rec.autos.simulators

by **Schlom** » Sat, 16 Jan 1999 04:00:00

I havent experienced the joys of racing with other GPL racers via VROC cause my
AT&T Worldnet wont work lately and im stuck with AOL (or actually SOL). Anyway
i was wondering if a time that is maybe 5 secs off the pace of the real
hotshoes is good enough to be competitive. My Personal Bests and Averages are:
Best Average
Monza- 1:30.95 1:33.xx
Kyalami- 1:26.65 1:29.xx
Mexico- 1:59.xx 2:02.xx
Spa- 3:30.99 3:31.xx
Watkins- 1:09.83 1:10.xx
Mosport- 1:26.xx 1:30.xx

Those are the only tracks i have much practice on but im getting better at the
others and im improving these times as well. I can place in the top ten against
AI pretty consistantly. Also I drive fairly well (ie. not taking out half the
field). Plus driving the BRM or Eagle most of the time i would give the field
some diversity.

If these times can hack it (and i get my worldnet back) i might try online
racing sometime.

Chris

by **T.Galvi** » Sun, 17 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Online racing is becoming very competitive a 130.xx at monza would be lucky
to get into the top 10. In fact few of those lap times will get you into the
ten on the grid.
Practice practice practice.

Todd

by **Paul Jone** » Sun, 17 Jan 1999 04:00:00

The key to doing well at online racing is not to crash, spin or blow you engine. A
typical race at Monza will see half the cars wrecked at the start or at turn 1. The
best drivers turn in 1:28s at Monza and I would say that in an average ten
competitor race you will have one 1:28er, three 1:29ers, four 1:30ers and two
outside these times though it is very variable. You can expect as many as four
disconnects during the race so if you keep it tight, drive carefully and near your
best time you may even achieve a top three position. VROC is a lot more fun than
racing the AI cars or hotlapping, even if you are not the fastest and nothing will
improve your times more than online racing. Some of the fast lapper are very
generous with their tips and some of them will take time out to watch you lap and
feedback tips to you. Expect to be putting in better and better times and after a
while even winning a race or two. When I first went on VROC I was lapping at 1:33
at Monza, now I can do comfortable 1:29s and get dissapointed with a 1:30. Get
online - you won't regret it.
Paul

> I havent experienced the joys of racing with other GPL racers via VROC cause my
> AT&T Worldnet wont work lately and im stuck with AOL (or actually SOL). Anyway
> i was wondering if a time that is maybe 5 secs off the pace of the real
> hotshoes is good enough to be competitive. My Personal Bests and Averages are:
> Best Average
> Monza- 1:30.95 1:33.xx
> Kyalami- 1:26.65 1:29.xx
> Mexico- 1:59.xx 2:02.xx
> Spa- 3:30.99 3:31.xx
> Watkins- 1:09.83 1:10.xx
> Mosport- 1:26.xx 1:30.xx

> Those are the only tracks i have much practice on but im getting better at the
> others and im improving these times as well. I can place in the top ten against
> AI pretty consistantly. Also I drive fairly well (ie. not taking out half the
> field). Plus driving the BRM or Eagle most of the time i would give the field
> some diversity.

> If these times can hack it (and i get my worldnet back) i might try online
> racing sometime.

> Chris

by **Tadej Krev** » Tue, 19 Jan 1999 04:00:00

I say you'd be a midfield driver with those times...
Don't mind about the best times, they're always 1sec or more slower online (you
can't go flat out if you want to finish, and you can't flat-shift, you must ease
off throttle before shifting and that costs time). Just go to VROC and come racing,
but respect all those flags (blue ones ;o)), I personally hate it when I catch up
the backmarkers and they swerve all over the track and fighting me like they would
do if we were fighting for position.
I'd advise all drivers before they start racing online that they should run a
race or 2 offline at that track and learn where are the overtaking places and where
ther are NOT. I see many drivers overtaking into turn #1 at Monza which is baaad,
especially if you have a driver infront of you who is already braking late. And
learn where is the best place to let faster guys pass you. If you resist, they will
force their way through anyway, which may result in a crash (with bad words after
the race) or you going way offline and loosing much more time then you actually
would if you'd brake a bit earlier then usuall and let the other driver pass (but
fightas much as you can, if it's for position ;o))

Tadej Krevh
Lotus Internet Racing
http://members.xoom.com/LotusRacing/

> I havent experienced the joys of racing with other GPL racers via VROC cause my
> AT&T Worldnet wont work lately and im stuck with AOL (or actually SOL). Anyway
> i was wondering if a time that is maybe 5 secs off the pace of the real
> hotshoes is good enough to be competitive. My Personal Bests and Averages are:
> Best Average
> Monza- 1:30.95 1:33.xx
> Kyalami- 1:26.65 1:29.xx
> Mexico- 1:59.xx 2:02.xx
> Spa- 3:30.99 3:31.xx
> Watkins- 1:09.83 1:10.xx
> Mosport- 1:26.xx 1:30.xx

> Those are the only tracks i have much practice on but im getting better at the
> others and im improving these times as well. I can place in the top ten against
> AI pretty consistantly. Also I drive fairly well (ie. not taking out half the
> field). Plus driving the BRM or Eagle most of the time i would give the field
> some diversity.

