rec.autos.simulators

For me, the thing that made the Coventry easier to drive was Alison
Hine's superb setups. But once I converted those setups for use with
the Lotus, I found the Lotus easiest to drive! (To convert them, just
change the file extensions from *.co1 to *.l01 - in the
gpl/players/(driversname)/setups/(trackname) folders - you have to
rename the file for each track. Make sure you rename a *copy* of the
original file so you still have the Coventry setups).

I've found these setups work for me with every car - I just have to
change the gearing, and copying whatever is the default gearing for
the car I'm using usually is about right.

But I have started using Graeme Nash's Lotus setup at Monza, which
also seems very forgiving though a little trickier than Alison's, and
find I have gained a second per lap. So I think I may have reached the
limit using "Alison's converted setups" - it's probably time for me to
work out what it is about the setups that suits my driving, then tweak
them.

Good luck

Alan.

  First off the Cooper has a nice even torgue range so you can hear
the power come on evenly instaed of all of a sudden which tends to
break the rears loose.The coventry has a longer wheel base(distance
from front to rear axle) andtrack width(distance from left to right
tires).What this does is minimize the effects of weight transfer of
the car.For example,the short wheel base of the Brabham  makes it very
twitchy to drive since the weight more easily transfers off the rear
tires causing it to be too tail happy.Being able to control this well
will make for a quicker car on twisty circuits since you can really
throw it around but gives it a very hard to drive feel to it.The same
as you I have found the Lotus to be simple to drive since it
understeers so much.The secret to being fast in the Lotus is to keep
the cars rear sliding with throttle to counteract this understeer.It
has such huge grippy rears and lots of torque that it rockets out of
corners but enters them slower due top the undeersteer.I believe that
a Nascar will handle more like the Lotus then the other cars in GPL
since the motor is up front.Well just have to see.
Skeeter

There is a big learning curve in GPL to the first level.  From there it
seems that the learning never stops.  Next curve leads to the next
plateau and on and on. . .  

First step is to find comfortable setups (whether the defaults with
minor tweaks or Alison's Coventry or Honda setups).  Then stick with
these until you reach your first plateau (which should be consistent
fast laps).  Then you may wish to start experimenting with other setups.
Even if you can't drive worth beans with them (which I usually can't).
Take a look at the setup and try to see the difference in them and the
one's you are comfortable with.  Then try some of the shock or swaybar
settings to see how they translate and affect your comfortable setups.
You will begin to see how certain settings will affect the handling of
the car.  

Now climb to the next plateau, which should be faster consistent laps.

Now comes the fun part....   This is assuming that all of the above has
taken place with a particular marque.  Now take a different car out to
the track and work on a setup that will get you consistent laps.  You
should find that you have developed new techniques with the new marque
than you used in your previous car.  Go back to your old marque and try
these new techniques out in it.  You may just find that you have reached
a new plateau of even faster consistent laps.

Another tip.... Race online, but spend part of the time observing other
drivers attack the track.

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

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