called "Rickastley." An odd selection, but they grooved to it for a whole hour while updating the scoreboard. Quite an earworm that one!

So if I got this right, Cmdr Jak managed to Rickroll race officials more than a thousand years after that joke went out of fashion? Because if I got this right, it's utterly awesome.

Spoiler

For science, here's a clip of my in-race x2 supercharge.
[video=youtube_share;b-X74dAv5kQ]https://youtu.be/b-X74dAv5kQ[/video]

 

[Rankaze]

I screwed up my screenshots, so I can't submit it, but for the record, Crystal completed the course in 1:28:57. Apparently something about Jackson's Lighthouse makes me forgetful, as I failed to screenshot it three out of four times.

Running a combat-kit Eagle on that course once is more than enough - the 2A fuel scoop kinda made it more frustrating than fun, so... not doing it again. I'll run it in Joyeuse sometime later (maybe tonight, maybe later this week), though, which should be an entirely different experience.

In answer to the question about how an Eagle holds up over the course of this event...

 

[Darkfyre99]

Hanger 14A
Hammond Gateway
HIP 27980

"Welcome, race fans, to another episode of 'After the Run,' coming to you live..."

"For a given value of 'live'..."

"From Hammond Gateway," the handsome celebrity concluded, ignoring the younger man holding the camera pointed at him. "I'm your host, Charlie deWitt. We're just outside Hanger 14C, where even as we speak, Commander Inga Stevenson..."

"That's not Commander Stevenson..."

"Is shutting down her racing Hauler, Haulier than Thou..."

"Wrong ship!"

Charlie covered his microphone with his hand. "Dammit, Jiiro! Just remember, who's the host here, and who's the camera-man!"

"I'm just tryin' to keep you from embarrassing yourself, boss!"

"Look, I'm older than you, and I'm wiser..."

"You're half right..."

"And it's clear to me that Commander Stevenson's in Federation space under an assumed name, with a faked ship registration." The anchor said with an air of superiority. "Clearly she can't go around using her actual name..."

"Never stopped her before..."

"... And I'm going to prove it! Now follow me!"

The holovision personality spied a woman in a blue Remloc exiting the hanger. "Excuse me, Commander Stevenson!"

The woman in blue froze, turned on her heal, and carefully stalked over to Charlie deWitt, growling, "Do you really think I look like Commander Stevenson?"

"Uh..."

"Look, just because we're redheaded Caucasians from the Empire, and we happen to enjoy racing, doesn't mean we're the same person!"

"Uh..."

"I'm from Experiment. She's from Emerald. You can tell us apart from our build alone! Plus I'm 20 year years younger than her!"

"So you're her daughter, then?"

"ARGH!" With a fierce uppercut, Beth Johanson sent the man flying into the ceiling of the corridor, bounced off, and was eventually caught by the far wall, which he slowly slid down. "Every single frelling time..." She muttered, as she carefully strode away.

Jiiro Yamada carefully turned the holovision camera around, and said, "That was Charlie deWitt, for 'After the Run,' proving that it pays to do your homework when doing a surprise interview." He paused a second, before adding, "'After the Run' was brought to you by MetaDrive Incorporated. It's not just any drive, it's MetaDrive!"

 

[drakhyr]

The 15 minute mark beckons CMDR, will you let someone else break it?

Nope.

 

[Ashnak]

Ok, as long as that isn't binding:

Intent to shoot at anything that moves and then run very fast...
CMDR Azzie (Ashnak)
Hotrod (Sidewinder)
Open Unlimited

MeatDrive? Sure, slap it on the barbie, mate.

I'll have to see if I can upgrade that FSD first, which will mean getting a wake scanner and sitting outside of a station for some time, so I'll probably have to make a rather late entry. But I'm confident I can beat Inga's Beth's record (i.e. take longer...), since I'll also run her in the full (well, almost - I'll swap the Interdictor for the fuel scoop and the hull reinforcement for the scanner) combat loadout.


...errmmm..... oh, hello Miss Johanson, didn't see you there. What do you want to do with that spanner....

