April 2008

First Official MiniRacingOnline Magazine

Mission Accomplished The new version passes the toughest test. The Marca Championship is a success.

Yamik steps out Lepanol shows uso the of the limits way We publish his Some tips for not to make a possibly final piece fool of yourself

MM won’t be responsible for Yamik’s statements this month, in any way www.miniracingonline.com APRIL 2008 I NDEX

Index and staff ...... 2 Editorial ...... 3 MRO Chassis ...... 4 Communities ...... 11 Championships ...... 16 Interviews ...... 19 Editor in chief: Miscellany ...... 24 Sakic Tips ...... 26 Design and layout: News in brief ...... 32 Pocotico Last Page ...... 36 Editors: Ivan89 Turriton Yamik Speedcj Des06 Kakito Bigpow Thatnos Jairotis Yone Daxni Anxogma

Graphic editors: Pocotico Alvaro_sl Neeno www.miniracingonline.com 2 EDITORIAL

I NDEX A NEW AGE HAS COME

And a better one by the way. March has passed recommending El Navarón for holidays, I will Index and staff ...... 2 and MRO is living a new era, it has been the make another dedication / recommendation, as Editorial ...... 3 month with possibly the biggest breakthrough its being the usual every month. This time it is for at least the past two years, if not in the entire for Graham Ghapman, better known throughout MRO Chassis ...... 4 history of MRO, but really we should not count the world for his role in Brian, in the well only the changes in the new version or the huge known film by Monty Python. Unfortunately, Communities ...... 11 impact of the agreement with Marca, there has this curious character, was as good comedian been made the first step for the renewal of all as drinker. You can see him in one of his last Championships ...... 16 circuits, they have deleted all the records, all the appearances in the music video of “Can i play inactive users, they have devised new rankings with madness?” by Iron Maiden, but where Interviews ...... 19 and have upgraded to a more convenient format you can enjoy the more his sketches was at the the enormous amount of car designs. A big time of the Monty Python Flying Circus, it is Miscellany ...... 24 celebration of the fourth MRO anniversary. also hilarious the speech John Cleese dedicate to Tips ...... 26 Now in April, we have a month with two F1 GPs, him at his funeral. If you have a while to waste, which means two more rounds of the Marca youtube is always there for this kind of things. News in brief ...... 32 tournament as the one we already enjoyed. The Well, nothing else by now, I leave you with the second of them in Montmelo, for the lucky ones magazine, hoping that you enjoy it, because that’s Last Page ...... 36 in Spain who have their tickets, also starts the GP2 for what it has been done. I remind you all that if series, after the experiment of the GP2 Asia. In somebody want to donate his time to this cause, MRO the major championships are taking their will be more than welcome, the only requirement first steps into this month, which is also when is you have to have eyes and hands, a pair of each more assistance and entertainment they provide. if it is possible, in order to go finishing things We at the magazine have prepared for the occasion, faster. One more thing before you pass this page, a bunch of nonsense things as always, especially I always like to leave you with some curiosity, for reflecting on how this chaotic month has been, the next month MM is preparing a funny novelty, for everyone to know how everything were done. see last page for more info. The designing section is on a break to come back with more force, because this month almost every Regards. designer has been busy upgrading circuits and cars. We have some tips from Lepanol, very funny Sakic ones by the way, maybe one of the best things that we ever published, but that’s not a big deal. In addition to other regular sections you will be able to read the noncensored article which will cause surely the ban out from the game to Yamik. In my private corner of the magazine, apart from 2 3 MRO CHASSIS STATEMENTS AFTER THE REVOLUTION

After a weird month, in which both Kotai and the MRO staff have worked probably more than ever, it is time to look for opinions, results and consequences. Hoping that this decision won’t set a precedent, we think is better to let the chief rest for a while, this time we wanted to talk to some of the personalities who have been involved at this turning point for MRO, the Marca championship and the long overdue new version.

There is no better place to start than talking to work done, many people don’t imagine the the ubiquitous Vany, he surely has had to dip into amount of effort behind it, and just for fun, the emergency excuses to explain the long hours of only reward is making the game better and more work he made last month, but he still call what he popular, and this requires a really hard work. do a “hobby”. Anyway, the finalresultofeverything Besides destiny has set those two big events for seems to live up to expectations. “For me the new the same time and with its deadlines, in other version has been very good, there are big new words, that means the stress of having everything things in it. It has been a great effort but it’s worth prepared with no errors and in schedule, and that it. The physics has been very good and fairly will inevitably have consequences. “Well, I have a compensated either at T0 and T100. The ABS is couple of new strands of gray hair, and Kotai is very interesting, much more complicated to drive now called copito de nieve (TN: Refered to a if you set it at 0%, the car slides and may spin with famous albino monkey who was born in a Spanish the minimum mistakes, but you can delay more zoo). They have been critical days, there have the brake points. Moreover, the tires wear out been some nights we have spent awake to make very fast, which if you choose to use it in a race everything ready to deliver to Marca. I remember (ABS 0), and strategy changes radically, forcing the Melbourne F1 race which was early in the you to do short stints. Now cars exit curves more morning here and we were all awake working, we unstable and you must be careful not to lose much watched the race and when it finished we at this point. The inclusion of the bots also has continued working (except from Claudio, what a been well received by all, be able to play with a full poof, he fell asleep watching it). We had a first F1 starting grid is a new experience. About the peak in Melbourne, we had no confirmation of Marca cup, everything I say would be short, it is a Marca that we were going to be out at that time, project that took Kotai years, chasing it and always but we had to have it all ready just in case, we for one reason or another are always left apart, could not let them tell us ‘Go! ‘and not have it but this time was able to reach till the end of the finished. So we were trying to have a new line. Only in advertising and new players, the Melbourne (which is still half way finished but impact is brutal.” However, to achieve all of this eventually will be released), all cars were converted

4 MiniRacinOnline MRO Chassis to the new format of 4 fields in order to be better it, because it was difficult for people new to come organized, we introduced f1’08 cars, new there and we didn’t mean to discourage them, mechanics, the Marca skin, modifications and competitive times better not to be uploaded the adjustments to the web, the MRO version were first few days, so I made a slow one and I left it off turned upside down several times, a flood of last- a few days to see how it evolved. At first Claudio minute changes. But then it turns out that and I were discussing where do the times will Melbourne wasn’t going to be the first round of reach, I thought that in the end things would Marca championship, the people of Marca were remain by 54.5 or 54.4, he ensured that an Xbox is still developing its website to host the tournament, a ‘push it, push it’ very strong in the ear of everyone they were the ones who didn’t finish on time. and we would reach to 54.0. On Saturday i spent Then came Sepang and this time they assured us a while at the circuit and got down to 54.6 without that it will be published for that date. In the too many problems with the setup that already meanwhile those days there were some changes had from previous versions. On Monday, I began in the version (ABS and some bugs fixed) and seriously in the afternoon to work on it, I looked again we worked hard for a few days to have it all for the racetrack limits and setups, I tried several ready for Sepang. Finishing physics details and abs settings, wings, gears... At the end of the day I the rest of the new version, finished with 6 or 7 ghostlaps preparing the circuit with with differentsetupsbetween the Marca ads, the MRO 54.5 and 53.9. Actually the tutorial on pdf and html to 53.9 is one of those miracle have online help, erasing laps, which turns out once in circuits, times and users, and a thousand times, over the a thousand of other details. grass in absolutely all the After Marca cup was released curves (except the hairpin I the work plan changed, and believe it was in all of them). it has been more to fix some On Tuesday, the times bugs, update circuits, help started to be lowered, and newbies, manage the champ, and so on. Actually we began to see the cards on the table of all the it has been the highest peak of work I can players, at night I saw Alonso and Maxi were remember, only the days at the campus with trying hard and driving down to 54.2 and there Zombie’s Party were similar.” Fortunately, we was still plenty of time to improve, so I opened proved that the new version is very stable and can the MRO and I began to try to lower that 53.9 a stand on throughout the whole Marca bit more, which I was not expecting to be sufficient championship, as this will have the same length as for a winner, but it was impossible, I couldn’t the official calendar of Formula One and would make it. At the end I went uploading times of not be interesting to make changes at mid-season. those who I had saved, a 54.4 they lowered, a 54.3 “In terms of stability it is quite well, the more we lowered again, but in the end the 54.0 was the see is how some bugs are fixed with minor versions winner. Actually Alonso and Maxi have been very or details like that, but I don’t think we will see big competitive, very hard to beat, and I congratulate changes in a short term.” The first round of this them on the job, reaching low 54’s in Sepang are tournament has been completed guess who won perfect laps, which are defined by very small it? Indeed, it is another reason why we knocked details, this time I have had the good fortune to on Vany’s door, his statements after the victory be favored by one of those details, but they will explain quite a bit how it was. “It has taking a lot certainly do it perfect in Bahrain, Montmelo, of hours of driving at Sepang. The first day as a etc....” The fact is that many people have been testing I got a time of 54.9, Kotai told me to delete encouraged with the Marca proposal, the

