Notable threads

Landmark (★) and standout discussions have 20 or more posts. See also the flame wars.

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1994

• F1GP car setups and a long brake-bias physics debate 1994-04-28 · 29 posts
  A player complained that downloaded F1GP setups did not suit him, and others advised building a setup around personal preferences. The discussion turned into a lengthy physics argument about brake bias, weight transfer, downforce versus weight and centre of pressure, citing Carroll Smith's 'Tune to Win'. Gordon Bell posted the F1GP/World Circuit FAQ v1.01, and a short meta-debate followed about whether vehicle-dynamics talk belonged in the group, with some arguing it was relevant to judging simulator realism.
• IndyCar Racing speeds versus real Road America telemetry 1994-09-12 · 54 posts
  After watching real telemetry from Road America (Elkhart Lake), a player asked why IndyCar Racing cars could not match real top speeds and corner speeds; others agreed sim top speeds were around 20 mph low on road courses and oval corner speeds too high, though practice brought lap times close to reality. The thread grew into a bug list and wish list for future Papyrus titles (rev limiter, yellow-flag behaviour, side views, remappable keys), discussion of trail braking and keyboard driving, nostalgia for Revs on the BBC Micro, and complaints that Papyrus was unresponsive to bug reports, which others defended as a small company busy with NASCAR.

1995

• ★ Papyrus on 2D physics, curbs and features in IndyCar Racing II 1995-09-06 · 51 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  Asked why cars could not flip, Rick Genter of Papyrus explained that the physics model was essentially two-dimensional and would remain so in IndyCar Racing II and NASCAR for Windows/Mac, and confirmed ICR II would have no curbs. He also described wide-angle mirrors, a much simpler Windows garage interface, a Q1 1996 date for NASCAR for Mac/Windows, and why a 320x400 mode would be costly. Players expressed disappointment about the lack of curbs and LAN multiplayer and compared it with the forthcoming F1GP II.
• ★ IndyCar Racing II release dates, demo and Windows 95 delay 1995-10-31 · 25 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus); Ann Marie Gianantoni (Papyrus)
  Following Papyrus's release-date announcement, Rick Genter answered questions about IndyCar Racing II: localized European versions would ship from the UK on November 22, the initial DOS release had no 3D card or Direct3D support, and the demo went up on the Papyrus BBS. He said the Windows 95 version would slip into 1996 to avoid a buggy release, and Ann Marie Gianantoni of Papyrus confirmed manuals in Spanish, German, Italian and French. Some buyers were confused about whether a Win95 upgrade coupon was included.
• IndyCar 2 announcement and NASCAR 1.2 patch bug complaints 1995-03-09 · 28 posts · Rich (Papyrus)
  Paul Hodgetts relayed news that Papyrus was working on IndyCar Racing 2 using the NASCAR engine, while league organiser Tony Johns voiced frustration over the long-delayed NASCAR patch and listed bugs such as yellow-flag cars driving through walls and phantom stay-behind black flags. Others defended Papyrus as a small company under business pressure. Rich from Papyrus clarified that the 1.2 patch did not add multiplayer for more than two players, and a later post reported that the NASCAR 1.2 update had been released.
• Track editor demand for IndyCar 2 sparks flame war 1995-05-02 · 41 posts
  Bryon La demanded local yellows and a track editor in the next IndyCar Racing, citing Stunts, and suggested a boycott if they were missing. Ralf Southard and others argued that Papyrus tracks, with embedded AI and detailed scenery, were far too complex for a Stunts-style editor, while some supporters said a sophisticated editor would add value. The exchange degenerated into name-calling, mock polls and personal insults, with a few posters lamenting the thread's decline.
• NASCAR Racing Track Pack release and Talladega accuracy 1995-05-08 · 26 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  Posters announced that the NASCAR Racing track expansion would ship on May 16, 1995 with Charlotte, Sears Point, Dover, Richmond, Rockingham and North Wilkesboro, while Daytona and Indianapolis were excluded for licensing reasons. Rick Genter, IndyCar Racing 2.0 technical lead at Papyrus, said ICR 2.0 would use the NASCAR engine and be Papyrus's first cross-platform game. Buyers reported the pack included the 1.2 patch, that Sears Point was hard, that the UK release would slip to late summer, and criticised the Talladega tri-oval and curved pit roads.
• Papyrus previews IndyCar Racing 2.0 at E3 1995 1995-05-10 · 36 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  Papyrus posted a press release previewing IndyCar Racing 2.0 at the 1995 E3. Rick Genter of Papyrus confirmed it would have the same two-player modem/IPX support as NASCAR Racing, and attendees described networked beta stations at the Indy 500 Fanfest. The thread was dominated by Bryon La's complaints about hardware requirements and no track editor, which led to a heated, insulting exchange with Ralf Southard and others over whether ICR was a sim or a game.
• Nostalgia for Geoff Crammond's Revs on the BBC Micro 1995-05-13 · 56 posts
  Fans of Acornsoft's Revs, Geoff Crammond's mid-1980s Formula 3 sim for the BBC Micro and C64, swapped Silverstone lap times, wing settings and memories, with many calling it the best racing sim ever made. Discussion covered C64 and BBC emulators for running it on a PC, requests for an Acorn Archimedes conversion, and Crammond's other games such as Aviator and The Sentinel. A side thread wished for a British Touring Car sim, and posters noted Crammond was working on Formula One Grand Prix II.
• F1GP versus IndyCar Racing: game or simulation? 1995-10-24 · 46 posts
  A claim that F1GP was still the best driving sim set off a long debate. F1GP fans praised its atmosphere, editors, wet races and keyboard playability, while IndyCar Racing supporters argued its physics and detailed setups were far more realistic and that F1GP was arcade-like. Participants also argued over whether simplified car setup suits a 'driver's' sim, citing Geoff Crammond's view that the player is a driver rather than an engineer.
• IndyCar Racing II demo released 1995-11-15 · 20 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  Players reported that the IndyCar Racing II demo, about 7 MB with Michigan and Laguna Seca, was available on the Papyrus BBS and later FTP. Most praised its improved AI, sound and surprisingly fast SVGA mode, enabled with 'indycar -h' as Rick Genter confirmed. One poster called it a waste because setups could not be changed, drawing angry replies. Genter also said ICR II tracks could not be hacked into NASCAR Racing.
• Grand Prix 2 delayed to March 1996 1995-11-20 · 20 posts · Quentin Chaney (MicroProse)
  A magazine report that Grand Prix 2's release had slipped to March 1996 prompted speculation, including rumours of a dispute or cancellation. Quentin Chaney of MicroProse posted that Geoff Crammond was still developing the game, tweaking gameplay while artists upgraded artwork to SVGA, and that it would be released in the coming year. Others noted adverts and pre-orders already running.

1996

• ★ Papyrus opens beta of multiplayer NASCAR Racing (Hawaii) 1996-04-22 · 174 posts · Ed Martin (Papyrus); Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  Papyrus announced the open beta of multiplayer NASCAR Racing, the Papyrus Network client nicknamed 'Hawaii'. The HAWAII.EXE client was downloaded from Sierra's site and BBS and connected by long-distance dial-up to a Boston server. Beta testers praised racing against people, while others raised long-distance costs, latency, modem trouble and wreckers. Ed Martin said Papyrus wanted to cut costs, and Rick Genter explained why typical internet latency made TCP/IP racing impractical at the time.
• ★ Rick Genter announces departure from Papyrus 1996-06-17 · 24 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus/Sierra)
  Rick Genter, technical lead on IndyCar Racing II, announced that his last day at Papyrus would be June 28 and that he and ICR2 producer Todd Farrington were forming a new game company whose first project would not be a driving game. Dozens of regulars thanked him for his unusually open and professional support on the newsgroup, and some wondered whether the Sierra takeover played a role. He said he would mostly lurk in game programming groups.
• ★ Spectrum HoloByte announces GP2 worldwide launch date 1996-07-12 · 25 posts · Gabriel (Spectrum HoloByte/MicroProse support)
  Spectrum HoloByte/MicroProse support posted a press release setting the worldwide launch of Grand Prix 2 for July 23, 1996. Readers were skeptical given a year of delays, while the support representative Gabriel answered questions about shipping, regional availability and direct sales numbers.
• ★ NASCAR Racing 2 ships in early December 1996 1996-12-01 · 31 posts · Jerry Bowerman (Sierra)
  A poster insisted that NASCAR Racing 2 would not be out until December 18, while others cited Sierra's press release saying it would ship on December 3. Sierra's Jerry Bowerman confirmed it was shipping, and users soon reported buying copies in stores on December 4 and 5 and praised the game and paint kit.
• 486/120 or Pentium upgrade for Papyrus sims, and GP2 speed fears 1996-01-06 · 42 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  A user asked whether an AMD 486/120 or a Pentium 75/100 would better run ICR II and NASCAR; most recommended a Pentium for its PCI bus and upgrade path. Rick Genter of Papyrus confirmed ICR II's graphics engine was Pentium-optimised and said a GP2 demo he saw ran at 140-150% processor occupancy in VGA on a P90. This prompted extrapolated fears about GP2 performance, which others criticised as based on an old show demo and possibly biased; Genter said his observation was personal.
• Papyrus confirms Win95 ICR2 for June, no NASCAR upgrade 1996-02-22 · 39 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  Asked about Windows 95 versions, Papyrus technical lead Rick Genter said IndyCar Racing II for Windows 95 was scheduled for June, and that there were no plans for a Windows 95 version or other upgrades of NASCAR Racing. He said the decision was Papyrus's own, and that not upgrading NASCAR Racing was different from never making another NASCAR product. Readers took this as a hint of NASCAR 2 and posted long wish lists covering AI, spotters, pit speeds, network play and post-race analysis.
• Fake Geoff Crammond post claims GP2 cancelled 1996-04-07 · 38 posts · Gabriel Turk (Spectrum HoloByte/MicroProse)
  A message on the MicroProse message board, apparently from Geoff Crammond, claimed that GP2 was being rewritten or dropped because of financial and AI problems. It alarmed readers until it was shown to be a hoax, and the poster later apologised as an 'Imposter Geoff Crammond'. Spectrum HoloByte/MicroProse support manager Gabriel Turk confirmed the posts were bogus. Readers then questioned why UK magazines had already reviewed a game that was still in development.
• ICR2 bugs, DOS patch timing and Win95 version details 1996-04-09 · 29 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  A question about a car disappearing at Laguna Seca led to complaints about unfixed IndyCar Racing II bugs, such as the yellow-flag and over-rev light problems. Rick Genter of Papyrus said the DOS patch would come out at the same time as the June Windows 95 version, which DOS owners could download free. He said the Windows version uses DirectDraw, DirectSound and DirectInput but not Direct3D, and that some early 3D cards were slower than software rendering on a P90. He also said Sierra had taken over tech support on March 11.
• Papyrus warns against pirated Indianapolis track pack 1996-04-12 · 26 posts · Ed Martin (Papyrus); Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  Ed Martin of Papyrus warned that posting or downloading the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Track Pack, which had been uploaded to a binaries group, was illegal. Some posters at first confused this with the community track converters and argued that hackers helped sales. Martin replied that Papyrus valued user-made cars and utilities but would protect its copyrighted software, and Rick Genter gave the order number for the pack.
• The Pits abandons its Daytona conversion after licensing call 1996-05-23 · 47 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  Jed of The Pits announced that the Daytona track conversion for NASCAR Racing would not be released. The licensing director for Daytona and Talladega had called the US mirror's operator on 13 May to object. Readers called the track owners jerks, proposed renaming the track, and debated trademark law. Rick Genter noted that Sega held an exclusive, worldwide licence to Daytona's likeness. Later posts suggested passing the patch around privately, while others told people to accept that it was dead.
• NASCAR 2 feature details spark sequel-versus-patch debate 1996-05-29 · 57 posts · Charlie Heath (Papyrus)
  David Sparks summarised NASCAR 2 details from Papyrus's Adam Levesque, including a spotter and crew chief, real-time AI qualifying over two days, and an engine based on ICR2. Terje Wold Johansen argued that it was an upgrade sold as a sequel, with the same 2.5D engine and physics, and predicted GP2 would surpass it, which drew hostile replies. Charlie Heath of Papyrus asked for replays of the rare 'teleport' bug, and players shared stories of cars jumping through walls.
• Papyrus admits NASCAR 2 limits; ICR2 Win95 goes gold 1996-05-30 · 40 posts · Adam Levesque (Papyrus); Charlie Heath (Papyrus); Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  Adam Levesque of Papyrus confirmed that NASCAR 2 would keep the curved pit roads because there was no time to rewrite the track tools. This led to angry complaints about rushed annual releases and the overdue ICR2 patch, with defenders insulting critics. Levesque defended the team and called the online service revolutionary. Charlie Heath said Papyrus had prototyped force feedback with Exos a year earlier. Rick Genter announced that the ICR2 Windows 95 and Macintosh versions had gone gold and that a DOS 1.0.1 patch would go online.
• NASCAR 2 producer Adam Levesque outlines new features 1996-05-30 · 31 posts · Adam Levesque (Papyrus)
  Papyrus producer Adam Levesque posted NASCAR Racing 2's planned features, including a spotter and crew chief, a new interface and race weekend structure. He said the physics would be largely unchanged from NASCAR 1. Readers asked about inside/outside spotter calls, new tracks, Hawaii's corrected physics, paint kits, and AI that crowds the player in corners. Levesque later confirmed that NASCAR 2 used the ICR2 engine and its VLB support.
• NASCAR lawyers force NASSCAR sim league to drop name 1996-06-02 · 34 posts · Ed Martin (Papyrus); Rick Genter (Papyrus)
  Tim Wortman posted a letter from NASCAR's lawyers asking his online league NASSCAR to stop using the name and NASCAR's trademarks. Many argued that NASCAR was legally obliged to protect its marks, while others called it bullying. Ed Martin of Papyrus explained the official 'NASCAR Racing League' plans and the industry's rules on liquor and tobacco names. Rick Genter recounted being forced to drop the fake sponsor name 'Enerjuice' on the day ICR2 went gold.
• NASCAR Racing 2 to stay DOS while NRL front end needs Win95 1996-06-15 · 42 posts · Ed Martin (Papyrus/Sierra); Rick Genter (Papyrus/Sierra)
  A user asked whether NASCAR 2 would require Windows 95. Papyrus producer Ed Martin confirmed NASCAR Racing 2 would be a DOS game, but the NASCAR Racing League online front end would be Windows 95, using its built-in TCP/IP; he also noted that DirectX still cost frame rate compared with DOS. Some Windows 3.1 and OS/2 users objected, while others urged them to upgrade, and one holdout reported upgrading happily. Rick Genter added that Win95 and DOS performance were roughly equal at 640x480 depending on drivers.
• Pirated early GP2 build circulates with a virus 1996-06-17 · 40 posts
  Posters reported that a 21-disk pirated version of Grand Prix 2 had appeared on warez sites, and most condemned downloading it ahead of the retail release. Investigation by readers showed it was an old alpha build dated around December 1995, VGA-only and carrying the Burglar.1150 virus. A few users still begged for the download location and were mocked.
• ICR2 patch delay sparks long argument and Papyrus replies 1996-06-22 · 116 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus/Sierra); Ed Martin (Papyrus/Sierra)
  A long and abusive thread argued over the eight-month wait for the IndyCar Racing II patch, with complaints about the yellow-flag bug and accusations that resources had been diverted to NASCAR 2 and the Win95 version. Rick Genter stated the patch was in Sierra QA and expected around that Thursday. Later posts discussed the planned CD exchange for the Win95/DOS/Mac version and urged Ed Martin not to be driven away by the hostility.
• Ed Martin explains NRL car sets and sponsorship plans 1996-06-25 · 24 posts · Ed Martin (Papyrus/Sierra); Charlie Heath (Papyrus)
  Ed Martin outlined how the NASCAR Racing League would work with NASCAR Racing 2: individual car files, NRL-sanctioned car sets for all online racing, and paying sponsors to help offset network costs. Users could still use custom paint schemes offline and in IPX play, Hoosier tires would be dropped, and the NRL would offer pickup races, user-created series and official NRL series. Readers questioned the restrictions, especially for league administrators wanting consistent cars.
• ICR2 Windows 95/Mac edition appears in stores 1996-06-27 · 25 posts · Rick Genter (Papyrus/Sierra); Ed Martin (Papyrus/Sierra); Scott Maris (Papyrus)
  Users reported the combined DOS/Win95/Mac IndyCar Racing II CD in stores, and Rick Genter confirmed it contained all three versions. Ed Martin said the retail version included the updated DOS code and the downloadable patch was being built from it. Early buyers complained about stuttering and low frame rates in the Win95 version, while Papyrus's Scott Maris listed its interface and paint shop improvements.
• Ed Martin clarifies ICR2 patch and Win95 upgrade plans 1996-06-30 · 44 posts · Ed Martin (Papyrus/Sierra)
  Ed Martin, while noting he was not on the ICR2 team, said the DOS-to-DOS patch was still in testing and that a Win95 patch was too big to download, so owners would be offered the new DOS/Win95/Mac CD for roughly handling cost by returning the old CD. Most readers thanked him, though some objected to giving up their original CD and others reported Win95 frame-rate stutters.
• Papyrus's Scott Maris quits newsgroup after ICR2 patch abuse 1996-06-30 · 29 posts · Ed Martin (Papyrus/Sierra); Scott Maris (Papyrus)
  A user asked Ed Martin why no Win95 patch would be offered; Martin explained the CD exchange plan. Papyrus's Scott Maris added that a downloadable Win95 patch was abandoned as not worth the effort given DirectX and installer issues, which drew obscene replies and threats of piracy. Maris announced he was done with the group, and regulars lamented that abusive posters had driven off another developer.
• GP2 goes on sale early in German Karstadt stores 1996-07-12 · 21 posts
  A German poster reported that Grand Prix 2 was on sale at Karstadt stores under a special deal, ahead of other markets. Others were skeptical, but several Germans confirmed buying a German-language limited edition with a mouse pad. Americans complained about waiting longer.
• ICR2 1.00 to 1.02 patch appears on Hawaii 1996-07-13 · 25 posts
  A user reported that the long-awaited IndyCar Racing II 1.00 to 1.02 DOS patch had been posted on Papyrus's Hawaii server, and others complained it was not on a website. Readers mirrored it via FTP and web pages until Sierra put it up officially a few days later. Early users found the patch made driver files read-only, fixable with attrib, and reported some install errors.
• Proposal to create rec.autos.simulators.nascar 1996-07-19 · 62 posts · Ed Martin (Papyrus/Sierra)
  Amid the flood of GP2 posts, a user proposed a NASCAR-specific newsgroup. Opponents including John Wallace said a single group served fans of all sims and splits would bring cross-posting, while supporters cited the coming NASCAR Racing League. Tony Johns noted a formal RFD process was needed and argued with the proposer over who started it; Ed Martin joked he was glad GP2 meant fewer questions for him.
• Why GP2 graphics performance is poor 1996-07-19 · 34 posts
  Users asked why GP2 slowed down in heavy scenes when Quake ran smoothly. John Wallace noted even a Pentium Pro 200 could not hold 25 fps at Monaco and criticised the lack of VESA 2 linear framebuffer support. Imre Olajos found that setting the target frame rate below the estimate avoided slowdowns, and others explained GP2 slows game time on overload while ICR2 drops frames.
• Grand Prix 2 complaints list and steering help debate 1996-07-30 · 53 posts
  Chris Longhurst posted a list of complaints about GP2's damage model, tunnel sound, the AI and steering help that could not be disabled with the keyboard. JEB argued that keyboard users should not criticise a sim built for wheels, which led to sharp exchanges. Others explained that steering help can be switched off by creating a custom controller configuration, and also discussed the missing weather and network play, and frame rates on modest PCs.
• Jacques Villeneuve used Grand Prix 2 to learn Spa 1996-08-23 · 20 posts
  Posters reported TV commentators and newspapers saying Jacques Villeneuve had learned the Spa circuit on a computer game before the 1996 Belgian GP, which was presumed to be GP2. He reportedly qualified only 18th in the game, which amused the group. Some joked that MicroProse had paid for the mention.
• First NASCAR Racing 2 screenshots and driver editing 1996-08-23 · 29 posts · Adam Levesque (Papyrus)
  New NASCAR Racing 2 screenshots impressed carset maker Tony Johnson of IWCCCARS, and others urged him to keep making carsets. Papyrus's Adam Levesque described driver bio, team and career pages and a hi-res paint kit, but said licensed drivers might not be editable, which worried users. He clarified that users could create new drivers from a pool, and noted that Papyrus games never carried alcohol or tobacco sponsors.
• First reactions to the NASCAR Racing 2 demo 1996-09-23 · 20 posts · Adam Levesque (Papyrus)
  Players reacted to the NASCAR Racing 2 demo, praising the spotter and graphics but complaining about the narrow field of view through the windscreen. Papyrus's Adam Levesque said the view was deliberately realistic but still being tweaked. He also said a completely new and more realistic physics engine was a main priority for Papyrus going forward.
• What the Rendition Verite 3D chip means for racing sims 1996-09-27 · 57 posts
  Users asked about the Rendition 3D chip on cards from Creative Labs, Intergraph and Sierra, and Eric Busch explained Verite versus 3Dfx Voodoo and Direct3D support. David Sparks reported that Papyrus had announced Verite support for IndyCar Racing II and NASCAR Racing 2. The thread was sidetracked by heated arguments over VHS versus Beta and OS/2 versus Windows 95.
• Anger over reports of no Grand Prix 2 update 1996-10-20 · 136 posts
  After a poster relayed MicroProse tech support saying there were no plans for a GP2 update with wet weather, a 1996 season or network play, a long and abusive argument followed. Critics said MicroProse had advertised features it did not deliver and gave poor support. Defenders, including John Wallace, said the box made no such promises and called GP2 an excellent sim, and conflicting reports of a planned IPX patch kept the dispute going.
• Cheating and hacked setups on Papyrus's Hawaii online service 1996-10-23 · 97 posts
  Players complained of cheating on Papyrus's Hawaii online racing prototype, such as impossible qualifying speeds at Talladega. A major dispute arose when IVGA member Julian Data defended using hex-edited setups, such as altered rear camber and tiny fuel loads, as a legitimate 'grey area'. Most posters called this cheating, and David Sparks noted that Papyrus was quietly collecting information on cheating methods during the test.
• IndyCar Racing II Rendition version impressions and fixes 1996-10-24 · 28 posts · Mike Boich (Rendition); David Anderson (Intergraph)
  Users discussed the Rendition-accelerated IndyCar Racing II bundled with the Intergraph Reactor and Sierra boards. Rendition's Mike Boich said all tracks gained anti-aliasing, filtering and 30 fps, while five tracks also got high-color artwork. Intergraph's David Anderson said a race-length bug caused by Papyrus's code had been fixed, along with Cyrix compatibility problems.
• NASCAR Racing League statement on the IVGA setup controversy 1996-11-12 · 24 posts · Ed Martin (Papyrus)
  Papyrus's Ed Martin posted an official NRL clarification about the IVGA, whose fast-lap software had captured members' car setups. He stated that anyone with access to information giving an unfair advantage would not be allowed to compete in sanctioned NRL events. IVGA head Don Wilshere disputed the account, and many members asked to be removed from the IVGA.
• Papyrus confirms NASCAR Racing 2 delayed past Thanksgiving 1996-11-12 · 30 posts · Adam Levesque (Papyrus)
  Producer Adam Levesque announced that NASCAR Racing 2 would miss its Thanksgiving target because of multiplayer problems. Several people claimed to have bought it already, and Adam repeatedly and emphatically said it had not shipped, suggesting they had seen the Mac version of NASCAR 1. After release, later posts noted small bugs such as cars appearing to 'inhale'.
• IVGA head says Papyrus asked him to sit out the NRL 1996-11-18 · 73 posts · Adam Levesque (Papyrus)
  Don Wilshere posted that Papyrus had asked IVGA staff not to take part in the NASCAR Racing League because their fast-lap software captured members' setups, and he questioned why beta testers could race. Adam Levesque defended the beta testers. Tony Johnson and others laid out the evidence, opinions split on whether banning anyone was fair, and the thread later drifted into NASCAR 2's lack of arcade mode in multiplayer.
• NASCAR Racing 2 online league to run on TEN 1996-12-04 · 30 posts
  Buyers discovered from a flyer in the NASCAR Racing 2 box that the NASCAR Racing League (renamed NRO) would run only on the TEN online service at about $30 per month. Many objected to the cost, the credit card requirement and the over-18 rule, and Hawaii beta testers worried their promised credit hours would be lost. David Sparks explained that TEN used Concentric's low-latency ATM backbone.
• NASCAR Racing 2 has no save-race option 1996-12-08 · 57 posts · Adam Levesque (Papyrus); Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus)
  Players were upset that NASCAR Racing 2 lacked the ability to save a race or race weekend, which made full-length races impractical for many. Some argued that its absence was more realistic or prevented cheating in offline leagues. Adam Levesque stated it was left out purely for lack of time, and Jim Sokoloff explained that a proper save-and-restore was not trivial and that NASCAR 1's save had really been a red-flag restart.
• Calls for a hacked Daytona track for NASCAR Racing 2 1996-12-09 · 58 posts · Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus); Adam Levesque (Papyrus)
  After Daytona was left out of NASCAR Racing 2, some urged hackers to make the track. Others explained that Sega held the exclusive licence and that earlier hacks had been stopped with cease-and-desist letters. Papyrus's Jim Sokoloff said that if Papyrus had the rights, the track would be on the CD, explained the Daytona USA billboard and theme-park time trial exhibit, and noted that Sega had paid millions for the name.
• Papyrus future projects and NASCAR 3 wish lists 1996-12-18 · 63 posts · Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus)
  Users asked Papyrus about future sims. Jim Sokoloff said he was working on NASCAR 3 and invited wish lists, and hinted that Sierra's ownership would mean more openness about upcoming projects, while magazines had mentioned a 1960s Grand Prix sim. Requests included sprint cars, trucks, IRL tracks and more setup options, and Jim also gave advice on curing push and loose handling.

