World Track Championship, RW S43: W02 Tuesday 4th October

1) (JP) Silverstone Int. by RRJP1980
28/30 (3,2,3,3,3, 2,3,3,3,3)
Wow, what a start. I'm afraid as usual the RL references are lost on me, but from the way Phil was gushing about it, I understand this deserves some credit for recreation. That said, it's not what I'm looking at ... but what I AM looking at is a masterfully made race. Great fun to drive and mostly brilliant prop work. My only quibbles are very minor - there's a sticky apex prop on the first corner that encroaches into the track line. Although I didn't catch it I'm pretty sure that's a problematic prop I've been snagged by in the past - I'm not saying it was wrong to use it, the theme and accuracy are important, but technically it is a compromise. Checkpoints: 1/2 could be combined, and there's a double checkpoint going into the final chicane/corner bit. I assume the surplus checkpoint is there to match something going on in the pit lane, but raced experience is what it is, and double checkpoints are misleading... the rest of the race is a great example of tasteful and functional checkpoint positioning.

2) *Pf 46* Le Mans Series by parodifumi
25/30 (3,2,2,1,3, 3,2,3,3,3)
Really nice route with distinct and engaging corners, which have a very smooth rhythm to them, laterally at least... I did have some issues with minor bumps in track piece transitions that perhaps wouldn't normally drop points, but they come at some unfortunate points in the approach to corners where they imposed on my line and braking. But the undulations generally around the track are very welcome and really add to the race's flow. The colour palette is an interesting choice, but for me the big contentious feature was the use of slowdown strips around the track. I get that they're an analogue for gravel and other real track features - but they don't translate to GTA well enough IMO, they're very inconstant in terms of track containment and often turn open races into a game of exploiting the gaps (especially with some late checkpoints on corners). And they're frustrating in their consistency in punishment, which lacks context or nuance to a given infraction.

3) (JCB) Contingency Plan by jcbvortex
24/30 (3,3,2,1,1, 3,3,2,3,3)
This is a real blast, a great compacts track is really one GTA racing's greatest pleasures. The route is fantastic and engaging from start to finish. The verticality is really great too, with just a couple of clunks here and there, but also some fantastic negative camber to navigate. It has its niggles with some punishing holes and gaps, an arguable lack of apex props on a couple of corners, and a little bit of exposed construction. The only hard misstep is using the logs prop on an apex. But as expected from this creator, a playlist highlight.

4) GNL$ Blufffs race by Gerrit
23/30 (2,2,2,2,3, 1,3,2,3,3)
I had a really tough time with this one. On a big positive note, the track overall is made well, it's a nice, simple route that reminds me of something between OG Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64. It looks really great though - it builds on the location very well. Some of the issues creep in, literally, by creeping into the track a bit more than you'd like in a couple places. The big issue I found, though, was a problem with snags in the propping - on one apex in particular. Looking past my own poor performance adapting to kart physics on the night, these snags aren't tucked away in places drivers aren't likely to catch - the bad one for me being at the bottom of a slightly bumpy downhill transition I found hard to judge. Nothing wrong with a punishing track (especially one that looks this good), and sometimes you have to squeeze a section in to make it all work.

5) #POL High Rise GP by philanthropol
25/30 (3,3,2,2,3, 2,2,3,2,3)
A great and fascinating track. Top level review - as usual a great track as expect by this creator. Digging into it, I'd offer some feedback. The top section is fun to drive on the slope, but at the same time it did seem a bit one-note, all being on the same angle - like it was just serving the downhill rather than being a choice made on merit. There are also a few issues with snaggy props (in one place a snag-free prop has been covered by a snaggy one!). Several sections are relying on checkpoints for containment - not a bad thing in itself, but it looks like there's a massive shortcut on the upper section. And I felt like some of the transitions were a bit clunky on the suspension for a track that kinda emphasizes its verticality (tarmac up transitions need to be under 2 degree increments to be smooth unless they're at an angle). Sounds like a big list now I write it out, but make no mistake that it is a top tier race.

6) KW# Autodrome Martinair by koningwillynl
27/30 (1,3,3,3,3, 3,3,3,3,2)
Nice airport track. Really tight and surprisingly modest propping meets a decent route around the tarmac. I found it a little hard to follow in a couple of places - particularly by the pit lane entrance which seemed easier to go down than the proper route. But there's not much here to find any fault with. Although the route itself is flat and isn't that remarkable, the propping of barriers, stands and buildings gives the track character.

7) Subati by GuzTurbels
21/30 (2,2,3,1,0, 2,2,3,3,3)
For the most part this is a very grand winding street track that offers a good variety of Los Santos roads to navigate. Unfortunately, navigation proved a little hard for me in places due to some odd checkpoint positioning or lack of props (catching me out when I looked at the standings at the wrong time). Lampposts are also dragging the score down a bit, but this is a very enjoyable jaunt around town, and when laps are this long you have to live with the pesky poles. Where there is prop-work, though, it's done beautifully.