rec.autos.simulators

In an effort to improve my laptimes, I've been examining where I'm slower
compared to you hotshots out there.  No surprises - I'm earlier on the
brakes and later on the throttle.

I'm having some success at getting earlier on the throttle.  The
breakthrough came when I realised that the throttle is an analogue device,
and I don't have to go from throttle feathered to throttle full open in a
fraction of a nanosecond. Duh.

The braking is proving less easy to improve.  I'm using a thrustmaster
sprint wheel which cannot have the pedals in spit axis mode, so I cannot
follow any of the advice for trail braking.  At present braking technique is
to lose all the speed I need in a straight line, then turn into the corner,
then add power gradually as I pass the apex.  Looking at replays, people
seem to be able to lose speed consistently all the way to the apex.
Whenever I try this, I always lose the rear end of the car in uncontrollable
oversteer.

Any hints?

If it helps, I'm concentrating (still! - after having the full game over a
year) on the same tracks as were in the demo.  I've got down to 1:29.7 in
the Lotus at Monza and a best of 1:07.5 in the Ferrari at the Glen.

Thanks for any help!

Ian

Ian Riches
Bedford, UK

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SLG

Cheers,
--
Oli
BeoRocket Racing
http://www.beorocket.co.yu/

Steve,

I have thought of that and tried it.  Just can't get used to it - and it
ruins all sense of immersion for me.  I also find it had to steer accurately
(and GPL *needs* to be steered accurately) when operating the paddles.

Ian

Ian Riches
Bedford, UK

------

Andre

you are refering to trailbraking here. this is a technique which needs
quite some skill and a lot of practice to be done effectively. braking
goes like this: press the brake pedal at the braking point until you
hear a bit squeeling (a bit!!). make sure your wheels don't lock up! if
the squeeling gets too loud or your wheels lock up: release the brake
until the squeeling disappears and adjust the braking pressure this way.
when you reach the turn-in point, release the brakes a abit (not
completely), turn in and while you go for the apex, release the brakes
more and more while turning more. shortly before the apex start applying
throttle and aim for an soft, little squeeling exit.

monza is good to practice trailbraking, especially the 1st lesmo and the
parabolica.

Lio

Ian

Ian Riches
Bedford, UK

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so, you now know what to do when your guarantee runs out!

martin.

Care to share how you did this?  I haven't held a soldering iron since my
eletronics 'O'-level, but I can still probably work out which end is which.
I seem to remember one end gets very hot - that soon teaches me :-)

Thanks,

Ian

Ian Riches
Bedford, UK

------

Dave Ewing

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David A. Ewing

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On Wed, 26 Jan 2000 15:14:17 -0000, "Ian Riches"

Dave Ewing

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David A. Ewing

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Slot

:> I'm certain this will be declared heresy.  IMO you CAN effectively
:> trail brake with single axis.  Just keep the brake applied as you turn
:> in.  Ease off gradually but not full off.

: Not heretical at all.  In fact, I believe this is how Jim Clark did it.

  Almost certainly true because Clark was so amazingly light on brakes.
Apparently Hill had to have his brakes replaces after every race, Clark
had them replaced half way through the season because the team were
embarrased he was still using the same ones.  

--
Richard G. Clegg       Only the mind is waving
    Networks and Non-Linear Dynamics Group
      Dept. of Mathematics, Uni. of York
    www:  http://manor.york.ac.uk/top.html