rec.autos.simulators

I'm an occasional "Indy 500" and "World Circuit" (F1GP) player who
just got IndyCar Racing last week, and I'd like to offer some first
impressions.

First of all, my version is v1.03, which I acquired in a CompUSA
(PC/Mac "superstore" chain in the US) "by some software, get ICR free"
promo.  Yet I don't see v1.03 listed in the FAQ.  Was this a special
version for the CompUSA promo only?  The package contained all the
original floppies, manual with full-color cover, quick-reference,
and registration card, but it came in a plain white envelope with
"Not For Resale" sticker rather than a colorful box.

Secondly, I've been on the fence since last fall about whether or
not to buy ICR.  I have a 386DX-40, with 4MB ram and no local-bus.
I've seen so many articles in this newsgroup stating that "you really
need a 486DX-25/33 or higher" that I couldn't see shelling out the
money.  But I've been wanting to get my kids some new software so
when the CompUSA deal came up, I had to go for it (get them one
package, get ICR free for myself!  Whatta deal!!).  After all, even
if it performed like a pig, it was free...  So what the heck..

Boy were the nay-sayers wrong.  I've only played the game about
three hours, but it's great!  Even on my wimpy 386!  Now I must qualify
that comment by saying that my track-of-choice has been Milwaukee,
and perhaps some or the road courses require more processing, but
I've run a couple laps on all the tracks and find it quite a nice
simulation.  Lots of fun, and I already prefer it over World Circuit.

I suppose part of the key is to let the computer decide what parameters
to use.  I left it in Automatic Detail mode and didn't change the
minimum frame rate.  I suppose that it might have niftier graphics
on a 486 (I've never seen the game played on another computer), but
that doesn't detract from the enjoyment or challenge.  Also, at Milwaukee
I'm only running the default of 15 cars on the track.  But the bottom line
is - it's a lot of fun.  I can't give you any numbers like frame rates
to quantify it - I just know that I'm having a lot of fun and that the
game would've been well worth the $40 or so that CompUSA charges for
the boxed version.  And no, I have no idea how well a 386DX-40 would
handle modem play...

One other strange comment - it looks like I have different fictional
drivers in my installed drivers.txt file.  Most notably, I didn't
have the infamous "Nick Montel".  I notice that Mario has car #5
(Nige's number), while car #6 (Mario's proper number) is given to
a "Mick Richards".  I think some of the others are different too,
for whatever reason.  Anyways, this is what I have in my drivers.txt,
along with who I think they represent:

        Ver 1.03 "fictional drivers"
        ----------------------------
        #99 L93/Ford    Fred Jones, Newton, MA
        #6  L93/Ford    Mick Richards, Cedar Brook, MI  (Nigel Mansell???)
        #23 L93/Ford    Vern Taylor, Green Grove PA     (?????)
        #75 L92/Ford    Jake Stevens, Seattle           (Willy T. Ribbs)
        #50 L92/ChevA   Chris Bentley, Rome Italy       (Andrea Montermini)
        #19 L92/ChevA   Doug Hanson, Big Gulch, CO      (Robbie Buhl)
        #36 L92/Buick   Stan Green, Lexington, OH       (Stephan Gregoire)
        #14 L93/Ford    Will Fletcher, Las Vegas, NV    (Robby Gordon)
        #87 L92/ChevA   Larry Dean, Plano, TX           (?????)
        #11 L93/ChevC   Keith Raton, Sunnyvale, CA      (Kevin Cogan)
                                (though Adrian Fernandez would also work)
        #77 L92/Buick   Todd Miller, Kent, GB           (Nelson Piquet)

I seem to recall that the fictional driver lists I've seen posted from
other versions had names MUCH closer to the real names (even the same
initials), so perhaps there was some fear of legal action?

Anyway I've sort of gotten off the track here, but the main point I wanted
to make is that the game is far more enjoyable on my 4MB 386DX-40 than
articles here made me think possible.  At least for V1.03, that is (the FAQ
states that V1.00 has problems with 4MB machines).

Happy Racing!

Chuck Slana
AT&T Bell Labs
Naperville, IL

Glad you like the game on your 386. I think the emphasis has to be put on
the fact that you never saw the game on a different computer. I am
spoiled in that respect and never saw it on less than a DX2/66. for what
you paid, you really got a great deal. I think the problems everyone has
been talking about with low memory machines will show when you try to run
Laguna with 18 or so cars, because this is the only time I got an out of
memeory message on a 4mb machine. Now I run on 16mb and save replays of
up to 2 hours during a full 500 mile race.

If you are not happy with the drivers names, download a few updates from
either Papyrus or the internet ftp sites that carry ICR stuff.

If you ever upgrade your computer, run the game in full graphics glory
(all detail on), put 33 cars on Michigan's track, call your best buddy at
9600 baud who has the same setup, and run a head-2-head. Idid this last
night, and it was the absolute blast. A bit messy on the back straight
for a few laps ;-), but after the wrecks were cleared away, the race
continued without a glitch for teh 60 laps we ran. ver. 1.04 with its
modem play is definitely the reatest driving similation on the PC so far.
I wonder if your free copy will upgrade to 1.04, since there may be
copyprotection differences between 1.03 and any other version. The
European version 1.04e just came out because teh passwords in teh
european manual did not work for the us 1.04. I bet since yours was free,
you won't be able to run a 1.04 copy. did you get the 130 page manual?

Peter