September 27, 2015

 

If you know you'll be last - why do you bother? Simon Smith's inaugural piece for GPVWC discusses just what motivates the back row of the grid.
88 races at GPVWC. One points scoring finish. Simracing's equivalent of Piercarlo Ghinzani I may well be, but just how does someone at the back of the grid muster up the energy to keep coming back for more?

For my first column of many inches, I feel duty bound to talk about life at the tail end of the grid. Lets face it - in league racing I have been there most of my life. Its no less challenging even if points wise it can be much less rewarding. I can chart my online racing antics back to the turn of the century (that retrospective is something else I'll tackle another day) and one thing has always been the case: the battles are as full on over 31st as they are over 1st. There is a place on the grid for backmarkers and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Why?

Someone has to come last and if its not me then its someone whom expects or aims to win or score points. When they come last, often that leads to de-motivation, negativity and embarrassment. That often leads to quitting. Then who becomes the backmarkers? The people used to being a solid midfielder and so the cycle begins again. The reason why some of those people quit is down to not meeting expectations based on performance.

If I had a pound for each time I heard "I should have been top 15" or "I had the pace to win and I let it slip away" I'd be richer than half the F1 grid. I find that people whom base their enjoyment in Simracing purely on results are often the people whom struggle for motivation, happiness and longevity in competing. Often beforehand you get a magical spark of "must try harder" and a night or two of set up testing hell. Sure trying harder is a worthy cause, but sometimes it's better to take satisfaction from other aspects of the sport.

After a decade of league racing, I have learnt to have realistic expectations and getting my pleasure from other areas of the sport.

My pleasure comes from getting off the backrow. Having a fantastic race long battle where someone is respectful yet firm on track. Saving it when I have overshot my clearly limited skill level. Over the years I have honed the ability to drag a car out of any gravel grap (except Jerez - no one gets out of there alive!). I pride myself on decent racecraft, fairplay and aiming for a 100% finish record every season. If I grab some points its a bonus. Others pride themselves at winning at all cost. I know that my satisfaction level is a bit more achievable and therefore I know I won't burnout any time soon.

Outside the car, there's a community to behold. If that's the teamspeak banter that starts off with "oh no I am slower than Smithy" or its the in game chat where others are genuinely trying to help me close the gap - I feel like I know where my place is. Its the safety net of assurance that as long as you don't make a pigs ear of it, you'll probably beat and avoid the last few positions.

Does that mean my battle for 35th on the grid means I'm not trying hard? Am I not invested in my favourite hobby and pastime passion? No of course not. I am just as enthusiastic and as passionate as the person grabbing pole position. I may not have the level of craftsmanship or the skill to pull that extra second out of the car - but that doesn't mean I am less deserving to take part. One of the more interesting arguments that happens once in a while is the "you shouldn't be racing if your slow". I would argue you shouldn't be racing if you aren't respectful to others on track.

There is also the Minardi-esque quality of the underdog. When things are going well everyone's behind you. I can feel others pushing me on for the rare good result that comes my way. those days are priceless and show me why I will continue to prop up grids as long as I've got an accelerator!

Here's to community and to remembering why we all went racing in the first place - the on track fun!