1997

• ★ Jim Sokoloff explains why Papyrus chose a 1960s F1 sim 1997-03-28 · 40 posts · Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus); Charlie Heath (Papyrus)
  Asked why Papyrus was making a sim of 1960s cars rather than a modern series, Jim Sokoloff explained that the 1967-era Formula One cars, with huge power and little grip or downforce, made an unusually demanding and rewarding subject for Papyrus's new physics model. Most posters were enthusiastic, hoping for tracks such as the old Nürburgring and Spa, while a few preferred current-season sims. Sokoloff said the game was over a year from release, so system requirements could not be given, and the thread drifted into F1 engine revs and a possible motorcycle sim.
• ★ Eagle Woman's CPR review prompts Microsoft rep to quit r.a.s. 1997-12-09 · 239 posts · Dean Lester (Microsoft CART Team)
  Alison (Eagle Woman) posted a critical review of CART Precision Racing, and Microsoft's Dean (CART Team) disputed it, arguing many problems were specific to her system. After a post claiming Microsoft no longer listened to criticism, Dean announced he was leaving the newsgroup like other sim publishers. The thread erupted into a long fight over whether critics had driven him away or he had overreacted, with personal attacks lasting until late December.
• Papyrus's upcoming 1967 Grand Prix sim 1997-02-13 · 39 posts · Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus)
  Fans discussed Papyrus's forthcoming F1 sim based on the 1967 season with a new physics model, expected around Christmas 1997 and listed on Sierra's calendar as 'Grand Prix'. Some preferred bug fixes for NASCAR 2 or a modern F1 sim, but many were excited about the old Nurburgring, Monza's banking and 1960s cars. Jim Sokoloff said Watkins Glen would be included if licensing allowed.
• Why NASCAR 2 has no Daytona: copyright and add-on tracks 1997-02-25 · 38 posts · Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus)
  Eric Busch posted a joke 'translation' of Jim Sokoloff's repeated explanation of why Daytona is not in NASCAR Racing 2, sparking a long debate on track licensing and fan-made tracks. Sokoloff explained that distributing modified Papyrus track files infringes Papyrus's copyright, which it must defend, while a fully original track only raises issues with the real track's owner; tools that modify files already on the user's disk were acceptable. Most posters defended Sokoloff, though the thread ended with a user posting a hacked Daytona track as a binary.
• Users demand more ICR2 patches; Papyrus explains IndyCar exit 1997-03-03 · 56 posts · Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus); Charlie Heath (Papyrus)
  A user demanded that Papyrus finish IndyCar Racing II with further patches and features. Posters pointed out that CART had signed an exclusive license with Sony, and Papyrus's Jim Sokoloff explained that the IndyCar license had never been very profitable and that Papyrus judged other projects more profitable and interesting, with no plans for ICR2 updates; Charlie Heath denied that Sierra had blocked patches. The thread became a broader debate about Papyrus's priorities after the Sierra acquisition and the effect of the CART/IRL split.
• Sokoloff explains NASCAR 2's curved pit roads and walls 1997-03-09 · 23 posts · Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus)
  Asked why NASCAR Racing 2 forces pit roads onto the racing surface's arc and puts walls at road-course chicanes, Papyrus's Jim Sokoloff said it was a limitation of the 'abysmal' track tools and the AI, and the walls were there to prevent corner-cutting. He discussed evolutionary rather than revolutionary sim development and revealed that nearly every surface, even painted lines, has its own grip value. Others suggested alternatives such as black flags for cutting.
• Papyrus producer details SODA Off-Road Racing 1997-03-14 · 20 posts · Steven Travers (Papyrus)
  Answering questions, Papyrus producer Steven Travers said SODA Off-Road Racing would be a new Windows 95-native engine supporting I-Force force-feedback controllers, with three vehicle classes, and that it was being developed by Software Allies. His curt reply to a demand for more than six online players drew criticism, and Jim Sokoloff noted that Papyrus staff read nearly every post. Travers defended his tone, saying developers face endless demands.
• Rick Genter's departure; Richard Manning flames Sokoloff 1997-03-15 · 44 posts · Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus)
  Asked about former Papyrus regulars, Jim Sokoloff said Rick Genter had left to found the startup 5D Games with other ex-Papyrus staff, and that Ed Martin was still at Papyrus preparing the NASCAR Racing Online launch. Richard Manning responded with profane abuse of Sokoloff over the NRO delay, and the group piled on him, with killfile announcements and complaints to his ISP.
• Forged Sokoloff post falsely cancels NASCAR 2 patch and NRO 1997-03-17 · 56 posts · Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus)
  A forged post in Jim Sokoloff's name claimed Papyrus had cancelled the NASCAR Racing 2 patch and delayed NASCAR Racing Online until NASCAR 3. Readers quickly traced the headers to Richard Manning, and Sokoloff confirmed it was a forgery and that the patch had not been cancelled. Many posters complained to Manning's ISP, which disabled his Netcom account, and Manning later returned with threats and insults.
• MicroProse rep says no network play or GP3 update 1997-04-08 · 36 posts · Mark Rich (MicroProse)
  MicroProse's Mark Rich posted that Grand Prix 2's 3D engine could not support network play and that no such update had ever been promised. The reply drew a flood of abuse and complaints about poor customer support and frame rates. Some pointed out that their boxes advertised multiplayer or network play, while others noted this meant link and modem play, and several vowed not to buy a GP3.
• Frustration over NASCAR 2 patch, then release of v1.02 1997-04-10 · 22 posts
  Users complained about waiting for the NASCAR Racing 2 patch and the AI caution-lap bugs, prompting the usual arguments between critics and defenders. On April 24 a poster announced that Sierra had released patches updating N2 to version 1.02. Early impressions praised the new save-game feature but reported a steering 'lurch' and an installation problem with a missing file.
• Debate over selling an ICR2-to-NASCAR 2 track converter 1997-05-13 · 100 posts · Jim Sokoloff (Papyrus)
  David Noonan's plan to charge for his IndyCar Racing II to NASCAR 2 track converter split the group. Some called for a boycott and claimed it infringed Papyrus's or track owners' rights, while others argued he was selling only his own code and deserved payment; Noonan said he had received abusive e-mails. Jim Sokoloff pointed out that software licences typically forbid reverse engineering, and the long thread degenerated into arguments about what makes someone an artist.
• Pirated NASCAR 2 Indy track drives Papyrus's Charlie Heath away 1997-05-28 · 28 posts · Charlie Heath (Papyrus)
  A user posted a link to an Indianapolis track for NASCAR 2, and Papyrus's Charlie Heath said he would leave the newsgroup for a few weeks because blatant copyright violations obliged him to report them to legal. Most posters condemned the poster, and the uploader later said it was a converter requiring the user's own INDY.DAT. The thread also contained a separate discussion of whether a Matrox Mystique or a Rendition card was better for the Papyrus sims.
• Papyrus announces Busch Grand National add-on for NASCAR 2 1997-05-28 · 137 posts · Matt Marsala (Papyrus); Jim Sokoloff
  Papyrus producer Matt Marsala announced a fall add-on for NASCAR Racing 2 based on the Busch Grand National series, with 10–13 tracks, up to 30 drivers and a Busch calendar. He confirmed that the engine could not support separate physics for Grand National cars, so the pack would add only tracks, cars and a calendar. Many welcomed the short tracks, but Barton Brown and others attacked Papyrus over unfixed AI and patch problems, and the long thread descended into bickering.
• Indianapolis track rights and copying it for ICR2 1997-05-30 · 37 posts · Adam Levesque (Papyrus); Jim Sokoloff
  A user argued that Papyrus should stop pursuing people who share the out-of-print Indianapolis track pack for IndyCar Racing II. Others explained that Papyrus is obliged to protect IMS's rights in order to keep other track licences, and Papyrus's Adam Levesque said IMS owns the track's likeness through trade dress. The thread moved to Daytona, with Jim Sokoloff explaining why ISC would sell Sega an exclusive licence if it paid more than non-exclusive deals.
• Ymenard declares himself r.a.s. leader and is ridiculed 1997-06-02 · 161 posts
  Francois Menard posted that he would act as an 'official leader' of rec.autos.simulators, prompting more than 150 replies. Most mocked the idea, with Jim Sokoloff and Eric Busch joking about the role, while others told him that respect is earned. The thread later turned nasty, with anti-French insults and arguments over racism.
• Is Papyrus finished after EA's NASCAR deal? 1997-06-24 · 27 posts · Adam Levesque (Papyrus); Jim Sokoloff
  A poster argued that EA's NASCAR licence, staff departures and a low E3 profile signalled the end of Papyrus, NASCAR 3, NASCAR Racing Online and Grand Prix Legends. Jim Sokoloff said EA's licence was not exclusive and its first game was for the PlayStation, and Papyrus's Adam Levesque said Papyrus remained committed to NASCAR, would expand into other series and had not given up on CART. Others welcomed competition, and Sokoloff said Ed Martin had moved on to other work.
• NASCAR Racing Online delays anger TEN subscribers 1997-07-04 · 22 posts · Jim Sokoloff
  Don Wilsher posted a TEN update suggesting that NASCAR Racing Online was slipping towards 1998, and subscribers who had paid TEN since December demanded refunds or talked of a class action. Jim Sokoloff said the time-consuming work was being done by Papyrus staff, who were converting N2's multiplayer into a pure client-server system with servers running on Solaris and making it reliable and cheat-resistant. Others noted that TEN had never promised a firm date.
• Fantasy tracks posted; Sokoloff explains no 3Dfx NASCAR 2 1997-08-18 · 76 posts · Jim Sokoloff (ex-Papyrus)
  The Pits posted Papyrus-approved updated versions of the fantasy tracks, adding 4-bit MIPs for 16 MB Rendition systems. The thread turned to why NASCAR 2 had no 3Dfx version: former Papyrus programmer Jim Sokoloff estimated a port at about $150,000 and said it was not profitable to do in-house or contract out. He also revealed that the Rendition engine came from ICR2 and that anti-aliasing had been removed to meet the box's system requirements, and confirmed that he had left Papyrus to pursue other interests.
• Does CPU speed affect car speed in NASCAR 2? 1997-09-13 · 30 posts · Jim Sokoloff
  A NASCAR 1 player moving to N2 asked about quieter engine sound and whether CPU speed affects car speed. He found that a speech slider above 50% reduces other sounds. Jim Sokoloff explained that joystick sampling is interrupt-driven and that physics runs at a fixed rate on all machines, so only frame rate affects the driver; he also discussed calibration ranges, and attributed one user's big speed gain after a CPU upgrade to recalibrating.
• First reactions to the CART Precision Racing trial version 1997-11-01 · 25 posts · Dean (Microsoft CART Precision Racing team); John Browne (CART Precision Racing team)
  Users of Microsoft's CART Precision Racing trial complained about low frame rates, short draw distance and too much grip out of slow corners, while others said turning off traction control produced plenty of wheelspin. Dean of the CART team said the physics were based on input from CART drivers such as Mark Blundell and Bobby Rahal, and pointed to keys for adjusting visibility. John Browne, also on the team, explained the Laguna Seca corkscrew handling.
• First reports from NASCAR Racing Online Series on TEN 1997-11-13 · 25 posts
  A user asked why no one had reviewed the newly launched NASCAR Racing Online Series. Racers replied enthusiastically that it was smooth with 20-car fields and far better than Kali or Hawaii given a good connection, with a Rendition version said to be coming. A few objected to TEN's monthly fees.
• Eric Busch's hands-on report of Grand Prix Legends 1997-11-22 · 75 posts
  After visiting Papyrus, Eric Busch reported that Grand Prix Legends was amazing and ground-breaking, ran smoothly in Rendition mode on a P200, and had far better graphics than NASCAR 2. He criticised CART Precision Racing in comparison, sparking accusations of bias. The thread also argued over whether 3Dfx or Papyrus was producing the NASCAR 2 Glide patch, and noted that Papyrus would sponsor a Toyota Atlantic car.
• Papyrus releases pre-alpha Grand Prix Legends video 1997-11-26 · 22 posts · Mike Lescault (Papyrus)
  Papyrus's Mike Lescault announced a pre-alpha AVI of Grand Prix Legends on GameSpot and invited feedback on physics and realism. Viewers were impressed by the four-wheel drifts and car dynamics, though some disliked the sound and the cockpit arms. Eric Busch said the frame rate was very smooth in native Rendition mode.
• Microsoft details the CART Precision Racing patch contents 1997-12-08 · 105 posts · Dean Lester (Microsoft CART Team)
  Dean of Microsoft's CART Team listed the CART Precision Racing patch fixes: improved AI, 25-50% frame rate gains for all users, controller null zone, pit lane auto-pilot, gamma controls, larger steering ratio and better default setups, and said a new demo would follow. He explained that a native Glide version had been benchmarked but gave little benefit, sparking a long Direct3D-versus-Glide argument with 3Dfx owners. Later posts became a Voodoo versus Riva 128 hardware debate.
• Calls to moderate r.a.s. after the loss of Dean 1997-12-11 · 49 posts
  A poster blamed abuse for Dean's departure and floated moderating the newsgroup. Francois Menard (ymenard) claimed r.a.s. had been moderated before and was accused by Eric Busch, Joe and others of lying about being its leader. Michael Carver, John Wallace and Richard Walker said they would support moderation or preferred CompuServe's Sports Sims forum, while others valued the unmoderated group's signal-to-noise ratio.

1998

• ★ Papyrus announces the Grand Prix Legends demo 1998-04-03 · 34 posts · Mike Lescault (Papyrus)
  Papyrus's Mike Lescault announced a playable Grand Prix Legends demo for April 6, featuring Watkins Glen in practice mode to showcase the new physics engine, with native Rendition and 3Dfx support. He explained the exclusive release on OGR and plans for mirrors. Users reported it ran well on modest machines such as a P133 with a 3D card.
• Papyrus and Sierra announce new CART sim for 1999 1998-01-08 · 32 posts
  Online Gaming Review reported that Sierra and Papyrus would produce a new CART sim for spring 1999, with Sierra holding the CART licence until July 2003. Fans welcomed the return of Papyrus to CART, though Randy Magruder warned against over-romanticising Papyrus. The thread became a comparison of Papyrus, MS/TRI and Ubisoft, and whether ICR2 had been neglected.
• Delay of the NASCAR Racing 2 3Dfx patch 1998-01-20 · 172 posts
  A poster asked why Papyrus's promised 3Dfx patch for NASCAR Racing 2 was taking so long. Joe McGinn quoted a December Papyrus email promising a release date, and others said 3Dfx had done the port with Sierra holding it back. The thread grew into a 172-post argument about Papyrus's communication, Rendition versus 3Dfx and patch quality.
• Papyrus responds over the late NASCAR 2 3Dfx patch 1998-02-02 · 116 posts · Adam Levesque (Papyrus)
  Joe McGinn demanded to know where the NASCAR Racing 2 3Dfx patch promised for early 1998 was. Papyrus's Adam Levesque explained the no-win situation over release dates and gave a status update, which was widely welcomed. Former Papyrus staff Jim Sokoloff and Steven Traver explained why patches carry support costs, while the thread became heated over Nosferatu's abusive posts.
• How online racing sims should handle physics and latency 1998-02-13 · 31 posts · Jim Sokoloff (formerly Papyrus)
  Christer Andersson proposed ideas for future online sim architecture. Former Papyrus developer Jim Sokoloff explained that physics needs higher rates than graphics and should run on a fixed timebase decoupled from frame rate, that each client in Grand Prix Legends runs its own physics, and discussed extrapolation and cheating. Doug Milliken described how Atari's Hard Drivin' separated physics and graphics processors.
• Geoff Crammond confirms work on Grand Prix 3 1998-03-07 · 110 posts
  A PC Format interview reported Geoff Crammond was working on GP3 as an evolution of GP2. The news reopened debate over GP2's slow-motion approach when the CPU is overloaded versus dropping frames. The thread then argued at length whether racing sims are 'just games' or genuine simulations.
• Leaked Glide DLL for CART Precision Racing 1998-03-31 · 41 posts
  Operation 3Dfx posted a DLL that enabled a Glide mode in CART Precision Racing, apparently removed from the release. Users reported better frame rates, and Joe McGinn said Glide was faster though it used only D3D-equivalent features. Beta tester David Fisher said the site had no right to post it, while others accused Microsoft of withholding Glide for political reasons.
• Arguing over whether GPL is undriveable or realistic 1998-04-10 · 96 posts
  Charles Mak claimed the GPL demo was undriveable and unlike real 1960s F1, while most replied the cars genuinely drifted and that he needed practice or better controller settings. Real racers such as Matthew Knutsen and a father who raced in the 1960s endorsed the feel. Doug Milliken discussed force feedback and Jim Sokoloff suggested better drivers were simply faster.
• Nurburgring Nordschleife confirmed for Grand Prix Legends 1998-04-15 · 31 posts
  A post relayed Sierra Sports' announcement that it had licensed the Nurburgring for Grand Prix Legends. Fans reacted with delight, joked about memorising its 174 corners, and wondered how the long track would fit in memory. Others traded tips on videos such as Derek Bell's "In Car 956" and footage of the 1967 German GP for learning the circuit, and someone gave July 1998 as the expected release date.
• Technical essay on opposite lock in 1960s F1 cars 1998-04-16 · 23 posts
  A poster gave a detailed technical analysis of whether 1960s F1 cars could be held in opposite lock through corners, as in the GPL demo. Readers praised it and moved on to period tyre construction (bias-ply versus radial), dampers, ride height and limited-slip differentials, and Carroll Smith's books were recommended. A brief sniping exchange came over a full-quote reply.
• Rumour Papyrus shelved CART sim, denied by Mike Lescault 1998-04-23 · 49 posts · Mike Lescault (Papyrus)
  Sim Racing News reported a rumour from 'reliable sources' that Papyrus had dropped plans for a CART sequel to IndyCar Racing II, and fans protested, asked for a petition and debated licences. Papyrus's Mike Lescault then posted that Papyrus planned to release a CART sequel in 1999 based on GPL's physics engine, which brought relief. Marc Nelson noted that 'planning' did not guarantee the game, and Jim Sokolov pointed out the CART licence was probably not exclusive.
• Is current force feedback good enough for racing sims? 1998-04-30 · 30 posts · Trevor Thomas (TSW)
  Pat Dotson asked why developers said consumer force feedback was not good enough for sims. Owners of the Ultimate Per4mer wheel praised its effects in CART Precision Racing and POD, while sceptics wanted real road feel rather than bump effects. Trevor Thomas, a racing-controller maker, said proper force feedback needed a $1,500-2,000 wheel, Jim Sokolov explained the motor and power-supply limits of $100 devices, and Doug Milliken, a consultant on Atari's Hard Drivin', noted Atari's patent on force feedback in driving games.
• Randy Magruder's Gran Turismo review sparks PC vs console debate 1998-05-11 · 93 posts
  Randy Magruder posted his Digital Sportspage review of the US Gran Turismo, saying PC racing collections had become 'second rate'. The long cross-posted thread debated the lack of damage, whether replays should count toward the graphics score versus Need for Speed III, and whether GT was a sim or arcade game. It later degenerated into insults between Playstation and PC fans over gamepads and controllers.
• MicroProse denies Grand Prix 3 plans, fans dispute it 1998-05-27 · 23 posts · Mark Rich (MicroProse)
  Asked about Grand Prix 3, Mark Rich of MicroProse Europe stated that neither Geoff Crammond nor MicroProse had plans for a GP2 sequel and that MicroProse remained Crammond's exclusive publisher. Posters cited a PC Format interview in which Crammond discussed a new game and attacked MicroProse's support for GP1 and GP2. A spoof post in Crammond's name added confusion, and the matter stayed unresolved.
• MicroProse rep calls GP2 editors illegal, sparking backlash 1998-06-06 · 55 posts · Mark Rich (MicroProse)
  A question about whether GP2 cars differ in performance drew Mark Rich of MicroProse Europe, who said they did and that third-party editors were illegal and could break the game. Regulars who had used GP2Edit and track editors extensively disputed this and challenged whether he spoke for the company. He confirmed he gave the official customer-services line, and the group argued that community add-ons had kept GP2 alive.
• Proposal for a moderated group for sim developers 1998-06-11 · 21 posts · Mike Lescault (Papyrus); Todd Heckel (Engineering Animation)
  After Mark Rich was flamed, Harald van Santen suggested a space where developers could post without being attacked. Papyrus's Mike Lescault said a moderated group would make developers more willing to post because his words were often twisted. Todd Heckel of Engineering Animation introduced himself as working on TransAm Racing '68-'72, while some argued developers should simply face criticism.
• Car physics equations, tyre friction and aerodynamics 1998-06-14 · 88 posts · Todd Heckel (Engineering Animation); Mike Lescault (Papyrus)
  A hobby programmer asked for vehicle physics equations. TransAm Racing developer Todd Heckel outlined the rigid-body basics, and a long debate followed on whether tyre width affects grip, with a self-described tribology expert, Doug Milliken and others weighing in on rubber adhesion, compounds and heat. Mike Lescault noted that NASCAR 1 and 2 modelled all four tyres on a single rigid body, unlike GPL's multi-body system.
• Codemasters asks newsgroup for TOCA 2 feature ideas 1998-07-06 · 58 posts · Gavin Raeburn (Codemasters)
  Codemasters' Gavin Raeburn announced that TOCA 2 was in development for Christmas 1998 and asked the group what features they wanted. Dozens of suggestions followed, including better wheel support and calibration, car setups, mirrors, realistic damage and failures, a removable ghost car, a track editor and proper US distribution. Raeburn later said he had compiled about 70 points, most already planned, and that TOCA 2 demos would appear around October.
• Defence of CART Precision Racing sparks long flame war 1998-08-17 · 134 posts
  A long-time player wrote that CART Precision Racing was better than its reputation, prompting a 134-post fight. Microsoft beta tester David G. Fisher insisted CPR veterans were top drivers and critics knew nothing of real CART cars, while Randy Magruder and John Wallace detailed specific flaws such as missing rear downforce, imprecise control and wall-contact behaviour. Insults flew on both sides, while others noted Microsoft had dropped support for the title.
• Alison Hine reports on Papyrus's internal GPL race series 1998-09-02 · 25 posts
  Beta tester Alison Hine published reports of the 'Papy Cup', an internal Papyrus race series used to test GPL. She explained that Shift-R repairs are allowed only at lower difficulty levels and carry penalties, and said Dave Kaemmer withdrew from one race due to a low frame rate on a P200 before winning three in a row on a PII-400. Testers said each car is modelled differently, with the Lotus fastest but hardest to drive.
• Debate over GPL car handling, AI lines and difficulty 1998-10-02 · 61 posts
  David G Fisher questioned why human hotlaps in GPL looked wild and sideways while the AI drove smoothly at similar times. Respondents argued hotlaps differ from race driving, pointed to Dave Mansell's smooth Spa hotlap as proof that clean fast driving was possible, and debated whether GPL confused difficulty with realism. The thread degenerated when Jay Wolf declared the cars too twitchy and traded insults with several regulars, though he later conceded his skills were improving.
• Trans Am Racing '68-'72 progress update and tyre sound debate 1998-10-10 · 36 posts · Todd Hecke (Trans Am Racing developer)
  Developer Todd Hecke reported that Trans Am Racing '68-'72 was nearing its beta milestone and was aimed as a AAA title for GT Interactive's racing line, mentioning tracks such as Laguna Seca and Sears Point. The thread then debated whether tyre squeal is a good substitute for g-force feedback, comparing GP2 and GPL, and drifted into stories about loud engines and Ford versus Chevy.
• GPL lacks TNT support; Papyrus releases beta OpenGL drivers 1998-10-12 · 125 posts · Eric Busch (Papyrus)
  A question about running GPL on an nVidia TNT card started a long argument over Papyrus supporting only 3dfx Glide and Rendition rather than Direct3D or OpenGL. Critics called it a business mistake and complained the box misstated requirements, while defenders said buyers should choose hardware for their software and that D3D was poor during development. The debate ended when Papyrus posted beta OpenGL drivers for GPL, and Eric Busch of Papyrus said the patch had been in the works and they would look at Permedia2 issues.
• Is GPL's internet multiplayer poor? 1998-10-20 · 58 posts · Eric Busch (Papyrus)
  David G Fisher argued GPL's online play suffered from warping and frequent disconnects compared with CPR and MTM2. Many others reported good 20-car races via VROC and blamed specific connections, ISPs and hosts, with core.ini tweaks offered. The argument became testy over beta tester claims that Papyrus was uninterested in online play, which testers including John Wallace and Mike Laskey rejected, and Eric Busch explained the Papy Cup testers were initially blocked by firewall problems.
• Avault gives Grand Prix Legends 2.5 stars 1998-10-26 · 69 posts
  News that Avault had rated GPL two and a half stars provoked a letter-writing campaign and ridicule of reviewer Craig Miller, who admitted a passage on music was pasted from his Red Baron 3D review and said Sierra had not sent him the Four Wheel Drift manual. Some posters agreed the review fairly warned general gamers about GPL's difficulty, while others said it misjudged the target audience and ignored the trainer cars and aids. The thread later drifted into a long argument over whether flying a fighter is easier than driving a 1967 F1 car.
• Is GPL too difficult or simply realistic? 1998-11-08 · 93 posts
  Lawrence Edwards argued GPL was harder than real 1960s racing given limited practice in that era and asked for easier options. John Wallace and others said difficulty reflects the reality of racing cars, and John Klemantaski, who raced a 1967 F3 car, offered first-hand comparisons. Christer Andersson questioned some aspects of realism, and tips on adjusting AI strength were shared.