5 MiniRacinOnline MRO Chassis announcement was on the front page of the digital (laughs). But it had to be done at some point. newspaper for the whole weekend and it will There are circuits that are better prepared tobe reappear when Bahrain and the others come. All converted into an hour or two, but the oldest ones this means a huge influx of new users arriving is an arduous work to do. And when this phase MRO. “Avalanche, everything can be summed up ends it will be the turn for the ranks restructure. I in that. In figures, they always went around 100 will take a break along with my job holidays, in new players per day, depending on dates and August I won’t touch the game. Kotai is still events, the first five days of Marca Championship thinking about all the new version work, the 98 we have had 6,000 brand new players, an average still must be a little touched up, with the Marca of 1,200 players per day, we have multiplied by cup running we have to be sure everything comes twelve the people influx. The site visits have out perfect, now a holidays only means exiting a doubled, and access to the forum treble, the little, but not much, is a turning point for the sessions created have quadrupled in some MRO and it is important to be vigilant.” Not moments, there have been 400 or 500 online counting that there are always some projects in players at the same time, the chat was overwhelmed background. “On the issue of new circuits we are by people asking for problems and trying to fix working on several fronts, we are also creating a them on the fly. It has really been incredible, and secondary forum for support the main forum to even more, if we realize that advertising has been ease what we have and not losing old posts, in made during a holidays period here, when usually terms of the web is also working on integration many people are away from home, we will see the with the forum and various optimizations and real extent of it all when a couple of Gps have other matters, this never stops.” As also there is a passed.” Anyway it is also true that the number of new field that has been opened since 98 version, players with problems obviously have increased the bots that require a file so that artificial too, many users do not know how to go to a game intelligence comes to track at each circuit. “The online or have problems with the screens AIs are designed so that any user can do one by configuration, another challenge for those who himself, we are now including a bot per circuit, look after the game. “In anticipation of that Gesko but that probably is not the best bot for this circuit, did a fairly comprehensive tutorial, and then we so we have planned to create a pack of bots to made it to be available from the game on a help complete all circuits by category , as well as more section that could be accessed with a button complete seasons in various automobile (question mark on the right top, only in Spanish disciplines.” And on the horizon we can see the at this moment) on each screen. But even then Campus Party, which is already in their minds, many people do not use to read manuals. The chat this is a non-stop. “The campus is not only in our was overwhelmed, the only option is to try to give minds but we already are considering things. The more information on the fly, that is, in a chat circuit of Valencia or Singapore is under room, forum or online games, or create other developing thinking of the campus as a deadline. information systems more directly within the In fact there are only three months remaining, it game itself, better integration of helps , etc.…” is time to go starting the planning for everything Now one thing remains undone, they have to so we get it right one more year.” Things always update every single racetrack with new not please everyone and Vany and company are deployments and reconfigure the rankings when well aware of that, despite the effort there is always the change is completed. But we should be criticism, a pity, but we are all free to express our patience, because it seemed as a lot of work, like opinion, that is for sure. “When you make changes everything in general these four people have or decisions we never made them to please proposed theirselves to do. “There is not a lot of everyone, it is really impossible, and more when work, is a freaking insane amount of work there are so different factions here. Our first

6 MiniRacinOnline MRO Chassis priority is always to maximize the number of of working, that is the good or bad thing in MRO, pilots entering the MRO, this entails making it is a wheel that has not stopped spinning in his decisions that are not always understood or well four years of life. “It will not be a calm April... You received, but our path has been and always will be know that here we simply lower or raise the that.” So, the next question becomes evident, do rhythm, in our minds there are always you miss delegating more work? “Yes but no, improvements to do, changes, new developments, actually I already delegate much workload, in the the only thing we need is the time to do them. hassle of these busy nights, there were moments Personally I am not tired, this is a hobby and that’s that i was the coordinator at the MSN, with 20 how I see it (although many times we go too far, opened windows without actually doing anything and our families do not understand anything ...) productive, we needed a thousand things and I All it takes sometimes is a little time off to refresh just could not manage with all, so I delegate to the your mind .” Lastly Vany told us how the chief is responsible for each area to have everything ready, and seized the opportunity to send a message. I have to say at this point that the everyone “Kotai is as always, excited with how the things responded wonderfully and we had everything are going and willing to go further, he is still ready on time. On the other hand I often have working like a dog and the results can be seen. I also a problem dispatching works knowing that I must make a special mention to all those who can make them by myself, I do not like forcing have collaborated actively in the last few weeks, anyone to work on it and sometimes when asking without them we would have no new versions, someone to do anything I feel that way. Anyway nor Marca champ nor anything ... Kotai, Alvaro, the level of involvement of the people are very Claudio, Caco, Zero Sakic, Pocopico, Yamik, diverse, fortunately most of the people who are Albatalia, Gesko, Serginho, Ali Klinx, Equi ... I working with us are very committed.” Anyway, hope I didn’t leave anyone unsaid.” although the rainstorm has passed, do not believe that this ends here. This month will be one more

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I can’t even imagine how it will be a day in the life of Vany, has to be at least curious, the only solution would be to find out that either is fooling everyone in his work or Vany is a larger entity, perhaps three or four people who are behind the same nickname, yes that would explain so many things. Time will tell. This month MRO Magazine has not wanted to stop therer and have sought for more opinions and reactions among the other administrators, to learn how they have lived these days of March.

For example Zerocoult, who told us that he but this is how the F1 goes this season, without underwent it okay, but that he had heard that the traction control. Bots I must say that I find other ones were not that lucky. “One night I was them amazing what Kotai has achieved, perhaps up late, but I slept well, because the next day i had because I saw the first steps of the bots as an idea, no class, that’s why I stayed, I would first and which only followed the ghost and badly and the foremost have a life, I am not going to give up change has been impressive.” Alvaro_sl also spoke sleep, going out, etc.… for the game, we need to to MM and commented us on which part of the separate the two aspects, I do, when it’s my limit work he was involved. “Well, this month has been, time (about 1 a.m.), tell Kotai or whoever that I’m from my point of view, the busiest for the MRO helping that I will go on the following day. Alvaro_ admins. In my case, how could it be otherwise, I sl stayed a whole night awake to see if he could do worked with the racetracks. On this occasion, I in ONE NIGHT the entire circuit of Melbourne, helped to Caco to ‘’marcaizar’’ (that’s how we call because it needed to be published the following putting Marca ads on a circuit) Melbourne track. day, in the end he could not finish it but Marca We split the work and we got on with it. Moreover, cup also didn’t start the day it was planned either.” I have also helped with testing and finding bugs As well as what has been his work these days. when the versions were emerging.” Alvaro is also “Well, mainly the skin to go fit all the new options one of the responsible in the issue of remodeling offered by the game, I also helped in what I could, circuits, and he doen’t seem to complain although php, graphics, testing versions... The last thing I it is obvious that is one the hardest task to deal did was a php (it has been retouching since then) with. “Since the last Campus Party, all new circuits with the screen of the Marca fast lap championship, have a number of new features that the old of the classification, then I also did the mini screen circuits haven’t. I am talking about: 32 positions that prompts in the online game list, showing the in the starting grid, objects and bridges separated length and times of the session (later Vany used from the jpg, and finally, the track flag guys. The that for the regular championship page). Now I mission now is to make all circuits that do not am in a project to release some load from the have these features, to have them. Of course, all MRO forum database, old messages will be moved this involves a lot of time (even speaking to a new forum in a different direction just for individually by circuit), that is why we give out consultation, so that the forum will run easier.” the job.” Of course, we also talked about what has And the most important of all , his view on the brought this month’s revolution. “The current final result, how it is the latest version, and what version, 0.98C has engendered a lot of trouble does he think about the new stuff. “The especially for Kotai. I know he have been awake a modification made to slow the cars in a fast turn few nights to finish it and start with what, I if they don’t want to go out of the track, seems to personally think, the largest propeller of the game me as a wise decision, this thing was taken away throughout its history: the Marca championship.” all the fun, you used to suffer in spite of enjoy And his view on the final result, very positive byu driving the car. The abs, I think it is a good change, the way, analyzing into detail beyond the reach of now that they have to erasing the times, and the many users. “I think it’s simply BRILLIANT. It effect on the car exiting the turn sliding from the hasn’t many cons, and the ones It has will be fixed back is great, I love it, maybe you go slower now, soon, but you could not ask for more. When you

