rec.autos.simulators

I got online just before the race started so I started at the back of the
grid.
I made a few errors at the start and found myself around 8 seconds behind
the car in front.  I then proceeded to catch him at 2 seconds a lap till he
was slow round Parabolica at which point I got alongside him down the
straight.  I waited till he hit his brakes then got round the outside into
turn 1.

Now all this is well and good, but I realised that I was feeling EXACTLY
what I felt during real racing.  I was talking myself round every corner,
trying to control the adrenaline rush, watching the other drivers for their
weaknesses, testing them to see how they'd react, the whole nine yards.  I
couldn't believe how true to life the whole experience was.  If you want to
know how if FEELS to really race, then GPL online will do it for you =)

So, for any newbies (like me) who are hesitating about getting
online....don't wait any longer.  Try it, you'll love it.
I was worried that my Monza PB of 1:29:10 would not be good enough to race
online, but the practice times ranged from 1:28:05 to 1:34:XX.  Plenty scope
there for everyone.

Cheers,
...Colin

P.S.  I still came last, (limped home on 3 wheels) but hey I had FUN!!!!

I try to tell my friends about the experience and they just don't get
it. I have just begun to race karts and the feelings I get in GPL have
helped a lot when trying to deal with a difficult new situation in
karting. The more I can relax in GPL the more I can relax behind the
kart wheel. And if you think about it, it's not about turning a fast
lap, it's about the mental discipline it takes to get you around the
track focusing on the important things that will get you to the finish
sooner. It's those mental hurdles that create the challenge and the REAL
thrill of racing. Do you need thousands of dollars, the smell of
gasoline, and looong weekends to develop the skills and feel the
thrills? Or will a computer do just fine? I'm not that great at either
karting or GPL but for a genuine 'experience' of racing GPL IS the real
thing.

Larry

BTW I have tried shifter karts but can't even imagine a twin engined
kart. Probably a little too fast for me.

Colin.

I too race prokarts. Indeed I have done so for some years now.
Needless to say that I no longer get butterflies when racing. GPL however
still gets the stomach churning at every league race. I hope it never feels
any other way. Welcome to the club and enjoy.

MS and I'm used to the butterflies, the

There is some fun stuff here....

Ken