1999

• Late braking technique and racing etiquette in GPL 1999-02-16 · 63 posts
  A driver asked for help with late and trail braking in GPL; advice covered brake bias, braking earlier but less to carry exit speed, and separate brake and throttle axes. The thread broadened into first-lap pile-ups on VROC, the aggressive AI Surtees, blue-flag etiquette for lapped cars, and the clean-racing Pro Racing Club.
• Papyrus's Randy Cassidy on G-force feedback and head movement 1999-02-22 · 28 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus)
  A poster proposed on-screen G-force indicators to make up for the lack of physical feel in sims. Papyrus's Randy Cassidy said they had tried such displays in the GPL engine and found them unhelpful while driving, and explained that GPL models the driver's head as a sprung mass that moves with chassis forces. Others discussed friction-circle telemetry displays for replays, and Doug Milliken, co-author of 'Race Car Vehicle Dynamics', joined in.
• Dave Noonan's NASCAR/ICR2-to-GPL track converter released 1999-03-24 · 22 posts
  To mark its millionth hit, The Pits released Dave Noonan's converter that turns NASCAR 2, NASCAR 1999 and IndyCar Racing II tracks into GPL tracks, along with a new Dubai circuit. Players were thrilled to race 1967 F1 cars on ovals such as Loudon, noted minor glitches, and reported overloaded download servers. The converted tracks were soon in use on VROC.
• Randy Cassidy explains GPL's speed-dependent steering ratio 1999-04-08 · 49 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus)
  A newcomer noticed that GPL's front wheels turned less at speed than when stopped. Papyrus's Randy Cassidy explained that GPL deliberately uses a quicker steering ratio at low speeds, fading out by around 60 mph, to make pit lanes and hairpins manageable with limited-rotation PC wheels, and that only linearity and at-speed ratio are adjustable. Some called it unrealistic, while others accepted it as a necessary compromise.
• Randy Cassidy previews the GPL 1.1 patch contents 1999-04-23 · 39 posts · Randy Cassidy and Eric Busch (Papyrus)
  Asked what the GPL 1.1 patch would include, Papyrus's Randy Cassidy said it would allow GPL to be launched as a multiplayer client or server from the command line, which VROC and GPL SpyBoy were already using, and would fix various glitches. Eric Busch added that it could split physics and rendering across two CPUs under Windows NT. Players welcomed the prospect of Quake-style dedicated servers and listed further wishes such as mid-race saves and force feedback.
• Papyrus's Randy Cassidy hints at force feedback for GPL patch 1999-05-10 · 41 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus)
  A new Grand Prix Legends player asked about force feedback support, and regulars said Papyrus had ruled it out. Papyrus's Randy Cassidy then hinted that one more thing was being added to the upcoming patch, which everyone read as force feedback, and a Papyrus beta tester said it was worth the wait. Reactions ranged from delight to complaints that a gimmick was delaying the long-awaited patch, and some noted Papyrus staff had earlier dismissed FF.
• E3 report on Papyrus plans: NASCAR 2000 and Legends 1999-05-16 · 43 posts
  Yves Menard posted a Race Sim Central E3 report saying the next NASCAR title would use enhanced N2 physics rather than GPL's, plus a NASCAR Legends title and server-based multiplayer. Many blamed Sierra for an annual-update strategy and suspected GPL's weak sales had scared management, while others argued GPL sold poorly because 1967 F1 means little to Americans. John Bodin said he had been told Viper Racing outsold GPL, and the thread ended on the small size of the hardcore sim market.
• Was GPL's realism or its accessibility the sales problem? 1999-05-17 · 69 posts
  A poster said he lost interest in GPL for lack of instant lap-time feedback, prompting defenders to say period accuracy was the point. The debate widened into why GPL undersold: strict realism, the obscure 1967 setting, demanding hardware, poor software rendering, and missing novice options such as an AI difficulty slider. Jack Rambo said his GPaL utility aimed to address accessibility, and a Papyrus interview explaining why NASCAR 2000 would not use the GPL engine was quoted and dismissed by some as marketing.
• Randy Cassidy's force feedback timing tests across wheels 1999-05-18 · 25 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus)
  Papyrus's Randy Cassidy shared measurements of how long it took to issue force feedback commands on various wheels, noting that the Microsoft FF wheel's MIDI gameport link was slow and a USB version would help. He said the USB Thrustmaster Force GT was slowest but cautioned against blaming USB itself, and he could not test the Logitech in USB mode under Win95 or get the ACT Labs wheel recognised. Pat Dotson suggested an IRQ conflict for the ACT Labs wheel.
• How well did Grand Prix Legends actually sell? 1999-05-19 · 37 posts
  Joel Willstein asked for real GPL sales figures. Posters cited a Sierra tech-support contact who said US sales were poor, and later Michael Carver reported that fewer than 40,000 copies had sold against hopes of three times that, which was blamed for the abandoned GPL-engine NASCAR 3. Wolfgang Preier and others argued that GPL's hardware demands came from its detailed physics rather than poor coding, and ymenard showed how low settings could run it on modest PCs.
• Motorsims announces a Can-Am sports-prototype sim 1999-06-02 · 44 posts · Mark S. Miller and Bob McCarthy (Motorsims)
  Philster spotted that Motorsims, maker of AMA Superbike, planned a Can-Am racing game. Motorsims's Bob McCarthy and Mark S. Miller explained it would model the current SCCA Can-Am and sports-prototype classes with real tracks and licensed manufacturers such as Ferrari, possibly with historic cars as a later free upgrade, and Miller hoped to have it running online by the next Rolex 24. Fans reminisced about the 1960s-70s Can-Am, Chaparrals and McLarens.
• Reactions to the GPL 1.1 patch readme 1999-06-07 · 58 posts · Randy Cassidy and Eric Busch (Papyrus)
  After the GPL 1.1 readme was posted, users discussed its features: force feedback, a 2.50-inch minimum ride height, host options such as blocking F1 cars from F3 races and kicking slow connections, and new beginner setups. Offline racers were underwhelmed and TNT owners disappointed by the lack of OpenGL improvements. Papyrus's Eric Busch asked what single-player bugs users wanted fixed, drawing reports of collision-detection discrepancies, and Randy Cassidy confirmed no Direct3D support.
• Alison Hine releases new Ferrari setups for GPL 1999-06-11 · 30 posts
  Alison Hine announced a new set of GPL Ferrari setups based on a radical approach of raising ride height to avoid hitting the bump stops, which made the car responsive yet forgiving. Many drivers reported immediate gains and thanked her, while a few, such as Mark Seery and Graeme Nash, found her setups understeered too much. Posters wished GPL gave some indication of bump-stop contact.
• Dave Noonan's Brands Hatch track for GPL released 1999-06-17 · 45 posts
  Jack Rambo announced Dave Noonan's add-on Brands Hatch track for Grand Prix Legends, available from The Pits, and drivers praised it as a hilly, technical 'junior Ring' with tough AI, posting first lap times around 1:36-1:46. The thread was sidetracked by complaints about prolific poster The Excelsior and accusations, which he denied, that he was the same person as earlier posters 'Griffin' and 'Phoenix'.
• Motorsims announces SCCA Can-Am sim with 1970 retro pack plans 1999-06-28 · 66 posts · Mark S. Miller (Motorsims)
  Ed Bain posted Motorsims's announcement of SCCA Can-Am, an online and boxed sim due in early 2000. Motorsims's Mark S. Miller clarified that the first release would cover current-era cars with Spec Racer Ford as a trainer, followed by a 1970 Can-Am 'retro pack' he was confident of licensing. He described physics features shared with AMA Superbike, such as dynamic tyre temperature, pressure and wear, independent suspension and full aerodynamics, said it would run on Direct3D, and confirmed all Motorsims titles would be standalone boxed games with online play. Fans reminisced about Chaparrals, McLarens, the Porsche 917 and Mark Donohue.
• GPL 1.1 patch released: 'nothing changed?' 1999-07-09 · 21 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus)
  A user who had just installed the GPL 1.1 patch said he saw no changes, and was told the improvements were in force feedback, online play, Voodoo3 and Banshee support and setup limits, as listed in the readme. Randy Cassidy noted few changes had visible cues, and Jack Rambo praised the force feedback and said the new 3dfx rasterizer removed the need for Glide wrappers or texture limits. Users were reminded to restore the original gpl.exe if they had installed a no-CD patch.
• Randy Magruder's Official Formula 1 Racing review debated 1999-07-14 · 48 posts
  Randy Magruder posted his Digital Sportspage review of Eidos's Official Formula 1 Racing, and readers argued over whether a game with simplified physics deserves praise from sim racers. Magruder said he reviews for both gamers and simracers, and several posters defended OF1R as fun for quick races while others called it closer to Need for Speed. Side discussions covered ICR2's lasting appeal, split-axis pedal support, and why real drivers like Christian Fittipaldi don't take to sims.
• MicroProse Autosport advert seeks Grand Prix 3 developers 1999-07-16 · 60 posts
  A poster transcribed a full-page Autosport advert in which MicroProse Grand Prix and Hasbro sought artists and programmers in Chipping Sodbury near Bristol for their Grand Prix series, including PC and PlayStation work. Readers took it as a sign GP3 was still far off and worried about console compromises; Joe McGinn said he would apply for the user interface job. The thread then drifted into jokes about Bristol and a testy exchange between Meiji, John Wallace and Bruce Kennewell over UK poll tax.
• GPL pit board delays and misplaced pit board bug 1999-07-20 · 25 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus)
  Greg Cisko noticed GPL's pit board shows the previous lap's time, which others explained mirrors 1967 practice. Online racers then reported the pit board appearing in odd places, even in the middle of the track. Papyrus's Randy Cassidy explained the Nurburgring board had moved in 1.1, and said the misplacement was a bug linked to dedicated servers that he believed he had found and fixed.
• Thomas Super Wheel quality and service dispute 1999-07-28 · 55 posts · Dave Thomas Jr and Trev (Thomas Enterprises)
  A buyer asked whether the Thomas Super Wheel was worth it; most owners praised its robustness, while some recommended ECCI or SRC wheels. Bob Curtin described a months-long repair ordeal, which led to a heated public exchange with Thomas Enterprises' Dave Thomas Jr and Trev, who said their records showed otherwise, and with Randy Magruder. Many other owners reported good service, and ECCI said it had considered force feedback.
• How GPL differential ramp angles and clutches work 1999-07-31 · 30 posts
  Wolfgang Preiss asked how the limited-slip differential settings in GPL actually work. After some incorrect early answers, posters cited Carroll Smith's Drive to Win and an Alison Hine and Dave Kaemmer discussion, establishing that lower ramp angles mean more and faster locking. Preiss tested settings at Monza and found GPL modelled the real behaviour, and several drivers settled on 30/30 ramps with fewer clutches.
• Who is Dave Noonan, GPL's elusive track converter? 1999-08-06 · 30 posts
  Posters marvelled at Dave Noonan, author of track converters and the Brands Hatch track for GPL, who appears with a release and then vanishes. Erik Frechette confirmed he was real, not a Papyrus employee and very busy. A critic who said his conversions 'butchered' files was widely rebuked, and the thread turned into jokes about Noonan's secret identity.
• Grand Prix 3 to be unveiled at ECTS 1999-08-12 · 38 posts
  An ECTS show preview reported that Hasbro Interactive would unveil Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix 3 at the show. Sceptics predicted huge system requirements, no multiplayer and no patches as with GP2, while others defended GP2's graphics and longevity. Posters debated GP2's 'canned spins' and its 486 system requirements, and hoped GP3 would add online racing like GPL's.
• Was Grand Prix Legends a commercial failure? 1999-08-13 · 43 posts
  A poster asked whether GPL had sold poorly. Posters cited a figure of roughly 36,000-40,000 copies and blamed the steep difficulty, high hardware demands, the obscure 1967 era, a weak first demo and limited advertising, though others recalled magazine ads. Most agreed it fell short commercially despite being regarded as the best sim available.
• GPL sales, the 1967 era choice and 1980s game nostalgia 1999-08-13 · 41 posts
  Posters debated whether a modern F1 or CART setting would have sold more than GPL. Wolfgang Preiss recalled that the historic era was partly chosen because the physics engine's sampling rate could not handle aerodynamic downforce well. Neil Raine, who wrote 1980s BBC Micro games, compared GPL's sales with Geoff Crammond's Revs, prompting long nostalgia about Revs, Elite and piracy, plus questions about what sales count as a hit.
• Hasbro Interactive acquires Europress 1999-08-14 · 25 posts
  ymenard posted news that Hasbro Interactive had acquired Europress, adding its rally titles to a portfolio that already included GP3 and GP500. Some hoped this would bring European sims to North America, while others wanted to see quality rather than quantity and doubted Hasbro could match GPL. Posters also debated whether NASCAR Racing 3 was more than a facelift of N2.
• Tony Stewart credits NASCAR Racing 2 for learning Watkins Glen 1999-08-16 · 25 posts
  Alison Hine reported that Tony Stewart said on TV that he had learned Watkins Glen, his first race there, by playing NASCAR Racing 2. Others added that Dale Earnhardt Jr raced N2 online on TEN as DaleJr3, along with other drivers and crew members, and that F3000 drivers used GP2 tracks. Some noted Stewart was a talented driver before any sim.
• Alison Hine's force feedback guide for GPL 1999-08-30 · 21 posts
  Alison Hine announced a new page on her Eagle Woman GPL site comparing the Logitech and Microsoft force feedback wheels, with tips on GPL force feedback settings. Readers praised it, though Microsoft wheel owners defended their wheel against her view that it was poor in GPL. Others found her Logitech settings too light, leading to speculation about different wheel versions and driver revisions.
• NASCAR Racing 3 goes gold 1999-09-01 · 31 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus)
  A poster relayed news from the Gone Gold site that Papyrus had confirmed NASCAR Racing 3 was finished and off to duplication. Asked again whether it used the GPL engine, Papyrus's Randy Cassidy simply answered 'No', and others expressed exasperation at the repeated question. Open-wheel fans grumbled about another title on an old driving model, while others defended Papyrus.
• TEN becomes pogo.com, raising fears for NROS 1999-09-02 · 20 posts
  A poster found TEN's site renamed pogo.com with no racing listed and asked whether the NASCAR Racing Online Series was ending. ymenard relayed a TEN statement, and posters debated whether NASCAR Racing 3's free TCP/IP play would make a paid service unviable. A technical debate followed on how many online drivers a dedicated server and DSL or cable connection could support.
• First Grand Prix 3 screenshots examined 1999-09-06 · 36 posts
  Posters examined the first Grand Prix 3 screenshots, released around ECTS and shown in software rendering. Most were impressed for software mode, though some found the models blocky, and there was debate over the visible steering wheel with its dashboard display and whether it would cost frame rate. Posters also hoped the cockpit would move as in GPL.
• Hands-on report of Grand Prix 3 at ECTS 1999-09-06 · 49 posts
  Kulvinder Singh Matharu reported playing Grand Prix 3 at ECTS, describing its features and a moving cockpit, and noted the demo ran in software mode on a Pentium III 600 with driver aids on. A Hasbro representative mentioned improved multiplayer, and the official site listed four-player LAN support. The thread then turned into a long debate on Murray Walker's F1 commentary.
• Official Grand Prix 3 website launched 1999-09-07 · 21 posts
  Kenneth Verburg announced the official Grand Prix 3 website with new screenshots, press releases and a feature list. Meiji criticised the shots as looking like GP2 and read the '4+ player' network support as weak, prompting a debate about reading press releases. Others suggested FIA/FOCA licensing might forbid internet play, and some said it was too early to judge.
• Should GPL's F10 chase view be removed? 1999-09-13 · 54 posts
  Pickard called for removing GPL's F10 chase view, believing top hotlappers used it for an unfair advantage. Many replied it is a matter of choice and helps on slower systems or for awareness at starts, and top drivers Greger Huttu and Ian Lake said they drove in-car and were still fastest. Some still felt leagues should standardise views, and the roll-bar view was recommended as a compromise.
• Are hotlappers really poor racers? 1999-09-15 · 21 posts
  Jussi Kaskia questioned the common claim that hotlappers crash in real races. Others explained that hotlapping means chasing record laps in practice, and pointed to the first GPL Champions League, won by Greger Huttu ahead of Wolfgang Woeger and Ian Lake, as proof that the fastest hotlappers are also the best racers. Some still argued race pace and consistency matter more than a single lap.
• First impressions of NASCAR Racing 3 1999-09-15 · 23 posts
  Early buyers said NASCAR Racing 3 looked much like NASCAR Racing 1999 but sounded much better, with somewhat more aggressive AI and new setup options. Its physics felt subtly improved over N2 but still forgiving. ymenard said N2, NR99 and ICR2 tracks could easily be converted for N3, and Michael Carver urged supporting developers who push physics forward.
• Is NASCAR Racing 3 just a rehash of NASCAR 2? 1999-09-21 · 77 posts
  A rant that NASCAR Racing 3 looked silly next to Grand Prix Legends set off a long, insult-laden argument between GPL fans and NASCAR fans. Critics said N3 was an N2 engine with better graphics and unrealistic physics, while defenders said it was the best NASCAR sim available and offered better online racing. The thread wandered into store return policies and Sierra's cancellation of several titles.
• Disappointment with AMA Superbike at release 1999-09-22 · 29 posts · Mark S. Miller (Motorsims)
  Reg Mucke said the newly released AMA Superbike was a let-down, citing weak physics and the ability to ride through AI opponents, and several others planned to return it, with some recommending GP500 instead. Motorsims's Mark S. Miller replied, explaining design limits on the physics model, the low-side option and an upcoming patch for collision problems. The exchange ended on civil terms.
• Rumour that Sierra was closing Papyrus 1999-09-23 · 32 posts
  Doug passed on a rumour that Papyrus did not fit into Sierra's reorganisation. Dan Clarke of Operation Sports repeatedly clarified that Papyrus remained a Sierra-owned studio in Watertown, now reporting to the Core Games division, with no shakeups. The discussion covered Sierra's dissolution of Dynamix and cancelled titles, and why GPL sold poorly.
• Motorsims explains its approach to AMA Superbike 1999-09-23 · 25 posts · Bob McCarth (Motorsims); Mark S. Miller (Motorsims)
  Motorsims's Bob McCarth explained that AMA Superbike was a long-term project that would be improved through online upgrades, describing the purpose-built graphics engine and design choices. Reaction was split: some buyers found the game grew on them, while poster MaX repeatedly called it rubbish and praised GP500. Mark S. Miller of Motorsims hit back at the abusive comments.
• Debate over AMA Superbike as an unfinished work in progress 1999-09-23 · 38 posts · Mark S. Miller (Motorsims); Charles Joyne (Motorsims)
  Charles Joyne posted Motorsims's position that the first release was a first step that would be improved with updates. George M. Smiley and others argued that buyers had paid for a boxed product that did not meet its marketing claims and asked what recourse they had if patches fell short. Mark S. Miller of Motorsims defended the company's model of free updates, compared it with other software, and suggested trying the demo or free online version first.
• Papyrus confirms GPL 1.2 patch and plans for add-ons 1999-09-27 · 28 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus); Brandon Crick (Act Labs)
  Thorsten Rueter asked Papyrus for a GPL2 or upgrade pack. Papyrus's Randy Cassidy replied that localised versions of the GPL 1.2 patch were being tested, apologised for the slow-motion bug in 1.1 and said it was fixed. Others suggested a sports-car add-on and Act Labs shifter support, and Act Labs's Brandon Crick said a development kit had been sent to Papyrus. Posters later reported a leaked beta of the patch.
• Ideas for a GPL sequel and why GPL sold poorly 1999-10-04 · 97 posts · Alison Hine (Papyrus)
  Posters proposed seasons for a GPL2, with Papyrus's Alison Hine favouring 1971 or 1972 and describing a dropped career structure that would have started players in the trainer cars. A long debate followed over whether GPL's poor sales came from its difficulty, its 1967 subject matter or the US market, with Joe McGinn arguing for accessibility options. Later posts discussed whether wings could be modelled realistically.
• Outrage at Grand Prix 3 not being sold in US 1999-10-10 · 139 posts
  American fans reacted angrily to Hasbro/MicroProse's statement that Grand Prix 3 would not be sold in the US, with some threatening boycotts or piracy and others planning to import it. Posters such as Meiji and MichaelJP argued that US retail economics and weak sales of F1 titles explained the decision, while others blamed Bernie Ecclestone or tobacco advertising rules. The long thread later drifted into banter and apologies.
• Papyrus defends AI line at Riverside in NASCAR Legends 1999-10-29 · 69 posts · Scott Sanford (Papyrus)
  Douglas Sharp reported that the NASCAR Legends AI cut far into the dirt at Riverside turn six. Papyrus's Scott Sanford said this was intentional and based on race tapes. Former Riverside racers and marshals disputed it, and Sanford said hostility was why Papyrus staff rarely posted and pointed to tools for editing the AI line. The thread descended into trolling and insults.
• First impressions of NASCAR Legends and its spotter 1999-10-29 · 22 posts · Charlie Heath (Papyrus); Scott Sanford (Papyrus)
  Uncle Fester bought NASCAR Legends at release and gave mixed first impressions. Posters asked why a 1970 sim had a spotter, and Papyrus's Charlie Heath explained that it was added late because multiplayer races without one proved too hard. Others reported color problems with imported N2 and N99 tracks, and Scott Sanford of Papyrus answered period-detail questions about the Union 76 branding.
• Papyrus objects to leaked N3 beta patch announcement 1999-11-18 · 25 posts · Shawn Wise (Papyrus)
  Papyrus's Shawn Wise complained after a simracing website posted Papyrus's N3 beta patch announcement despite a request not to republish it. Marc J. Nelson, whose site ran it, replied that it had been posted publicly on r.a.s. anyway, and an old feud between the two came up. Readers split between criticising the site and fearing that Papyrus would stop open beta testing.
• GPL differential ramp angle and preload settings 1999-11-20 · 31 posts
  Chris Cavin asked about differential ramp angles and clutch counts in GPL. Ricardo Nunnini and Thomas Brown quoted Carroll Smith's advice to use about 85 degrees on the coast side and 45 on the power side. The discussion covered trail braking, brake balance, trailing-throttle oversteer and whether engine braking can shorten stopping distances.
• Staying focused and avoiding mistakes in GPL races 1999-11-28 · 48 posts
  Buzz O'Dea asked how to avoid the single lapse in concentration that ends a race. Replies offered strategies such as driving your own race, identifying risky corners, listening to music, visualising laps and studying articles on racing psychology. Many shared real racing and karting stories, and the thread ended with a list of the GPL corners players miss most.
• Motorsims announces an SCCA Trans-Am sim 1999-12-08 · 23 posts · Matthew Jessick (Motorsims)
  Motorsims announced an exclusive license for an SCCA Trans-Am simulation for PC and its online network. The poster ymenard praised the engine's track modelling, while George M. Smiley listed physics flaws in AMA Superbike and others criticised its interface. Motorsims's Matthew Jessick explained that its tracks are fully modelled so they can be reused across racing types, and posters noted that the USRRC Can-Am series had folded.
• Will Grand Prix 3 survive MicroProse's simulation cuts? 1999-12-08 · 25 posts
  Greg Cisko reported that MicroProse had dismissed the Falcon 4.0 team and was leaving the simulation market, and asked whether Grand Prix 3 would survive. Others noted that Geoff Crammond's UK team develops GP3 independently, and Cisko later relayed word from a MicroProse source that the UK team was not affected. The thread became a debate about shareholders and short-term thinking.
• Mass thank-you to GPL's creators and add-on makers 1999-12-13 · 142 posts
  John Moore started a thread thanking Papyrus and the volunteers who kept Grand Prix Legends alive with patches, tracks, utilities and VROC servers. Well over a hundred posters added their thanks and stories of how GPL changed their hobby, naming Randy Cassidy, David Kaemmer, Alison Hine and others. Some regretted that the game had sold poorly, and the thread continued into March 2000.
• Hyper Stimulator GPL cockpits and the force feedback debate 1999-12-24 · 39 posts · Rory S. Brown (Hyper Stimulator Canada)
  Rory S. Brown of Hyper Stimulator Canada posted pictures of historic GPL-themed Hyper Stimulator cockpits and floated a sim racing centre in Vancouver. Asked about a force feedback version, he argued that no force feedback was better than bad force feedback and that current FF was arcade-like. Pat Dotson, Alison Hine and others disagreed strongly, saying a well set-up Logitech FF wheel made them faster and more consistent in GPL, while a few owners preferred the Hyper Stimulator's passive feel.
• Old screenshots of Kaemmer's original NASCAR sim; no new CART sim 1999-12-27 · 25 posts
  Screenshots on The Pits of David Kaemmer's GPL-engine NASCAR project prompted speculation that they showed the original, shelved NASCAR Racing 3. Discussion turned to whether Papyrus would ever make another CART sim; Joel Willstein and David Cook said Papyrus's Grant Reeve had indicated on VROC that one would not come soon, mainly for Sierra business reasons. Posters debated why GPL sold only about 40,000 copies, blaming its difficulty and its unfamiliar 1967 era.