8 MiniRacinOnline MRO Chassis referred to 0.98c, you are talking about the game it worked.” Like we did we the others we asked itself, online, championships, etc… but as a him about developments in the 98. “Very good, it designer that I am, I find perfect as well the new is weird but being an admin I believe that I am the track editor. Now it is much faster positioning one that plays the game the fewer. Anyway with objects, bridges, the latest additions, the Bots specifically, traffic lights, flag I am playing more than ever. I believe guys, and so on. that this version will give a strong A real marvel.” boost to the game for people who We took this cannot play online, which could not opportunity to connect because of network ask for his configuration designing tutorial reasons, or to Alvaro, simply because covering our faces they have Linux in case he was (or Mac) and offended because this isn’t a good time to therefore can’t demand for more things. “Of course I will connect, now continue with it, I want to stop and start they have no seeing my work rewarded, but as I said excuses to play before, we are now busy and I have not some races.” been able to advance anything. I know that And talking there are already people waiting for new numbers, about Linux, we wondered how that Linux thing because all of them I apologize for the delay and started, and how long they were looking forward would ask them for a bit of patience. I will finish to adapt MRO to it. “One evening we were looking it up sooner or later.” Finally he also left a message for the reason why the game went black screen rather than elegant for those who always ask for when entering on track. In the end, with the something better, different or want it for yesterday. indications I was giving to Kotai, based on the old “Only the ones who give can ask in return.” versions I saw was happening with the problem. It Certainly that was a lapidary sentence. We were is now possible to play more or less decently in also with Albatalia, who was assisting in the Linux. The problem that I am having right now, is testing of 98 and is the forerunner of a new way to mostly that it isn’t working online (whether on understand MRO, its compatibility with Linux LAN it is). Another thing that comes to my mind operating systems. “I did little this month, i put is that when the game is growing in memory the f1 section of this season on the web, I am more reaches a point where there is an error and you like a tester (on Linux) and i discuss with Kotai can no longer continue. For example, it happens about the bugs I find, now I am seeing why MRO when you load a large circuit, when using 32-bit on Linux run in LAN but not online.” Albatalia color (it needed more space in RAM than 16), was behind the solution of one of the problems introducing many cars, etc.… Surely all of these last month, the collapse of the forum, as we knew thing can be fixed in a very easy way, but we have talking to Vany. “Nonsense, it was a petty thing, to find which one it is.” Without travelling a lot we when Kotai deleted by mistake all the post 15 days can find another person who has been busy these old i was commenting Vany how to restore the days. Gesko, author of the long awaited generic database (forum database), but in the end he did MRO tutorial, told us how was the making of his nothing as I told him, the problem was that it was creation. “Well, let’s say I haven’t work till too large database and he could not revert it back, dehydration this month, not even close to what but he settled it in 200 pieces, uploaded them and surely Kotai has done, who has had to deal with

9 MiniRacinOnline MRO Chassis deadlines, or others who have dedicated to update only the beginning and the foundations are ready. circuits, touch things on the web, etc. ... However, This version also brings greater speed while I wanted to do that tutorial for a long time, I did loading screens, something that is really it in spare times in a couple of weeks. I guess that appreciated. The physical changes and the car is the most that I have worked, with new versions sliding make a T0 different to what we knew it had to be updated on the fly. These past few before. The introduction of ABS will see what it days I was busy testing versions (which it’s a work can make, but I feel that ultimately will end in that has its kind side) and being at the chat of the extreme values (0 or 100). On the Marca game to help all the rookies.” Another modest one championship you just need to see the response who thinks that everyone do more than him. that has taken place in the few days it was on the However, the interesting thing here is to see the front cover of the Marca webpage. There have quality of each piece of work, independently, been more than a thousand new players a day and which are the reason why we have witnessed an this is only the beginning. Just watch the chat historic moment for MRO. “The new version these days to realize the impact of that introduces a major innovation such the bots, championship in MRO.” beloved by many people who could not play online. Although not yet fully finished, but it is

10 COMMUNITIES

MRO IN SOUTH AMERICA

The economic crisis as an international problem, is beating the Magazine as well and we have to seize every trip we do. This time MM has travel to talk with three drivers from Venzuela, Argentina and Uruguay, to point the success this game has particularly had in this continent. We also brought home some souvenirs, an official River Plate t-shirt, Uruguayan mate and chocolate from Venezuela because they didn’t allow us to check in miss 2007 at the airport.

KAMIKAZE VENEZUELA

Hello Kamikaze, Do you have time now for a truth is that lately this is getting harder because of quick interview? “Sure, ask away.” Where are a few onesof the 18S community, I’m not going to you from? “Caracas, Venezuela.” How did you say names, but they are really unbearables.” Sure, know MRO?. “Well, actually everything began sometimes anyway some petty quarrels make it in Christmas time two years ago and well, at first but amusing. “Maybe, but they sure know it.” Few what principally caught my eye were the different Venezuelan pilots are seeing over here, any idea of ranks for which I started to battle, then I found why?. “ Few? I would say less than that, almost no the championships world and I liked even more.. one, a little while ago I knew one, and out of the And nowadays what pleases me aren’t the new game it is quite strange to see my little flag, I don’t things but the competition against other people, know why, I knew this game thanks to a friend the rivalry.” This one sure you have been asked from here, but only I keep on active. I don’t know a lot before but, What is your secret to be that why but to be honest it makes me feel proud to fast? Do you make something special? Were you represent Venezuelans here.” And you are doing born with talent? “I don’t know it, it’s my guess a good job by the way. How do you see yourself that I always set a target in the game, and I don’t in five years and how do you see MRO? Will you stop untill i achieve it, I imagine that maybe the be still playing? “I find that a bit complicated, I talent has got into me at some time. I believe the don’t know why but lately I’m leaving a little secret of this and of everything, is something in the game apart, I guess it is because some other your mind, to know you are able to fullfill what things I need to do, but I hope that if someday I you started.” Any big arguement with somebody quit the game for whatever reason, I could return of MRO? Did they ever accuse you of cheating? some other time with the same exciting I had in Is there anybody that you can’t stand in the the beginning and I have now. Anyway MRO is community? Gossip is funny, sorry. “I havn’t had special for me, I will always count on it in my spare any disscusion with any person, just because the time.” The truth is that there is people that goes simple reason that I do not give a damn for what and comes, but I have to tell you that some with a anybody can say about me, and that has worked lot of responsibilities and not so young ones, they for me very well, at least by now. Although the play MRO as a child in Christmass day. “Sure, and 11 MiniRacinOnline Communities

I have noticed, that at least the ones that I know, day he go out and we could start all over again, I they averaged more than 20 years old, different know we would find the way to live much better. drivers with so many responsibilities and things I can tell the magazine readers that Venezuela to do they still play on or contribute to the game, is a nice country full dood willings, adding the and that seems to me very well.” How many pretty girls that we have (laughs), if anyone has a championships are you in? have you thought in different picture of us is surely because he doesn’t which ones you are going to be this year or do know us, and I invite him to do it.” Last one, tell me you take them as they come? You talked before your: 1)Glory moment in MRO; 2)The best MRO prefixed goals, Which ones are yours for those driver of all times; 3)Best MRO feature; 4) Your championships? “I am in the 18s and Road Devils idol behind the wheel; 5)The most funny MRO at the moment, I am not planning to sign up in no player; 6)Which MRO new option will please one else but the MROT100, I wanted to make a you more?; 7)F1 2008 winner. “1) I don’t have a team along with the famous Brazilian Maximilian special moment in MRO, sorry, I don’t know what but due to absurd reasons it won’t be that way. For to tell; 2) In my opinion I would say Toro , Shalafi 18s my main goal is doing a sweep at constructors and Alek, they will be the best always for me. I championship, and I will be happy either if I want remember when I fought for the rank with Alek the individual title or any of my teammates. For when I was a newbie, it was amazing; 3) I always RD, I want to hold the teams cup another year enjoyed the arcade mode and with no tires, there and focus a little bit more in my races, because the it is where you can see who is really fast, with last days I have been a bit out.” I can’t let you go no chance to draft or something like that; 4) My without asking you about your country, How do preferred actual driver will be Schumacher, he is you see Venezuela today and in the near future? the best, and currenty racing I would say Raikonen; How are the relations with the neighboring 5) The most funny is always Maximilian, with his countries going? “My country, is a very nice arrogance is the best, entertains me a lot, nobody place to me, but regretfully and with everybody compares to him; 6) Nothing in particular, but all who lives here refusal, we have a president and the new things will be welcomed, what I do not his set of parasites, who are, speaking clearly and want is that they keep on changing physics, that directly, messing our lifes, we got worse and worse is the reason why I no longer fight for the ranks; economically and we have worse relations with 7) Raikonen and Ferrari will sweep.” Ok Kami, different countries, hurts to see more and more thank you very much. “Thanks to you, and if you poor people everyday in this nation. What I want, need anything else just let me know.” as well as most of the Venezuelans, is to see the

