rec.autos.simulators

Hi .

Just wanted to know the pros and cons of driving either manual or
automatic.

Which method would be recommended for novices trying to learn?

Thanks.

Learn with automatic to get used to the physics, as soon as your comfortable
switch to manual.  Manual is much faster.  When it shifts in automatic, it
waits about an extra half second before sliding it into gear, this was done
so that someone can't have an unfair advantage with the auto gearbox.  Hope
this helps.
Jesse

On Tue, 09 Mar 1999 16:49:30 +0800, SARTONO

 You may as well go ahead and learn to drive without any driving aids.
It's awful at first but ,stick with it. Auto shifting slows you down
and doesn't allow you to "steer" with the throttle. Throttle control
and gear selection are key elements of GPL.
  Regarding your other post. Concentrate on doing as many laps as you
can without going off , even if you are slow. It sounds silly but if
you are constantly off the track you will never get into a "groove".
Once you can get around the track consistently without fighting the
car you will find that your lap times will begin to creep up. The guys
that you see posting incredible lap times have invested copious
amounts of time in order to be that fast.
  I'm assuming you are new to GPL so might I also make these
suggestions.
 - Use the "racing groove" as a guide for your braking points. It is
darker in the braking zones.
 -Turn in earlier than you think.
 - Get Alison Hine's Coventry setups and use the Cov to train with. It
will make you faster in all of the cars. (and it's a great car anyway)
 - Get online and race with us.  It's more interesting than doing lap
after lap by yourself. If you join an "open" race , no one expects you
to be fast. Just use your mirrors and be curteous.
   See you at the track.

Well, I just found out why I am so slow...  I'm still in automatic
transmission...  Ugh.  I can't drive manual in racing games worth crap, I still
blow my motor on ICR2 if I got manual even!  Ugh...  Do I have to clutch when I
shift?

Dan Belcher
Team Racing Unlimited

 Not in GPL , if thats what you are asking. But unlike ICR2 you do
have to "lift" the throttle to keep from over-reving.

Dan,

No, don't need to clutch (thankfully). BUT you DO have to LIFT when
shifting. If not, you'll zing the motor in no time. Just a slight, quick
lift is all you need. Try it, you'll get the hang of it! :-)

--Dave

--
Dave Schwabe
The Aussie Toad -- Grand Prix Legends & Brabham site
http://users.wi.net/~schwabe

No need to clutch, just feather the throttle ever so slightly. You'll hear
when it's OK. Just like a real car.

/petern

He-he... So when you get to drive a real car you can say "Hey, this is almost
as realistic as GPL!"

As for changing gears in real life, I guess I should keep my mouth shut. I
drive an automatic right now.  :-)

/petern