2000

• ★ Dave Noonan's ICR2/N2 to GPL track converter goes on sale 2000-03-22 · 96 posts
  Dave Noonan's commercial converter for bringing ICR2 and NASCAR tracks such as Riverside, Laguna Seca and Indianapolis into GPL went on sale for 15 pounds via sim-garage.co.uk, with AI for oval tracks. Most posters welcomed it and defended the price, and ordering glitches and VAT were discussed. The thread drifted into capital punishment politics and later congratulated Greger Huttu on a 7:49.50 Nurburgring lap.
• ★ Ed Martin explains NASCAR Heat development and features 2000-04-26 · 34 posts · Ed Martin (Hasbro Interactive); Dave Pollatsek (Monster Games)
  News that NASCAR Heat's tracks were modelled from satellite imagery prompted questions about accuracy. Hasbro Interactive executive producer Ed Martin, formerly of Papyrus, explained that track data was hard to get before licences were signed, that Monster Games was the lead developer with Blue Fang Games involved, and that Bobby Labonte supplied in-car race tapes. He also answered questions on pit strategy, 3D cockpits, black flags and online play, and Monster Games' Dave Pollatsek hinted that auto-pit might be a hidden feature.
• ★ Sierra officially announces NASCAR Racing 4 2000-05-03 · 30 posts · Joe McGinn (Radical Entertainment)
  Ian Bell posted Sierra's press release announcing NASCAR Racing 4 with an 'entirely new, ground breaking physics engine' and a late-year release. Posters debated whether it was based on the GPL engine, which Dave Henrie insisted it was, and worried about the system requirements and which graphics APIs it would support. Radical Entertainment's Joe McGinn said he trusted Papyrus and Dave Kaemmer on the physics claim.
• ★ Papyrus releases beta GPL patch to reduce disconnects 2000-05-31 · 35 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus)
  Papyrus's Randy Cassidy announced a beta patch for Grand Prix Legends that should greatly reduce multiplayer disconnects. Members thanked Papyrus for still supporting a two-year-old title, joked about wanting a CART sim, and swapped installation tips. Dave Henrie suggested that the fix came from recent NASCAR 3 multiplayer work.
• ★ Papyrus releases beta Direct3D rasterizer for GPL 2000-06-23 · 60 posts · Eric Busch and Rich Yasi (Papyrus)
  Papyrus's Eric Busch announced an unsupported beta Direct3D rasterizer for GPL, and Rich Yasi credited engineer Grant Reeve, who wrote it in his spare time. Users with nVidia cards reported large frame-rate gains and high-resolution mirrors, and Busch gave advice on drivers and core.ini settings. A side argument broke out when David G Fisher said D3D and force feedback should have been there at release, while others defended Papyrus's original Glide and Rendition choice.
• PDPI L4 gamecard benefits and PDPI's USB controller plans 2000-01-02 · 45 posts · Shumi (PDPI)
  A user asked why the PDPI L4 gameport card was not more popular given its jitter-free input. Owners praised its stability and lack of recalibration but noted its 8-bit resolution, while others said SB Live and USB ports were good enough. Shumi, PDPI's new marketing director, explained the card's history and announced that PDPI would build its own wheels and joysticks with high-resolution USB interfaces, plus conversion kits for ECCI and TSW wheels, starting around Q2 2000.
• World Sports Cars first look and screenshots 2000-01-10 · 41 posts · Chris West (World Sports Cars)
  A first look and 27 screenshots of the in-development World Sports Cars sim drew excitement about its tyre-contact-patch physics and graphics. Sceptics recalled hyped sims that never shipped, such as the Can-Am and Trans-Am titles. Developer Chris West confirmed the suspension was fully modelled and that WSC had nothing to do with Ford Racing, and Scott Husted explained that Motorsims cancelled its Can-Am sim after the SCCA dropped the series.
• Grand Prix 3 slips past its Q1 2000 release 2000-01-15 · 25 posts
  Pez reported, citing trade paper MCV and Hasbro, that Grand Prix 3 would miss its first-quarter release because Geoff Crammond wanted more time. Posters vented about MicroProse's history of delays, joked about Crammond's pace, and argued about whether GP3 would lack proper online play. The thread also became a debate about the GPL online community versus empty Microsoft Gaming Zone-style arenas.
• Is GPL harder to drive than the real cars? 2000-01-18 · 56 posts
  Richard Clegg argued that GPL is harder than real 1967 F1 cars because sims lack physical feedback, and that the edge between grip and a spin feels too abrupt. Pat Dotson and others countered that GPL's physics are credible and that the difficulty comes from limited sensory feedback and drivers pushing harder than period racers would. The thread covered lap-time anecdotes, setups and the origins of the Weslake V12.
• Dave Noonan releases Osterreichring track for GPL 2000-01-31 · 28 posts
  The Pits announced Dave Noonan's conversion of the Osterreichring for GPL. The community responded with effusive thanks, and drivers swapped early lap times, with Greger Huttu posting a 1:43 in the Lotus and sharing setups. Several hoped Noonan would tackle tracks like the old Monza next.
• GP3 to have LAN play but no internet multiplayer 2000-02-09 · 22 posts
  David Cook posted a translated Gamezone interview in which Grand Prix 3's John Cook and Nod Court said it would offer modem and LAN play for up to 16 players but no internet racing. Some called for a boycott and complained about Geoff Crammond's attitude to online play and add-ons, while others said the lack of internet play would barely hurt sales and hoped Kali could be used.
• GP3 questions relayed from the Melbourne Grand Prix demo 2000-03-09 · 89 posts
  James Pickard, who worked for Hyper Stimulator and drove GP3 at the 2000 Australian Grand Prix, offered to put readers' questions to Hasbro's GP3 producer Nick Court and relayed answers on system requirements, telemetry, editability and other features. Readers asked dozens of questions about physics, force feedback, weather and multiplayer. The lack of internet multiplayer sparked a long argument, with some calling it elitist and outdated and others saying online racing was a negligible market.
• GPLEA releases Snetterton track for GPL 2000-03-17 · 28 posts
  Phil Flack announced the release of the GPLEA's Snetterton track for Grand Prix Legends. It was widely praised for its scenery and in-jokes such as the Lotus Cortina, the GPLEA1 number plate and celebrity lookalikes. GPLEA members said they were working on improved AI and planning Goodwood next.
• How realistic GPL's suspension and setup modelling is 2000-03-19 · 27 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus)
  Skeeter asked how accurately GPL modelled setup parameters such as camber change and bump rubbers, and wished for documentation. Papyrus's Randy Cassidy explained that GPL does model camber change with suspension travel, but not changes in the camber curve shape with ride height. Others asked for cues when the chassis bottoms out, Doug Milliken mentioned his firm's licensable vehicle model, and Bruce Kennewell gave Lotus 49 ride heights from original drawings.
• Why GPL dominates the newsgroup 2000-03-23 · 82 posts
  David Karr opened a discussion on whether GPL fans had hijacked the newsgroup and dismissed other sims. Many replied that GPL dominated simply because nothing had matched its immersion, physics and online racing. David G Fisher argued that GPL fans were boorish and demanded quotes from real F1 drivers praising it.
• Le Professeur's essay on sim versus arcade 2000-03-27 · 59 posts
  A pseudonymous poster calling himself Le Professeur wrote a long essay arguing that 'sim versus arcade' is subjective and depends on how a game feels to each player. Gregor Veble and others replied that correct physics is what makes a sim believable. The thread was a civil, extended debate on what a simulator is, with comparisons between GPL, GP2, NFS Porsche Unleashed and Viper Racing, and some guessing at the author's identity.
• Juan Pablo Montoya plays GPL and GP2 2000-04-06 · 35 posts
  A reporter offered to put sim questions to CART champion Juan Pablo Montoya. Jan Verschueren then posted a published fan Q&A in which Montoya named GP2 and Grand Prix Legends as his favourite games, which delighted readers. A later magazine interview said he had used CART Precision Racing to learn tracks. The planned interview did not happen because of schedule changes.
• Survey of legendary racing simulations 2000-04-18 · 54 posts
  Tim Wheatley surveyed readers for a planned history of landmark racing sims. Nominations included Revs, Indy 500, Accolade Grand Prix Circuit, F1GP, NASCAR Racing, ICR2, GP2 and GPL, along with Pitstop II, Hard Drivin' and Chequered Flag. Doug Milliken and others recalled 1960s model-board driving simulators.
• Is NASCAR Heat going to be an arcade game? 2000-05-06 · 33 posts · Ed Martin (Hasbro Interactive)
  An interview with producer Ed Martin led some to call NASCAR Heat an arcade game. Others pointed out that it offered both arcade and sim modes and was built by Monster Games on Viper Racing's well-regarded physics. Toni Lassila argued that Hasbro had abandoned simulations, and Ed Martin joined to invite people to try NASCAR Heat and GP3 at Hasbro's E3 booth.
• World Sports Cars E3 footage and moving cockpit views 2000-05-14 · 60 posts · Doug Milliken (Milliken Research Associates)
  Footage of the alpha of World Sports Cars from E3 excited many, and Marc J. Nelson, who drove it at Monza, reported that it showed promise. Discussion of whether the in-car view should move with the car's motion included a reply from developer Chris West, quoted by David L. Cook. Doug Milliken explained that Atari held a patent on moving cockpit views from Hard Drivin'.
• Physics modeller asks about GPL's throttle-on handling 2000-05-20 · 22 posts
  J. Todd Wasson, who was writing a vehicle physics model, asked how GPL cars respond to throttle in a gentle corner, because his model behaved oddly. Kevin Gavitt and Doug Milliken discussed self-aligning torque, pneumatic trail, tyre load sensitivity and combined slip in detail, with Milliken noting how complex real tyre behaviour is.
• Repeated viewings of Grand Prix, with a GPL developer's note 2000-05-30 · 25 posts · Rich Yasi (Papyrus)
  Fans discussed how often they had watched the film Grand Prix and where to find the letterboxed version, and hoped for a DVD release. Papyrus's Rich Yasi revealed that the film, along with another, had been a valuable reference when the team was developing GPL, and that a laserdisc was used to see the racing scenes in widescreen.
• ECCI stops selling high-end wheels to individual customers 2000-05-31 · 84 posts · Andy Cers (ECCI)
  News that ECCI would make wheels only for commercial customers drew a reply from ECCI's Andy Cers, who implied that praise for rival TSW came from reviewers given free products. Scott Husted angrily rejected the insinuation, while ECCI owners such as Mike Grandy defended the quality of its $1,500 wheels. Others said cheap force-feedback wheels had shrunk the market for premium wheels.
• Launch of the GPLRank online ranking site 2000-06-03 · 28 posts
  Phil Lee announced GPLRank, a site by Uwe Schuerkamp that calculated a handicap from a player's GPL player.ini best laps and ranked drivers online. Admins Jeff Murchison and Don Scurlock explained it had leaked during beta, that warp or clock-smash laps would be removed manually, and that over 100 drivers had joined within days. Users enjoyed comparing handicaps and practising the Nurburgring to climb the list.
• Ideas for better car feedback in sims 2000-06-05 · 36 posts · Joe McGinn (Radical Entertainment)
  Posters discussed how sims could better convey grip and slip, proposing slip or G meters, view rotation based on the car's direction of travel (Gregor Veble), wider fields of view and widescreen displays, and richer tyre-squeal sounds. Michael Young argued that GPL's force feedback already models aligning torque, the real cue drivers feel. Joe McGinn of Radical Entertainment briefly took part.
• Steering into a spin to save it in GPL 2000-06-06 · 23 posts
  A new GPL player shared first impressions, and Richard Bellavance suggested steering into the spin rather than countersteering once the rear is lost. Gregor Veble and J. Todd Wasson explained the physics of why opposite lock stops working at large yaw angles, and vehicle-dynamics author Doug Milliken described doing it in a real station wagon. Several said the trick worked as a last resort in races.
• GP3 goes gold ahead of late-July release 2000-06-25 · 23 posts
  Posters celebrated reports that Grand Prix 3 had gone gold, with a UK release expected on 28 July. They discussed hardware upgrades, reserving copies and fears of early warez versions, and Jo Helsen posted a widely praised satirical 'typical RAS GP3 review'.
• Are GPL fans rude and intolerant? 2000-06-26 · 205 posts
  Jochen Heistermann complained that GPL fans attacked him for calling the D3D patch crap, and David G Fisher and Tracey Miller agreed that some of the GPL crowd dismissed every other sim. Others replied that the patch was a free spare-time beta and that 'crap' invited a reaction, debated whether GPL should have supported D3D from the start, and noted praise given to NFS Porsche and others. Later posts quoted a David Kaemmer interview and discussed driving the BRM at the Ring.
• David Noonan releases Imola for GPL 2000-07-10 · 21 posts
  Erik Frechette announced that David Noonan's latest GPL track, a chicane-free 1960s-style Imola, was available from Sim-Garage. Players were delighted and thanked Noonan, though one noted a frame-rate drop near a Firestone banner. Posters looked ahead to Solitude, Goodwood and Oulton Park.
• Unfinished Suzuka GPL track leaked by French Pits site 2000-07-14 · 37 posts
  David Noonan said an early, unfinished version of his GPL Suzuka track had been posted without permission on the French Pits website, along with converted tracks, and suggested this made his newer version pointless. Many posters urged him not to abandon the project and condemned the site, proposing boycotts or letters to its ISP. Others noted the leaked track was barely more than a surface with guard rails.
• Copyright row over converted GPL tracks on French Pits 2000-07-15 · 83 posts
  A link to the French Pits site's GPL tracks led David Noonan to state that the Suzuka and converted tracks breached his copyright. A long argument followed over whether converted Papyrus tracks could be his copyright, whether he had a licence to sell his converter, and whether third-party track makers need permission from real circuit owners, with ymenard raising the latter point. The site was reported taken down by its ISP during the thread, and some exchanges became abusive.
• Was Grand Prix Legends a commercial failure? 2000-07-18 · 33 posts
  Posters discussed why GPL sold poorly, blaming its lack of driving aids, its difficulty and the absence of an arcade mode, compared with GP2's accessibility. Joel Willstein claimed GPL had sold only around 45,000 copies, and others noted it was being cleared out at $9.99. Several argued it remained the industry reference for racing simulation.
• Does rec.autos.simulators represent typical sim racers? 2000-07-19 · 74 posts
  Posters argued over whether the newsgroup's GPL-focused regulars were out of step with most sim players, citing a High Gear poll showing strong interest in GP3. Jan Verschueren argued that GP3 should be judged on its physics and feared commercial pressure would kill pure simulations, while Jo Helsen argued that AI, weather and atmosphere matter to most buyers and that Crammond was not targeting the hardcore crowd. The debate was long but mostly civil.
• Leaked warez build of Grand Prix 3 judged a GP2 update 2000-07-21 · 69 posts
  Early impressions from a leaked warez copy of Grand Prix 3 described it as largely GP2 with 3D graphics, force feedback and weather, with complaints about graphics, missing tyre pressure settings and canned spins. Robert Platts and others argued a warez build could not be fairly reviewed, while file dates and the readme suggested it was close to final. Posters argued over whether four years of development had produced enough progress, with some name-calling.
• Hobbyist sim developer's car physics questions 2000-08-09 · 41 posts · Matthew Jessick (Motorsims)
  Ruud van Gaal, writing his own car simulation, asked how throttle, torque curves and engine friction relate, using F1 2000's data files. Todd Wasson, Gregor Veble, Han Monsees and others explained full-throttle dyno curves, negative engine torque, wheel inertia and slip ratios, and Matthew Jessick, an aerospace engineer doing vehicle modelling at a game company, added practical modelling advice. There was a side discussion of CVT transmissions in Williams F1 and DAF cars.
• NASCAR Heat demo first impressions and resolution limits 2000-08-11 · 51 posts · Ed Martin and Dave Pollatsek (Monster Games)
  Players praised the NASCAR Heat demo's AI, physics and accessibility, though some disputed claims that it shamed Papyrus's interfaces. Users with 16MB cards found resolutions capped at 800x600; developers Ed Martin and Dave Pollatsek of Monster Games explained the choice was deliberate because of large textures and lack of AGP texturing on Voodoo cards, and Jan Loebzien argued users should be allowed to choose. It was also noted that NASCAR Racing 4 had slipped to January 2001.
• Hobbyist car physics: turning, slip angles and vectors 2000-08-23 · 29 posts · Matthew Jessick (Motorsims); Doug Milliken (Milliken Research Associates)
  Ruud van Gaal continued developing his own car simulator, asking how a car rotates when turning. Todd Wasson and Matt Jessick of Motorsims advised computing each tyre's slip angle from the velocity at its contact patch, using vector maths and right-handed coordinates, and Doug Milliken pointed to the Millikens' Race Car Vehicle Dynamics book, which others also recommended.
• Why sims with 3D physics lack mid-race saves 2000-08-27 · 30 posts · Charlie Heath (Papyrus)
  Posters asked whether any sim with full 3D physics had offered a mid-race save. Some argued saving a six-degree-of-freedom state was hard, while programmers said it should be straightforward. Papyrus's Charlie Heath explained that complexity lies less in the physics than in AI states, pacing lines and other subsystems, recalled that N2's save took considerable work and had a tyre-temperature bug, and noted N1 restarted saved races under caution.
• Hobbyist car physics: tyre slip ratios and low-speed instability 2000-09-05 · 38 posts · Dave Pollatsek (Monster Games); Matthew Jessick (Motorsims)
  Continuing Ruud van Gaal's physics thread, Matt Jessick of Motorsims, Todd Wasson, Gregor Veble and Doug Arnao explained slip ratio definitions, pneumatic trail and tyre load sensitivity. Monster Games' Dave Pollatsek described fixing Viper Racing's hill-sliding bug in NASCAR Heat by modelling sidewall shear springs. Later posts dealt with numerical instability and wheel-lock reversal at low speeds, and F1 2000's high friction values.
• F355 Challenge on Dreamcast and a console flame war 2000-09-20 · 53 posts
  Users praised Sega's F355 Challenge for the Dreamcast, and Nos objected that the group was for PC sims before apologising. Reviewer Randy Magruder gave a detailed positive assessment, saying its physics rivalled anything on any platform and noting the Dreamcast lacked support for PC wheels. Nos then traded insults with Magruder and PHendrix27, briefly announced he was leaving the group, and returned weeks later to continue.
• Former instructor critiques struggling GPL driver's replays 2000-09-20 · 38 posts
  EldredP posted GPL replays and asked for help finding his mistakes. MaXX, a former real-world racing instructor, wrote a detailed critique covering trail braking, mid-corner throttle use and racing lines, which was widely praised and later turned into a separate guide on going faster in GPL. Side discussion covered driving Donington Park in real life and comparisons with TOCA 2.
• Hasbro releases NASCAR Heat 1.1e patch 2000-09-20 · 35 posts · Ed Martin (Hasbro Interactive); Dave Pollatsek (Monster Games)
  Ed Martin of Hasbro Interactive announced the NASCAR Heat patch 1.1e after beta testing. Users praised fixes to collisions, online starts and frame rates, while MGI's Dave Pollatsek explained how the game's force feedback worked in response to a critical post that its author later apologised for. Remaining complaints centred on AI ramming the player under yellow flags and in the pits.
• Maxx's racing-school guide to going faster in GPL 2000-09-28 · 85 posts
  Maxx, a former real-life racing instructor, published a package of text notes and replays on smooth driving technique for GPL, covering braking, turn-in, the racing groove and throttle control. Many readers reported immediate gains, notably Simon Brown, who set personal bests and won his first AI race. Later posts discussed reference points, pedal modifications and replay analysis, and the material became the GPLEGS guide.
• Modelling suspension roll centres in hobby physics engines 2000-09-29 · 23 posts · Doug Milliken (Milliken Research Associates); Dave Pollatsek (Monster Games)
  Ruud van Gaal asked whether roll centres mattered in a simulation that computes suspension directly. Doug Arnao explained they come from suspension geometry rather than springs and how to recompute them as the car rolls, and Dave Pollatsek said they were needed for anti-dive and jacking effects. Doug Milliken of Milliken Research Associates mentioned a forthcoming book based on Maurice Olley's notes, and J. Todd Wasson and others discussed A-arm geometry.
• Do GPL cars slide too much compared with reality? 2000-10-11 · 22 posts
  Users debated why GPL cars take a tail-out attitude so often, when period footage shows cars rarely getting sideways. Some blamed setups or missing self-aligning torque, and Andre Warringa quoted a Dave Kaemmer interview saying the sliding 'might have been a little exaggerated'. Others noted that the fastest drivers kept their cars tidy.
• RawPower free race car simulator released 2000-10-11 · 25 posts · Jesper Adolfsson (RawPower developer); Doug Milliken (Milliken Research Associates)
  Jesper Adolfsson announced the first public release of RawPower, a free vehicle dynamics simulator developed from his research background. Users praised the car's feel and reported bugs such as crashing when falling off the track, and Adolfsson discussed fixed frame rates, a 500Hz physics loop and an SCGT track importer. Doug Milliken explained how to order Race Car Vehicle Dynamics.
• Hasbro Interactive's future and NASCAR Heat support 2000-10-15 · 25 posts · Ed Martin (Hasbro Interactive)
  News that Hasbro was seeking a strategic partner for Hasbro Interactive led users to fear for NASCAR Heat and Grand Prix 3 patches. Hasbro's Ed Martin said the racing business was doing well, that the NASCAR Heat series would continue and that the GP series was unaffected. He also answered a question about the earlier dismissal of the Falcon 4.0 team.
• Grand Prix 3 v1.13 patch released 2000-10-25 · 22 posts
  The Grand Prix 3 patch was released, adding better controller configuration including split-axis pedals. Some users reported installation errors and difficulties combining USB and gameport devices, with tips about clicking the calibration tab and using control-driven calibration. A rude reply to a user's report led to insults, and it was noted that the patch had been cracked within a day.
• Backlash at Hasbro's Ed Martin over NASCAR Heat AI complaints 2000-10-30 · 68 posts · Ed Martin (Hasbro Interactive)
  A user complained that Hasbro had dismissed questions about NASCAR Heat's yellow-flag AI problems on its forum. Hasbro's Ed Martin questioned why forum matters were raised on r.a.s., drawing heavy criticism for an unprofessional reply, while Bruce Kennewell and others defended him as one of few company reps willing to post there. Marc Collins offered praised constructive criticism, and Martin noted the AI was being addressed in the next patch.
• GP3 disappointment sparks GPL grip realism debate 2000-10-31 · 98 posts
  Arto Wikla said Grand Prix 3 lacked the feel of a powerful car, and a defender claimed GP3 had superior physics and that GPL cars slid too easily at low speed. Kevin Gavitt reported controlled measurements showing GPL lateral grip matched real 1967 cars, and Ron Ayton noted Jackie Stewart's broader comments on GPL. The thread went on to cover TOCA 2, VROC, controllers and speed sensations.
• Top five racing sims of all time, from Revs onward 2000-11-20 · 43 posts · Neil Raine (formerly Acornsoft)
  Users listed their most important racing sims, with Geoff Crammond's Revs on the BBC Micro hailed as the genre's forerunner alongside Indy 500, Stunt Car Racer and SODA Off-Road Racing. Former Acornsoft programmer Neil Raine recalled launching Revs with David Hunt and knowing Crammond. Others named the worst games, such as Touring Car Champions.
• NASCAR 4 demo appears on CGW cover CD 2000-11-27 · 44 posts
  Users learned that the NASCAR Racing 4 demo was on Computer Gaming World's subscriber CD and clamoured for someone to upload it. Black Hole Motorsports explained it would only post the demo when legally allowed, given CGW's apparent exclusive, which led to accusations that sites cared about hits. The 80MB size and CGW's decline were also discussed.
• Are real race cars hard to drive? NASCAR 4 and GPL 2000-12-05 · 32 posts
  Speculation about how hard the NASCAR 4 physics would be turned into a debate about whether real race cars, including 1967 F1 cars, are inherently difficult to drive. Bruce Kennewell argued that GPL's cars are too twitchy and that period drivers moved easily between categories, while others cited examples of top drivers struggling in unfamiliar cars. Later posts covered the N4 demo's steering pull on straights and requests for a trim tab.
• Pabst-Racing GPL simulator revives McArthur track dispute 2000-12-05 · 49 posts · Tom Pabst (Pabst-Racing)
  A post about Pabst-Racing's Lotus 49 GPL simulator led Tim McArthur to repeat his claim that Tom Pabst was using his Sears Point track work for NASCAR 3 without permission. Barton Brown and others challenged him to settle it in court, and the dispute became heated. Tom Pabst posted his own account of the work and explained the Lotus replica, and Bruce Kennewell supplied history on the chassis it was moulded from.
• GPL engine swapper utility released, cheating fears 2000-12-08 · 23 posts
  Regulars reacted to a newly released utility that let GPL players fit any engine into any chassis. Many feared it would undermine online racing, league administration and GPLRank. Others, including Roger Squires, noted that editing player.ini was already easier and that GPL drivers rarely cheat, and some welcomed the utility for offline fun.
• Engine swapper author explains release; GPL community responds 2000-12-11 · 41 posts
  Rob Swindells reposted Paul Thurston's statement explaining that he and Ricardo Nunnini released the GPL engine swapper to expose an existing cheat after Papyrus and VROC said it could not be policed. Some thanked them for reviving GPL, while Don Scurlock and others found the logic flawed. GPLRank polled users on a temporary shutdown, and Alison Hine clarified that only Larry Holbert holds the WinVROC source code and endorsed creating separate driver profiles for swapped cars.
• 3dfx shuts down after Nvidia acquisition 2000-12-16 · 30 posts · Joe McGinn (Radical Entertainment)
  Posters reacted to news that 3dfx was finished, with Nvidia acquiring its assets. Many lamented the loss of competition and of Glide support for older sims and converted tracks, while others argued that Nvidia had long had better features and that Glide was dying anyway. Radical Entertainment's Joe McGinn said 3dfx never understood the mass market for affordable cards.
• Why the Ferrari is missing from the GPL manual 2000-12-17 · 39 posts
  A new GPL player asked why the Ferrari was absent from the manual. Steve Smith, author of the 'Four-Wheel Drift' guide, explained that Ferrari's licence approval came so late that Papyrus removed the Ferrari section before printing, and Andre Warringa linked his advanced setup guide. Smith also recalled his Car and Driver days, including a notorious marijuana-and-driving test.
• RpyToLP replay-to-AI-line converter released for GPL 2000-12-18 · 37 posts
  Martin Granberg announced the release of Nigel Pattinson's RpyToLp tool, which converts GPL replays into AI line files. Users experimented with it and got mixed results, and Pattinson explained that it is most useful for building AI on new tracks and needs manual editing to work well. Guides from Jan Kohl and the GPLEA's Ed Solheim were mentioned, and Goy Larsen dismissed talk of a 'secret GPL society'.
• Steering into a slide to save spins in N4 and GPL 2000-12-24 · 41 posts · Grant Reeve (Papyrus)
  A player asked why steering harder into the turn could save a spin in NASCAR 4 rather than countersteering. Posters debated the tyre physics, with J. Todd Wasson working through slip-angle explanations, Alan Orton remaining sceptical and others citing real drivers' saves. Papyrus's Grant Reeve explained how N4's steering lock works.