12 MiniRacinOnline Communities

CHAFIRETE ARGENTINA

Hello Chafirete, please tell the nosy people of and quality of people playing and helping each the Magazine where you are from. “I’m from others jus to have fun.” Have you ever joined a Bella Vista, Buenos Aires, Argentina.” How and championship? Tell us about Chafirete as a driver. when did you find MRO? “It was in 2005 when I “A bit surprising but I have never joined one, and find and ad in a computers magazine from here my driving style is very common, a T100 one that called Users.” And what’s with this game we are doesn’t use to much the setups, I like to show me as talking about now that three years had passed? a good driver, not as a mechanic or engineering.” “It caught my eye how addictive it could be when Last one, tell me your: 1)Glory moment in MRO; I gave it a try for the first time, very playable, 2)The best MRO driver of all times; 3)Best MRO about Formula 1 which I support very much, feature; 4) Your idol behind the wheel; 5)The in spanish and completely free of charge.” Who most funny MRO player; 6)Which MRO new would you name for representing your country at option will please you more?; 7)F1 2008 winner. MRO? “To be honest, I have to say that being a “1) Actually they were two ones, first of the when small community almost every one here are big I started my first race and I won it, and second drivers (I exclude myself from that assumption), one to see me second at the Magny Cours ranking but I think Zanardi is one of the best dispite I even if it was for less than half an hour; 2) I’m have never race with him.” Do you personally going to say Skelter, because Spa and Bahrein know any of them? “No, unfortunately.” Tell us a are incomparable master pieces that maybe reasonable way to explain how it is that we are sometimes haven’t been taken into consideration middle age players of a tiny cars videogame. in the community; 3)The variety of racetracks; 4) “That is a recurrent topic, some people say to me Kimi Raikkonen; 5) Maximiliam obviously; 6) that I am big enough to play video games, but I I think bots was what I always wanted MRO to grow up playing Mario Bros, then came the Sega, has in; 7) Kimi will repeat, dispite I’m his fan I I tried the Playstation and then the PC games, really think he will do so.” Hey, thanks for letting and I don’t think I’m gonna quit it, ever. It is more me bore you for a while. “You’re welcome Sakic, that a game, we can create communities around congratulations for your excellent work with the them, communties with people from all over magazine.” the world throught the internet, and that is the reason why I am still here in MRO, the quantity

13 MiniRacinOnline Communities

PIMAGRA URUGUAY

Pimagra, hello, do you have fifteen minutes to here. There was a time in which it was so, when waste? What about a little interview? “Yes, of Gonzalo Rodriguez (Gonchi) was coming, which course, spit out those questions.” Tell me exactly supposedly had a contract with a Formula 1 team. where you are from first. “I am from Uruguay, I But then he died in an accident (I can’t remember live in the capital, Montevideo.” How did you find the competition he was in) and everyone in this game? “Well, actually I found MRO thanks Uruguay was frustrated with his death. Today we to my little brother have Juan Caceres, who Alepi. One day I went practiced with Minardi, to a rock festival for but honestly I do not two days, and well, my think he could make brothers are always it.” Speaking of your messing around with my country, how is Uruguay? computer, playing games What’s life like there? “I and installing trash, and would define Uruguay so I took the Formula 1 as a country where there Challenge with me and is everything. There are I found MRO installed working people, and when I came back. He people who do nothing hid it from me a few days, in their lives, but anyway but then I saw it, I liked it and well, here I am is a very peaceful country, where there are no now.” Happy about how it ended? What is in the problems with terrorists or anything of those game that caught you from start? “Yes, quite. I am things. The president walks down the street like a weird mate for some people, because I do not any of us, is a beautiful place to visit, which has like 3D games. Only a few ones, I saw the MRO, architecture, landscapes, it is not a very big country, and I loved the idea that in these years when but it is quiet and very nice, really. People comes everything is three-dimensional, the game was in out when they want, there is so much freedom 2D. Then I also liked the racetrack graphics and here.” Last one, tell me your: 1)Glory moment in the reality of the game, which closely looks like MRO; 2)The best MRO driver of all times; 3)Best what you can see in the TV.” Do you like only the MRO feature; 4) Your idol behind the wheel; games or actual competitions too? Does Uruguay 5)The most funny MRO player; 6)Which MRO like motor sports? “Both. I love the games, but I new option will please you more?; 7)F1 2008 always think that the more real the graphics are winner. “1) My moment of glory in the MRO? in a game, the more lack of gameplay will be. Difficult question (laughs) when I finish second I prefer a hard 2D game than a 3D that can be in the 2nd edition of Masterf1, when I won the handled by a three year old child. I also love the former championship by Zarrao, the Legendary. real competitions, I am very keen to the engines My three seconds places so far in the 18s (though world, my father is the one to blame for it, because I hope for the victory), I do not think that there I always watch the Formula 1 since I was 7 years is something else; 2) The best one of all time is old, and now I am 17. The Formula 1 is what I like Vany, He’s is kind of a genius, which is always the most, but I look at anything that has a motor there to help. It has helped me very much with and four wheels. (Laughs) In Uruguay there aren’t the circuit I am doing and I think their strategies, many motor sports fans, here is rather football. and their management in the game is more than I believe that if we had a famous driver at least, remarkable, it is something from another world; the issue of the motor sport would go further 3) When I discovered the T0 mode, my times 14 MiniRacinOnline Communities were 4 or 5 seconds of the record, and I reduced telemetry. That idea amazed me, I hope it to come them to a second or even to tenths when I use T0, out soon; 7) As a Kimi’s fan i always say him, no besides it is fun to manage with T0. Also, I like matter the situation, but I would like to see this the option of keeping strategy, it’s fun because you year Kubica and Kovalainen up there too, I like can plan more things at the start; 4) My preferred them. And speaking about Formula 1, I haven’t real driver, I think everybody knows, its Kimi had the time to answer to a topic that was done Raikkonen; 5) The most funny I believe is Javi_f1. in the 18s, with regard to Alonso going to Ferrari I know that some people can’t stand him, but if next season, and when I said that I did not believe those ones knew him what most they would see is it, someone asked me who could be but him. I a lot of fun, and when he loses and gets angry he is believe that Vettel is a strong candidate, I think even funnier; 6) I believe that MRO is absolutely that Ferrari wants to have another Schumacher.” well like it is now, but I am still waiting for the

15 CHAMPIONSHIPS 18S La 11ª edición del campeonato 18s dio comienzo mientras que en la clasificación por escuderías de el pasado día uno de Marzo, otra temporada más reservas también está dominada por Honda, pero en la que los mejores pilotos del MRO se verán esta vez con Arrows mas cerca (solo 8 puntos) y de nuevo las caras en pos de conseguir llevarse la en tercera posición un sorprendente Williams, victoria final de este campeonato. que ha conseguido formar un gran equipo tras las Con dos carreras ya disputadas al cierre de este numerosas bajas sufridas al final de la temporada articulo, hablar del 18s ahora mismo, es hablar de pasada. Honda F1 Team, el equipo capitaneado por Arazi En la clasificación de Rookies el dominador que consiguió juntar a la mayoría de los mejores parece ser Renault, colocando 1º y 3º a dos de sus pilotos del campeonato y que ha conseguido colar rookies, colandose entre medias Revenge, piloto en estas dos carreras a sus tres pilotos titulares en de BMW que promete poner las cosas difíciles a los tres primeros puestos de la clasificación, siendo los Renault. también líder por supuesto en la clasificación Ahora tras el parón de Semana Santa volveremos de escuderías oficiales con 30 puntos de ventaja a vivir la magia de las carreras del 18s, ¿podrán los sobre su inmediato perseguidor (Orange Arrows) equipos hacer sombra a la todopoderosa Honda? y 31 sobre el tercero (Scuderia Ferrari), mientras ¿conseguirá Vany volver a dominar el 18s? los que la actual campeona (McLaren Mercedes) derrapes, los nervios y los bolardos responderán ocupa la 10ª posición a causa de un fallo en las a estas preguntas…. confirmaciones de la última carrera. La clasificacióndereservastambiénvacomandada www.18-s.net por un piloto de Honda (Vader25), pero en este caso empatado a puntos con DrDeft de Arrows, Serginho. ROAD DEVILS

En el momento de redactar estas líneas el horarios de carreras, únicamente los domingos, lanzamiento del Road Devils en su 5 edición es además se dejaron fijas dos categorías, elite para inminente, se han incorporado cambios que los pilotos experimentados y pro para los pilotos seguro serán del gusto de todos los pilotos que mas novatos y bloqueo de tracción en los circuitos han venido corriendo en este campeonato y los t100. nuevos que se están enganchando. Ahora mismo ya está cubierta la mitad del tope Como datos interesantes se crearon 15 escuderías máximo de pilotos, y se espera una última tanda con 4 pilotos cada una, además se dejaron dos de gente que seguro completaran los cupos

