Hi,
I don't know if you are who I think you are - the guy on VROC last night
then don't be disheartened. We have all been there. Nobody except the real
"naturals" leaps straight into one of these fuel tanks on wheels and does
a 1:28 at Monza or a 1:04 at the Glen at the first attempt, and most of us
will never do those times anyway.
Here are a few very basic tips:
1) Concentrate on Monza only until you can do 1:33 there - it's the
easiest track since it only has 4 corners of consequence and has no blind
corners or elevation changes. Avoid Monaco and Nurburgring for a good long
while - these are very difficult tracks.
2) Read 4 wheel drift - but ignore the practice at the Glen until you feel
happy at Monza. Watkins Glen is a difficult track with some of the hardest
corners in the '67 season.
3) Try to get a good exit speed from the corners rather than a good entry
speed. Slow in, fast out. Brake earlier than the fast guys so that you are
confident of getting round in one piece. After a while you can work on
later and later braking but put that aside for now.
4) Download and study some hotlaps from Schubi's site
http://216.13.117.36/~schubi/index.htm - see what gears the fast guys use.
Copy them.
5) Start on the Coventry (Cooper) and not the Eagle, Lotus or Ferrari
(these cars are fast but hard to drive). Get Alison Hine's Coventry setups
from http://www.nh.ultranet.com/~alison/gpl/ - these excellant setups
produce a car that behaves itself and communicates to the driver. The
Eagle, Lotus and Ferrari are fast but frisky and need a firm hand - as a
novice, you will probably get better times in the Cov. Anyway put Ian Lake
or his ilk in a Cov against moderate drivers like myself in Eagles or
Lotuses and they'll win everytime - so it's as much down to pilot as the
car.
6) Practice, practice and practice some more.
7) Few people on VROC mind a slow driver per se. What many people find
trying is people who do not follow the basic online etiquette. Don't
bother with putting your arm up - most of us won't see that and it will
make it harder for you control the car - there are enough things to cope
with without all those signals. At the start take care that all your
motion is in a straight line - if you wiggle you can start multiple pile
ups. Also don't try and gain places off the start grid until you're a bit
better. Also be especially aware of drivers around you and be able to
react when they slew about. Don't try to hard to overtake people until lap
on the short circuits. Tyres are cold and there are generally a lot of
people around. As a novice, just try to hold your position. Pay attention
to the blue flag - if you see it it is for you - move off the line when
conveniant to let someone pass. Also concentrate on your mirrors. The guy
lapping you may be have moved off line to pass and if you then move off
line - bang. Last night, you were apologetic when you caused accidents and
people repond to that. You tried not to cause accidents and people like
that too. What you have to work at is not causing them and this is mainly
down to skill. However remember that this is racing and even the best
drivers are often in the wrong when incidents happen.
8) You seemed to have a good connection - cable modem or ADSL, as I recall
- why not put a "Rookies only" comment in your VROC race setup. There are
lots of other novices and you will have a blast racing them rather than
against people who are much faster than you. Most people will be attracted
to your race if you don't say "novices only" as everyone likes a good
host.
9) When you can do a steady 1:34 at Monza - I would think about racing at
a non-rookies level. The 1:28ers won't be lapping you on a Novice race
provided that you don't crash out.
10) Enjoy it - it's only for fun after all.
Hope this all helps,
Cheers,
Paul
> Ergo... Got the retail version..
> Did pretty good at the Glen...
> Thought I would try VROC...
> I am humbled..
> Make me feel like Sylvester the Cat trying to catch Speedy Gun Zolas..
> You guys know who you are...
> I need more practice...
> You know what else I need?
> More practice...
> and 2 blonde beach bunnies...
> But I'll start with the practice...
> I don't need any practice for the "bunnies"
> Any pointers?
> Sorry to all those drivers that had to swerve around my slow pokey
> ass... I honestly tried to get out of the way... I even raised my arm
> like it says to do in the book..
> But .... I made many a man swerve into the yonder fence...
> My apologies..
> Think I'll wait until I'm a little better before I shame myself on
> VROC again...
> Just curios.. is there any novice guys there? Everyone but me seemed
> to kick butt...
> --
> -Gunslinger-
