Teams from around the Verse converge on the Stanton system every year, to take part in the Stanton Loop. Whether you run a hauling organization, or you’re just a group of friends with a small hauling ship, you can register to race in The Loop. All you need is a ship, a crew, and a support team.[/text_block]
Most smaller teams crew ships owned by one or more members of the crew. This can be an advantage, as people who work and live in the ship they race, know their ship down to the rivets in the bulkheads. In an endurance race, that knowledge is invaluable.[/text_block]
The Support Crew follows the racecraft, outside the course bounds, in a support ship. This support craft contains extra parts, fuel, equipment and ammunition for the racecraft, resupplying the racecraft at strategic points during the race. Such a long race would not be possible for an unaided race crew, no matter how good they are.
There are no restrictions on the type of support craft, or the number or type of support crew, as such support crew is not in physical contact with the racecraft while it is actively racing. Crew swapping is grounds for disqualification.[/text_block]
- Captain
- Pilot
- Engineer
- Load Master
The Captain is in charge of the crew, and makes decisions about how the ship will maneuver, and when. The Pilot executes the maneuvers given by the Captain. The best Pilots can make their ships literally dance, pirouetting on a single point in space. The Engineer handles shipboard systems, such as power, shields, and is in charge of repairs, should they be needed. The Load Master is in charge of the cargo. In a race where the object is cargo delivery, it can be argued that this is the most important part of the crew.
On the bigger ships, more crew is needed to handle all the tasks such a ship requires. These can include a Co-pilot, Astrogator and gunners. Since the race is well publicized, and the course runs through unreported space, having gunners who know what they’re doing, is imperative.[/text_block]
There will be awards for first, second and third place in each race class. Those awards include a trophy, as well as other merchandise, that will be determined before the race.
Do You Have What It Takes?
Official Race Team signup forms will be available Soon™. Registration is opened for a limited time each year, so don’t wait to register, or you may end up watching the race from the sidelines. The official start of open registration will be broadcast across the Verse on Spectrum.[/text_block]