the drivers with the following advice. After thinking about it, I
figured a lot more people could benefit from what I had to say.
First, a little background. In IGPS, we run Intermediate races, which
allows the use of Shift-R to repair the car after an accident. However,
in IGPS races, Shift-R can only be used if you complete the lap you're
currently on and pull into the first pit stall. This keeps a lot more
people in the race than driving in Pro races, but still lends more of an
aire of realism to the races in that if you break your car, you have to
go to the pits to get it fixed.
Keep in mind that I'm not the fastest driver out there by any means,
and that I willingly admit that my driving style is my own personal
outlook on racing life, but I make an effort to play well with others and
be respectful of significantly faster drivers. So without further delay,
class is now in session...
(reprinted with permnission)
More Season 2 Advice From Your Uncle John
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Everyone take heed - drive with a little less aggression and you WILL
survive the races. The last thing anybody wants is to be coasting or
scraping back to the pits for a dose of Shift-R. Not only that, but
people limping back to the pits under less than ideal conditions create a
hazard for everyone that still has all his/her parts on the car.
Patience - Don't be in such a hurry to pass that slow car in front of
you. Don't try to pressure the driver into making a mistake. He's got
enough problems knowing you seem to be tied to his transaxle.
Practice - MAKE TIME to practice for every race. While this is primarily
fun, you don't want to ruin everyone else's fun by not being prepared.
Being fast is good, but stable is better (and leads to being fast).
Think - KNOW the race course. Commit your braking points and problem
areas to memory. Think about everything you're doing. You're piloting a
1,000 point rocketsled around a confined area. It's up to you to "keep
it on the gray part".
Aware - Know how the fast drivers race. If you think they're going to be
passing you, learn their passing technique and be ready for it. Watch
the pit board. It tells you (sometimes) how far back the car behind you
is. Listen for cars coming up behind you.
Drive Ahead - as you round a corner, look for the next turn and see if a
car is wrecking there. A quick glance is all it takes. Watch the
flagmen. If you see anything that even appears to be a yellow or white
flag, ease up a bit until you're sure there's nothing blocking your
racing line.
Consistency - Attack each turn and straightaway the same way every time
(wreck avoidance notwithstanding). Consistent lap times are one of the
keys to success in GPL.
Smooth - Despite what you might think, sliding through a turn is not the
correct way to manuever. If you're sliding, then you're not in control.
If you're not in control, you're a hazard to everyone else on the track.
Slow in, fast out. Flatten the corners as much as possible. Smooth
acceleration coming out of a turn. These techniques will help you finish
a race in IGPS and will even improve your lap times.
Comments and questions are welcomed.
--
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John Simmons - Redneck Techno-Biker (Zerex12)
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
John Simmons - Barbarian Diecast Collector
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
IGPS (Season 2) Director
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.
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