The Buckyball Racing Club Presents: The Trouble With Triples
Did you ever have a moment when out exploring or when trading or running missions or otherwise travelling from one system to another only to get a rude awakening by almost crashing into one of the stars in the system you jumped into? Maybe you even passed through its atmosphere and scooped a bit of fuel! This can happen for very tight binary systems depending on your angle of approach but tight triples can leave you cooking in between multiple stars. There are not many in the Bubble but you'll meet a handful here and hopefully live to tell the tale (I have put a heat sink launcher on the Regulation class build!). This is The Trouble With Triples.
Welcome to the Buckyball Racing Club! The Trouble With Triples is a time trial event scheduled to run from 00:00:00 Saturday 12th November to 23:59:59 Sunday 20th November 3308 (in-game time). You may race as many times as you like over this period but all entries must start within these times. The race can be run on all platforms and in either Horizons or Odyssey.
Race Course
Start / Finish: Aura, Atkov Ring
Waypoints:
- CD-58 7880 ABC 1, Wagner Landing (ringed surface city).
- Tiralla. Use Data Link Scanner on Matisse Rock (Civilian Installation, see below).
- Tulill, Griffith Enterprise.
- Hedetes. Use Data Link Scanner on either Alpha Star Tooling (Industrial Installation) or Grand Willow Range (Agricultural Installation). You are free to choose which, as obscured jumps are common here.
- HIP 61986, Luiken Port.
Here is what they look like in-game (in Odyssey):
Atkov Ring
Confession: I needed to use a heat sink on the Regulation DBS to reach this position.
Waypoints may be visited in any order. This helps to deal with obscured jumps and rewards routefinding skills (and daring, if white dwarf boosting is used).
You are free to repair / refuel / restock at any waypoint offering those facilities.
Scanning installations with the Data Link Scanner is done as follows:
1) Assign the Data Link Scanner to a firegroup in the right hand panel.
2) The Data Link Scanner has a range of 10km and hardpoints must be deployed for it to function (remember to retract them after the scan in order to jump out, as deployment status is not so obvious when you have no weapons). You must also be in Analysis Mode, not Combat Mode.
3) Select the Installation from either the HUD (it shows up as the corners of a white square) or the left hand panel.
4) Hold down the button / key to which you have assigned the Data Link Scanner. You will see a blue feature in the centre of the HUD that gradually fills. The Installation will also glow blue as the 'scan wave' passes over it.
5) The scan is complete once a message appears in the info panel: 'Targets identified. Use data link scanner to interrogate target'. An entry screenshot should show this message in the info panel, or if you should happen to miss it the many individual targets that will appear if you are in range (e.g. cargo bays, turrets, hackable comms panels).
Installations will mass lock any ship but the range is short, so it does not take long to get clear if you have ventured too close. None of these Installations have restricted areas but be aware that there is a chance of combat and scenarios taking place, depending upon the Background Sim state for their controlling faction.
Race Classes
There are two classes for this race:
- Regulation Diamondback Scout. This is a standard ship and loadout with no engineering, so every pilot flies the same ship. The cost is a little under 4 MCr but you may be able to find discounts for the ship and modules. It has a maximum jump range of 29.01 LY on fumes.
- Unlimited. The only restrictions on loadout here are not using supercruise assist or docking computers (see below for full restrictions).
Regulation Diamondback Scout
Core Modules:Power Plant: 2A
Thrusters: 4A
Frame Shift Drive: 4A
Life Support: 2D
Power Distributor: 3D
Sensors: 2D
Fuel Tank: 3C (Note that this is downsized from the usual 4C)
Optional Modules:
Fuel Scoop: 3B
Utilities: Heat Sink Launcher
rebuy: approx 180 KCr (may vary due to discounts on ship and modules)
Max range: 29.01 LY (fumes), 28.24 LY (full tank)
Speed 325 m/s; Boost: 441 m/s
Note that Diamondback Scouts are not available at Atkov Ring, though all modules should be available either here or at the adjacent Hurley Port ( < 1Ls distant ). The most convenient nearby place to buy a DBS is Vian Enterprise, Trumanuchu (14.82 LY from Aura, it is less than 100 Ls from the jump-in point). If you are willing to travel, ships and modules are sold at a 20% discount in Li Yong-Rui territory.
Unlimited Class - except for the limitations!
All ship sizes and types can take part.
The following modules and activities are not permitted:
- Supercruise Assist.
- Docking Computers of any type.
- Use of Synthesis for FSD boosting.
- Pre-charging of white dwarf or neutron star boosts.
- Refuelling by fuel limpets.
- Use of wing beacons.
- Fleet Carrier travel.
There is a FAQ below for additional queries on certain subjects.
How to Enter
Entry can be either by video or by taking screenshots as described below, then uploaded to somewhere free to view, such as YouTube or Imgur (other sites exist). The evidence is straightforward, so it is probably best to take screenshots from your video if that is how you are recording your run.
- If flying the Regulation Diamondback Scout, then one or more screenshots will be needed to show that the loadout is as prescribed. This can be done from outfitting or by showing the modules in the right hand panel.
- A screenshot of your ship on the pad at Atkov Ring showing the time. This is your start time.
- Screenshots showing your ship docked at Wagner Landing, Griffith Enterprise and Luiken Port, with the time in view on the HUD.
- Screenshots showing that the Data Link Scanner has successfully scanned Matisse Rock and either Alpha Star Tooling or Grand Willow Range, with the time in view on the HUD.
- A screenshot of your ship back on the pad at Atkov ring after visiting all five waypoints, showing the time, which is your finish time.
Once you have completed a valid run with the supporting screenshots or video, send me a Forum DM with the following information:
CMDR name
Forum name (if different)
Race class (Regulation or Unlimited)
Ship type (Unlimited only)
Ship name
Race time
Platform (PC, Xbox or PS4)
A link to the screenshots or video with the evidence of your run.
If providing video, it speeds up the process to give timestamps corresponding to the waypoints.
Final Leaderboards
Regulation Diamondback Scout
Unlimited
FAQ
0) Q: This is fun, do you guys have anywhere you can hang out and discuss racing etc.?
A: Yes! We have a website (http://www.buckyballracing.org.uk) with advice on racing and submitting entries, records of past events and a calendar with upcoming events. The main page has an invite to our Discord server. We would be happy to welcome you!
1) Q: Game Hangs / Crashes to Desktop etc. Will this invalidate a run?
A: No. You may restart and continue.
2) Q: I'm in trouble because I overheated! Can I repair myself?
A: Yes. You may use AFMUs and Repair limpets to repair your ship in Unlimited class. You can also repair / refuel / restock at waypoints with those facilities in either class.
3) Q: I used all my heat sinks but I think I may need more. Can I synthesise them?
A: Yes. It takes time and materials so you lose both. Heat management is a feature of the race! It is possible to complete a run in a cold ship (including the Regulation DBS) without using any, though it can be challenging - they are there for a reason. You can also restock ammo at waypoints with that facility.
4) Q: Can I start with less than a full tank of fuel?
A: Yes.
5) Q: Can I use the Guardians FSD booster?
A: Yes, in Unlimited class only. Unlocking it is relatively straightforward if you do not yet have it (see numerous guides elsewhere on how to do this).
6) Q: Do I have to play in Open?
A: No. It is not possible for all console players so it is not a requirement. It is encouraged, in order to meet other racers on the course.
7) Q: Can I supercharge my FSD from White Dwarf stars?
A: Yes, you may do this in both Regulation and Unlimited class.
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