2001

• ★ Silent tribute to Dale Earnhardt after his Daytona death 2001-02-19 · 305 posts
  After Dale Earnhardt was killed in a last-lap crash at the 2001 Daytona 500, hundreds of RAS regulars joined a silent tribute thread, most posting blank messages or simple sad faces. The thread, with over 300 posts, was one of the largest shows of community feeling in the newsgroup's history.
• ★ Papyrus releases unsupported GPL patch for 1.7GHz+ CPUs 2001-05-23 · 53 posts · Eric Busch and Tom Faiano (Papyrus)
  Papyrus's Eric Busch announced an unsupported beta patch fixing CPU speed detection problems in Grand Prix Legends on 1.7GHz and faster machines, in six regional versions requiring the 1.2 patch. The community responded with an outpouring of thanks for supporting a three-year-old, poor-selling title, and Tom Faiano of Papyrus confirmed the patch adds no content and is not needed by those without problems. One user confirmed it worked.
• GPLEA announces upcoming GPL track creation tools 2001-01-01 · 35 posts
  Phil Flack of the GPLEA announced that tutorials and utilities for building GPL tracks were coming soon. Some welcomed the chance to see new tracks such as a banked Monza, while Ville Sinkko and Dave Henrie feared a flood of poor-quality tracks and version confusion. Tim Wheatley and Ruud van Gaal predicted that the difficulty of track building would keep numbers down.
• GPLEA releases Grand Prix Legends track-creation tutorials 2001-02-16 · 24 posts
  Phil Flack announced the GPLEA's online guide and tools for creating new Grand Prix Legends tracks, with discussion hosted at Legends Central. Users praised the work and one reported building a driveable track in a weekend, while a concern that editors would undermine GPLRank was answered by noting the tools cannot edit encrypted existing tracks and that cheating was easier other ways. Other developers mentioned upcoming GPL utilities such as a lap record editor.
• Flame war over call to shut NASCAR down 2001-02-21 · 275 posts
  David G Fisher argued that NASCAR should be shut down, calling it badly run and saying its deaths were predictable, and contrasted it with F1's safety record. The thread exploded into a long, hostile exchange with insults, anti-American jibes and accusations of trolling, though some posters agreed NASCAR lagged on safety and offered exposure-based statistics. Fisher partly retracted the shutdown call but kept disparaging the series.
• Mechanical versus aerodynamic grip and corner speed limits 2001-02-25 · 27 posts · Doug Milliken (Milliken Research Associates)
  Doug Olsen asked whether a corner could be taken fast but not at a lower speed when downforce matters. Todd Wasson worked through the maths, and Doug Milliken of Race Car Vehicle Dynamics confirmed there is generally one limiting speed and discussed banking. The thread moved to downforce coefficients for sims and Milliken's account of licensing a vehicle-dynamics model to Atari for Hard Drivin' and Race Drivin'.
• Pacejka tyre models and combined slip in sim physics 2001-04-06 · 27 posts · Doug Milliken (Milliken Research Associates); Chris West (West Racing)
  Ruud van Gaal asked how to model sliding and combined longitudinal and lateral slip with the Pacejka formula in Racer. Gregor Veble, Neil Everett, Matthew Jessick and Dave Pollatsek offered approaches, and Doug Milliken discussed non-dimensional tyre data from Race Car Vehicle Dynamics, noting tyre coefficients are often trade secrets. Chris West pointed to a tyre-fitting tool.
• GPL 2 wishlist and Papyrus's Randy Cassidy on the team 2001-04-10 · 42 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus)
  Fans listed wishes for a GPL 2 such as 1970s cars, pit stops, weather, ghost cars and patches for more visible cars and league tools, while others said poor sales made a sequel unlikely. When a poster claimed GPL's main programmers had left, Papyrus's Randy Cassidy replied that he and Dave Kaemmer, the two main engineers, were still at Papyrus, and that Adam Levesque and John Wheeler had left to form Blue Fang Games.
• Ubi Soft orders Formulasim to remove F1RC add-ons 2001-04-19 · 69 posts · Joe McGinn (Radical Entertainment)
  Lugnut linked a Formulasim notice that Ubi Soft had demanded removal of add-ons and patches for F1 Racing Championship, citing its FIA licence. Many posters were outraged, arguing user-made carsets and tracks extend a game's life, and some vowed to boycott Ubi Soft; others noted that most add-ons infringe trademarks and blamed Bernie Ecclestone's licensing terms. David G Fisher defended Ubi Soft, and the thread spun off into copyright of football fixture lists and memories of Ubi's arcade racer POD.
• Hobbyist physics coders discuss tyre relaxation length models 2001-04-24 · 42 posts
  J. Todd Wasson vented frustration at implementing tyre relaxation lengths from SAE paper 950311 in his RC car sim. Ruud van Gaal (author of Racer) shared code and the key insight that the paper uses the tangent of the slip angle, which got it working; Gregor Veble and vehicle dynamics author Doug Milliken explained low-speed oscillation and when relaxation effects can be ignored at high speed. The thread also covered integration rates and scaling physics for small RC cars.
• Silent tribute to Michele Alboreto 2001-04-25 · 114 posts
  More than a hundred r.a.s. members posted blank or one-line messages as a silent tribute to former Ferrari F1 driver Michele Alboreto. The posts carried little more than signatures, RIP notes and a racing quote.
• Tommy Bahama lawyers target SCGT Trans-Am carset 2001-04-26 · 50 posts
  Jan Kohl reported that lawyers for Tommy Bahama had written to SimPaddock over a 2001 Trans-Am carset for Sports Car GT. Posters debated whether non-commercial paint schemes infringe trademarks, with J. Todd Wasson arguing that licensing rights have real value to developers and others calling sponsors foolish for blocking free advertising. One poster said the SCCA had sold exclusive gaming rights for a Trans-Am sim, and the Ubi Soft add-on dispute resurfaced with some personal insults.
• GPL will not run on 1.7GHz Pentium 4 processors 2001-05-16 · 43 posts
  Players were alarmed by reports that Grand Prix Legends would not run on Pentium 4 CPUs of 1.7GHz or faster. Andre Warringa relayed that Papyrus's Grant Reeve had confirmed the problem on VROC, and it appeared to be a clock-speed timing issue rather than P4-specific. Suggestions included underclocking or keeping a dedicated older GPL machine, and some floated paying Papyrus programmers for a fix, which Dave Henrie said was unrealistic for so small a community.
• How tyre slip-angle curves change on different surfaces 2001-05-16 · 27 posts · Sebastien Tixier (game developer, V-Rally 2 and NFS Porsche Unleashed PSX)
  Sebastien Tixier asked whether a tyre's lateral force curve peaks at the same slip angle on tarmac, dirt and ice. Ashley McConnell cited friction ratios, while Gregor Veble, J. Todd Wasson and Dave Pollatsek argued the linear slope stays similar so peaks occur at smaller angles on low grip, and that loose surfaces need an added slip-velocity-dependent force. Tixier revealed he had worked on PlayStation versions of V-Rally 2 and Need for Speed Porsche Unleashed.
• Cause of GPL's fast-CPU bug explained 2001-05-18 · 23 posts
  David Buttery joked about porting GPL content to World Sports Cars to escape the P4 bug, and others debated whether it mattered. It was clarified that the bug affects any CPU above about 1.4GHz, and Mike White explained that GPL seems to use only the lower 32 bits of the RDTSC cycle counter, which wraps too quickly on fast CPUs; Ruud van Gaal called it a 15-minute fix with source code.
• Modelling damper force curves for a rally sim 2001-05-30 · 32 posts
  Developer Sebastien Tixier asked how to model damper forces for a rally car physics engine. Gregor Veble suggested a two-slope model with a knee velocity and separate bump and rebound rates, and the pair tuned values together. Doug Milliken (co-author of Race Car Vehicle Dynamics), Matthew Jessick and Ruud van Gaal added notes on wheel hop, stiction and real damper curves, and J. Todd Wasson mentioned his own Champ Car model. A few stray posts continued the Hyper Stimulator wheel argument.
• Le Mans (Sarthe) track released for Grand Prix Legends 2001-05-30 · 29 posts
  Andy Straw announced the release of the 1967 Le Mans (La Sarthe) circuit for Grand Prix Legends, built by Roland Ehnström and team. The community greeted it enthusiastically, swapping top speeds on the Mulsanne straight of around 196–201 mph and stories of crashes. Others asked about a version for NASCAR Racing 3 touring cars and about low top speeds, which one poster put down to pedal calibration.
• Humorous mock-German corner names for GPL's Nürburgring 2001-06-01 · 35 posts
  Kevin Clark posted a spoof track guide to the Grand Prix Legends Nürburgring with invented corner names such as 'Veristderbrakingpoint' and 'Soddingprivit Hedgenschtop', which drew a lot of laughter. The idea grew into a project: Jonny Hodgson drew a map, and Kevin made a replacement GPL track-menu cover with the joke names that users could drop into their Nürburgring folder.
• Preview video of GPL Monaco converted to NASCAR 4 2001-06-03 · 49 posts
  Jan Kohl of The Pits posted preview videos showing a NASCAR Racing 4 car driving Grand Prix Legends' Monaco, made with an unofficial track conversion. Simracing.dk mirrored the files after many users struggled with binary newsgroup downloads and the DivX codec. Readers were excited about GPL tracks in N4, and Kohl said a public converter depended on getting fully to grips with the N4 file format.
• Proposed fixes for wreckers in NASCAR 4 online racing 2001-06-05 · 64 posts
  After wreckers spoiled a 40-car Talladega pickup race, posters proposed realistic damage, vote-kicking, yellow flags and incident-rating arenas to deal with them. Francois Menard insisted pickup racing had been dead since TEN's NROS closed and leagues were the answer, which annoyed Dave Casey, Scott Husted and others who lacked time for leagues. John Simmons described DeMONS/2 and RaceServer.net, an N4 server manager requiring registration with real email addresses, and others criticised N4's arcade-like online damage.
• Papyrus updates GPL D3D patch; DGF row follows 2001-06-13 · 112 posts
  Marc Collins reported an updated GPL Direct3D patch (1.0.0.1) on Papyrus's site that fixed the wrong flag colors, added GeForce 3 support and anisotropic filtering, and cured the distorted trees and vanishing fences; users with GeForce and Radeon cards reported much better image quality, though some menu items failed to display. The thread then turned into a long argument with David G Fisher over GPL devotees, F1RC and F1 TV viewing figures.
• GPL engine, historic racing and GPL's commercial failure 2001-07-05 · 246 posts
  A suggestion to reuse the GPL engine for classic Trans-Am, Can-Am and Group B sims led to a long debate over whether GPL was a commercial failure, with Tim O and ymenard trading arguments about sales. Mark Jeangerard later argued GPL's physics and visual cues were inferior to GP3, prompting extended discussion of field of view, frame rates, tyre grip modelling and immersion. The thread ran to more than 240 posts.
• Modelling drivetrain, rolling resistance and tyre forces 2001-07-17 · 58 posts · Doug Milliken (Milliken Research Associates); Matt Jessick (Motorsims)
  Mike Stanley, writing a vehicle simulator, asked how engine torque reaches the wheels. Todd Wasson, Gregor Veble, Ruud van Gaal and Doug Milliken discussed drivetrain inertia, rolling resistance, tyre load and slip ratio definitions. The thread moved on to how locked wheels should behave within the friction circle, with Matt Jessick arguing a locked tyre's force should oppose the velocity.
• A sim racer drives a real F1 car at Anderstorp 2001-08-16 · 66 posts
  Sven described an F1 driving experience at Anderstorp in Sweden, a birthday gift from his wife, with photos from the cockpit and details of throttle control, braking points and reaching about 300 km/h. Readers asked detailed questions and compared the real track with STCC2's version, finding it close apart from some banking.
• Tom Pabst: hotlapping is not racing 2001-08-18 · 126 posts
  Tom Pabst wrote a long post arguing that sim racers should call hotlapping testing rather than racing, to win respect from real-world motorsport. Many disagreed, arguing that hotlapping is a legitimate skill like qualifying and that online racing is real competition, while others discussed whether sim racing could become a televised sport. The discussion ran to 126 posts.
• NASCAR Racing 4 player banned from Papyrus online servers 2001-08-25 · 291 posts
  B. Hilton complained that Papyrus had permanently banned his NASCAR Racing 4 CD key from Sierra/WON online racing after a report that he intentionally wrecked others, which he said was an honest lapped-car mistake. The huge thread debated whether the ban was fair after one race, whether lapped cars should hold their line, whether Papyrus had any legal right to block a paid-for feature, and how to appeal. Many supported Papyrus's crackdown on wreckers while others called for warnings or temporary suspensions, and Hilton said complaints had been made to the Better Business Bureau.
• Physics of front toe-out and oval racing lines 2001-08-28 · 36 posts
  Gregor Veble asked why front toe-out is said to help turn-in and why oval racing lines change over a race. Participants including Doug Milliken, Ben Coleman and Jonny Hodgson explained toe effects through slip angles, tyre drag and aligning torque, discussed Ackermann geometry, and noted that it matters mainly at large steering angles. Track sealer, rubber and banking were offered as reasons oval lines shift, and the thread wandered briefly into weight transfer and boat dynamics.
• Tuning a homemade sim's tyre model for controllable oversteer 2001-08-31 · 67 posts · Ruud van Gaal (Racer)
  Jonas Echterhoff, developing a car sim with Pacejka tyre formulae, asked why his 1966 Dodge Charger spun irrecoverably once it oversteered. Ruud van Gaal, Todd Wasson, Matthew Jessick and others suggested flattening the post-peak Pacejka curve, checking integrator step rates and numerical stability, adding load sensitivity, and using analogue steering input. There was a side discussion of friction coefficients above 1, and Echterhoff reported improvement after reducing front grip and relying more on throttle control.
• Rally Trophy previews and developer Q&A 2001-09-05 · 70 posts · Ilari Lehtinen (Bugbear Entertainment)
  David Cook asked whether the upcoming historic rally sim Rally Trophy might be the next GPL after reading a hands-on preview. Developer Ilari Lehtinen answered questions, saying preview builds were unfinished rather than locked to novice physics, the driver's head moves with the car, each tyre is modelled separately, Act Labs shifter support was planned, and the Lancia Stratos was included. Previewers including John Bodin and Goy Larsen were enthusiastic, though some found early physics simplified.
• Group reacts live to September 11 attacks 2001-09-11 · 36 posts
  Posters reported the planes hitting the World Trade Center towers on 11 September 2001 as it happened, followed by the Pentagon attack and the towers' collapse. Members worldwide expressed shock and condolences, and the discussion turned to who was responsible and how the US should respond, including arguments about Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• Condolences to American members after September 11 2001-09-11 · 291 posts
  A Canadian poster offered condolences to American members after the September 11 attacks, starting a very long thread. Members shared personal stories of relatives and colleagues near the World Trade Center, and the discussion moved into the Middle East, Palestinian reactions, possible military responses and long historical debates about Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima.
• Is anyone else bored with GPL? 2001-10-01 · 59 posts
  Douglas Ellison declared he was utterly bored with Grand Prix Legends three years on. Some agreed, including fast drivers, and some had moved to NASCAR Racing 4 or were tired of sim racing's broken promises, while many said new tracks, leagues and close online battles kept it fresh. A side debate covered whether GPL sold poorly because it was too hard or because of its 1967 setting, with ymenard citing reports of over 100,000 copies sold.
• Rally Trophy demo released 2001-10-16 · 67 posts · Ilari Lehtinen (Bugbear Entertainment)
  Andre Warringa announced the release of the Rally Trophy demo. Early reactions were enthusiastic about graphics and the comic co-driver, with some confusion over whether only arcade mode was available until Bugbear's Ilari Lehtinen explained that arcade mode means closed-course racing against AI with the same physics. Some found sim mode too easy and missed force feedback and Act Labs shifter support, and much of the thread was banter.
• Tom Pabst's 'timing bug' post sparks hotlapper flame war 2001-11-01 · 158 posts
  Tom Pabst reported a real-time versus physics-clock bug in the Rally Trophy demo and claimed a similar bug was being exploited by GPL's 'alien' hotlappers, whom he also called poor, crash-prone racers. Top GPL drivers and their friends reacted furiously, with personal abuse, challenges and threats to boycott BRD hardware, which Pabst was associated with; he later said the GPL claim was a deliberate troll. The long thread then turned into a debate over talent versus practice and whether obsessive hotlapping is healthy.
• Rumour of Papyrus 'GPL 1972' after NASCAR 5 2001-11-08 · 66 posts
  Alex Cameron relayed a report from simactu.com, attributed to Sierra France, that Papyrus would release NASCAR 5 in March 2002 and 'Grand Prix Legends 72' in September 2002. Posters debated whether 1972 was a credible choice and how well GPL had sold, with Steve Smith saying its initial sales were meagre. The thread drifted into wishes for Can-Am and touring-car sims, and John Bodin promoted his free 1930s grand prix mod for NASCAR Heat.
• GPL Replay Analyser 5.0 released 2001-11-15 · 20 posts
  Martin Granberg announced version 5.0 of GPL Replay Analyser, by him and Jonas, with improved analysis and reports, a traction-circle viewer, a race history graph and GPLRank integration. Users praised the traction circle as especially revealing when comparing laps with Greger Huttu's, and asked for print and export options. Granberg noted that telemetry can already be saved as text and that a GPL2 would need major changes.
• F1 2001 beta patch adds force feedback 2001-11-23 · 48 posts
  Ashley McConnell posted the link to EA and ISI's beta patch for F1 2001. Users reported that it fixed graphics and mirror problems, raised frame rates and added force feedback that some compared favourably with GPL's, though some wheels needed the FF sign inverted and split-axis calibration still troubled TSW owners. Later posts covered performance tuning such as adding RAM and adjusting how far away cars are drawn.
• Car physics Q&A on dampers, integrators and turbos 2001-11-28 · 21 posts · Randy Cassidy (Papyrus); Grant Reeve (Papyrus)
  Gregor Veble invited physics questions, leading to discussion of separate bump and rebound damping, nonlinear damper curves and upgrading from Euler to midpoint, RK4 or Adams–Moulton integrators. Ruud van Gaal said Racer now used Gregor's implicit integration and asked how to model turbochargers. Jonny Hodgson, Todd Wasson, Grant Reeve and Papyrus's Randy Cassidy explained boost lag, intercooling and blow-off behaviour.
• IRL forces end of John Bodin's IRL Heat mod 2001-11-30 · 25 posts
  John Bodin announced that his IRL Heat 2000 and 2001 mods for NASCAR Heat had been terminated and removed after the Indy Racing League sent a cease-and-desist letter, citing exclusive rights granted to another developer. Posters thanked Bodin and condemned the IRL and Tony George as short-sighted. Others noted that the letter was polite and that an exclusive licence could make the mod a genuine contractual problem.
