rec.autos.simulators

GPL is probably the best looking game I've seen so far.  The attention
to detail is phenomenal.  You actually see the "Firestone" logo on the
tires as they're turning!  And the stick position when you shift gears
etc.  Amazing.

GPL is *so* much more challenging than other racing games, but well worth
the satisfaction if you can bring it under some sort of control...

A good tip is to slow down enough so you can stay on the track, and then
start to increase the speed from there - treat it like you're driving a real
car and don't want to break your neck!

You won't learn much by crashing on every corner, but if you can stay on the
track at least you will be learning the track layout.

The key to keeping control is the transition from brake to gas and
vice-versa - this has to be smooth.  At a basic level, you have to be aware
that braking makes you turn more, and accelerating makes you go straighter,
but you also have to be aware of quite a lot of other weight transfer
effects, which will have to come with experience!

One thing I found very useful at the beginning was the realisation that the
steering becomes more unstable when you brake, and you can mitigate that by
relaxing the brake slightly, or giving it a stab of throttle, and then
getting back on the brake smoothly.

Similarly, when accelerating hard the steering can also go light, and you
can get the car back under control by relaxing the gas a bit and then
accelerating again.

There are a whole host of other techniques you will need, but the most
important ingredient is practice ... and patience!  OK, that's two
ingredients...

Good luck and happy racing!

At the top left of that page it has a link section for new users (that page
has ALL the GPL links on it that you could ever want).  Go through the list
of links for new users to update your game and to get tips on how to drive
better.

Also go to this address:
http://simracing.com/alison/gpl/coventry.htm

read that page...it is basically telling you to start off in a coventry
car...It has the 2nd least HP and is the 3rd heaviest car so it is an easier
car than the lotus, which you probably started in...also at the bottom of
that page are setups...these setups are geared toward newer drivers and
should give you a steady platform to learn how to drive the game.  Alison
Hine's page (http://simracing.com/alison/gpl/) has a lot of information for
new users...the best thing to do is go to her "help" section and read
through all that stuff there.  It will give you a good idea of everything in
the game and some tips on surviving.

About your running off the track, you have to brake a LOT in these cars to
get them to slow down to an acceptable speed for a corner.  Monza is a good
track to learn on because it only has 4 turns that you have to brake
for...mainly watch for the driving line to get dark and start braking when
you see it.  It may seem very early, but it really isn't.  These cars don't
turn or stop on a dime so you gotta give them plenty of time to slowdown and
get them down to what seems like a very slow speed to get them to turn.

If you have any more questions that the URLs don't seem to answer, just

Jesse Black

Since the car really gave me a good feeling, I was curious about
hine's setup for the ring. Did a nice out-lap, first timed
lap had some mistakes - 3 times spinning off the track. Did a very
cautious lap then, quite relaxed. Had the impression of beeing
really slow - compared to my lotus laps here. Was rather
shocked, when the board showed 8:31  :)

   Have fun (and it is fun to drive the Coventry :)

      Calis

Also make sure you get a good frame rate (>30 fps, ALT-F to show in-game
frame-rate) from the game, because this does make things easier.  Finally,
use a steering wheel/pedals, if you're not already doing so.

One good learning technique is, I have found, to actually drive a few
races at a circuit you don't know.*** around at the back of the
queue is boring, but more instructive than practice.
(I should talk, with a handicap over 300!! - well, its the Ring that
holds me back - duh!)

--
Laurence Wilmer

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Don't use *any* of the driver aids, right from the start. If you
learn with auto gears, steering help etc, you'll have to learn all
over again when you turn them off.

Don't overdrive - this is something most of us are guilty of. When
you come to race online, you'll find that there are a lot of drivers
who drive at eleven-tenths the whole way, and therefore often don't
finish the race. A driver who can do safe, steady 1:32 laps at Monza
is much more likely to finish than someone who either does a 1:28 or
crashes.

Vary things - this is where I disagree with some other people on this
newsgroup. I think it's a good idea to drive at as many circuits as
you can, in as many different cars as you can. Certainly, my driving
improved markedly when I stopped spending the whole time at Monza.

You need to keep some throttle on through the corner - the "poiunt
and squirt" method of more modern cars won't work at all. When you
get better, you'll find that in some cases you can continue to brake
after turning in ("trail braking"), but this is a difficult thing to
get right, and isn't necessary until you're at the stage when a
fraction of a second makes a noticeable difference to you.

--
David. (GPLRank handicap: -5.92)
The GPL Scrapyard - http://scrapyard.netcabins.com
"After all, a mere thousand yards - such a harmless little knoll,
really" - Raymond Mays on Shelsley Walsh.

Casio CFX-9850G graphic calc for auction (UK only):
http://www.auctiontown.co.uk/cgi-bin/auction.cgi?computer_subz4&980739
640

--Steve Smith

One very important thing to learn is how to shift... If you shift down to
fast the engine will be running at to high revs and the rear wheels will
lock... I often find myself downshifting when the revs are very low,
afterall, most of the time it doesn't really matter what gear your in
through the corner but it's more important to be in the right gear when you
exit the corner :)

GPL is like dancing with a beatifull young girl, you gotta hold her tight
and take it easy and smooth so you can continue all night long :)

-- Sjon

You might try autoshift in the beginning IMO, just to give you time to
concentrate on braking and applying throthle. About the other two, I agree

What helped me: use AI-tweaker to decrease the strength of the AI. Try to be
consistent and battle with the leaders doing 1:33s at Monza.  If you start
to improve an pull away a sec a lap, ajust the AI to match your skill.
Racing the AI learns you alot about passing, racing lines etc.

I agree about varying tracks, but I think that you should stick with one or
two chassis that you like. Than you can learn to understand them really
good. And use the default setup. That setup should be good enough till you
have a  + or - 5 handicap. First, learn to drive the cars in a consistently
fast way, then start thinking about setups.

Start wit braking early so you don't overshoot the corner. When you feel
confortable with it (then you should be in the 1:30-1:31 range at Monza),
start braking little later and try to trailbrake slightly. Your laptimes
will suffer in the beginning, but eventually, you'll get the feeling.

good luck!

Han Monsees
(GPLRank handicap +23.30)

Richard.
--
Richard Bellavance                     Enter-Net Inc.
                                       Phone:  (450) 449-5261 #16
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-Patrick (who should have listened to everyone who said GPL would take
over my life)

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