rec.autos.simulators

I have always maintained that my improvements in controling the GPL
physics have helped enormously when it comes to driving and controling
my FFord. I have one pole, one fastest lap, I've never qualified lower
than 4th and I keep (somewhat unfortunately) finishing 3rd. Not a bad
record, and I feel I am an ambassador for Sim Racing - no matter how far
I get I will claim I started my career on Sims, when all around me claim
to have started on Karts.

Also, when I had a go on Silverstone's "skid pan" I could relate the
feelings to GPL.
--
Rob Swindells
3rd equal in Goldline Bearing FFord Championship (18 Points);
9 points behind Championship Leader (as of round 4 of 6)
"If you're a great driver, you will get through. It's not harder than
any time before." ~Martin Brundle
"If we could do this every week, we would be more consistent..." ~Bryan
Robson (I think)

Well that makes two, when I won the race at the end of the Jim Russell
course at Donington, quite some people how it was possible that I was such a
complete racing driver (putting in fast lap times, consistent, good
overtaking manouvres, good car control). The only possible response for me
was sim racing. So many aspects of sim racing are required in real life
racing. Some are more difficult in sim racing than in real life, others are
more difficult in real life.
I test FFord nowadays and the similarities with GPL are all over. Although I
have to say that I never use the amount of lock I use in GPL, that's the one
flaw in the model. Look at your replays, with that kind of lock I would go
straight on in every corner in my FFord.
An aspect you don't have in sim racing is the confidence in the car (other
word for sense of fear). Have you ever driven at Donington, Rob? What do you
think of the Schwantz corner? In a Vauxhall Jr. the backend tends be quite
light through that corner, to take it flat out you have to build confidence.
Now think about that fast left hander at Monza, we're doing that corner flat
out after about two laps. No way, that any driver would slide a car like
that at that speed through a corner like that after two laps. Not because
you fear to get hurt, you just don't want to put the car in the wall and
have to get back to your mechanics.

Heya Rob...

I race in RL too..   I little Alfa Romeo Club Race car..   GREAT fun...

A couple of weeks ago..  we had to run on "intermediate" tires..   in the
dry..  I have never had sooo much fun in a race car!!!   it was so similar
to GPL..  sliding, throwing the car around..  it was uncanny..  but felt
great and very natrual to me..

GPL DEFINATELY improves your race driving..  Try handling a BRM around
Zandvoort with drivers such as Glenn Jay, Vail Riches, and Ian Lake up your
butt.....  I'm telling your..  it is harder than real life..  and that is
FACT!!

James Pickard,
Melbourne,
AUSTRALIA
(race a Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1.7ti Club race car)