rec.autos.simulators

Reading some of the posts here it seems that most people have never been
near the real thing let alone driven one. In my opinion the game closest to
getting it right is Grand Prix Legends, though this is still a little way
off the real thing.

I am not seeking confrontation but I am genuinely interested to know how
people conclude a game feels real?

Comments appreciated.

'Our Kid'

Curiously, I found that my GPL driving improved after the real
experience because I had a much greater understanding of the physics.
I highly recommend to anyone that they go out and try autocrossing
regardlesss of what you drive as it's a real eye-opening experience.
Just do a search on your local racing club and I'm sure you'll find
some dates.  Usually, it's cheap, open and all you need is a DOT
helemet (often supplied).

Cheers,
Simon

Dave McLeod

Yeah, I've driven real race cars (and wrote the strategy guide that shipped
with GPL).

I was the Editor of Car and Driver in the 1960s, and we tested a bunch of
race cars (some, like the Ferrari LM and Porsche 904, on the street; others
at tracks like Bridgehampton, Lime Rock, V.I.R. and Riverside).  The fastest
car I ever drove was a Formula Atlantic, but not in a race.  The hairiest
car I ever drove was Mark Donohue's Camaro, but not in a race.  I drove a
Porsche 911 in a couple of Trans-Am races, a couple of other Porsches in
club races, and 125cc karts in the pre-Jurassic era (remember the
Freedomland layout?).

Alison Hine, who was one of the GPL beta testers, has built and raced
small-bore machinery (including an airplane!), and is currently campaigning
a Factory Five Cobra she and her brother built.  Doug Arnao, another beta
tester for GPL, has won a couple of SCCA National Championships.  Dave
Kaemmer, Papyrus' chief software designer, currently races Barber Dodge, and
most of his staff has been thru the Barber school.

I don't know of any other racing game that has as many people involved with
as much real-life track experience.  It shows.

--Steve Smith

and now im a papyrus administrator/moderator online.

cool

pez

Gary

--
--

Although I don't have any real on track experience (except drag racing in the
60's which doesn't count) I do teach police pursuit driving. Having bought my
first computer AFTER buying the original Nascar racing title, the biggest
problem I have is not having the "seat of the pants" feeling of the car being
"on the edge" of traction. To me N2002, with the added scrubbing sound of the
tire just before loss of traction has compensated for some of that "seat of the
pants" feeling. The physics seem to be as close as could be possible "driving"
a computer. N4 did not have that feeling to me, and I always had a problem
finding the edge without going over it. As I teach, you want to hear the tires
sing for that edge, if they scream, you have lost it.

   hehe opening yourself to PLENTY of possible abuse there Gary.  Of course
EVERYONE knows that the Vette is two cylinders shy of being a real race
car...that and about 150 hp and 150ft/lbs of torque....NOW WHAT CAR COULD I
BE THINKING OF??????
dave(need a hint?)henrie

'Nice thing about that type of racing is that you get plenty of seat time
(must have pretty close 500 laps logged at some of those ciruits) and then
there's the strategy element with pitstops, refuelling etc.

Great news on that front however, as Matt and myself has begun preperation
of a new car with the aim of a comeback later this season and/or next
season. I cant wait.  :-)

--
ed_

Jim

I raced karts on every surface known to man (dirt tracks, asphalt ovals,
indoor on concrete/coke syrup, street courses, road courses) for about 5
years when I was much younger and I raced street stocks (not quite as stock
as someone else mentioned in this thread) for 5 years. I haven't done any
real racing for about 6 years unfortunately. I think I am a much better real
racer than sim racer.

Kyle

Slicks isn't much fun though, you lose almost all the "feel" of what the
car is doing and the edge between fast and under control and too fast
and see where you've just been is very narrow indeed, high performance
street tires is much more fun, for me anyway

Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy

"The Pits"    http://www.theuspits.com/

"A man is only as old as the woman he feels"
--Groucho Marx--