16 MiniRacinOnline Championschips pendientes, aun así podemos ver pilotos de gran Por el momento no hay más que contar, y esperar tradición inscritos y listos para volver a la pelea, a las primeras carreras de la temporada, las cuales como Maximilian, Arazi, Kamikaze, Sturm, serán en Estambul y Monza2006. Durango, Pocotico, Kakito etc.. y muchos nuevos los cuales seguro se engancharan y aprenderán roaddevils.miniracingonline.com mas sobre el MRO. Tnathos. MASTER F1

El tercer GP de la temporada se disputó en Fuji durante todo el campeonato situándose en sexta y se lo adjudico Xorixorly, con un tiempo de posición de la clasificación general, posiblemente 18:09:687, seguido de Whass a dos segundos de estemos viendo una joven promesa... distancia y el tercer escalón del podium lo ocupó Y finalmente en el campeonato de constructores Kartikeyan a cinco segundos del campeón de la después de la tercera carrera, sigue liderada por prueba. Mclaren con 114 puntos que aventaja a Toyota En realidad Whass consiguió llegar primero en 43 puntos y a Ferrari en 45 puntos. Ferrari bajo la bandera a cuadros pero una sanción sorprendentemente esta siendo una de las de cinco segundos que traía del anterior GP le escuderías revelación del campeonato junto a arrebataron los honores después de un fin de SuperAguri, habrá que estar pendientes de estos semana sensacional incluyendo la pole, que dos equipos en lo que resta de campeonato. también consiguió con un tiempo de 46.891. La Master F1 cuenta desde hace unos días también vuelta rápida de carrera se la llevo XoriXorly con con una gran novedad, se han publicado ya los un tiempo de 48.828. dos primeros números de la revista Master Las cosas en el campeonato de pilotos se han Magazine. Organizada por Pimagra, para poder igualado bastante, la clasificación está liderada acceder a ella bastará con que visiteis nuestra por Dr_Deft (Mclaren) con 54 puntos y seguido página web. de muy cerquita por Xorixorly (Toyota) con 53 puntos, y ya en el tercer escalón se sitúa Whass www.masterf1.es (BMW) un pelín descolgado con 39 puntos. También nombrar la magníficaactuacióndeDieru Anxogma.

17 MiniRacinOnline Championschips MANZANA XIII Hace ya un par de semanas dio comienzo la cuarta Pype, SzczepanIF, Ivan89, Eddy, Efegedete, Shura, temporada del Manzana XIII que llega cargada de Germany y The_Magic, que tratarán de ganar el novedades entre las que destacan carreras de 25 campeonato de novatos mientras aprenden los vueltas, tres carreras con lluvia, 10 minutos de secretos de sus compañeros PRO. clasificación, quiniela semanal, categoría school La primera carrera ya se ha disputado, 25 giros al para las jóvenes promesas del MRO y un tema circuito de Macao que dejaron como claro vencedor de recomendaciones que hará las delicias de los a Vany, con Alonso y Pavlik completando el cajón nuevos ... y también de los no tan nuevos. Entre y protagonizando un final de infarto en el que los pilotos tenemos de todo, alguna baja, muchas Alonso pudo imponerse por sólo unas décimas. incorporaciones y, sobre todo, mucho nivel, Pamac Gran carrera también de El_Rayo que estuvo al y Cogeme en McLaren, Pavlik y Mick4 correrán nivel de grandes pilotos más experimentados con Ferrari (un equipo compuesto íntegramente como Pamac o Maport. The_Magic por su parte por corredores polacos), Dr_deft y El_rayo en le dio el doblete a Toyota acabando primero Renault, Maport y Alonso se encargarán de domar en la categoría school por delante de Pype y el Red Bull, a Caco y Sakic “les gusta conducir”, Germany. Próxima parada … Hockenheim! SpeedCJ y Lepanol intentarán llevar a lo más alto a Williams, Darkito y Vilchez en Toro Rosso, y manzana.miniracingonline.com cerrando la lista Vany y Des06 que intentarán el asalto al título con Toyota. Como pilotos school Des06. MRO T-100 El MRO T100, campeonato pionero en la tracción fichando al solvente Falconetti. Equipos como 100, acaba de comenzar en su 8ª temporada. Las McLaren, Williams o Ferrari han apostado por la 11 escuderías de la actual F1, seis pilotos por continuidad. Pasaros por el foro para conocer las escudería, y emoción asegurada en cada carrera. plantillas al detalle. Esta nueva temporada los equipos están divididos Además, podrá disfrutarse de avatares en cuatro categorías (Oro, Plata, Bronce y Hierro), personalizados caracterizados con nombre, para una mayor igualdad. Como siempre, todas escudería, categoría… las categorías tendrán fascinantes carreras. En cuanto al calendario, tendremos 12 carreras Además, dada la oleada de nuevos jugadores, que recorrerán todo el mundo; América, Europa, se está poniendo en marcha una escuela para Asia, Oceanía y finalizando en el circuito propio, jóvenes promesas, para que vayan conociendo el MRO T100. La lluvia estará presente en algunas el campeonato y empiecen a saborear toda de ellas. la tensión de las carreras. Esto les pondrá en Los días de competición se mantienen, Dom 15 y primera línea para poder ocupar las vacantes que 17 h y Lun 21 y 23 H (GMT +1). se produzcan. Complementando el campeonato, sección de Entre las novedades que surgen en los equipos prensa, en la que cada semana podrás disfrutar cabe destacar el cambio de Vany a Toro Rosso, de la crónica de cada categoría. donde se rodea de Pamac o Madaf entre otros, Alvaro_SL se hace cargo de Force India, Toyota t100.miniracingonline.com monta un equipo con veteranos pilotos como Claudiosan, Equiman, Pocotico y Alonso como Speedcj. estrella y Des06 se convierte en manager de Red Bull, manteniendo a sus jóvenes pilotos y 18 INTERVIEWS

LLUNATIK

What’s your real name? “Marc.” Where do you live? “In Igualada, Barcelona.” What do you do? “I am a sports journalist.” How old are you? “24, reaching 25 (if it were recahing 23 it would be sort of an X file).” What does your nick mean? “I always use that nickname on the internet. I am a bit (quite to be honest) lunatic, in the good way, if it has a good one, and I have always loved the romantic side of the night.” How and when did you find MRO? “Three years ago, almost four now. A friend of mine told me he have found it at the Pedro de la Rosa website. We spent all the night playing it with another pal in a karting track, my fingers hurt after that. I still don’t know why I tried the game again after that.” What’s on the game that caught your attention? “In MRO you win (or lose) against real people, guys who are over there and who you could talk to after it. It’s really exciting and has a humanity side no other games have.” How are you doing since then? “Well, a lot of things have happened in three years, many races, many disconections suffered, laps closing gaps to the best ones, some victorys (yes, unbelievable but true), so much fun and dispair sometimes too. I could write a whole book but there is no need to bore all the Magazine readers.” How would you define yourself as a driver? Do you have any trophies? “I’ve always been a regular driver, always among the best ones but never going further. If I practice enough I could do it quite well, but I don’t have the MRO masters’ talent. Anyway, I have always been around. Few trophies, that is for sure, only some with McLaren at the 18S, the best cup you could win.” Are you in any championship? How are you doing there? “18S since it was founded, I am one of the administrators, McLaren manager and one of the oldest drivers (among with Alberto). Trying to race every week, but my job makes it hard to do sometimes.” What’s your opinion about the new version and the Marca championship? “I haven’t tried it yet (call me lazy). It didn’t surprise me too much, I was told something big was going to happen, so when I read it at Marca newspaper didn’t surprise me too much.” How do you see MRO progression? “Good, being such amount of players it has to be very difficult to find a way that pleases everyone and go ahead with it. The most important thing now is fix the ports thing. I know they are working with this but it has to be everyone’s priority,” Tell me a F1 winner for this season. “Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton could have his chances but I find Ferrari stronger than McLaren, and Lewis are not going to be as regular as the past year. Massa and Kovalainen haven’t got better expectation, and Alonso will be good enough if he doesn’t argue too much with Briatore when bad times come.” Anything to tell to the MRO community? “Join 18S (looking after number one).”

