rec.autos.simulators

I'd rather pull a fang tooth of a greased pig with my bare hands
and a pair of pliers than try to battle for postition in the
first half lap of a race at Spa.  I cannot control the Ferrari
with anything more than 3/4 throttle until all the way *after*
Malmedy.  I have to shift all the way down to a high 3rd to get
through Malmedy, which leaves the field rocketing away from me
down the straight into Stavelot.  I am loosing as much as 2-4
seconds to the middle of the pack, methinks.  

I feel like I'm being extra smooth and extra attentive to
throttle modulation while the tires come up to pressure/temp, but
I get no joy.  The car is all over the place under acceleration,
like one of those 4th of July things that spins on the ground
like a top while discharging colorful sparks <g>.  Anyone have
driving tips for cold tires??

Also, how does tire pressure affect GPL, without the tire wear
factor?  I read in the manual the guy recommends high pressure
for Spa... but why?  I tried it and sure enough I gained almost 2
seconds a lap consistently over the default setup... (also
stiffened suspension by 10 pounds at all 4 corners)  this does
not make sense to me (because I'm ignorant?).  In something like
GP2, tire pressure has huge affect on grip levels, heating, and
wear, but in GPL - where they say the tires are so hard they last
for 3 weekends- I fail to see how pressure on a global scale (not
on a corner-of-the-car handling scale) can have affect one way or
the other?

GPL is fun... but I am a *sh*tty* plilot LOL.

-=Hammer
remove the x fer email reply

Trips

Have you tried tire warmers??

(or for the British... Have you tried tyre warmers?)

Hmmm, I guess I underestimate(d) that affect.  With the
incredible torque and power of that Ferrari engine, I did not
think a couple of pounds would make a difference.  Apparently it
does.

What's the pressures people run at Spa?  I am running 23 front,
22 back, symetrically.

I assume in GPL softer means more grip? (i.e., monaco?).

-=Hammer
remove x fer email reply

(or for the Americans, they're right at the center of our plans!)

Cheers!

--
Graeme Nash

You know what to do with "don't_spam_me"...
http://www.karisma1.demon.co.uk/
ICQ# 11257824

"Useless quote"

No kidding.  I was going nuts trying to get under two minutes at Rouen;
particularly, getting a nice set through turn one at speed and sticking Gresil
on the back side with minimal lift.  A one psi increase in the left front tire
and voila;  a happy Lotus, its driver grinning like a fool at his 1:59.  I need
to read more about setup theory.

Steve B.

Marc.

Above being the case, then why not jack up pressures to 30lbs or
so??  There must be some tradeoff if the pressure is set to high.

What are the tradeoffs of higher (even "too high") tire pressure
in GPL???

My guess would be firstly reduced grip, which at a place like Spa
would not necessarily be too bad a thing.  Secondly, I would
guess the suspension would get even stiffer, as the tire would
inflate to even further pressure when heated.  In a modern F1
car, a pound of air pressure is worth something like 50lbs
(?????? - itsa guess, don't flame me, n e 1 know??) worth of
suspension resistence, or something like that - pretty
considerable.  How would that model to GPL??

Just for fun, last night I raised all 4 tires again by 1 pound...
and set a new fast lap (3:28:04 - WAHOOOO!).   I'm now running
25lbs in front and 24lbs in the back... pleasant little
understeer setup for horsing the Ferrari through Malmedy at
brilliant speed.  

I hate to be long winded (bad habit), but I have further question
in relation to ride height.  As the tire heats and inflates
further, would the ride height not be affected??  In a modern F1
car, I think it would be very minimal (??), but in these older
cars/tires/tyres, I'm wondering what the affect would be on ride
hieght?

Thanks all for your ideas/input/help.  I'm determined to get good
at this sim, it's the best piece of entertainment/sim software I
have ever bought!!

-=Hammer
remove x fer email reply