World Track Championship, RW S44: W05 Tuesday 31st January

week 5 scores and notes

1) Goodwood Revival by SLOBBER--DOG
It's always a bit weird, scoring tracks based on real circuits. But I figure you have to just treat them objectively as a GTA track. So congratulations, this is a track route that someone really should make into a real track - it'd be great!
(2,2,3,3,3, 2,3,1,3,3) 25/30
1. Route: basically a very nice route, but the final corner is bit odd. Not only is the pit lane the apparent route of least resistance, but there's an extra road which means while you mustn't just remember the pit lane, but that it's the 2nd left you need to ignore/avoid. Perhaps that's a feature at Goodwood, but in GTA it's not ideal.
2. Checkpoints: generally actually very good, but the 2nd CP is a trap and unnecessary. 1 and 2 should be combined to properly describe the full nature of the corner going into it. I'd describe it as a trap because the 1st CP pointing at the 2nd CP encourages the corner to be understeered, making it then likely you'll miss the 2nd CP.
6. Snag risks: a lot of steel barriers. Benefit of the doubt on the tubes as apex props, they can be deemed snaggy, but no evidence to that effect.
8. Prop care: The track is overall made with good care - but perplexingly, snaplines everywhere, so many that it's got to be a -2.

2) #POL Stratavarious by philanthropol
Really good track in Phil's ouvre. Maybe a little more frenetic than usual, with some cool twists.
(3,2,3,2,3, 2,3,3,3,3) 27/30
2. Checkpoints: nice that they're used sparingly on a clear track, but there's one long section at least that could use 2 more CP's for communication.
4. Containment: generally pretty good considering the track design. But square apexes and barrier you can just launch off in a high risk location means a deduction.
6. Snags: some steel barriers and fading walls that can be tricky.

3) P-GP: Complex by prototypetom
Don't blame it on the sunshine, don't blame it on the good times, blame it on the boogie. I'm not gonna talk to myself. More than I am already
(3,3,3,1,3, 2,3,3,3,3) 27/30
4. containment: a few places you can drop off the track.
6. snags: Steel barriers and a curved raised track piece that risks a snag.

4) IG9 - Bluemin' Heck by iganga Compact
Fantastic track. Nicely handles some classic lines and adds a nice all-prop connection. It's suffering a bit on points more than it perhaps should due to one problem area.
(3,1,3,2,3, 2,3,2,3,3) 25/30
2. Checkpoints: There's a few too many, some just not needed, and a couple that could be combined (at least 4). It's mostly just a technicality dropped point, but the extra checkpoint at the top of the hill really sealed a 2point loss. A driver really needs to be preparing for the right turn before you go through the extra checkpoint, which misinforms the driver the road is going straight. (if anything, you think there might be a left turn based on the sign as well)
4. containment: compounded by the checkpoint problem, the corner at the top of the hill has a mean understeer trap.
6. Snags: barrier wall turns, which rock star in their infinite wisdom decided to give patchy hitboxes - not ideal for apexes or running close to the racing line.
8. Prop-care: a big snapline, and one corner that's a little rough tbh.
There's also an electrical pole sticking out the ground before the pit, but not sure if it hits or not. If it does, it's a factor in containment, if it doesn't, it's a factor in prop-care - but giving the benefit of the doubt given the total score as it is.

5) GRIDS TURNnBURN by duberuby
This is a fascinating route and track - It's just short on many technical points. I think the problem is when you have a track which must have taken quite some time to put together, it needs even more time invested in polishing it. Truly a great, fun track, but the tough reality is that it's finish doesn't match its high ambition.
(3,2,3,2,0, 2,2,2,2,3) 21/30
2. Checkpoints: 2 or 3 surplus. Called it 2 because of the track's ambition not being reflected in the score.
4. Containment - a number of tubes that don't offer much protection in some key spots.
5. Removables: lots of exposed lampposts, several are high risk.
6. snags: snaggy barrier walls, thanks Rockstar.
7. visual design: can't give it full points because it's kinda unfinished looking.
8. prop-care: props poking through everywhere and a bunch of problems with track lines - might have been -2 but for the fact this is a remarkably creative route that inherently took a lot of care. That gap I found though!
9. Prop-visual: there's lots of exposed work on the fringes, but the thing that really stood out is the track to no-where sticking out beyond the turn under the flyover (where that weird hole I found is).

6) -MB89-CHEESE to my BURGER by mburger89
Wow, this is a real stunner. Obviously a great score and a shoo-in for the semi's, but ends up bit lower than it might be. A little more consideration with the checkpoints and ironing out a couple of spots, this had a real chance of being our 2nd ever 30pointer. Loved it.
(3,1,2,3,3, 3,3,3,3,3) 27/30
2. Checkpoints: certainly 4/5 too many checkpoints, arguably a few more.
1. smooth: kinda borderline but given how great everything is here, two transitions are a bit clunky going into turns and cry out for one more track piece each.

7) (JCB) Shrapnel Speedway by jcbvortex
GP scoring criteria doesn't accommodate ovals (while we still want to include them for the fun of it) - but this in context of what it is, it's an exquisitely made track that is a lot of fun, due largely to the more dangerous choice of props giving it plenty of spice.