rec.autos.simulators

Having just obtained a machine capable of running this game (PowerMac
7600) I finally bought a copy.  Is there a web site or FAQ for this
game that includes any Mac specific info?  All I've looked at so far
seem to cater to users of the PC versions.

My problem at the moment is in using ICR2 with my Thrustmaster joystick/
throttle from flight sim use.  The stick works fine, but I'm encountering
a problem with the buttons.  I've programmed buttons on the stick or
throttle for gas, brakes, and reverse.  They work fine, but after 15
seconds or so (typically before I've exited the pits) they suddenly
stop working.  The keyboard keys still work, so I assume it's a problem
with the Thrustmaster software.  In the strokes file I've got both key
states and key events turned on, and "extend while held" set for each
of the buttons.

I haven't attempted to use the Thrustmaster in an application where
I keep a button depressed for a long time before, so I don't know if
this is an ICR2 specific problem or a generic problem with holding
a button down for extended periods of time.  I haven't updated to
Thrustware version 2.0 yet - would this make any difference?

Thanks in advance for any advice.  So far I'm enjoying the game quite
a bit, but I'd much rather use the Thrustmaster buttons than the
keyboard.  Driving Laguna on the sim was interesting - I drove an open-
track event at the real track just a few weeks ago, so it was interesting
to compare my knowledge of the real Laguna with the sim.  Overall its
very good, but some areas don't quite seem right.  For instance, the
entrance to the Corkscrew isn't tight enough - I should have to rotate
the car further in 8a.  (It's also missing the oak trees I use for my
reference points on the real track.)  Turn 2 doesn't seem right either,
it doesn't feel like it makes the full 180 degrees on the sim - the
corner entry seems OK, but the exit and short-chute to 3 are off
somehow.

Still, the amount of realism is impressive.  Seeing things like the
media center and the turn 10 corner worker stand flash by do give an
impression of "being there".

Andre
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Andre Molyneux                     Sun Microsystems Computer Company

I highly recommend this as your first step. By the way, might not ICR2
recognize and handle your joystick directly? With my Gravis Firebird and
with my T2 steering wheel (also from Thrustmaster), the software
recognizes and handles them directly, making it unnecessary to even visit
the joystick's/wheel's own setup software. You might try not loading any
game set and see what happens.

I am incredibly jealous!

Jim

: > ...
: > I haven't updated to Thrustware version 2.0 yet - would this make any
: > difference?

: I highly recommend this as your first step. By the way, might not ICR2
: recognize and handle your joystick directly?

The program does recognize the stick, that's not a problem.  However, I
don't believe any application reads the buttons directly.  I guess I'll
try switching the accelerator back to the mouse button and see if this
works (I believe the trigger is always the same as the mouse button),
but brakes, reverse, and shifting would be nice to have as well...

Thanks for the info, guess I'll try downloading Thrustware 2.0.

Andre
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Andre Molyneux                     Sun Microsystems Computer Company

Donavon

Jim