...NEGATIVE GPL RANK!!!! ;-)
Finally! First submitted my times to GPL Rank in May last year with a rank of +259.74. Never thought I'd get past 100, always thought a negative rank was for the 'aliens'.
Of course it finally came down to an improved 'Ring time. I was stuck at an 8:32.63 with the Eagle, and couldn't see a clear way of improving, but some practice (and improvement) at both Mosport and Rouen upped my confidence and also made me feel better about the Lotus; today I thought I'd give the 'Ring ago in the Lotus and after a warm-up lap did a 8:31 and knew I was on my way.
It's a testament to the longevity of the sim that, after well over a year of hard practice and many, many hours and laps (sorry, wifey!), I still feel like I'm only just starting. I'd imagined a negative rank would produce feelings of "what now?", but on the contrary; I feel this is simply a big milestone towards better, more competent driving.
I also feel that this longevity is what makes GPL so popular, even if it is 'cult' popularity. GPL is no longer the prettiest of race sims, but it's realistic (I assume!) and it's hard, and that's why one doesn't get bored if one is enthusiastic about motorsport, IMHO. Of course the 'GPL haters' won't agree, but why do they get so upset by people enthusing about the sim?!
In the spirit of the impending Oscars, there are some people I'd like to thank:
a.. Papyrus (natch) for producing what they perhaps knew wouldn't necessarily be for the masses;
b.. Alison Hine for her enthusiasm for GPL as seen at her superb site (http://eaglewoman.simracing.dk/gpl/index.htm); it was here I realised I didn't have to give up; her setups and advice in general are a must for all newbies and experienced alike
c.. Brian Wong and Uwe Schürkamp for GPLRank (http://gplrank.schuerkamp.de/); goes without saying, really.
d.. Eldred Pickett, for being the 'average' driver every other average driver could look to as a benchmark and also for lots of input here at r.a.s. For hosting those full GPs too.
e.. Chris Moses for his excellent setups, particularly for the Eagle
f.. Dave Henrie for sending me a 'stable' Lotus setup which made me realise it was driveable!
g.. Tim Wheatley and the guys at RaceSimCentral.com, together with Lights Out Racing for the fantastic LOR guides (http://www.racesimcentral.com/guides/gpl/lor/lor_main.shtml); the goal times may be a little daunting but the setups and replays alone are invaluable for ideas on line, gear selection, etc.;
h.. Maxx for GPLEGS and advice in driving from a 'real' driver
i.. Joachim Blum for Ringtrainer and therefore making The Nürburgring bearable!
j.. Jan Verschueren for advice on Spa, the 'Ring, and making me think that perhaps I didn't have to left foot brake after all to achieve okay times.
k.. And finally anyone else who has ever responded to me on r.a.s.!!
Cheers, guys!!
Jonesy
Remove 'ANTISPAM' when replying.
"Movement is Tranquillity" - Stirling Moss
GPLRank (F1): -0.34
Monster handicap: 356.15
On Thu, 14 Feb 2002 17:26:53 GMT, Jonesy <[email hidden]> wrote:
> rank of +259.74. Never thought I'd get past 100, always thought a =
> negative rank was for the 'aliens'.
>
Congrats, mate ;-)
> c.. Brian Wong and Uwe Sch=FCrkamp for GPLRank =
> (http://gplrank.schuerkamp.de/); goes without saying, really.
Not at all; don't forget Don Scurlock who had the original idea
of using the papy times as a handicap... now we all know what
that led up to ;-)
uwe
--
Uwe Schuerkamp //////////////////////////// http://www.schuerkamp.de/
Herford, Germany \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ (52.0N/8.5E)
Ever wondered what's wrong with the world? http://bnetwork.com/
PGP Fingerprint: 2E 13 20 22 9A 3F 63 7F 67 6F E9 B1 A8 36 A4 61
"Uwe Schuerkamp" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
I KNEW there'd be someone I'd forget 8-(
Sorry Don ;-)
Quoted text (9 lines)
> Congrats, mate ;-) > > > c.. Brian Wong and Uwe Sch=FCrkamp for GPLRank = > > (http://gplrank.schuerkamp.de/); goes without saying, really. > > Not at all; don't forget Don Scurlock who had the original idea > of using the papy times as a handicap... now we all know what > that led up to ;-) >"Jonesy" wrote...
...NEGATIVE GPL RANK!!!! ;-)
<snip>
Congrats....
Jan.
=---
"Pay attention when I'm talking to you boy!" -Foghorn Leghorn.