19 MiniRacinOnline Interviews

ALEX3D

What’s your real name? “Alejandro.” Where do you live? “Sevilla, south east of the city.” What do you do? “I am a telemarketer and data operator for Orange.” How old are you? “25 years old, best age without a doubt, not too young and not too old eirther.” What does your nick mean? “Well easy to figure out about Alex, and 3D comes from a graphic design course I was studying when I created my hotmail account, I did some nice works in 3D, and I keep on doing them. I have kept that nick since then, and of course I signed up MRO with it.” How and when did you find MRO? “About two years ago I believe, I played a racing game, a demo that came with a computers magazine, I don’t remember the name, but it was not a really good game, but it was similar to MRO in some way, it was adictive and easy to play. I decided to look for the complete game on the net and I found MRO by chance, as soon as I tried it, it got a hold on me, I forget about the other game, and when I notice there were championships I didn’t think twice about it, I joined my first one, the MROT100, and then came a lot more since then.” What’s on the game that caught your attention? “It’s a simple game, easy to play, you get use to it since the first time, and it’s addictive. But the best of all are the cups, there are championships that even the maFIA would like to be so well organized.” How are you doing since then? “I have had a lot of fun, sitting in front of the computer, right before a championship GP, it makes me feel like if I was Fernando Alonso for a moment, but without earning the big money. (laughs)” How would you define yourself as a driver? Do you have any trophies? “I’m a bi-traction driver, I drive with both T0 and T100, getting more or less the same level with them, on the track my best virtue is regularity, of course it depend on the circuit but I don’t use to be the fastest man on the starting grid. I achieved some titles, almost all team ones, like the Road Devils, my team have won it four times, twice the 18S and once the Tzero, individually I managed to win RD first edition europe cup. T100 is on my to do things, and I hope to settle it down soon.” Are you in any championship? How are you doing there? “I’m in Road Devils and 18S at the moment. I want to keep the RD constructor championship again and try to be up there in the last rounds, the past year I was very close to win the title and it encouraged me. The 18S is completely different, if I end in the top 10, and my team on second place, it will be a success.” What’s your opinion about the new version and the Marca championship? “I really like it, the ABS system will be the source of more fun, and the bots are really interesting too, it needs to be more developed but I have started to play against 20 bots with crashes on, and I enjoyed it so much. The Marca championship has been a big surprise, I use to spend hours playing this game but I’m a bit lazy about uploading times, and this cup will make me try to do my best for that Xbox.” How do you see MRO progression? “In spite of all the complains made by the T0 people, I really like the modifications, bit by bit some new things appear, tires, rain, ABS, bots and they are creating a more complete game without minimizing the playability.” Tell me a F1 winner for this season. “Anyone but Hamilton. Seriously, if Ferrari gets stability in their cars, I think Raikkonen will make it.” Anything to tell to the MRO community? “Keep it up guys, this is getting bigger and bigger everyday, and now we are in Marca newspaper, I wish it goes on like this, because the people who work for MRO deserved it.” 20 MiniRacinOnline Interviews

WHITEHEAD

What’s your real name? “Alfonso Domingo.” Where do you live? “Avila, but I was born in Zaragoza and I work in Madrid.” What do you do? “I’m in the army, but I am an accountant, I work in front of a computer not with a rifle in my hands.” How old are you? “45.” What does your nick mean? “Its from the novel “The pillars of the earth” where a white haired man is called whitehead.” How and when did you find MRO? “By chance in a banner on the site pcliga.com, a year ago.” What’s on the game that caught your attention? “First is free and very addictive, besides it is a challenge not only to win other people but to improve yourself.” How are you doing since then? “I have fun, I am still learning from the great ones here.” How would you define yourself as a driver? Do you have any trophies? “I try to be a regular driver, making only few mistakes, but I need to be really focus to make it, nobody can disturb me while I am racing. I haven’t achieved any cups by now, but I made second place en JJPP division at the MROT100 last season.” Are you in any championship? How are you doing there? “I’m going to repeat another season at the MROT100 and I also will try with other nickname (revenge) at the 18S. My expectations, apart from having fun of course, is to make a decent season in silver division at the MROT100, and to experience what it is to race with T0.” What’s your opinion about the new version and the Marca championship? “It’s very nice, I think the more realistic the better the game would be, some people say that this is an arcade, but for me, I like it more if there are many parameters to set (What about suspensions? Brakes?). About Marca championship, I guess it is a good idea to make MRO more popular but if it was up to me I will try to do something similar in other newspapers from other countries.” How do you see MRO progression? “Very good but I think they should wait a little longer to release another version, they have to give us time to enjoy them.” Tell me a F1 winner for this season. “Raikkonen, or at least that’s what Alonso supporters want, anyone but Hamilton.” Anything to tell to the MRO community? “This is a great 2D game and I am sorry that I don’t know anything about programing or design so I could help you with the racetracks. By the way, I miss the motorbikes, that would bring us more people for sure. That’s all, I’m really glad the Magazine have set their eyes on me.”

21 MiniRacinOnline Interviews

SERGINHO

What’s your real name? “As you like cutie, uhm, sorry, It’s Sergio Rivera Espinosa.” Where do you live? “In Fuenlabrada (Madrid).” What do you do? “I’m studying (that’s what they say) Computers Engineering, but I also have a job in IKEA as outgoing products supervisor management, well, ok, I’m a bloody cashier at IKEA” How old are you? “I’m physically 21, but no more than 14 or 15 mentally.” What does your nick mean? “It was in my time at highschool, we were playing football and we started with the stupidity of Serginho (like the Brazilian do), someone passed me the ball and doing some silly triks I said ‘Now you’re going to see the magic of Serginho!’ I kicked it highly deflected and screw a streetlight, I was crucified with the ‘Show us your magic Serginho’ said, since then.” How and when did you find MRO? “Well, I find it in the first year of college, that is three years and a half ago or so. A friend of mine (Anetheron, fromer MRO player) told me ‘Sergio, I found a new F1 online game, it’s in 2D and seen from above, but it’s rather good’, I got to play and you can see where I am now.” What’s on the game that caught your attention? “Well, the fact that it was free and you could compete with friends, very easy to play, a fairly simple game where setup was not required to go racing. But now certainly I am still here because of the great friends I made in my early years of MRO, because of them I am wasting many years of my life.” How are you doing since then? “To be honest I was initially quite shy, i was one of those autistic players who do not speak to anyone and come unnoticed, one day I got in the forum to ask for some info to create a car, I liked it and started to post there frequently, certainly what caused more impact was my first signature, I think it has gone down in history as the worst MRO signature (gimme an S, gimme an E…..). I began to know the MRO big ones and I got in the 18S, that was something that changed my perspective about MRO forever, I started to be more involved in the game and now, I’m a 18S admin and manager and a MRO admin too, my friends call me nerd and geek, It’s the cross I bear.” How would you define yourself as a driver? Do you have any trophies? “No doubt, what defines me better are the 16 times (not an exact figure but more or less) that I was out of gas in the 18S, a fucking disaster, I am not a fast lap man, I am not constant, I am rubish behind the wheel, but good, the important thing is to have fun, not winning. On whether if I have any cups at home, I think the only ones I have are those used to have a drink, perhaps I also have some cobwebs covered trophies, I do not know, maybe the reserves second place at 18SIV , a team championship in 18SVIII with Arrows and a reserves team champion in 18SX with Arrows.” Are you in any championship? How are you doing there? “I am not in any championship, I am in THE championship (laugh,), I am in the 18S, as one of the organizers of that championship and also manager of Orange Arrows, I do not race because of my work, but I still maintain the spirit enough to manage the team with more history of 18S, always trying to create a group of people who play to have fun regardless of winning, of course with the help of Komandante (the best person that I have found over here). My expectations for this year, as I said, are to create this team of my dreams and of course, my greatest willing is to warn as many people at the forum as I can, kick some asses and keep my reputation there as the boogie man.” What’s your opinion about the new version and the Marca championship? “You, pouring salt in the wound... The new version is not bad, follows the line of progression that the game is having

22 MiniRacinOnline Interviews along, complicating everything a bit, as I said earlier what I liked the most about this game was race directly without worrying about the setup, and this line breaks with the past, something that pleases some and disliked others. About Marca, you could see what happens at the forum, I think that is a very big leap for MRO to help it grow, but T0 players feel like they have been put aside, we have no chance to participate in this championship and we have been a little left out.” How do you see MRO progression? “The progression of the game is good, began as a game for friends and now appears up in a big newspaper, undoubtedly has reach high, the problem is that they are trying to bring the game to simulation, and I think that should be rather oriented to arcade, a game that is made to download, install and play, maybe that’s what it caught the attention of a lot of people but well, I do not want to go deeper into this thing.” Tell me a F1 winner for this season. “Well, I think Albers will win…, shit, he’s no more there, fucking Spyker managers. I do not know, if I have to decide betwen heart and mind I will choose Kovalainen, Kubika, Heidfield, Webber and Coulthard, I can’t stand the drivers ahead of them, like Alonso and Hamilton, but I think Raikkonen will win again . Anything to tell to the MRO community? “Well, that’s all brothers, enjoy life because it is too short and nothing better to enjoy it than the 18S. Ok ok, I stop it with the publicity. Where was i? oh yes, you enjoy a lot, post more in the forum and be happy, an online game is based on communicating with the people who you play, which is the most fun and you can always meet great people like I did. But more important, always put a few more liters of gas, it hurts when your car stops just five milimeters short form the finish line, I can tell so. Now that’s all, you know, sex, drifts and Rock & Roll to everyone and to Sakic.... FUCK YOU, I MISSPELLED MANY WORDS ON PORPOUSE TO MAKE YOU CORRECT EVERYTHING!

