rec.autos.simulators

Well, wonder no longer.  I put together a page (with the help of Alison Hine
and Eric Busch) that explains what the gauges do and how they are laid out
in each***pit.  You can access it from the Eagle Woman Grand Prix legends
page (http://www.racesimcentral.net/~alison/gpl/) in the Help section or directly
at http://www.racesimcentral.net/~jeffreyh/gpl/gplgauges.html

Let me know what you think about it.  Also if there are any clarifications
that might be required, let me know that as well.

See you at the track,

Jeff H.

D. Cook

On a similar topic:  I know all about lifting off the throttle when
shifting in order to avoid doing damage to the engine.  But where
exactly (what RPM) should I be shifting at (I'm using the Lotus
exclusively).  I've been judging it by ear so far.

And at the start of a race:  what I've been doing is waiting until the
flag guy raises the flag, then I engage the clutch, put the car into
first gear, and get the revs up.  When the flag drops, I let off the
clutch, and go.  Question:  is this the optimum way to do a start?
I'm concerned about doing damage to the engine by giving it too many
RPM at the start.

Thanks,

Richie

Glad you like it. :-)

: On a similar topic:  I know all about lifting off the throttle when
: shifting in order to avoid doing damage to the engine.  But where
: exactly (what RPM) should I be shifting at (I'm using the Lotus
: exclusively).  I've been judging it by ear so far.

I am currently collecting data on this stuff which I will include in the
Gauge Page.  If you use the data I have on the page now, you can find a
safe place to rev to, based on the reported max revs. For example, with
the Eagle, I rev until the needle is at 12 o.clock.  That should be
between 9000-10,000rpm. I have never had an engine blow by doing this,
even in long races.  I also short-shift into long  corners that might take
me above this optimum on exit. Ascari and Parabolica are good examples.

Remember, though,  what is "safe" for one car may not be "safe" for
another however.  I will try to get that info up ASAP since I know a lot
of folks are wondering about it, as am I.

If someone out there knows optimal revs by engine, please email me the
data and I will put it up, post haste.

: And at the start of a race:  what I've been doing is waiting until the
: flag guy raises the flag, then I engage the clutch, put the car into
: first gear, and get the revs up.  When the flag drops, I let off the
: clutch, and go.  Question:  is this the optimum way to do a start?
: I'm concerned about doing damage to the engine by giving it too many
: RPM at the start.

This is what I do too.  It is hard to hold it at optimum revs after you
disengage the clutch though.  Practice practice pratice!

-J.

% Let me know what you think about it.  Also if there are any clarifications
% that might be required, let me know that as well.

I've noticed, in the Lotus at least, that the gauges seem to be a 12:00
or 6:00 when things are just fine.   Is this true with the other cars?

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

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--
=========================================================
John Simmons - Redneck Techno-Biker (Zerex12)
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

John Simmons - Barbarian Diecast Collector
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

If you want to send me email, go to either of the URL's
shown above & click "Send Me Mail" in the contents frame.
=========================================================

Big thanks for yours and Alison's and Eric's efforts, looks great and
very useful.

Seeyas on the track.

--John (Joao) Silva

I would like to see a patch which lets you see all the info as you do when
the view is in arcade mode.

So when you are in the***pit, you have an exact readout of speed, rpm etc.

Hywel

My concern is that the tach. reading doesn't seem to be accurate from one
car to the next (notch # whatever doesn't consistently mean x rpm).  I think
that at least the tach. should be readable and accurate...

Marc.

% My concern is that the tach. reading doesn't seem to be accurate from one
% car to the next (notch # whatever doesn't consistently mean x rpm).  I think
% that at least the tach. should be readable and accurate...

I don't have time to "read" my tach, but I usually peg it at the start
and then just use the tattle tale mark to keep me in line.  The rest is
done by ear.

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=