Well as most everyone knows, we are coming up to the 10th Annual Online 500. Yes thats right, 2008 marks the 9th straight year, or 10th time this even will be run. I am proud to have kept this event going for so long, and as of now I do not plan on breaking this streak.
However, as many of you know I have been known to change things up from time to time. If we were to run N2003 again, it would be the 5th straight year with it. I think we can all agree the game has run its course and with the loss of support from Sierra, we lose many features that helped make the event work well with this platform.
Recently announcements have been made of upcoming new racing sims. Finally something for the hardcore online racers to look forward to after close to 5 years of the same ole same ole. Rather than run the 10th Annual event "just another year".... I would like to make the 2008 Online 500 a little more unique than just using the same game for the 5th straight year with some minor tweaking of tracks and cars. It is my hope that at least one of the companies making release announcements will come through sometime in the spring.
As of now, I have decided to push the 2008 Online 500 back into spring/summer (hopefully around April or May). Yes I know, the schedule of events that we have used since the inception has worked so well, but I am hoping that it will be worth it when one of the new releases comes out. If by then, nothing has come out, we will most likely go ahead with another event with N2003. Hopefully we will not have to resort to that and waste keeping with tradition and running during our normal time.
So just a heads up. The 2008 Online 500 is still on, it will just not be during the normal dates. Meanwhile to fill the void, we will probably still hold some sort of an online racing event using either RFactor or Live for Speed. Both games provide a reasonably stable multiplayer platform and in many cases can be quite fun. More details on this can be found here within the next few weeks to a month.
I want to thank everyone for their continued support over the years. THis event has had its ups and downs as many know. However, overall it has been quite an experience and I look forward to keeping the experience going hopefully this next spring/summer. And for those wondering... yes, for 2009 the event will get back on track for January/February.
Again, sorry for any inconvenience, especially to those who have already started testing. I assure you in the end this will make for a much better 2008 Online 500.
Chris Shearburn
Online 500 Founder & Director
www.online500.com
