rec.autos.simulators

How are you guys setting up your brakes in GP2. I am using a T2 control and
have the brakes set for analog. They just don't seem to have any "FEEL" and
lock up when I go into corners. This wasn't as annoying in ICR2 since the
braking wasn't as realistic as it is in GP2. Someone needs to come out with
a set of pedals in which the brakes are pressure sensative as opposed to a
linier device, as is the case with the current units since the use a
potentiometer for output. They just don't seem real. Any suggestion as to
setups would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx in advance and happy motoring
John E. Crouse

I have greatly improved my braking (and accelerating) with my T2 by firstly
removing any low sensitivity zone, then when I calibrate in the Y axis I get full
travel for brakes and about two thirds travel for accelerator. Having full travel in
braking is vital to avoid locking up on every corner and chewing you tires.

BTW, once having made the changes, load a hotlap and plot accel and brake: you'll
see how you are now braking more smoothly and going more slowly to 100% brakes.

Hope this helps,

 john stuart
 cape town, rsa

The trick is to brake hard to begin with, but to ease off the brake as
the car slows down. On some corners it is really difficult to avoid
locking the wheels, but if you do this most of the time you'll manage
it.

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* Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so... * Glenn Davies              *

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Hi John,

With regards to GP2 braking ...

At high speeds F1 cars are subject to a lot of downforce.  As much as four
times the weight of the car I've read.  Therefore at high speeds the tyres
are pressed hard against the track surface and thereby enjoy much improved
traction.  In this high-speed, high-downforce, high-traction mode you can
jump on the brakes full force without loosing traction or locking up the
wheels.  But as the car slows, and it slows very fast, it looses speed, and
therefore looses downforce, and therefore looses traction.  If you maintain
the full brake effort while the car is thus slowing you'll reach a point
where its reduced traction can no longer withstand the braking force.  The
wheels then lock up.  Locked up front wheels cause you to loose the ability
to steer.  Locked up rear wheels will usually cause the back end to slip
out.  The braking method in GP2 is more of a process than it was in GP1,
and IMHO cleverly reflects real-life.

As you first brake from high speed you can apply full braking effort.  As
the car slows you have to progressively release the brake to avoid wheel
lock up. Towards the end of the braking process you may actually be
applying very little brake effort indeed.

Braking from an already slow initial speed to an even slower speed may
require that you never apply full braking in order to avoid wheel lock up.

In either case, if you do lock up the wheels before youve slowed the car
enough, dont just keep the brakes full on.  Momentarily lift your foot off
the brakes to restore steering control and then gently reapply with
carefully measured force.

Because this kind of braking profile requires some degree of sensitivity
you may find that you need to increase the Low sensitivity zone setting for
the brake device in the Advanced Control Method screen.  In fact for my T2
peddles I set this to 95%.  ( While your at it you might like to also
likewise increase the Low sensitivity zone for the accelerator device.  GP2
punishes you severely for applying too much power too quickly coming out of
a corner. )

Carefully measured application of the brakes, and accelerator, in
conjunction with extended Low sensitivity zones, will go a long way to help
avoid brake induced wheel lock-ups and over acceleration spin-outs.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards

Phillip

FWIW, my 2 pennies...

I'm using CH Pro pedals which are, like you distinguish, annoying in that their
resistance to pressure is rather light and linear. This causes problems with over-
braking. As Phillip points out, braking from high speeds is a foot-to-the-floor
affair but slow speeds require lifting off, or (easier but less controlled) dabbing
on and off the brakes.

If all else fails I'm sure some sort of block behind the pedals (as a 'stop') would
do, but you'd have to brake earlier from high speeds!

Cheers,
Dan

"Feel Lucky, Scubaboy?" - Discovery Channel, Shark Week, 1995