• How to practise effectively in sims 2001-12-09 · 27 posts
  EldredP asked how others practise. Advice included watching faster replays, building consistency before pushing, prioritising corner exit speed over late braking, driving 'out of comfort' rather than out of control, refining the line, and using GPL Replay Analyser overlays. Several wished for throttle and brake telemetry in replays, which GPL does not record.
• GPL cornering technique: attitude, throttle and braking 2001-12-09 · 51 posts
  EldredP asked why fast drivers hold a steady attitude through corners while his car oscillates. Maxx and Pat Dotson explained that steady throttle keeps the differential in one state, that hotlappers brake later and enter faster, and that light throttle under braking stabilises the rear; Jonny Hodgson added a control-theory view of understeer and oscillation. Links to Andreas Wilke's video and hotlap replays were shared, and Eldred reported steadier cornering.
• NASCAR Racing 2002 Season demo released, download mirrors and first framerates 2001-12-30 · 27 posts
  Posters shared download mirrors for the newly released NASCAR Racing 2002 Season demo as the main server was swamped, and noted that Papyrus had switched to yearly naming. Early impressions covered framerates on GeForce3 cards, with disabling anisotropic filtering cited as a big help. Some questioned paying full price for what looked like an updated NASCAR 4, and it was confirmed the demo includes session restarts.
• Oval versus road racing: is either really boring? 2001-12-30 · 145 posts
  Tom Pabst started a long discussion about the European versus American divide over whether oval or road racing is boring, prompted by reactions to the NR2002 demo. Posters discussed TV coverage, strategy and tyre saving, and the role of car versus driver in F1 and NASCAR. Many said real fans appreciate all forms of racing, though the thread drifted into Schumacher versus Senna arguments and some heated remarks about Southern drivers.

2002

• ★ Live for Speed demo appears with strong physics and online play 2002-08-18 · 36 posts · Ruud van Gaal (Racer)
  Karsten Borchers posted a link to the newly released Live for Speed demo, with two tracks, three cars and online play. Posters were amazed that a polished, previously unknown sim had appeared without hype, praising its physics, AI and smooth netcode, though some had controller and performance problems. Some suggested it could rival GPL, and Ruud van Gaal noted the developers seemed to be professionals.
• ★ Sierra announces NASCAR Racing 2003 Season as series finale 2002-09-03 · 50 posts
  Colin Harris posted Sierra's announcement of NASCAR Racing 2003 Season, due in February 2003 and described as the finale of Papyrus's NASCAR franchise. Readers worried it signalled the end of Papyrus or that EA had secured exclusive NASCAR rights, while others hoped Papyrus would move on to a CART sim or GPL2; Sierra's statement about exploring new ideas on multiple platforms fuelled speculation about consoles. Some recalled that key staff such as Charlie Heath and Ed Martin had already left.
• Race Sim Central physics forum sparks Usenet versus web forum debate 2002-01-07 · 39 posts · Ian Bell (SimBin)
  Ruud van Gaal announced a technical car-physics forum on the new Race Sim Central forums. This set off a long debate: Uwe Schuerkamp and others preferred Usenet for its threading, killfiles and single central location, while forum supporters, including SimBin's Ian Bell, cited moderation, persistence and file uploads. Tom Pabst declared Usenet dead, and Matthew Jessick described the efficiency he needs when reviewing discussions of his games.
• Grand Prix 4 announcement greeted with scepticism 2002-01-13 · 43 posts
  John Metcow mocked the announcement of Grand Prix 4 as GP3 with internet support, and ymenard criticised Geoff Crammond's track record with GP3. Developer Ashley McConnell argued it is easy to sneer at games without having made one, and others replied that paying customers are entitled to criticise. The thread also discussed GPL's poor sales, which posters put down to its perceived difficulty and historic setting.
• High-end force feedback wheels and FF latency design 2002-01-22 · 37 posts · Dave Pollatsek (Monster Games)
  David L. Cook reported that Ball Racing planned an expensive Reaction force feedback system costing around 5000 euros. Doug Milliken, who worked on Atari's Hard Drivin' games, argued that force feedback should be tightly coupled to the physics model, and Monster Games physics programmer Dave Pollatsek discussed USB and Windows latency and proposed programmable wheel-side effects. The thread then debated whether FF should come from front-wheel forces or lateral acceleration, and Ruud van Gaal planned to try it in Racer.
• Does the FIA really block online play in F1 sims? 2002-01-24 · 48 posts · Jason "Schumi" (Relay Games)
  Rob Adams asked for evidence that the FIA prevents proper internet multiplayer in F1 games. Ian Bell said he had heard the online licence would cost around $5 million on top of the standard licence, and Schumi of Relay Games explained that F1 Relay was legal, tolerated by Ubisoft, and had nearly got official support before a licensing crackdown. The thread mixed this insight with insults between David G Fisher and Gerry Aitken.
• Colin Reed's car sim demo and an engine braking debate 2002-02-01 · 78 posts · Matt Jessick (Motorsims)
  Colin Reed released a new demo of his hobby driving simulator, which testers liked but found hard to catch once sliding. He traced this to a bug that gave the engine far too much engine braking, which sparked a long technical debate between modellers Ruud van Gaal, Jonny Hodgson and Todd Wasson and a former racer over engine braking torque, flywheel inertia and drag on F1 cars. Doug Milliken and Matt Jessick of Motorsims added notes on motoring torque and aerodynamics.
• NASCAR Racing 2002 Season arrives in stores: new sim or rehash? 2002-02-12 · 44 posts
  Posters reported NR2002 reaching US stores around February 13 and discussed likely prices. Early impressions praised the sound and a heavier, more stock-car-like feel, but noted collision physics and some AI issues remained. A long debate followed on whether it was a new sim or a $50 rehash of NASCAR 4, with John Pancoast saying only NASCAR 1, 2 and 4 were true new sims.
• RaceSimCentral publishes long interview with Alison Hine 2002-03-14 · 27 posts
  Mikkel Gram-Hansen announced a long RaceSimCentral interview with Alison Hine, described as the first lady of sim racing, which contained new information about GPL's development, such as internet multiplayer arriving late and Shift-R nearly being disallowed in Intermediate mode. Readers praised it and discussed her points about small teams and driving aids. A side argument developed over whether GPL's lack of accessibility options hurt its sales.
• Why is driving sideways faster on gravel and snow? 2002-04-17 · 23 posts · Sébastien Tixier (Eden Studios)
  Wojtek Musial asked why rally cars slide on loose surfaces. Game developer Sébastien Tixier of Eden Studios, Gregor Veble and others offered explanations involving load transfer, ploughing of loose material and viscous-like shearing of the surface. The discussion went into tyre load sensitivity, anti-roll bar removal and narrow tyres on snow, and Doug Milliken pointed to Race Car Vehicle Dynamics and US Army off-road tyre research.
• Online petition asking Sierra for GPL2 2002-04-19 · 70 posts
  Andre Warringa posted a link to an online petition for Grand Prix Legends 2, which gathered about 2,800 signatures within a few days. Some doubted that Sierra would be swayed and joked about paying $1000 each, while others hoped for a Papyrus CART sim instead. The thread drifted into Goy Larsen sharing 1994 Bathurst footage and debates about video compression and newsreaders.
• NASCAR Racing 2002 Season 1.1.0.1 patch released 2002-04-24 · 40 posts
  Sierra released the 1.1.0.1 patch for NASCAR Racing 2002, which was not multiplayer-compatible with earlier versions, prompting some jokes about a 'warez-only' patch. The changes included easier bump drafting with the AI, fixes to AI pile-ups in the pits, a minimum-LPI option for servers, and naming who ejects or bans players. Early testers reported better AI behaviour in wrecks, while some noted that the Martinsville pace car bug remained.
• US Pits releases GPL track converter for NR2002 2002-05-01 · 54 posts
  Dave Noonan's team at the US Pits released a converter that brings GPL and other tracks, including Silverstone, Osterreichring, St. Jovite, Cleveland and Bullrun, into NASCAR Racing 2002, along with N3 short tracks. Users praised the results and imagined a GPL2 with NR2002 graphics and sound. Goy Larsen explained that very long tracks such as the Nürburgring and Spa could not be converted because of NR2002 track size limits, and the thread also debated whether the sim needed more short ovals.
• Sim racers share their real race car experience 2002-05-09 · 66 posts
  A poster asked whether RAS regulars had ever driven a real race car, and many replied with experience ranging from karts, autocross and track days to SCCA, Formula Ford and endurance racing. Steve Smith, former Car and Driver editor and author of the GPL strategy guide, described testing 1960s race cars. Most with real experience felt Grand Prix Legends came closest to reality, with the missing seat-of-the-pants feel as the main gap. The thread later drifted into a long Corvette Z06 versus Viper, Porsche and superbike argument.
• Outrage over Ferrari team orders at 2002 Austrian GP 2002-05-12 · 109 posts
  After Rubens Barrichello moved over on the final straight to hand Michael Schumacher victory at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, most posters condemned Ferrari, Todt, Brawn and Schumacher, and several vowed to stop watching F1. Some compared it to the 1998 Coulthard-Hakkinen incident and NASCAR finishes, while a minority, including David G Fisher, called the reaction overblown since team orders were longstanding. Later posts debated historical team orders and whether drivers could have refused.
• Modelling anti-dive and anti-squat in Racer 2002-05-24 · 21 posts · Ruud van Gaal (Racer)
  Ruud van Gaal described adding simple anti-pitch and anti-roll parameters to his free sim Racer as an alternative to full suspension linkage modelling. Doug Milliken, co-author of Race Car Vehicle Dynamics, and J. Todd Wasson explained jacking forces, inboard versus outboard brakes and compliance effects, and corrected some of Ruud's ideas about a 'yaw centre'.
• ISI to develop EA's NASCAR Thunder 2003 2002-06-03 · 25 posts · Dave Pollatsek (MGI)
  Haqsau reported from PC Gamer that ISI was developing EA's NASCAR Thunder 2003. The talk turned to NASCAR Heat's missing online yellow flags, which posters said had been blamed on licensing. Former MGI developer Dave Pollatsek explained that Heat was contracted with only pickup-race multiplayer and that Hasbro lacked full online rights, which Sierra held.
• FIA GT Mod V3 released for F1 2001 2002-06-03 · 29 posts · Ian Bell (Simbin)
  Players praised version 3 of the FIA GT mod for F1 2001 as highly realistic. Demand overwhelmed the download servers, and Simbin's Ian Bell apologised and set up fragmented mirrors. Some planned to wait for F1 2002, which the mod team said could carry the mod over.
• West Racing unveils Racing Legends modular sim concept 2002-07-12 · 57 posts
  The West brothers' website revealed Racing Legends, a new modular, self-published sim with a core pack and paid expansions, replacing WSC. Some were thrilled, while Joel Willstein, Nigel Nichols and others insisted it remained vapourware given the Wests' history. Tim Epstein questioned the business model, and pricing concerns ran through the debate.
• Modelling a differential in a home-made car sim 2002-08-11 · 32 posts · Ruud van Gaal (Racer), Stefano Casillo (netKar)
  Alex Smith asked how to model an open differential and drivetrain in his own sim. Ruud van Gaal, Stefano Casillo of netKar and Jonny Hodgson explained torque splitting, clutch coupling, inertia and a gear-network approach, debating how an open diff behaves when one wheel loses grip. Smith got a partly working model with remaining issues.
• Full Sierra press release for NASCAR Racing 2003 Season 2002-09-03 · 26 posts
  Don Wilshe reposted Sierra's full press release for NASCAR Racing 2003 Season from the Sierra forums. Readers fixated on the word 'finale' and the line about exploring new ideas on multiple gaming platforms, speculating about a console move, a modern open-wheel sim, GPL2 or a CART title. Others joked about Papyrus's next project and expressed reluctance to buy EA NASCAR games.
• Papyrus's Eric Busch confirms Dave Kaemmer working on N2003 2002-09-04 · 42 posts · Eric Busch (Papyrus)
  Dave Henrie noted that Dave Kaemmer was not mentioned in the N2003 announcements, and several posters speculated he had left Papyrus. Papyrus's Eric Busch replied that this was false, that Kaemmer was doing the physics for NASCAR Racing 2003 and had converted the GPL physics engine for N4 and NR2002. The thread also reminisced about Charlie Heath's multiplayer work and devolved into a personal spat between Tom Pabst and Wayne Bradley.
• Speculation on Papyrus's future after NASCAR 2003 finale 2002-09-04 · 55 posts
  Tim O predicted that NASCAR Racing 2003 would be Papyrus's last sim and that Sierra would drop the studio once it stopped turning a profit. Others argued the NR2002 engine was too valuable to abandon, debated Papyrus's yearly-update business model, and wondered whether Racing Legends would become the only serious sim left and what it might cost. Suggestions for Papyrus's next project ranged from consoles to TRAC or ASA stock cars, while sceptics pointed to Sierra's past treatment of studios such as the SODA team.
• How camber thrust works in tyre models 2002-09-11 · 20 posts · Doug Milliken (Milliken Research Associates)
  Jim Seamus asked how camber thrust works while debugging handling in Racer. Haqsau argued camber thrust is an artefact of tyre-test conditions rather than a separate force and that traditional tyre models are inadequate, while Doug Milliken explained the conventional view and Ruud van Gaal and others discussed motorcycle cornering and anti-roll bar effects. Participants weighed the conflicting explanations for implementation purposes.
• Grand Prix 4 mini-review and debate over its physics 2002-09-13 · 49 posts
  Jason Moyer reviewed the newly released US version of Grand Prix 4, praising its tracks and graphics but finding the interface and controls poor, and Steve Smith reported that Infogrames had closed the MicroProse UK studio. Mark Jeangerard defended GP4 as the finest driving sim and accused the group of reflexive bias, while ymenard, Damien Smith and GT mod coordinator Ian Bell criticised its primitive tyre model and claimed the physics had been cut back. Tempers flared before Jeangerard apologised.
• Papyrus interview signals shift toward console games 2002-09-26 · 40 posts
  MadDAWG linked an interview in which a Papyrus representative said pure racing games no longer satisfied the console audience, which readers took as confirmation of Papyrus moving to consoles. Debate followed on whether the sim market was viable, with Conga proposing premium pricing plus paid online services and others doubting players would pay monthly fees. Several posters praised Papyrus's legacy and expected NR2003 to be a long-lived final title like GPL.
• First impressions of the netKar sim 2002-09-27 · 24 posts · Stefano Casillo (netKar)
  Steve Blankenship introduced netKar, a new Italian sim with a Formula Ford 2000, praising its physics despite simple graphics. Some users had crashes or ran at a fraction of real time, often fixed by rebooting, closing background programs or disabling a second display. Developer Stefano Casillo apologised and pointed to the 0.9.1 update, and Ruud van Gaal discussed CPU usage and timing with him.
• Papyrus's Rich Yasi interviewed about NASCAR Racing 2003 2002-10-28 · 173 posts
  Steve Smith linked an interview with Papyrus's Rich Yasi about NASCAR Racing 2003, which promised manufacturer-specific car models, visible pit crews, solar glare and a new physics model, and cited 200,000 GPL sales. Readers speculated about Papyrus's post-NASCAR direction, with Smith arguing consoles were likely, and debated whether sim development could still be viable. The long thread also covered paid online services like TEN and car control techniques.
• Live For Speed demo physics compared with GPL 2002-10-30 · 23 posts
  Posters praised the physics of the early Live For Speed test release, comparing it with GPL and the FIA GT mod, while criticising its basic graphics. Others noted it was an early beta 6-12 months from release, and the developers' community engagement and solid online play were praised. Tim Epstein and others argued that the rallycross dirt surface behaved too much like slippery tarmac.
• Bugbear announces FlatOut 2002-11-05 · 24 posts · Ilari Lehtinen (Bugbear Entertainment)
  Bugbear car lead artist Ilari Lehtinen announced FlatOut, which would use a refined version of Rally Trophy's physics engine. He confirmed online multiplayer and said the game was about racing rather than demolition despite its crash-heavy promotion. Posters were interested but sceptical of its console-oriented wording, and some asked for a Group N Rally Trophy instead.
• Car physics question on D'Alembert inertia forces 2002-11-18 · 27 posts · Doug Milliken (Milliken Research)
  Developer Todd Wasson asked whether drag at the centre of mass and tractive force at the tyres produce a pitching moment at top speed. Haqsau and Doug Milliken, co-author of Race Car Vehicle Dynamics, confirmed the free-body analysis and explained D'Alembert's principle. Ruud van Gaal and Sebastien Tixier also took part, and the thread ended in binary jokes.
• Regulars dig up their first r.a.s. posts 2002-11-19 · 64 posts
  ymenard invited regulars to find their first rec.autos.simulators post via Google Groups. Dozens responded with posts dating back as far as 1993-1995 about IndyCar Racing, NASCAR 1, F1GP, Need for Speed and the GPL Monza demo. Old names such as Trevor Kellaway and Doug Reichley prompted nostalgic memories.
• netKar free sim: praise, criticism and developer replies 2002-11-19 · 33 posts · Stefano Casillo (netKar)
  Martin Granberg urged people to try the free netKar sim. Aidee called it crap, which drew rebuttals from others including netKar developer Stefano Casillo and physics developer Gregor Veble, who said its modelling was fundamentally sound though less polished than Papyrus sims. Most posters praised the physics despite weak graphics, and download links were shared.
• Live For Speed announces Release 1 plans 2002-11-20 · 23 posts
  Tim Epstein relayed the LFS newsletter, which outlined a complete paid Release 1 with road, rallycross and race cars, the first part due in Q1 2003. Posters welcomed buying directly from independent developers. Others discussed Radeon 8500 rendering problems with the demo.
• Wishlist for NR2003: host-enforced views and settings 2002-11-25 · 178 posts
  Ed Solheim asked Papyrus to let hosts enforce settings such as windscreen dirt, pit crews, glare and the cockpit view in NR2003. This reopened the long-running roof-cam versus cockpit view debate, with roof-riders such as John Simmons saying it was safer and cockpit drivers calling it an advantage. Other wishes included vote kicking, a better damage model and admin flag control.
• Struggling to download the GTR2002 mod 2002-12-02 · 29 posts
  Days after release, users struggled with dead or overloaded mirrors for the 265 MB GTR2002 mod. Others shared it on Kazaa and eDonkey and posted working RSC, Boomtown and FilePlanet links. Nick compared the demand to Quake shareware's 1996 release.