 

[Alec Turner]

Appreciation for the race banner!

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...here)-thread?p=5692675&viewfull=1#post5692675

 

[racer1]

Was about to do my first run but I can barely get into the game lol.

Will do a scouting run and see how it goes.

 

[drakhyr]

Yeah, there seem to be server issues again tonight.

 

[Bruski]

No worries then, up to now I've managed the trick just a single time, and it has been for the start of that run. Today I must have tried near twenty times with no luck, for some reason it didn't overcharge even when fully inside the jet for the full 5 seconds countdown. As if the countless useless trips to Hammond and back weren't enough, this evening the game is again borderline unplayable as yesterday...I'll surely go for another run in the next days, but I'm starting to think I'd be better leave the double-charge trick to more skilled cmdrs, or the only long jump that will happen will be the four-stories one of my pc down the window.

Poor PC! It deserves better than that. It seems you've had success with at least one attempt though.

So if I got this right, Cmdr Jak managed to Rickroll race officials more than a thousand years after that joke went out of fashion? Because if I got this right, it's utterly awesome.

That would be correct. Talk about passé.

I think that unless you have a ship with a really long jump range, this is a race that needs a bit of plotting/scouting out before making a run, which might explain why there aren't many entries on the board at the moment. It's only a couple of days in and there are plenty of people in the staging area

That's a bummer, it shouldn't need *that* much scouting, unless you're doing serious optimization. The race instructions even include distances, and there's no route optimization to be done. :-\

I'm not sure why you ever need 3 jumps?

Because I forgot the primaries at HIP and Beta were scoopable. Deeerrp. Spaaaacebear.

For science, here's a clip of my in-race x2 supercharge.
https://youtu.be/b-X74dAv5kQ

Ooo, shiny. Saved. For science. I'm really wondering if the Double charge will ever be reliable enough for a Sag A run though, since missing a double charge would require complete rerouting.

I screwed up my screenshots, so I can't submit it, but for the record, Crystal completed the course in 1:28:57. Apparently something about Jackson's Lighthouse makes me forgetful, as I failed to screenshot it three out of four times.

Running a combat-kit Eagle on that course once is more than enough - the 2A fuel scoop kinda made it more frustrating than fun, so... not doing it again. I'll run it in Joyeuse sometime later (maybe tonight, maybe later this week), though, which should be an entirely different experience.

In answer to the question about how an Eagle holds up over the course of this event...

http://i.imgur.com/TGe5Ivh.jpg

Not bad, that doesn't look like it's even low enough to begin causing FSD failures. Also I'm happy to take your word (and maybe beginning end screenshots?) for the race time, especially for last place, but a promotional quote is requested.
I can see how the 2A fuel scoop could be painful though. I've got a 4A on my Iridum Wing escort Python and it feels like that takes FOREVER to fuel. I've even burned out the FSD a couple times Buckyballing towards RV points.

Nope.

Spoken with such confidence... I wonder why.

I'll have to see if I can upgrade that FSD first, which will mean getting a wake scanner and sitting outside of a station for some time, so I'll probably have to make a rather late entry. But I'm confident I can beat Inga's Beth's record (i.e. take longer...), since I'll also run her in the full (well, almost - I'll swap the Interdictor for the fuel scoop and the hull reinforcement for the scanner) combat loadout.
...errmmm..... oh, hello Miss Johanson, didn't see you there. What do you want to do with that spanner....

It's going to be difficult (or very easy) to beat her time when you're racing in a different class. But best of luck!

Appreciation for the race banner!
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...here)-thread?p=5692675&viewfull=1#post5692675

Woohoo! I'll have to see if I can whip up some more "art" tonight. Is there any forum where a post of the race poster would be welcome? I never really visit any of the forums other than this one.

 

[Bruski]

Time for the mid-race scoreboard update!

With half the allotted time gone, the board is starting to fill out nicely, and unseen are the multiple attempts and submissions the dedicated racers have made already.

