rec.autos.simulators

It's been a while since I've posted a note here, but I've been racing
Nascar 2 for about a year now (though I  use the term "racing"
loosely).  I don't participate in off-line leagues, but my racing is
against the AI cars for the most part.

Anyhow, I received as a Father's Day gift from my family, the Richard
Petty Driving Experience "Rookie" program.  This is 8 laps around Pikes
Peak International Raceway (at least in my case), a one-mile D-shaped
oval.  This is as real as it gets folks, and not to be confused with the
"Ride-Along" program, where  you sit in the passenger seat while a
regular Petty driver does the driving.  Why am I writing this?  I just
want to say that for a 1-dimensional simulator, the folks at Papyrus are
doing a great job, however, after finishing my 8 laps today, I realized
that N2 is and always will be a game.  I love N2 (evident by my late
night racing), but I assumed all the hours racing around Richmond might
actually prepare me for the 1-mile oval at Pikes Peak.

I know, I'm not saying anything most of you don't already know, but for
me it was a fantastic experience. These are some characteristics I would
love to see implemented in N3:

1. Less  braking required on some of the 1-mile tracks.  Granted, I only
averaged 125 mph today, but the instructors were adamant about telling
us NOT to touch the brakes at all coming into the corners.  Also, we
were not to lift the throttle but maybe a half-inch (at the lift cone),
and to immediately get back on it at the throttle cone.  When racing at
N2's Richmond track, I'm on the brake all the time coming into the
corners.

2. The decleration could be much improved with N3.  The deceleration
combined with the "suck you in the seat" kind of Gs really is a thrill,
and the way the car actually sticks in the corners is absolutely
awesome.

On a final note, if you have an opportunity to experience the "Rookie"
driving experience, TAKE IT!  It's a little pricy, at $320, but I'm
already planning on it again for next year!  I would love to take it at
C***te, or Las Vegas.

Regards,
Dale
Colorado Springs

Try Walt Disney World Speedway.  That's a great 1 mile track.  They also had
the ride along only at Daytona last summer.  I'm not sure what the dates are
this year, if they still have it.
Racer X
Veteran Sim Racer
Victory Lane-
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/1423/

Amen.

Parke Cochran
Talladega, AL

RD-RACER MRA #926

On Sat, 27 Jun 1998 22:06:49 -0600, Dale Chavez

 Funny, that's the -very- first thing I noticed in NS2, an extreme
lack of deceleration when lifting off the power, especially entering
corners.

 It takes great energy to get those cars rolling fast, and there
should be a relative amount of force, slowing the car too (when
letting off the throttle). It's not quite there, but still fun!

 Maybe someone can delve into NS2 code, and create better deceleration
for NS2. It's still a very good sim!

-Teehole

Quote: "Many games create the ultimate technological experience, but falter
when it comes to creating a compelling story to keep gamers interested".<<

Author:Tim Royal,Computer Games Strategy Plus.

I too just took the "Experience" at the WDW Speedway. A couple of
notes from my trip around the asphalt oval:

1. Our instructor informed us not to touch the brakes also but went
into greater detail. First of all the cars are geared slightly
different allowing for greater deceleration when you lift the
throttle, second if we slowed much more we would fall too far behind
the car in front of us and this is a bad thing, and third at the
speeds we were going the car would stick to the track without having
to hit the brakes.

2. When we first got put into teams we were asked if we had any racing
experience. I mentioned "Just on the computer with Nascar Racing 2".
The instructor said, "You'd be suprised how much that will help."
I got paired off around the track with a guy who had 10 years dirt
track experience. He averaged 121.4 and came in second out of 16
people. He got beat by the guy with Nascar Racing 2 experience, me,
who averaged 121.5. (The speed restriction is 120 mph at Disney.)

3. I came home and fired up N2 and went to the track doing 120. I
stuck in the game just like I did at the track.

4. All in all, it was the experience of a lifetime for me (besides the
birth of my children) and it is something I will be doing again. My
wife even suggested once a year and every couple of years upgrading to
a higher package (God I love that woman).

Richard Sava

I did the RPDE at Vegas (the 30-lap package) in April.  I was 5th fastest
at 148.8.  The fastest guy did 150.1.  Next time you go, you should do
Vegas - it's a nice facility and you have something to do at night when
you're not racing.  I'm going back next year for the 80-lap package.
There is NO greater thrill.

--
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