2003

• ★ Live for Speed S1 released 2003-07-17 · 45 posts
  J.D. Ellis announced the release of Live for Speed S1, which added three tracks with many configurations, new cars such as the LX4 and LX6, and online play for about $20. Early buyers reported key servers struggling under demand and praised the new content. Larry objected strongly to the online unlock system as a form of product activation, while others said it worked painlessly.
• ★ SimBin announces officially licensed FIA GT sim GTR 2003-10-08 · 29 posts
  Alessandro Pollini posted SimBin's announcement of GTR, an officially licensed FIA GT simulation with 56-car fields including the Spa 24 Hours. Fans of SimBin's GTR 2002 mod welcomed it, and posters speculated whether it would use ISI's engine and include dedicated servers and day-night transitions. The thread also aired complaints about EA's F1 Challenge interface and controller setup.
• Beta tester details new features in NR2003 2003-01-18 · 91 posts · Eric Busch (Papyrus)
  With Papyrus's permission, beta tester Rodney Arndt posted a long list of NR2003 features, including server admin commands for flags and lap penalties, improved AI, adjustable cockpit field of view and the system requirements. Eric Busch clarified that the game uses DirectX 8.1 but ships with DirectX 9. Most welcomed the changes, while David G Fisher mocked them as arcade features.
• Leaked NASCAR Racing 2003 demo appears online 2003-01-20 · 48 posts
  Ed Solheim reported that an NR2003 demo with Talladega and Michigan had appeared online. Posters scrambled for working mirrors of the 149 MB file amid overloaded and dead links. It was recognised as a leaked media beta rather than the official demo, and first impressions were mostly positive, though Doug Ellison disliked the menus.
• Racing instructor's article ranking sim realism 2003-01-31 · 88 posts
  David G Fisher linked an article by racing instructor Malcolm Edeson (Maxx) arguing that GPL and GTR2002 had unrealistic quirks and that Nascar Heat with mods was a better training tool. Maxx joined in at length, explaining that his criteria were about driver training and that simpler physics did not mean less realistic. Others debated tire squeal, high-speed handling and physics rates, and Maxx later posted more specific details at readers' request.
• NR2003 preview reveals Nordschleife video and no track-length limit 2003-02-03 · 44 posts
  Jan Kohl announced The Pits' preview of NASCAR Racing 2003, including a video of a stock car lapping the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Goy Larsen explained the track was not included but showed that Papyrus had removed the track-length limit, opening the way for converted GPL tracks such as the Ring and Spa. Much of the rest of the thread was about needing a DivX codec to watch the video.
• How to detect wheel-to-track collisions in a car sim 2003-02-04 · 21 posts · Sebastien Tixier (Eden Studios)
  Nick Bull asked how hobby sim developers handle wheel contact with track polygons. Ruud van Gaal (Racer), Ashley McConnell, Stefano Casillo and Sebastien Tixier described using quadtrees or OBB trees, rays cast from the wheel along the car's axis, caching the last hit triangle, and high physics rates to avoid falling through the track. Tixier noted a similar cached-grid approach was used on V-Rally 2.
• NASCAR Racing 2003 Season reaches stores 2003-02-05 · 26 posts
  Players reported picking up NASCAR Racing 2003 Season from EB and GameStop on release day, 5 February 2003. Early impressions were mostly positive, with a few reports of freezes and one store refusing to hold copies.
• John Simmons responds angrily to RASCAR complaints 2003-02-12 · 62 posts
  RASCAR organiser John Simmons replied to complaints about league posts by saying he would post what he wanted on RAS and others could filter. Schooner and others objected to his tone, while Jan Verschueren and others defended him. The thread became a heated exchange of insults about league posts, Usenet etiquette and web forums.
• Sign conventions for camber in the Pacejka tyre model 2003-02-14 · 22 posts · Dave Pollatsek (Monster Games)
  Ruud van Gaal asked how to handle the sign of camber in the Magic Formula tyre model on left and right wheels. Todd Wasson, Stephen Clibbery and Doug Milliken advised using inclination angle relative to the car's lateral axis and flipping conicity and ply-steer terms on one side. Dave Pollatsek, a developer of Viper Racing, joked about the mess of unit and axis conventions in his team's codebase.
• Geoff Crammond's Stunt Car Racer remake announced 2003-04-04 · 28 posts
  A poster linked news that Geoff Crammond was remaking Stunt Car Racer, and a report mentioned online multiplayer. Fans reminisced about playing the original over null-modem cables on the Amiga and Atari ST, and the thread drifted into fond memories of 8-bit and 16-bit games such as Revs and The Sentinel.
• Todd Wasson's real-time engine sound simulation 2003-05-03 · 23 posts · J. Todd Wasson (Performance Simulations)
  Todd Wasson posted improved samples from his experiment generating engine sound in real time by modelling each cylinder's pressure. Ashley McConnell and others praised the progress though it still sounded somewhat synthetic and lacked bass. Engine control researcher Stefan Larsson discussed combustion pressure modelling and cycle-to-cycle variation, and Todd explained his simplified approach.
• Suspected fuel-mileage cheat in NR2003 online races 2003-05-11 · 32 posts · Eric Busch (Papyrus)
  Larry reported an open Talladega race in which one driver finished without the mandatory pit stop and suspected a memory cheat. Others pointed to earlier RAM cheats, and Papyrus's Eric Busch replied that NR2003 encrypted and randomised sensitive physics values in memory, that beta testers had failed to reproduce old cheats, and asked for proof of any working cheat. Posters also complained that the promised patch had not appeared.
• Papyrus releases free NR2003 fantasy track pack 2003-05-23 · 31 posts
  John Simmons announced that Papyrus had released a free track pack for NR2003 with a high-banked mile oval, a figure-8 with an overpass and a high-speed road course, which were widely praised. Some felt a physics patch should have come first and cited Papyrus's new Havok partnership as a sign that no patch was coming. A debate followed on setup exploits, driving aids and the over-strong draft.
• Project Wildfire announces free NR2003 mods 2003-06-05 · 57 posts
  A link to Project Wildfire, a team including many names from Papyrus game credits, announced free mods and tracks for NASCAR Racing 2003 Season. Posters were excited and posted wish lists (GPL 2, CART, Aussie V8s, Trans-Am and Featherlite modifieds), leading to a long tangent explaining the appeal of Australian V8 Supercars and Bathurst history.
• Sony announces Formula One 2003 with exclusive licence 2003-06-16 · 23 posts
  Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced Formula One 2003 for PlayStation 2 together with a four-year exclusive licensing deal with Formula One Administration. PC sim racers were dismayed, expecting no more licensed F1 PC games after EA's final title, and suggested boycotts or unlicensed clones. Some noted that console and PC licences are sometimes separate.
• Robert Huggins cheating case revisited over RASCAR entry 2003-06-22 · 93 posts
  John Simmons confirmed that Robert Huggins, caught cheating in Papyrus online racing years earlier, had applied to RASCAR and was refused. Tom Pabst argued Huggins was never proven to have cheated and that hearsay was unfair, while others insisted he was guilty; old Hawaii and TEN-era racers shared their memories. Claims that RAM cheats still worked in NR2003 were also raised, and the debate got personal at times.
• Papyrus posts the NR2003 patch readme 2003-06-28 · 106 posts
  Tim relayed Papyrus developer Steve Myers's readme for the upcoming NR2003 patch, which was in QA and included bug fixes and mod-friendly features such as a track directory option. Reaction was positive, but posters demanded a race-list filter and debated whether the ideal racing line and other aids should be controllable by league hosts. Larry noted no mention of random damage changes.
• Project Wildfire Trans-Am physics coming with NR2003 patch 2003-07-07 · 30 posts
  Project Wildfire announced that Papyrus had added Trans-Am physics to NASCAR Racing 2003 Season, with a beta mod to follow its Busch Grand National release. Posters were thrilled. Jay Taylor explained that the new physics sets came through the patch rather than being hidden in the release, and that altering the executable would break Sierra server compatibility and cheat checks. Goy Larsen said Aussie V8 and NASCAR Legends mods would build on the new physics models.
• Jim Pearson's Isle of Man circuit for GPL 2003-07-13 · 154 posts
  Steve Smith announced Jim Pearson's highly detailed Isle of Man TT circuit for Grand Prix Legends, which was widely praised as a masterpiece; Bruce Kennewell called it brilliantly conceived. The long thread also debated whether GPL was obsolete next to NR2003's tyre model, with Steve Smith recalling Dave Kaemmer calling GPL's tyre model primitive. Converting the track to NR2003 would require the author's permission.
• Leaked NR2003 beta patch 1.1.0.0 impressions 2003-07-19 · 60 posts
  An anonymous poster linked a beta NR2003 patch (version 1.1.0.0) left on the Papyrus website, which was soon removed. Downloaders, notably former beta tester Pete, described major physics changes: cars bottoming out easily, a weaker draft, heavier steering and a high-speed wobble cured by camber, caster and toe. Posters also debated whether Pete was Don Wilshe under another name.
• Camber and tyre temperatures in sim setups 2003-08-18 · 35 posts
  Neil Charlton asked why fast sim setups produce uneven tyre temperatures when theory says they should be even. Greger Huttu, Magnus Svensson and others explained that in ISI's F1 Challenge large negative camber is 'king', with inner edges running hotter, while GPL lacks dynamic camber and Papyrus sims reward smaller differences. The debate extended into camber thrust, a Bridgestone interview, and ISI tyre file parameters, with Steve Smith arguing ISI's camber modelling was unrealistic.
• RASCAR revolt against John Simmons's rule enforcement 2003-08-22 · 225 posts
  Mitch_A launched an attack on John Simmons's handling of RASCAR, accusing him of piling on penalties and rules, and David G Fisher joined him while declaring he would say what he liked. Simmons insisted the racing rules had not changed, only their enforcement, and that he and server host Eldred effectively ran the league, while Jan Verschueren and others backed him and Bruce Kennewell and Peter Ives argued for a democratic approach. The 225-post thread became personal and insulting, with Simmons noting only a couple of the 50-plus members were complaining.
• David Fisher and John Simmons clash over RASCAR practice incident 2003-08-24 · 195 posts
  David G Fisher posted replays claiming John Simmons caused two practice incidents and then threatened to eject him from the server. Several drivers told Fisher he could not admit fault, while Mika Takala reviewed the replays and judged it a racing incident; Simmons said he owned the server and was within his rights. The 195-post thread descended into insults between Mitch_A, McWhom, redTed and others, with only brief humorous interludes.
• John Simmons's public tirade against David Fisher and RASCAR critics 2003-08-24 · 94 posts
  John Simmons posted an angry two-part message attacking David G Fisher and announcing he would ask Eldred to remove him from RASCAR, along with insults aimed at other critics that he later admitted went too far. Outsiders such as Andrew and EGK said the episode had put them off joining the league, while McWhom defended the rules and Cliff Roman, Mitch_A and Peter Ives criticised Simmons's attitude. The thread was dominated by profanity and personal insults.
• Eldred quits as RASCAR server host amid feud 2003-08-24 · 43 posts
  Eldred announced he was giving up his part in RASCAR, tired of the abuse from both sides, and declined to fire John Simmons, whose rules he largely supported. Simmons declared RASCAR dead and blamed Mitch_A and David G Fisher, while Jan Verschueren urged him not to let two critics deny 48 others their racing and offered to rent a server. Many regulars thanked Eldred for years of hosting.
• Schumacher's simultaneous throttle and brake technique and GPL realism 2003-08-31 · 90 posts
  Joachim Trensz posted a German article on Michael Schumacher using throttle and brake together, reopening the question of whether the GPL hotlapper technique is realistic. Trensz argued it was a subtle, legitimate method, while Gerry Aitken and Ed Solheim insisted it would not work in a 1967 Lotus 49. Others discussed left-foot braking in karting, rallying and modern F1, clutch wear, and Allstarnz translated the article.
• West Racing's engine renders and the realism of detail 2003-09-11 · 51 posts · J. Todd Wasson (Performance Simulations); Ruud van Gaal (Racer)
  A new West Racing update showing a detailed engine and garage for Racing Legends left most readers puzzled about the priorities of a project with no drivable build. Some suspected the renders served as a portfolio for other work, while Jason Moyer defended the Wests' ambition. The thread became a technical discussion of how much physics detail is useful, with Performance Simulations developer Todd Wasson and Racer developer Ruud van Gaal discussing CPU budgets, simulation step sizes and collision methods.
• Future of Papyrus NASCAR sims and Papyrus versus ISI physics 2003-11-03 · 86 posts
  Rich worried about rumours that EA might take over NASCAR sims on PC and asked whether NR2003 would remain the best ever. Posters debated Papyrus's physics against ISI's engine used in EA's titles, with Jason Moyer and Ashley McConnell explaining the difference between Papyrus's surface-based track model and polygon-based track collision. Others noted Doug Arnao had tuned EA's car parameters, and the thread later drifted into car talk and insults.
• Field of view, multi-monitors and force feedback debate 2003-12-28 · 73 posts
  A question about multi-monitor or 3D glasses setups grew into a debate over cockpit versus roof views and limited field of view in sims. Tom Pabst wrote long posts arguing that realistic views depend on wider displays and that force feedback is a poor substitute for missing physical cues, which Mario Petrinovic and others found convincing. The thread later became a long argument about Usenet quoting style, with Andrew criticising Tom's posts.