23 MISCELLANY I KNOW WHAT YOU DID IN MRO

Note: The information research for the elaboration of this piece may result in being banned out of the game, time will tell if I am allowed to continue with this section or I have to write from the exile in a lost island.

Welcome to this spicy area of the Magazine, I am still proud to have been the “supporting band” right before the interview to the great Javi Villa in last month publication, but it was almost thirty days ago so we should keep on going and investigate the forgotten people. The poll that I made in the month of March was “Danger or Power?” Well, the audience have chosen power, so, here you go.

I’m about to speak of a powerful person, but who could it be? Will it be Goku? Vegeta? All of you know the Dragon Ball cartoons, in which it was very clear that Goku was always one step ahead of the others and could beat all enemies. Certainly he was the most powerful one, but there were a person who could handle him, his wife.

When you read the word “power”, surely you were thinking about Kotai, if not all the most of you did so, he is the leader of this project and the only one that has access to every little thing in the game, in spite of there are other people, who in the month I will talk about, that have made theirselves room in the game developing. But if there is someone above the chief of all of this, that is Isabel.

There lies the key to everything, the person who is able to dominate him, the one you know that if she wants anything she will certainly have it sooner or later, even if he refuses, like it happened with a pet called Gromit, a dog who came to their lives last summer, or shortly before that, and which Kotai disagreed to have it, but you know that when they arrive home, soon you caught it affection.

24 MiniRacinOnline Miscellany

11. Do you have pets? “No, I had a little cat, a bird and a turtle but now I have none, but I do not know how long I can keep on telling my wife that I do not want a dog (she wants one).” Extracted from a forum interview to I know she carried the profession inside, thereby exerting as a Psychologist, with her hidden powers and mind control analyzing the people’s behavior, not only in her time at work but also in the rest of the day, at the “Campus Party” (I think when we met she lit the red light “alarm, dangerous individual!!!”) and in the forum, which is why she has joined the MiniRacingOnline dangerous people, not damaging people, but time will tell.

If she haven’t taken part that day in the game she would have gone unnoticed, hidden in the shadows as she always has been, or at least we thought she was, but a sort of a violent situation required her participation, and since then with only a post and her powers, the situation calmed down, yet the Isabel effect is not permanent and eventually the forum has warmed again. I hope it will not required again for her services because I feel real fear of the consequences it may bring.

I was lucky ... Or I make the mistake, the pleasure ... Or misfortune, to meet her during the event of the “Campus Party” well known to everyone because it is part of our history, it was almost two years ago and the impression she gave me was of a quiet person and a kind one. That are the worst people you can know, because within that friendly appearance, hides the anger, an when it is unleash causes earthquakes, storms and high winds. Lucky me that I have not yet seen that part of her and I hope that when we meet again and after she read these lines I won’t be beaten or worse, mind neutralized by her power (lucky me again that I don’t use it too much) and turned into a living dead (as one of the characters we made for that game in Valencia).

We have already made it clear that she is the most powerful people in the community of MRO, but there are still another one above them and which I want to make a tribute, I have already spoken before about him, it is Gromit. The real power lies in him, he does whatever he wants and anytime he wants, the one who decides when his owners must to get up, when it’s time to play, time to eat. HE IS THE MASTER, you must know that. PD: I made a mistake the last month because of the lack of time we had for the research. The Italian I

was talking about was actually born in Brazil. My apologizes.

That all for this month, I have just get to the top of the hierarchy pyramid of MRO, I have let you know what I found and now it is time to say goodbye for a while, I am not sure for how long, depending on the consequences.

Un saludo Gentucilla. Yämik.

25 TIPS LEPANOL: HOW TO PREPARE A RACE

On this occasion, we bring you Lepanol by force, who has been racing here for a while doing very well in championships like MROT100 or Manzana XIII, to tell us their most intimate secrets. Unfortunately only has agreed to tell us how he normally prepares a race, maybe next time.

“I want to tell first that the advice that I am going to give is questionable and each player has a its own techniques. I am going to reveal mine.

The setup of the racetrack record. The setup is the relation or adjustment of: Gear-Wings-Traction. In this paragraph, I am only going to give race technical data and not how getting the “ideal circuit setup”, and for traction equal to 100 ó T100 only. It must be assumed that the optimal setup does not exist, because we all don’t drive the same way, and each one adapts himself better or worse to a specific setup.

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If the race is in a circuit that I do not know, the first thing that I look for, is getting a good setup with gas and tires disable, either by myself or by Social Engineering, sending a private message this way: “Hey! Tell me your setup, tosser!!”

Getting race setup Once you have the ideal setup of the racetrack, forget about it, the race one will be totally different for sure. Wings for the race are often from 35 to 56 for almost every circuits, with only a few exceptions. Race lenght uses to be about 20-35 laps, then if you set a low wing you will burn your tires in a few laps, and you’ll end nowhere to go but boxes very quickly. If you set a high wing and the circuit has slow curves, you are going to lose long time in accelerating the car when you go heavy loaded. Then, you have to make the racetrack ideal setup fit into a 35-56 wings margin. The gear setup comes right after that. If the number of laps for you to come to pits is 10 for example, get out and try to load for 6 laps and adjust the gear so your car stays at least two seconds at top speed in the main straight, that way you squeeze to the max the relation acceleration-top speed. To be honest, do all of this setup thing by yourself, for what? Ask around, but please never do like this:

Its easier, use the Social Engineering, sending a private message this way: “Hey! Tell me your setup for the race tosser, you nerd!!”

Getting race strategy You should follow the golden key for race strategy: “Load for as much gas as your tires last for in the first stint, this way you are going to lose the less posible time waiting in boxes ”.The same as in Formula 1. ( Eg.: A 60 laps race they stops in laps 30 and 45. Why don’t 20 and 40? If you do that strategy to face the start, you will be able to do a really short last stint, of six laps or so, this will allow us controlling the race. You should make a decision of how many times and when are you going to stop at boxes. In worst case scenario you could delay your stops by setting a higher wing or wearing a set of hard tires. Once again, you don’t need to make this so complicated, the Social Engineering could be applied sending a private message this way: “Hey! Tell me when are you going to stop, tosser, or I’ll kill you nerd!!” Okay, we have explained the theory of how obtaining the setup and race strategy, now we are going deeper for some details more. Training Do not think that if you are close to the track record you are prepared for the race, if you have not practice it, even my grandma would beat you hard at the race. You are going to see that as in the Formula 1 and here in MRO, the victory comes to the ones who look over each petty detail. Of course, the more you practice the better the race will go out, but, usually there is a race per week and you have a limited spare time. 27 MiniRacinOnline Tips

How should we distribute the practice time for the race? If we do not know the racetrack, we should go back from where we started to get the ideal setup and the reference points to brake or to turn. I propose to make some warmup laps for the same target.

Optimize the tire wearing Well, I’m not the best one to talk about it, I’m well known for burning out the tires in less time than Hamilton does. Wath out, if you don’t want to be like Lewis you should take of the following, in relevance order:

Don’t press the brake that much. This has a huge importance when your gas tank is full, every time you brake hard you will find that you have lost half the tire in that bend, and Ron Denis will wait to telling you off at box. Don’t touch the walls. No need to polish them, somebody wash them for every race. Don’t go off the track. I know you like the country side but believe me it is for your own benefit. Don’t drift getting out the curve. That is for thugs. Don’t take too fast a long turn. Doesn’t mean anything to you that screech?

Check out the new references. The refence points you have by driving with no tires and gas, usually change for the race, depending on tha gas we have left and how our tires are. We need to know how our car are going to behave in those circunstances.

Drive safe. We should change a bit the way we drive when the race come, we don’t need to look for the best raceline everytime because it always goes too close to the wall, and that is risky, the smallest mistake make us lose time. It makes me laugh when somebody tell me after a race “Damn, if it wasn’t for the two crashes I had I would have won you…” my dear friend, don’t you realize that it is what is all about, if you drive always that aggressive you’ll pay for it at the end. You also need to learn how to rectify your path in case of any mistake, if you drive agressively you won’t have the time for it, then if you have had several crashes it is because you simply suck, and you need to improve to get a fast and safe driving skills.

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Deciding strategy Before the race you need to choose the strategy and setup and practice with it. The best way for it are the simulated races, but if you don’t have enough time you can have the same results trying the longer stint and the shorter one independently.

Entering pits. Last but not least, in order to control every detail, you should do a time trial mode simulation with an almost empty tank to practice the entering to pits for five minutes.

