rec.autos.simulators

So, where do I  go now?

I am running Watkins Glen, in the Ferrari, using the trainer and
throttle help

My best so far ( maybe run 30+ laps ) is 1:16.

Is it just practice ?  Just can't get that 90 degree right yet and
still pretty unstable under braking.

Thanks for your time!

Martyn

Go out and ride!
www.mtb-routes.co.uk

No pain, no gain.

<snip>

Of course, 100 people will give 100 different replies to this
question, but here goes nothing...

Are you using the "Novice Trainer" (usually known as the "F3") car?
This handles very differently to the F2 (Advanced Trainer) and F1
(Grand Prix) machines. Personally, I'd avoid the F3s for now - you
can always return to them when you're more accomplished, and enjoy
the close racing they provide.

I found the best way was to go in at the deep end - driving F1 cars
from the start. Which make suits you you'll only discover with (lots
and lots of) practice - a lot of people recommend the Cooper
(Coventry in the game) for beginners, but I could never get on with
it. THe Ferrari seems a good all-rounder.

Last thing, and an important one: turn *all* the driver aids *off*.
There really isn't any point at all in using throttle help - when you
decide you're good enough to turn it off, it'll be like learning a
whole new car. Again, go for it from the start.

<sits back and waits for the inevitable flood of people saying "what
the heck does this fool know about driving?" and the like...>

--
One-line reply + 300-line quote = unread post.

The GPL Scrapyard returns (slowly): http://www.racesimcentral.net/

rms

Good luck,
Haqsau

I suggest he joins a newbie friendly league (some good ones have been put
forward) and studies the drivers who are just a couple of seconds faster
than him through the replays. It will also be a good place to pick up some
better/more drivable F2 setups than the defaults.

Jan.
=---
"Pay attention when I'm talking to you boy!" -Foghorn Leghorn.

I agree the proper way to get into F1's is "from below", but in GPL I'm
afraid the "learner cars" are not immediately "fun" enough to drive in order
to overcome the inevitable frustration of starting a simracing career.

I know we get kick out of the challenge of keeping them on the edge of the
performance envelope and running each other *very* close, but our tastes
have already been molded by our online racing experience.

So, overall, I don't think jumping in at the deep end is a bad idea, if, and
I do say if, at one point one steps back and allows these cars to teach one
about line and carrying speed through the turns.

BTW: you had the lead in the FV table as well at some point this year, but
through absense you've now dropped even below me....  (I just love rubbing
it in ;-))

Jan.
=---
"Pay attention when I'm talking to you boy!" -Foghorn Leghorn.

Another route to try is FG-> FD-> F1.  All use the F1 chassis but with  the F3,
F2, and F1 engines respectively.  The F3s and F2s can still be tricky to drive
because of their reduced grip.  With FG and FD the grip is the same as F1 so
handling is similar, just less power to deal with, and because they're slower
you have a chance to see and react to what's happening rather than just
wondering why you're suddenly mowing grass.  If you want to set up FG and FD get
GEM (GPL Engine Manager?).  There are good FG and FD setups available on the
web.

There's also Maxx's GPLegs:  http://users.bart.nl/~hansvd/school/  A good
training guide.

Joining a league is certainly a good idea.  <begin shameless plug> The GPLF3R is
about to start a new season and is looking for drivers:
http://users.hfx.eastlink.ca/~mackaypenny/gplf3r.html . We're a beginners league
and are going to use FV(FH) (ie F2 chassis with F3 engine).  We'll be holding
practices over the next few weeks before the season begins if you'd like to try
a few races. <end shameless plug>

A couple good books to read are C.Smith's "Drive to Win" (Tune to Win is good to
if you want to build setups), and "Going Faster" put out through the Skip Barber
racing school, don't have author's name at hand.

And there's always the timeless "practice, practice, practice...." ;-)

Ken
GPLF3R Admin

Yeah get that one out the way straight away then you wont have to put up
with all the ***ing

--
Michael A. Barlow
currently Acting as  "Head of Marketing"
FILSCA (www.filsca.com)

    So much mention of the F2's lately I completely forgot about the FV's.
If I was smart, I'd forget about everything else and work on nothing but the
***pit peddle upgrade.   Then, money permitting, Join as many leagues as I
could and get as many championships as I could and plow after the bigger
sponsors :-)