2004

• ★ Vivendi closes Papyrus Racing Games 2004-05-08 · 34 posts
  Pez reported that Vivendi Universal Games had closed Papyrus, with Eroc Busch saying VUG had shut both its remaining East Coast studios, Papyrus and Impressions. Members mourned the end of an era, blamed Sierra and Vivendi, and speculated about Dave Kaemmer's future and whether a GPL2 or an open-source community sim could follow. Some suggested petitioning for the GPL source code to be released.
• ★ PC Gamer reports Kaemmer's new independent sim venture 2004-07-15 · 52 posts
  Jason Moyer linked a PC Gamer article reporting that Dave Kaemmer and colleagues had bought back the rights to their Papyrus code to develop sims independently, reportedly with John Henry as an investor, on an 18 to 24 month horizon. Kaemmer was quoted saying Papyrus sims had been sold in the wrong market. Members welcomed the news and then compared Papyrus's netcode and physics with SimBin's GTR press demo and F1 Challenge.
• Missing Papyrus NASCAR sims and debating GPL vs NR2003 2004-01-05 · 52 posts
  A lament about no longer waiting for new Papyrus NASCAR titles led to a rumour of a Papyrus 2004 release, which was doubted because EA had the NASCAR licence. The thread became a wide-ranging debate over whether NR2003's physics beat GPL's for road racing, unrealistic track grip values in add-on tracks, and whether ISI could match Papyrus. Posters also listed unlicensed series they would like simulated, such as Can-Am, ALMS and Grand-Am prototypes.
• GPL Silverstone praise and GPL development anecdotes 2004-01-09 · 34 posts · Steve Smith (GPL strategy guide author)
  Rich praised GPL's Silverstone, and others debated braking markers, aggressive AI and the track's merits. Steve Smith, who wrote the GPL strategy guide, shared development history: Papyrus had considered Silverstone dull and tried to license Brands Hatch, 'smart' learning AI was cut, and Ferrari references were removed from the guide because Ferrari had to approve them. He also described a pit-lane wall trick for taking the lead at the start with damage off.
• How fast drivers brake later and harder 2004-01-25 · 82 posts
  Haqsau asked why some online drivers can brake much shorter than others. Advice covered better pedals such as ECCI and Microsoft wheel pedals, progressive brake application, threshold and trail braking, engine braking and downshifting, and squash-ball brake pedal mods. Goy Larsen said his biggest gain came from getting back on the throttle before turn-in.
• New 1967 Brands Hatch track released for GPL 2004-02-11 · 81 posts
  Steve Smith announced David Sabre's new 1967 Brands Hatch for GPL and praised it highly. The thread became a long debate over whether NR2003's physics had made GPL obsolete, with Ed Solheim saying GPL now felt wrong and Jan Verschueren and Tony Rickard defending it and criticising stock-car limits in the Trans-Am mods. Steve Smith also discussed elevation errors in Papyrus versions of tracks such as Mosport and Mid-Ohio.
• Boston Globe publishes article on NASCAR sims 2004-02-11 · 36 posts
  Boston Globe technology reporter Hiawatha Bray posted his article on PC NASCAR simulations, written with help from group members including Steve Smith. Readers praised it, particularly its criticism of EA's NASCAR titles. Discussion moved to whether NR2003 could be kept current through mods and how it compared with NASCAR Thunder 2004.
• Racing Legends delay notice and GPL sales figures 2004-02-27 · 29 posts
  Roger Squires linked a West Racing statement on the long-delayed Racing Legends, which most posters met with scepticism. Steve Smith said GPL had sold about 300,000 copies, roughly 100,000 at retail plus about 200,000 bundled with a magazine, after weak initial sales of around 30,000, and described it as a skunk-works project led by Dave Kaemmer to build NR's new physics engine. Jason Moyer argued a GPL2 would now sell well to a bigger sim market.
• Project Wildfire Trans-Am mod release and realism debate 2004-02-29 · 192 posts
  Following the release of Project Wildfire's long-awaited Trans-Am mod for NR2003, users asked how it differed from TPTCC, since both used Papyrus's Trans-Am physics. It became a long debate: Jan Verschueren and Mitch_A criticised the stock-car basis and argued ISI's sims had better physics, while JnPrather and FCYTravis explained that real Trans-Am cars are tube-frame cars close to stock cars and defended NR2003's online play. The thread later grew personal between some posters.
• Papyrus website redirects to Vivendi Universal Games 2004-04-09 · 57 posts
  Jorgen Sundvor Smith noticed that papy.com redirected to vugames.com, raising fears that Papyrus had been shut down. The thread descended into an insult-laden argument between Slug and JP over when Sierra bought Papyrus and whether NASCAR revenue made GPL possible. Vivendi said the site was down for technical reasons, Jan Verschueren reported that Papyrus was said to be working on a car physics SDK for consoles, and posters debated the upcoming GPL 1965 mod.
• GPL 1965 mod released 2004-04-30 · 33 posts
  The 1965 mod for Grand Prix Legends was released through the Speedgeezers site along with the GEM+ manager and iGOR online system. Users sorted out installation issues such as selecting the physics in GEM+, iGOR authentication errors and graphics corruption on detailed cars. Jason Moyer and JP praised the revised tyre model and closer racing, and Marc Collins called for a 1967 executable with the new tyre model.
• Leaked GTR press demo circulates 2004-05-01 · 50 posts
  Dean Purdy linked a leaked press demo of SimBin's GTR, featuring the Lister Storm and Morgan Aero 8 at Spa, found via the Rage3D forums. Users shared download locations and the install password, and early reactions praised its realism and especially its sound. The thread later drifted into headphones, positional audio and personal finance.
• GTR demo impressions and the tyre-squeal debate 2004-05-01 · 97 posts
  Posters shared impressions of the GTR press demo, praising its graphics, force feedback and car behaviour but noting bumpiness, understeer and brakes that were hard to lock. A long debate followed about whether sims need exaggerated tyre squeal: Mitch_A, Eric Leblanc and JP wanted Papyrus-style audio cues, while Haqsau and Damien Evans argued that modern slicks are quiet and steering feel should be the cue. The thread turned personal at times.
• How racing game AI drivers are programmed 2004-05-11 · 39 posts · Jeff (Razorworks); J. Todd Wasson (Performance Simulations); Bernhard Wymann (TORCS)
  A request for resources on racing AI drew detailed explanations from developers including J. Todd Wasson and Jeff of Razorworks, who described following predefined lines with steering formulas versus fully free AI that reads the road. Ruud van Gaal argued AI should aim for good gameplay and could cheat slightly on grip rather than emulate humans, while Peter Ives wanted varied, human-like braking behaviour. TORCS developer Bernhard Wymann pointed to TORCS and RARS as open AI projects, and the original poster mentioned a job opening for a race AI programmer.
• Do racing slicks squeal before losing grip? 2004-05-13 · 79 posts
  Mitch_A said he heard slicks squeal on TV, reviving an old argument; others clarified the dispute was whether slicks squeal before grip is lost, as Papyrus sims portray. Racers such as Maxx said slicks generally do not squeal in normal hard cornering, only when locked, spinning or sliding, while Joachim Trensz and jbodin argued tyre sounds are a valid substitute for missing seat-of-the-pants cues. The thread also covered GTR demo tyre-sound volumes and became personal between Haqsau, Byron Forbes and jbodin before drifting to EldredP's struggles in NR2003.
• Calls to fix GPL's 1967 tyre model like the 65 mod 2004-05-22 · 39 posts
  Fans of the new GPL 1965 mod asked for its improved tyre feel to be applied to the original 1967 season. Others said doing so would invalidate GPLRank hotlap comparisons, while Malc explained the 67 flaw relates to excessive low-speed tyre slip and that it could not simply be fixed as the 65 mod was. Kevin Clark said test executables for other seasons such as 1966 and 1969 existed but were rudimentary and not imminent.
• Vivendi shuts down Sierra in restructuring 2004-06-27 · 37 posts
  A poster relayed news that Vivendi Universal Games had cut 350 staff and closed the Seattle-area Sierra studio, Papyrus's former parent. Members blamed corporate management, and some worried about the future of the Sierra NASCAR servers and rankings, with others pointing to alternatives such as direct IP, OLR and F1RST2. The thread later drifted into a top-posting debate.
• Richard Burns Rally impresses as a true rally sim 2004-07-08 · 40 posts
  Damien Evans praised the Xbox version of Richard Burns Rally for its suspension model, surface feel and realistic grip, and others agreed it was the first serious rally sim. Discussion covered whether it can be played well with a gamepad, the centred console cockpit view versus the PC version, the detailed setup garage, the lack of real multiplayer and the September PC release. Rally Trophy was compared unfavourably.
• GameSpot's history of Papyrus racing games 2004-07-25 · 73 posts
  Jason Moyer linked GameSpot's feature on the history of Papyrus, prompting memories of wrecking AI in Indy 500, including Dave Kaemmer's own admission. Magnulus argued Papyrus self-destructed and that EA's more approachable games and career modes had merit, which drew strong replies that online racing was the heart of hardcore simming. Members then shared their histories in long-running leagues such as the Screamers GPL league and TPTCC.
• Memories of Papyrus's original Indy 500 2004-07-27 · 93 posts
  Darf asked what Papyrus's 1989 Indianapolis 500 was like, and veterans described its mouse steering, strong AI, multiple car makes and the sense of realism at the time. Steve Smith said Kaemmer broke with EA over making the Amiga version easier to drive. Some ran it via DOSBox from abandonware sites, recalled the early LittleIndy offline league, and argued over whether EA's NASCAR licence deal caused Papyrus's demise.
• GTR public demo released 2004-10-12 · 41 posts
  Uwe Schurkamp posted a mirror for SimBin's official GTR demo, and members shared download links. Reactions were mixed: David G Fisher found the cars understeered and felt boring, while Mitch_A and Steve Simpson praised the handling and immersion. The demo's StarForce notice, setup tweaks and nausea from head movement were also discussed.
• German-only GTR release and fan English translation 2004-11-03 · 21 posts
  Buyers outside Germany who imported the German-only first release of GTR asked SimBin for an English language update. A fan translation by Skypat appeared within days; its forum thread was briefly removed as an illegal modification and then restored, and posters noted SimBin did not officially support modding because of ISI engine licensing. German buyers described themselves as beta testers given the bugs.
• ISI's rFactor multiplayer demo impresses 2004-11-11 · 43 posts
  Players enthused about the newly released rFactor test demo from ISI, praising its driving feel, sound, multiplayer interface and dynamic time-of-day lighting. Posters clarified rFactor is ISI's own title, not GTR or the reborn Papyrus team, compared lap times, discussed frame rates and setups, and linked a developer Q&A on the lighting.
• Is rFactor an LFS killer? 2004-11-11 · 51 posts · Joe Campana (ISI)
  Steve Simpson praised rFactor's graphics and physics and noted its AI in multiplayer. Others debated texture quality, hefty hardware demands and multiplayer smoothness, with temporary placeholder cars used to avoid join freezes. ISI's Joe Campana explained most multiplayer problems came from servers exceeding upload bandwidth and said a headless dedicated server was coming. Some also criticised LFS's product activation.
• EA announces NASCAR SimRacing for PC 2004-12-11 · 31 posts
  David G Fisher posted EA's fact sheet for NASCAR SimRacing, a PC sim tested by NASCAR drivers, with a February 2005 release mentioned. Reactions ranged from scepticism about EA marketing to hope, with Bill Bollinger relaying that the physics were reportedly strong but multiplayer and dedicated servers needed work. Posters noted ex-Papyrus staff had worked at EA.
• ISI patches rFactor demo Trymedia date-change lockout bug 2004-12-21 · 24 posts · Joe (Image Space Incorporated)
  A user said the rFactor MP test demo stopped working after he changed his PC's date, because of its Trymedia copy protection. Joe of Image Space Incorporated replied in the group that a fix was coming and later posted an updated build, but users reported that it did not cure the lockout. ISI apologised and then released a build without the Trymedia protection, which fixed the problem.

2005

• The US Pits shuts down its NR2003 file site and forums 2005-01-02 · 47 posts
  Posters quoted the announcement that The US Pits, a sim racing file and news site that had run for nine years, had deleted its files, archives and forums after tiring of abuse from users, and that it was ending its NR2003 focus. Most replies thanked the site and blamed whiners in the community, though some asked why it had not handed over to volunteers. Goy Larsen of the site said everything had been backed up and that key mods would be posted again. The thread also included personal attacks between several posters.
• Steve Smith's GTR appreciation and SimBin's dev responds 2005-01-18 · 51 posts · Dev@simbin (SimBin)
  Motoring writer Steve Smith posted a long, positive preview and review of GTR and argued against negativity from people who had not played it. Others shared their experience with the German version, frame rates and online servers. When Byron Forbes criticised SimBin for saying leagues were a small part of its audience, a SimBin developer posting as 'Dev@simbin' replied. He said Windows 98 support was being dropped from the international release and defended the company's testing.
• Team Redline pulls GTP mod; the 127.0.0.1 'hacker' joke 2005-01-20 · 54 posts
  Team Redline withdrew its GTP mod for NR2003 because of an installation bug, and users posted their system specs to look for a pattern among failed installs. A troll's claim that uninstalling the mod wiped the root directory was dismissed, since the mod has no uninstaller. The thread is remembered for btgoss's joke that a hacker was pinging him from 127.0.0.1, which fooled several readers before he admitted it was a joke.
• What the group thinks of FILSCA 2005-02-04 · 54 posts
  Asked for opinions on FILSCA, posters split between those who suspected it was a power grab and those who thought a league federation was a good idea. FILSCA founder Christoph Schirmer joined to explain that it was a voluntary club of leagues and to answer questions about its statutes, its sanctioning role and the AutoSimSport magazine. Critics pointed to restricted documents and low awareness of the group.
• FIRST-Racing's stance against NR2003 executable hacks 2005-03-04 · 36 posts
  A Joystiq article reported that FIRST-Racing, which had bought the Papyrus code, warned against mods that hacked the NR2003 executable. Some defended Dave Kaemmer and John Henry's right to protect what they had bought. Others saw it as hostile to the modding community that had kept Papyrus titles alive, and worried it hinted that FIRST's product would be little more than an updated NR2003.
• Train analogies and FIRST-Racing's legal action over mods 2005-03-05 · 52 posts
  Tony Rickard parodied Dave Kaemmer's train analogy about modders. The thread became a long debate between Steve Smith, Malc and others on whether mods help or hurt developers, and whether FIRST was right to restrict hacks of the NR2003 executable. Goy Larsen then posted FIRST-Racing's legal filing and press release against modders, and most posters criticised the move.
• Reaction to FIRST-Racing's legal action against NR2003 exe modders 2005-03-24 · 69 posts
  JP linked FIRST-Racing's news page announcing legal action against modders who altered the NR2003 executable. Many were angry, and some vowed to buy EA's NSR instead. Others noted that most mods did not touch the exe, and Aero88 co-author Fred Anderson said his team had reverse-engineered the data formats. Reviewer Randy Magruder defended the NSR team's openness and ongoing patch work, and debate continued over NSR's state and whether the licence agreements transferred to FIRST.
• Is r.a.s. dying? Off-topic noise and sim fatigue 2005-04-23 · 25 posts
  Steve Smith lamented that r.a.s. was overrun by spam, politics and incivility while developers and real discussion had gone. Others agreed or blamed specific posters, while some defended Usenet over web forums. Several suggested the deeper cause was the lack of a unifying sim like GPL and stagnant releases. Larry and others also discussed rating systems for online racing.
• rFactor released, and its 20-car multiplayer limit 2005-08-31 · 33 posts
  As rFactor became available for download, Jason Moyer complained about a 20-client multiplayer limit. Steve Whitty pointed out that a 'LessenRestrictions' setting removes it. Users discussed how often online races really exceed 20 cars, criticised the AI and graphics, and noted an F3 mod already under way.
• Would rFactor exist without GPL, and is rFactor modding healthy? 2005-09-29 · 63 posts
  Byron Forbes questioned whether third-party rFactor mods would be accepted as authentic, prompting debate on GPL's legacy and the state of online sim racing. Some argued rFactor would not exist without GPL and that modders were more active than ever, while ymenard argued multiplayer rooms were empty and the scene was fragmenting across NR2003 mods and many sims. A long side discussion covered GPL driving style, slip angles and GPLRank benchmark times, plus joking about Snow White nicknames and coffee.
• GTR2 announced, sparking Simbin versus rFactor argument 2005-10-08 · 57 posts
  A poster reported that GTR2 was officially in development. Byron Forbes dismissed GTL and GTR2 as inferior to rFactor and repeatedly accused Simbin of lying about GTR's multiplayer, while Chad Rogers, RodP and others defended Simbin's licensed content and offline play. The thread also debated real versus fantasy tracks and whether tracks can be designed specifically for good online racing.
• Pessimism over the supposed revival of sim racing 2005-10-11 · 53 posts
  ymenard argued that the so-called revival was hollow, citing tiny rFactor online numbers and flaws in GTL and other sims. Replies discussed fragmentation across many titles, the rise of console sims like GT4 and Richard Burns Rally, NR2003 superspeedway pickup racing still drawing hundreds of players, and whether rFactor's mod potential would eventually draw everyone in. Some also discussed importing GT Legends from Sweden.
• Physics basics for building a home-made car simulator 2005-10-30 · 21 posts · Todd Wasson (Performance Simulations)
  Thomas Harte asked for help with the fundamentals of writing his own driving simulation, including engine torque, flywheel and tyre slip. Todd Wasson and Jeff Reid explained torque curves, part-throttle modelling, slip ratio definitions and the order of calculations in a simulation step, with links to tyre references. Ruud van Gaal later added a pointer to the SAE950311 low-speed method.
• The Pits releases 1970 Grand National mod for NR2003 2005-11-19 · 35 posts
  The Pits released its 1970 Grand National mod for NR2003, and users praised it while mirrors were posted after the host's bandwidth ran out. Bruce Kennewell created a full 1970 season file, and some reported frame-rate drops. ymenard called it useless because it used existing truck physics after iRacing blocked custom physics, leading to a heated exchange; Goy Larsen of The Pits clarified the iRacing issue.
• Jan Kohl on GN1970 mod physics, and a heated community debate 2005-11-27 · 47 posts · Jan Kohl (The Pits)
  Jan Kohl of The Pits explained the physics approach of the Grand National 1970 mod for NR2003, addressing claims it was just reskinned trucks. ymenard insisted modding a dead sim diluted community effort while rFactor needed content, and the exchange with Bruce Kennewell and Kohl became abusive. Others debated whether sims are just games, and later posts discussed rFactor's sparse online servers.

2006

• ★ iRacing and Skip Barber Racing School announce alliance 2006-11-17 · 54 posts · Tim Wheatley (iRacing)
  Tim Wheatley of iRacing posted the announcement of a strategic alliance with the Skip Barber Racing School, with a video comparing the real and simulated Lime Rock. Some found the graphics underwhelming, and Wheatley explained the tiny video hid the detail and that oval and other forms of racing would follow. Debate centred on the value of laser-scanned track accuracy and on iRacing's likely subscription pricing and league support.
• First Racing (iRacing) screenshots and Papyrus physics debate 2006-02-16 · 61 posts
  The first screenshots of the former Papyrus team's new sim drew mixed reactions, with some calling the graphics dated and others praising Papyrus's natural art style. Discussion covered its planned subscription model and resentment over the company's legal treatment of modders. A debate followed on whether GPL and NR2003 physics had been accurate, citing Dave Kaemmer's later admission about GPL grip and Dale Earnhardt Jr's view of NR2003.
• Live for Speed S2 patch with new tyre physics and BMW Sauber 2006-04-15 · 26 posts
  Users followed the daily previews of a major Live for Speed S2 update promising improved tyre physics and a new Formula 1 car. After the patch arrived, Jan Verschueren declared LFS overall the best sim for how it communicates the car to the driver, while Tony Rickard and ymenard questioned its graphics and fictional tracks. Later posts discussed LFS's rule enforcement for league use.
• Logitech announces G25 wheel with shifter and clutch 2006-05-09 · 46 posts
  Mitch reported Logitech's E3 announcement of the G25 Racing Wheel, with 900 degrees of rotation, dual force feedback motors, a separate six-speed H shifter and a clutch pedal. Users welcomed it but doubted Logitech's durability and lack of spare parts, citing worn potentiometers and broken Momos. Early hands-on reports noted a vague gated shifter and GT Legends' 16-button limit.
• Is rec.autos.simulators dying? 2006-05-13 · 43 posts
  ymenard noted RAS traffic had fallen from 12,000 posts a month in 2000 to under 500, and lamented moving to heavily moderated RSC. Others blamed ISPs dropping Usenet, flame wars and specific posters, while many argued that what remained was a sensible core and that the genre had become niche as PCs went mainstream. Old-timers recalled the group's busy days around NASCAR Racing and IndyCar Racing.
• GTR2 demo released: first impressions 2006-07-21 · 25 posts
  The GTR2 demo was released, and users shared download mirrors without registration. It was confirmed to have no Starforce, and players noted it could run with all GT Legends tracks. Larry praised the end of the 'driving on ice' feel but suffered blue screens he linked to his sound card, which others attributed to his system.

2007

• Frustration over iRacing's lack of progress news 2007-08-03 · 64 posts · Tim Wheatley (iRacing)
  Pat Dotson asked whether iRacing was doing anything besides real-world racing. Tim Wheatley denied it was simply NR2003 and defended long development times and the focus on marketing to real racers, but exchanges with Schooner turned sour and Wheatley said he would stop posting clarifications. Others debated whether real racers or sim racers would be the core market and worried about pricing.
• First impressions of the Race 07 demo 2007-09-07 · 30 posts
  Posters shared download links for the SimBin Race 07 demo and reported their impressions. Many found the physics, force feedback and out-of-the-box setup better than rFactor and GTR2, though some disliked the mandatory Steam account and others reported stuttering that was traced to shadow settings. Several complained that the AI still braked erratically, and the group discussed whether sim racing had plateaued while waiting for iRacing.
• Power & Glory 1960s touring car mod released for GTR2 2007-09-16 · 25 posts
  Tony Rickard announced the first release of the Power & Glory mod, which brings 1960s touring cars from GT Legends into the GTR2 engine and requires both games. Users praised it as feeling like a new sim and welcomed being able to drive GTL content without installing StarForce copy protection. The thread also covered whether it affects an existing GTL install, no-CD patches, and reviews at Blackhole Motorsports and SimHQ.
• Long-time reader seeks web forum as RAS declines 2007-11-03 · 41 posts
  Tim Epstein said Usenet and RAS were in decline and asked for a friendly web forum alternative. Regulars defended the newsgroup's threading and quality over web forums, others listed sites like Blackhole Motorsports and NoGripRacing, and RSC's Tim Stelten pointed to RSC's updated forum. The thread wandered into NR2002 widescreen hacks, the delayed iRacing, and nostalgic plans for an old RASCAR reunion race.
• Beginner advice on driving without spinning out 2007-11-13 · 29 posts
  A newcomer asked how to drive sims like GPL without aids and without spinning. Replies covered weight transfer, braking before the corner and gradual throttle, practising on one simple track, and the Skip Barber book Going Faster, which several strongly recommended; Peter Gagg pointed to his old GPL guide. Later posts debated whether joysticks are faster than wheels in GPL and techniques such as driver-induced understeer.

2008

• iRacing subscription pricing announced and debated 2008-01-23 · 124 posts · Tim Wheatley (iRacing)
  Posters discussed iRacing's newly announced pricing of about $13 a month on a yearly plan, with extra cars and tracks costing $15 to $25. iRacing's Tim Wheatley answered questions, saying the base content would cover a first season and that launch was planned for spring. Opinions split between those who found the price reasonable compared to other hobbies and sceptics like Backspace who attacked the cost and the $20 trial, leading to insults; the later posts drifted into GPL tyre grip and sensing speed in sims.
• ARCA Sim Racing 2008 arrives: first impressions 2008-03-09 · 41 posts · Pat Dotson (UltraForce Simulations)
  Larry reported receiving ARCA Sim Racing 2008 and posted impressions, calling it very rFactor-like and complaining about finicky controller setup and options hidden in INI files. Others said it was a promising NR2003 replacement, and Backspace argued with Larry over in-game access to options. Pat Dotson recommended the LeoFFB plugin over the stock force feedback, and Uwe Schürkamp noted the $65 price to Germany.
• Pacejka formula and tyre slip ratio explained 2008-03-18 · 26 posts · Todd Wasson (Performance Simulations)
  Maximilien, coding his own car simulator, asked why tyres generate longitudinal force through slip ratio. Pat Dotson and Todd Wasson explained tread deformation in the contact patch, and a race engineer posting as speedmd said such models are the standard in automotive engineering. Jeff Reid and speedmd argued over gearing and wheelspin, and posters recommended Milliken's Race Car Vehicle Dynamics.
• Pat Dotson's ARCA setup guide and the setup-sharing row 2008-03-31 · 38 posts · Pat Dotson (UltraForce Simulations)
  Pat Dotson posted a detailed guide to building faster ARCA Sim Racing oval setups while saying he would no longer hand out his own. Some readers called the refusal rude, leading Byron Forbes and Quentin Queerbottom into abusive exchanges, while Pat explained repeated requests had become ridiculous. The thread later turned to whether great drivers such as Jim Clark and Ronnie Peterson were poor test drivers.
• InsideSimRacing video preview of iRacing 2008-06-05 · 67 posts · Tim Wheatley (iRacing)
  Tony Rickard linked a 16-minute InsideSimRacing video explaining how iRacing would work. Andrew MacPherson and Schooner doubted the business model, pricing and lack of offline or league options, while beta testers Larry and Uwe Schürkamp said field sizes depended on skill-level splits and that yellow flags and pit stops were not yet implemented. An anonymous poster's questions about grid sizes sparked accusations that he was David G Fisher, and abuse followed.
• iRacing NDA lifted: beta tester calls it addictive 2008-06-06 · 101 posts
  After the iRacing beta NDA was lifted, a tester called it 'crack in a box' and the most addictive thing since NROS. Larry praised the closed, mod-free, real-name, centrally ranked system, while others objected to the subscription price and the departure from the open mod and league culture of rFactor. The long thread veered between thoughtful comparisons, including Tony Rickard on GPL and rFactor history, and crude insults from pseudonymous posters.
• iRacing begins controlled roll-out to subscribers 2008-06-11 · 20 posts
  Larry reported the iRacing site going down for conversion from beta, and Uwe Schürkamp said he had bought a six-month subscription despite earlier saying he would not. Larry described a controlled roll-out with a sign-up deadline, while Ken MacKay and others noted missing features such as pit stops and said the product was effectively still unfinished. Posters agreed iRacing staff were receptive to feedback, while James Promme declared sim racing dead.
• Andrew MacPherson weighs whether to subscribe to iRacing 2008-07-10 · 141 posts
  After receiving an invitation, Andrew MacPherson asked for help resisting iRacing despite disliking its pricing and rookie cars. Uwe Schürkamp regretted his six-month subscription, Alan Bernardo found it too structured, and Tony Rickard argued its strength was organised, skill-matched pickup racing for drivers without leagues. The long thread covered value for money, owning versus renting software, safety rating penalties for going off track, and whether automated fault assignment is possible.
• How long will iRacing last as a subscription service? 2008-08-12 · 68 posts · Tim Wheatley (iRacing)
  Jeff Reid guessed iRacing would survive about three years as a subscription service, and Andrew MacPherson agreed it might not last long in its current form. Uwe Schürkam cited the 10tacle collapse cutting off GTR2 online play as a warning about relying on one company, while Larry and others defended the yearly plan and the cost of laser scanning. Posters compared subscriber needs to MMOs like EVE Online and speculated iRacing might gain the NASCAR licence; iRacing's Tim Wheatley commented on software licensing.

2009

• iRacing cuts prices and changes subscription model 2009-10-15 · 34 posts
  Posters discussed iRacing's price cuts, with the yearly subscription falling from $156 to $99 and cheaper content, plus participation credits for racing eight weeks a season. Tony Rickard explained the details and said hosted racing was coming. Andrew MacPherson argued iRacing needed a relaxed tier and questioned spending on pro series marketing, which led to arguments with Schooner and others.