The race At boxes. Maybe I should tell you before that to join a race or a championship you need some sort of concentracion ability. If you don’t have it perhaps you better try with role playing games or so. Here you have to keep focus during the 15 to 25 minutes the race lasts, with any distraction your car goes out of bounds.

In both case, either if you have or you havent this capability, you need to increase your concentration and do whatever you have to keep you isolated for a while, turn off your cellphone, your phone, your partner, unexpected visitors, etc…Tell you partner/family your are going to play that little cars videogame with some other internet nerds and that you need nobody to disturb you, tell them you are going to earn money with it or something like that. I always try to be from 30 to 90 minutes before the race to be warm.

When the red lights turn off Taking it easy, with my 32 years old tranquility, I start trying to be calm and going a bit slow the first two laps, I know that I have the tank full and if I push I’m going to wear out my tires. After that, the machine starts to work, turn by turn I try to do my best, giving some room for a possible rectification.

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I need to stay calm if some cars let me behind easily, probably those ones are racing with less fuel in. I have to do “my race”. But that isn’t so always, in some racetracks you need to push more not to lose the pack that gives you the extratime with the drafting and saves fuel. I am a maniac of checking the tires condition, I press enter in almost every straight to check if they are still there. I also see how many laps remain for entering the pits. I always try to do a good stop, you can reduce 1 or 2 seconds if you do it well, if not, you can do a Hamilton. I already know how many litres I have to fill and I try to overfill one or two more. Same thing with the tires, I don’t like to take them to the limit, I could have a really bad time if I lose them. An example of a race where the drivers had tire problems (+X laps) or struggle with the fuel (fuel):

The lasts laps need you to pay special attention to keep you focus, in those laps is where people commit more errors.

If you follow the advices you surely will be good when the checkered flag goes down.

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Greatings to all the nerds in the world. Here another picture where you can see how important is to prepare a race.”

Not bad, fifth and seventh in those two pictures, I thought I were a worse driver. What an egocentric I am, always looking at me first in the photo, anyway I hope that results are good enough to obtain a pass from the teacher Lepanol and his operations guide he has shown us today. By the way, I do not remember that penalty of Donington but surely that was unfair.

31 MRO IN BRIEF

MOTOR

NASCAR. Equality reigns. Five races already disputed and it’s happening what we expected: equality. Ryan Newman started winning the Daytona 500, but two consecutive triumphs of Carl Edwards made him one of the big favorites to win the championship. Then followed the first victory since 1954 of a non-US manufacturated car, the Kyle Busch’s Toyota, and finally an historic win in Bristol of somebody who are determined to silence some criticism: Jeff Burton. The standings are leaded by Kyle Busch, but there are four in just 40 points, barely anything in Nascar.

F1. They begin to monitor BMW. Ferrari is no longer looking to only one rival. The Italian team responsible, are beginning to consider the possibility of having to fight in a not too distant future with BMW for each race. Stefano Domenicalli, team manager, said “We saw that BMW has also completed a great weekend. They will be in the fight for taking out points to us and McLaren, then we must respect them and much.” BMW are surprised on the wonderful beginning of the season and Mario Theissen is already thinking of how to scrape those few tenths that separate them from Ferrari and thus be on equal conditions to win races.

INDYCAR SERIES. Teams are being set up. Following the merger of the Indy and ChampCar (some call it the demise of the ChampCar), the pilots of the former category are looking for a place at Indy. Several already did so: Justin Wilson, Oriol Serviá, Ernesto Viso, Will Power, Franck Perera, Enrique Bernoldi… But there are still some great drivers that have not moved and nothing is known about their future, like the Canadian Paul Tracy, Mario Dominguez, Alex Tagliani, Catherine Legge… Probably many teams decision will be to wait until the last minute for inscriptions. Soon we will see.

RALLY. Loeb… the usual. There is no doubt that this one has a gift. Many years have passed and many rivals have been come and gone, but always Sebastian Loeb has remained in the fight for the World Rally Championship. His last victory was in the Rally of Mexico. The French driver was asked if he could avoid the authorities this time, because a few years ago in the same place a local policeman stopped his car because he was driving with a flat tire, and Loeb allowed himself to joke about it.

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GP2. Senna, marked forever? The pilot Bruno Senna is proud to be the nephew of a legend, but perhaps the pressure of everyone’s wanting to see again the magic of the family into the racetracks, is beginning to affect him. At the GP2 Series Asia in Dubai the Brazilian lacked some of the aggressiveness and genius who always had his uncle. He merely wait for a mistake of the race leader, and it didn’t happen, so Bruno settled for the second position. His uncle certainly would have tried, but his uncle was God disguised as a pilot.

MRO

And the judgement day arrived. Approximately 35,000 inactive users were vanished in the air and ranks were emptied. Not to be under notice makes it less spectacular to see that 150,000 records were blurred from one day to another. Those have been two more side effects of the new version, but as the plant wchich its dead leaves are taken away, looks much better now, the pace they are reaching new users we will be in the figures before deletion in a short time. In addition, the circuits are remodeled again regularly, with new nomenclature some of them, as a preparation for the future competition based rankings.

Circuits to come As can be seen in the “desarrollo” forum, they have prepared a list of circuits to come. In such inform it is marked the developer working on each racetrack, It can be seen things like Singapore and Valencia are already under construction, the second one in partnership by four different people. It is remarkable too that the circuits are separated by competitions, surely as the new rankings could be in the future, not only a F1 one, but MotoGP, SBK, Rally, Nascar, DTM, etc.…

33 MiniRacinOnline MRO in Brief

Call center Marca championship has brought many new players and with them some confusion. The game chat has been very crowded since then by people who were unable to connect or had any questions. Many players and veterans here have offered to lend a hand to the lost players from the same chat room. Anyway, one of the version 98 news is an help icon at the top right of the game screens, we have to recommend its use to reduce such problems in the future.

Online rankings In the absence of other rankings, they are active but they can’t be taken seriously because the few functional circuits and the ranking restructuring plans, we have the online ranking. Leaded for many days for Maximilian and followed by Alvaro_sl and Ballackov, is a ranking based on the online races and our results in them. The figure, between zero and one hundred, beneath our player on the boxes screen, denotes this rank . You can see the complete list in section Estadisticas /Puntuacion on the website (only in Spanish at the moment).

SEEN IN THE FORUM.

Strategy For less expert drivers, Zerocoult presents us a small program to decide strategies in the race. We will have to try it.

Happy Birthday Some of the most active forum writers, legend drivers and famous characters, are one year older now, among them Alicentric, Toro, Pocotico, Kamikaze or Yamik…

New version! As first was announced in this magazine, we have an MRO new version, with great news. After a period of time with almost not a breakthrough in the game, neither new beta versions came out, there has been the big surprise. The 98 is out.

Questions, comments and suggestions. As with any new release, forum are filled with new posts. Many of the comments focused on the new bots, but the ABS option doesn’t stay behind. They have already begun the initial suggestions for this release: safety car, the possibility of changing settings at box, improving crashes, etc…

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Circuits After a standby time, the developing forum leaves us two stories. Rayben1982 announced his return after 3 years outside the MRO. On the other hand, we are surprised The_Magic embarking onthe project to make Phillip Island. Alvaro_SL and Tonet_84 have brought them their first advices.

Cars, cars, cars. Vivndum remains submitting news and every time he posts he gives us a bunch of new vehicles. Any automobile factory would like to have him on the payroll, because of his effectiveness. Morespeed is also trying with some F1 models.

Mechanics! We have circuits and cars, and seems that finally the mechanics are coming. After many months their development keeps going, Larin said that he will create the 2008 ones.

Installers To ease the installation of the game and its updates they have launched exe downloading files. At the forum, Tnathos and Claudiosan give us a number of indications and they were presented along with the videotutorials.

New players Whether it is or not because the Marca championship, the point is that the number of players is increasing. Some leave us their greetings on the forum, like Pablo23, Lucas5, Gabb, the Indonesian Rendy This also can be seen in the technical support forum, which is full of questions.

Television The change of television rights in Spain for next year is giving a lot to speak at the Formula 1 forum. If that journalist this if the other one that…

35 MiniRacinOnline Gratitudes

NOTHING MORE FOR THIS MONTH, WE FAREWELL ANNOUNCING THAT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, MRO MAGAZINE PREPARES THE FIRST MRO CHAMPIONSHIP OF SPAIN. A PLAYOFFS EVENT THAT WILL BE COVERED IN FULL BY THE MAGAZINE, REVIEWING RACES FROM START TO FINISH LIKE NEVER HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE. AN AFTER THAT, WHEN WE GET A SPANISH CHAMPION, WE WILL GO FOR THE WORLD CUP. SOON THERE WILL BE MORE INFORMATION.

MRO Magazine contact: We want your suggestions and comments [email protected] – [email protected] 36