rec.autos.simulators

Papyrus,

     I read something interesting in AutoWeek concerning IndyCar racing,
and thought it might translate well into ICR2.  From what I perceive, when
you'se guys designed the handling characteristics of the cars in ICR2, you
anticipated the new rule changes this year concerning downforce. It seems
CART was concerned with safety once again, and tried to lower speeds by
not allowing as much downforce as last year, thus slowing down the cars a
little, for lack of downforce means lack of traction, thus lack of
cornering speeds, thus lack of turn entry and exit speeds, thus lack of
overall race speeds, etc... However, it seems the cars are going faster
this year due to tire development. One reason is the rule change. The
second reason is the tire war. I'm pretty sure Goodyear would have made an
effort to provide more tire grip given the downforce rule changes, but it
seems their effort has multiplied due to Firestone's participation in
IndyCar racing.  The article stated that new and complex tire compounds
are now being delivered to the teams in days, instead of weeks, or months,
by Goodyear (for a change), as well as Firestone. And the cars are
breaking track records because of it.

 I guess I'm asking for a fix, or an edge, or just a reality check. ICR2
is great, the greatest I would say, as far as realism is concerned, but I
would just love a little more grip to make racing a little safer. I have
to add tons of wing for road course racing just to make the car driveable
with 40 gallons, but lose way to much to the AI guys in the way of top
speed. They pull from me on all the straightaways.  I don't mind out
driving them in the turns, but would rather bump them up to 105% for
competative racing through the turns as well as the straights...

 Thanks,

 ::: Dekanmi :::

: Papyrus,

[snip]
: would just love a little more grip to make racing a little safer. I have
: to add tons of wing for road course racing just to make the car driveable
: with 40 gallons, but lose way to much to the AI guys in the way of top
: speed. They pull from me on all the straightaways.  I don't mind out
: driving them in the turns, but would rather bump them up to 105% for
: competative racing through the turns as well as the straights...

The sim is based on 1995 rules which had about 45% downforce reduction
over the rules ICR1 was based on...

If you want to give the AI boys better cornering ability, you up their
numbers in the drivers2.txt file for TRACTION.

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

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This should be an option. Why do they assume I want to race by 1995
rules?

I'm sure it's his own traction he'd like to improve, not the AI cars.

Joe

IndyCar Racing II models the 1995 IndyCar season, including racing dates,
chassis, engines, and rules.

Rick Genter
Technical Lead, IndyCar Racing II
Sierra On-Line, Inc.

The graphics, speed, and tracks are incredible, good enough that every
week or two I try it again - only to give up in frustration after five
minutes and go back to Nascar.

Joe

Joe

: >
: Papyrus did a great job with Nascar..They really screwed up with ICR2!

I beg to differ.  I think they did a great job with ICR2 also.  However,
alot of people don't like the reduced downforce of the 1995 rules.  But,
it's a simulation of what really happened to the real IndyCar.  

But there is another HOWEVER...  Papyrus did let ICR2 out of the bag/box
early and they haven't been as quick as they were releasing bug
fixes compared to NASCAR.

There is a big traction bug in ICR2 that will eventually go away after
the 1st 10-15 minutes.  Actually it is more related to the way the
weight is transferred.  Hopefully this will be addressed in the June'ish
update.  So for those of you who only pull out ICR2 for a few minutes
and tear your hair out cuz the rear comes around to greet you.  Hang in
there for about 15 minutes (go out around the track slowly and enjoy the
scenery ;-)).  It will finally work its way back to normal.  Also if you
really have too much trouble practice with the Easy setups and reduce
the opponent strength until you have mastered the car and the track.

But then again IndyCar may not be your cup of tea (or brew of choice).
If so, that's fine.  Just don't go bad-mouthing a fine product just cuz
you don't like a product modelled on the REAL world.

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Exactly so, Michael. I'm just hoping for the 1995-rules to be an
option for those who want them, and to have a higher-downforce option
for those who don't.

I will try your other advice (I've tried ICR2 so many times what's one
more) but my gut feel is I won't be happy without more downforce.

Joe

I do remember having a heck of time trying to find a setup that worked
consistently for Nazareth, and this would definitely account for that
problem.

Dave "davids"

If you're coming from NASCAR, how can you complain about lack of downforce?

Gregory Fung

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

IICC3 Ground Effects/Rebel Alliance Lola-Ford-Firestone

I don't know, I just know I can drive the Nascars well, but I can't
drive the Indycars for more than five-minutes. Maybe it's the
tire-grip bug someone talked about (which is a *huge* bug - it may
very well be what makes the game unplayable for me).

Joe

.
Ditto!