> If these times can hack it (and i get my worldnet back) i might try online
> racing sometime.

> Chris

by **DAVI** » Wed, 20 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Good advice on the practising offline to get used to the game. I do have a
question on the blue flag. To me it is too warn me when someone is
following closely. Sometimes I do not know if the person behind me is
someone trying to lap me or if they are racing for a postion. GPL does not
define that till I would cross the start finish and find that the guy who
has the postion behind me is father back then the guy behind me. Should I
give up a psotion due to the fact a driver is behind me close enough to get
the corner crews to show me the blue flag. Addtionaly I have seen in SCCA
racing where the blue flag was shown and a driver broke off a challenge to
a car infront of him to let a faster driver thru. Should have have given
up his possible pass to let someone else thru. My personal opinion on the
blue flag is it for information and also its the responsiblity of the
passer to make a clean pass whether you are lapping a car or passing for
postion. I don't think this is done very much online in any series.

Dave

by **Lindsay Adam** » Wed, 20 Jan 1999 04:00:00

I came 4 th at monza in the honda with a best of 1:31.1, and have won at
silverstione on my second time at the track (in the cooper). Both of these
examples are not due to good driving, more due to bad driving of others.

Don't worry about your times, get in there and race. The quick boys will
pass you if they need to (as long as you give them some space).

-Lindsay

by **Michael E. Carve** » Wed, 20 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Under practice sessions, the blue flag is an indication that someone is
indeed following closely. Based on how quickly they came up on you to
cause the blue flag, would indicate as to whether they are faster than
you.

In race conditions, it is an indication that a driver is about to lap
you. However, on rare occasions (usually on the first lap), GPL
sometimes mistakenly has the steward show the blue flag during the race.
Using common sense should tell you to ignore the flag. However, as you
progress in the race, you should be aware of who you are doing battle
with (in front and behind you) and their distance. Then if you are
indeed driving slower than the leaders, it should be evident that a fast
approaching car in your mirrors and a blue flag in front indicates that
you are about to be lapped. [One more time that GPL may display an
errant blue flag: When the checkered flag is shown, corner workers do
display various colored flags and on occasion, you may see a blue
flag.]

From the readme.txt file: Blue: The blue flag means that a car is
approaching you from behind and may wish to pass. This is an advisory
flag only. You are not required to let the car pass. In races, the
blue flag is only displayed if the car behind is one or more laps ahead
of you. This usually means that it is a faster car, so pay more
attention to it in races.

Common race driver "courtesy" is that under race situations (and even
practice -- unless you are on that "hot lap"), one honors the blue
flag as soon as it is "convinient" and "safe" to do so. In other
words, if you are indeed hotly contesting a position with the driver in
front of you continue, your battle. However, do not "race" with the car
behind you. If they attempt to pass, don't go out of your way to block
them or drag with them down a straight. Usually within a lap or two,
you should be able to find a "safe" spot to allow them to pass.

Again, it is just a "courtesy" and hopefully one that will be returned
to you in the near future.

% Good advice on the practising offline to get used to the game. I do have a
% question on the blue flag. To me it is too warn me when someone is
% following closely. Sometimes I do not know if the person behind me is
% someone trying to lap me or if they are racing for a postion. GPL does not
% define that till I would cross the start finish and find that the guy who
% has the postion behind me is father back then the guy behind me. Should I
% give up a psotion due to the fact a driver is behind me close enough to get
% the corner crews to show me the blue flag. Addtionaly I have seen in SCCA
% racing where the blue flag was shown and a driver broke off a challenge to
% a car infront of him to let a faster driver thru. Should have have given
% up his possible pass to let someone else thru. My personal opinion on the
% blue flag is it for information and also its the responsiblity of the
% passer to make a clean pass whether you are lapping a car or passing for
% postion. I don't think this is done very much online in any series.

% Dave

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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./. [- < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

by **DAVI** » Wed, 20 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Well when I have run the AI I have always gotten a blue flag when ever some
one is bhind me close not just a lapping car, tho it may be different
online tho since I have not run that much. I do agree that a when racing
you should know who is behind you and infront and the time distance, since
this helps a driver pace himself. And if GPL only shows a blue flag when a
lapping driver shows up in your mirrors then yes you should move over on a
straight and let him pass, but my small amount onf online racing has not
shown this, and when racing the AI any car behind me broughht out the blue
flag.

Dave

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