The track is installed with a executable which I had seen before in the
Bermgarten release. It installed and updated the *.ini files with no
problems. There are very nicely done program graphics for the track as well.
My overall impression is how "professionally" done everything looks. After a
couple of hours on the track, I can't recall any graphic glitches worth
mentioning. Quality and detail are everywhere.
A short tour of the track follows. My apologies for not using the turn
names given in the program, but I haven't been able to get a decent
screenshot since installed the D3D patch. I have used the names given in the
Atlas of Motor Racing by Joe Saward which has a couple of pages on
Anderstorp. The names may not match up, and I apologize for any confusion.
There are two fabulous banked turns right after the start/finish, the second
one (Opel) leads out onto a short straight and "encourages" you to throw the
car off the track by coming on the power too soon. Then a right angle turn
to the left followed by a right-hand sweeper (the Karusell) that ends near
the pits entrance (the pits are not located at the start/finish line). Right
after the pits entrance is an extremely tight 120 degree left turn
(Gislaved) which I have messed all in all sorts of fun ways. Powering out of
the turn you might be able to go up one gear before reaching a right hand
sweeper (Sodra) which is very reminisant of the Parabolica at Monza, where
it's important to get on the power early enough to get good speed on the
straightaway that follows. The straight is actually a runaway marked off at
the start and finish with cones. There is a wonder bump at each end of the
section, as you climb up onto the runway surface and then drop back down off
it. The bump at the start makes acceleration interesting and the drop off at
the end occurs just about where you (or at least me) would like to start
braking. For those who's courage fails them, it is possible to continue on
the runway and then cut across the grass. The next corner (Norra) is a 90
degree right followed by a short straight, another right (Loktor) and then
you are on the start/finish straight again.
If the great track, excellent graphics and easy install weren't enough,
there is also the AI. It's fabulous. They fight, they dive inside to make
passes, they even occasionally knock one another off the road. And they are
fast. I am not a good racer (I'm not being modest; my GPLRank is 324!) and I
play GPL for the racing against the AI, not for the setting of endless
Personal Bests. I use the AITweak so I have a chance to actually pass
someone, and so it's important to me that the AI opposition also be
aggressive. At Anderstorp they certainly are.
So all in all a great, great new track.
PS. Could the people who built the great AI for this track take a look at
Brands Hatch? I love that track, but the AI won't pass worth a damn. It's
discouraging to see Clark and Brabham run away from the field and then get
stopped by the first backmarker they come across :-(