rec.autos.simulators

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(okay if you get that you'll get it, if you don't you won't! :) )

Come off it, you're slower than that at Monza! ;-)

1st thing you've got to do IMO is get rid of that Ferrari/Eagle trip
you're on :-) Try some of the Cooper setups that are floating around the
fastlaps sites, they feel very "safe" to me, though I've done all my
fastest laps in the Lotus (currently pushing 8:20 hard with Marc Mercer's
sub 8:00 setup). Don't think of it as abandoning your favourite chassis,
think of it as research, broadening your experience in order to improve
your technique when you get back home. (Note: this technique doesn't work
for marriages).

I keep kidding myself that setups aren't *that* important, but when you
find one that suits your style (or lack of it <g>) you really know it. I
tend to plateau at a certain range of times with different setups.

Having said that I think the good news for you is that you've probably
still got room for improvement just by building up better track knowledge.
I got under 10 minutes originally during one long afternoon with the
default Lotus when I learnt the track... and listened to a lot of Pink
Floyd. Having "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" on auto repeat seemed to
help... though "Tear Down the Wall part seven: with my front offside
wheel" is generally more appropriate to my performance.

That's making me think. The biggest deal by *far* with the Ring isn't
setup, Maria Carey <eek!> on the stereo, or what kind of socks you're
wearing (though the lucky Mickey Mouse ones that play Happy Birthday To
You may help ;-). It's concentration, concentration, concentration. Start
to think about *anything* other than the next corner and you're stuffed.

Sadly Greger Huttu's concentration level is not available for download.

Andrew "attention span of a goldfish with Alzheimers" McP

PS Welcome to the most ***ive (and rewarding!) addition to GPL
since...well, ever :-)

Actually percentage wise Im probably slowest at Mosport or Silverstone
or Roen....my 3 worst tracks except for that bastard Ring. Im probably
best at Mexico...which aint that good..hehe.

Surely you jest....Red is my favorite color...indeed its the only
color acceptably close to "my" National colors...besides my Grandmom
was half Italian since she was born in Corsica. Forza
Ferrari...besides I wouldnt want to embarrass you younsters by getting
in a really fast car. 8-)

This is very true and shortly I shall have the luxury of a complete 3
days of Family in Tenn while Im in the Ring. I should be nipping at
your heals in GPL ranks by then...hehe.

Damn that thing is ***ive...Im sitting here after about 30 laps at
SPA thinking hey its only 1:30am time enough for a few more laps.

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You just like struggling :-> Tonight in five online races I made a
scientific study of annoying roadblocks: they were most likely to be red.
Seriously, everyone always said the Lotus was hardest to drive. IMO the
Ferrari sounds *stunning* but is slippery as a mud-wrestling marathon.

Mind you, despite my fundamental anti-Eagle (blame it on Mel Gibson ;-)
stance I now use it at Monza and Spa... my Lotus abilities just can't get
close to the Eagle setups I borrowed.

What I'm saying, I suppose, is that when it comes to going faster you
can't afford to be picky about what team you play for. You can always go
back to the home team when you've learned what the opposition have to
offer. Think of it as technical espionage... a sort of Counterstrike
mission with a twist.

Sounds like a recipe for success. Remember though, you can only race after
you've completed that review ;-)

I admire your stamina! I'm ready for the knackers yard after about five
laps at Spa.

Andrew McP

Twas an exaggeration, hell if I could manage to circulate for 30 laps
my time would be far better than it is...at least I hope so...hehe

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One of the funniest, but most enlightened, things I have read on r.a.s. in
months!!!

Marc.

Oh dear. In my delusional past as a wannabe writer I did a similar trick
with a whole chapter. I feel your pain!

I know that feeling as well. I remember my early days on CompuServe, when
benchmarking new kit (which cost so much more, relatively, back then) was
a serious business. I spent a week of free time once comparing my way,
way, *way* too expensive SuperMicro motherboard with a friend's half-price
no name board. The results were as depressing as the time it took. It does
start to become very much work and no fun whatsoever... but that's the
nature of Good Ideas :->

Just another day at the office then <g>

<fx:puts Frasier hat on and raises eyebrow over the comfort afforded by a
slippery red***pit>

Andrew McP

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