Today see's no change in the standings, in spite of 3 improved runs. CMDR Beth Johanson was first to arrive, cutting almost two minutes off her previous time, and almost decking two station hands and a news reporter who confused her with Inga Stevenson.

Next up, CMDR Drakhyr, after studying the name of the race carefully, broke the 15 minute barrier with a smashing time of 13:25! Thanks for proving the estimate achievable.

Lastly, CMDR Aken B., unsatisfied with his first place performance, charged through the 20 minute barrier in Open Unlimited, pushing his already speedy time all the way down to 18:14! He also linked the Race Officials a strange documentary of early 21st century spaceflight, accompanied again by the dulcet tones of Rickastley and the Singing Starshooters. It made for fascinating viewing, but the officials cannot figure out how any of those primitive ships could've managed a hyperjump. Sad.

*Pending minimal verification
New entries in white.

The week is only half over CMDRs, is anyone willing to let these times stand? The podium comes with generous MetaDrive sponsorship offers!*

*MetaDrive does not guarantee any income, only stickers.

CMDR Azzie was recently spotted at The Greasy Drive bar, plotting to crush CMDR Beth Johanson's Regulation Hauler record with the novel strategy of using an engineered Sidewinder. Will he slip this one past the Race Officials?

 

[Edelgard von Rhein]

It looks like it might be more server problems then that's slowing participation.
.
I wouldn't say I did that much scouting - mainly I needed to find good places to aim for after each neutron boost and to bookmark them. Then I needed to fly the route once to check I wasn't running into too many adjacent unscoopables and to be sure of what fuel margin I should be supercharging with.
.
All this was necessary to get a reasonably good route but it might not be optimal as I can get more from each neutron boost if I run the fuel right down. I have to tinker with the route filter at the start of the race, else it puts me exclusively through unscoopables before reaching Jackson's Lighthouse for the first time. I then have to undo the tinkering else I get an extra jump after leaving O'Neill Settlement (made that mistake on a run today that might have been an improvement on my time otherwise). Getting the fuel margin I need is simpler - I follow the rule that I don't scoop from the star immediately before (or at) a neutron star system. Even if I were to try and optimise for a lower fuel load, or downsize the fuel tank, remove the shield, ads and downsize the distributor to a 1D, I'm not certain I would be saving any jumps, though.
.
I did manage a small improvement in my time on one run today but I'll save submitting it until tomorrow, now (I'll try and get a couple more runs in tomorrow as well). I'm still finding it difficult to get the neutron boost smoothly and reliably and my time savings were more from my station approaches and (un)docking at speed.
.
Good to see Aken B. out on the course earlier today. o7 and fly fast everyone!

 

[Jhyrryl]

Ooo, shiny. Saved. For science. I'm really wondering if the Double charge will ever be reliable enough for a Sag A run though, since missing a double charge would require complete rerouting.

I figure that if you plot like you won't be using them, but can get your skill up to a 75% success rate, then you'll get enough of a savings from the attempts to them to make it worthwhile. Assuming you don't spend more than the 1:30 it took me to x2 supercharge in that video with each attempt. But it's going to require a lot of practice to get that success rate.

I'll also note that regardless of speedy mid-race attempts, x2 supercharging at Jackson's Lighthouse should now be expected for any serious, neutron-enabled A* runs.

 

[Polly]

Ship update:
Vita Brevis, Regulaton Hauler

Due to unreal* life issues I haven't been able to give this race anything near the love it deserves. But I have managed to squeeze in a run. Unfortunately I didn't manage any double charging.

* Yes, unreal. I'm tutoring advanced alchemy at a live this week.

 

[racer1]

Recce completed. All attempts at "double" action failed i swear it does not work for me lol.

Made it back with 11% hull and 80% FSD. Should actually say failed to exit Hammond gateway on initial departure with >12% hull...

I like it though

 

[Jhyrryl]

I've made my last attempt, I think. I've got parents visiting from out of town starting Friday, and have a ton to do to get ready.

Thanks for the race, Bruski! It's been a great learning experience.