rec.autos.simulators

Often, I skip the two practice sessions and get straight to the race; I've
done enough hotlaps and now need more experience racing other cars.
Skipping the practice sessions places me at the back of the grid with the
remaining grid positions seemingly more or less random.  Fine and well.

When the flag drops and I pop the clutch, I invariably bog down more than
the AI drivers and get off to a slower start.  However, assuming that there
is a reasonably long start straight before the first corner, I am always
able to pass at least half the grid by taking an outside line and then
nipping in just before the braking point.

Is this normal?  I'm even able to quite easily out drag some of the front
runners (Clark, Hill, Brabham, Gurney, Hulme et al).  Driving the Eagle,
default setups, full Grand Prix, v1.0.2, default AI settings.  Tracks
include Spa, Monza and Kyalami.  I can understand blowing past some of the
Coopers and BRMs, but not the Lotuses and other Eagles.

Also, does GPL model racing lines and lack of grip on the dirty parts of the
track?

 Thanks for your feedback.

S.

Starts may be taxing the AI a bit as the algorithm seems to be to first
try to get to the racing line and then decide if any overtaking is
possible - hence the "trick" of whizzing past the AI's on an off racing
line path.

N.b. this slightly dumb behaviour can produce some rather amusing
incidents - I once had an offline race at Watkins Glen where I was
starting near the back of the grid. Somewhere on the uphill strecth
between the 1st and 2nd turns one of the leading cars span blocking the
racing line and all the following AI cars initially just lined up behind
it without attempting to manouver around the obstruction - I, however,
could spot what had happened, moved over and gained 10-12 places.

I've also read comments that AI cars have similar problems when trying
to lap AI backmarkers.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

The Global Hype Scaling will come into play and you will be pushing  the
brown stuff up hill to get points from then on in!

So enjoy it (the brief moment of glory) whilst you can!

--
Regards,
Bruce Kennewell,
Canberra, Australia.
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Thanks for the feedback guys.  I thought that I may have inadvertently
disabled some realism toggle or other.  Bruce, I hear you about the uphill
slog, I hear you.  I'm usually able to run in the upper mid-field for a few
laps, sweating bullets the whole time, before the inevitable mistake under
pressure and then it's either early retirement or playing catch-up with the
tail-enders.  Fantastic sense of racing though, even against the AI.  This
is one sweet game.
S.

--
Regards,
Bruce Kennewell,
Canberra, Australia.
---------------------------