rec.autos.simulators

There you go, question in the header!

Head over to http://www.racesimcentral.net/~drbryan/gpl  to vote (it's tallied,
so make sure you vote on the site. but you can leave your comments here).

I put this question up, as it has been discussed a bit here more recently
now that more people have started to race online (thanks to VROC and the
Grandstand). Anyhow, I've noticed quite a few people using the Eagles,
Brabhams, and even Coventry's in races, when everyone knows that the Lotus
is darn quick, and the Ferrari is one of the best overall cars.

Just for a test, I decided to switch over to the Lotus last night for one
race at Watkins Glen. (I have driven EXCLUSIVELY the Ferrari since day one -
except for 2 laps at Monza and Nuburgring in the Lotus, and 2 laps at Spa in
the Murasama). Anyhow, imagine my disappointment in the RED machine when I
WON my first ever race in a Lotus (and I've never done better than 3rd in
the Ferrari).

Granted, quite a few of the other drivers dropped out due to "booting", but
none the less, practically EVERY LAP was a personal best, each one going
faster and faster. I had only TWICE broken the 1:10 barrier at Watkins Glen
in the Ferrari (and yes, I'll admit I had the beta version, so I'm pretty
sad, really!), and coincidentally, did a personal best just hours before in
the *NEW* demo, once again, using the Lotus. Anyhow, ended up doing a
1:08.29 - which I consider pretty good for a first session in the Lotus (not
including 3 laps in the new demo). Later, I went to Monza for a quick
session, and once again, did a personal best (with the final version) using
the Lotus. DAMN!!

So bottom line - I am VERY disappointed in the RED car :o(  ..I want to stay
loyal to it, but the results speak for themselves. As I haven't tried most
of the other cars, maybe it's time I did.

So take a minute, fill in the Poll-of-the-week, and let me know what YOU
drive. I will give the top 2 choices (not including Ferrari) a fair shot,
and put the Ferrari in the garage for a while. That is, of course, unless
the Ferrari finishes as the most used car...

Then I'll have a problem!

DoktorB
http://www.racesimcentral.net/~drbryan/gpl
-- Exclusive offer: PDPI L4 Digital Gamecard
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Yeah.. you did... it's a very sad day, indeed!

Sure, I would love some Ferrari RACE setups. Here's my lap times, all with
the Ferrari. If you can do better with a setup that is legal, and is
comfortable to handle for an entire race, PLEASE SEND THEM TO ME!! (I've got
the Beta-tester's setups, btw) Thanks!

Grand Prix Legends
Best Laps
doktorB
10/24/98
All Cars

               All-Time                Practice
Race

Kyalami
          1:25.30 Ferrari      1:25.30 Ferrari      1:25.37 Ferrari
Mexico City
          2:01.24 Ferrari      2:01.24 Ferrari      2:02.64 Ferrari
Monaco
 (no times)
Monza
         1:31.14 Lotus         1:31.14 Lotus        1:32.92 Ferrari
Mosport
         1:27.40 Ferrari       1:27.40 Ferrari      1:29.92 Ferrari
Nurburgring
         9:01.07 Ferrari       9:15.90 Ferrari       9:01.07 Ferrari
Rouen
         2:06.29 Ferrari       2:06.29 Ferrari       2:06.55 Ferrari
Silverstone
        1:34.31 Ferrari        1:34.31 Ferrari       1:34.80 Ferrari
Spa-Francorchamps
         3:33.51 Ferrari       3:33.51 Ferrari       3:34.44 Ferrari
Watkins Glen
         1:08.29 Lotus         1:12.16 Ferrari       1:08.29 Lotus
Zandvoort
         1:31.80 Ferrari      1:33.98 Ferrari       1:31.80 Ferrari

doktorB
http://webhome.idirect.com/~drbryan/gpl

Hey Dok, do i detect a bit of marque dissapointment?? :-))
I am heading over to your site shortly to vote, but i thought i would i
would comment on your Ferrari times at the Glen.
While the Ferrari may not by quite as quick as the Lotus/Eagle, don't
give up just yet.
IMO the Ferrari responds to tweaking more than any other chassis
available in GPL.
Hotlapping, doesn't win races.  
Old chinese proverb: A good hot-lapper does not necessarily a good
racer make!
The Ferrari shines over a full race distance, plus they are practically
indestructable, even for someone with my attraction for armco grinding.
My best time at the Glen in the Ferrari is a 1:06.010  with constant
1:07.*** to 1:09.*** in full race trim.
If you like, i will send you my Ferrari setup for the Glen, just let me
know if you want it....
So, cheer up Dok, there's plenty of life in the old Prancin' Pony!!
I still remember your pre-race Ferrari hype. :-))
Cheers, and good racing.
Ron

Thanks to Ron Ayton, I just WON my first ever race in a Ferrari!!
I tweaked a setup he sent me very slightly, and instantly pulled off a
1:08:45 in qualifying (good enough for pole postiton)

Went to race...
WON the race, AND did a

1:07.61 <--- that's almost FIVE seconds faster than my previous Ferrari best
(using various beta-team setups).

Now just got to tweak the setups a bit more to suit my style.. and who
knows?? 1:06 is just around the corner!

Now for Monza!!

Big thanks to Ron.
It just goes to prove that setups DO play a major role in the lap times (but
they won't necessarily suit everyone's driving style, however).

doktorB
----

                   ^                               ^
^
                   ^                               ^
^
* NOW* 1:07.62 Ferrari    1:07.62 Ferrari       1:07.62 Ferrari

Forza Ferrari!!

Congrats on the win doktorB, glad to oblige. :)

Clark A.

PS. I've gotten down to 1:30.5x at Monza with the default Ferrari
setup with only the gear ratios changed, so one would have to suppose
that you could make this car semi-competitive.  I do get tired of
being blown off the road on the straights by those d*mn Lotuses and
Eagles.