Hello to all GPL lovers,
I started a club called the GPL PRC last fall. Until recently I hardly
ever raced on Open servers - preferring the (usually) cleaner starts
and racing of our passworded sessions. However even with 100 members
it isn't easy to get 10 or 15 of us online at the same time without
scheduling a date/time on our BBS. So... I've been racing more often
on Open servers. Sometimes I host; usually I am a client. The thing
is, I miss our 2x2 staggered grids when I connect to other servers.
They were created to address the problem of warping that all clients
experience - especially in the opening seconds of a race. I'd like to
point them out to you all and invite you to use them if you wish.
You'll find a link to the zip at:
[link lost in import]
in the Settings section. The zip has the full path so if you installed
GPL to the root of C (or D or whatever) just extract to C: You'll know
you've done it right if you get an overwrite warning. The files you'll
overwrite are on your CD - if you want to restore the original grids.
Also, let me add something about acheiving cleaner starts. This is
mainly geared to those of you that are pretty new to GPL online racing
and still a little too excitable...
- Remember that the race cannot be won in the rush to turn one.
- Get off fast but CLEAN. Practice lifting before serious side
slipping occurs. If you don't you can easily nudge someone and then
all hell breaks loose. With that in mind...
- Learn to use the clutch for starts. Popping it into first with the
engine reved give instant wheel spin - and lost time. Hold the clutch
in; drop into first gear; release the clutch while (at the exact same
instant) pressing the gas even further. Practice this till it's easy.
- Once everone is up to speed allow some separation between you and
the (probably unknown) driver in front of you. Even without warp you
likely can't properly anticipate his/her driving until you've followed
for a few laps. Race enough and you'll see it's the patient drivers
that finish the race.
Lastly,
- If you're at the back of the grid you either belong there or you
arrived late. Either way - if you've got a strong start - don't charge
your way through the field. With 0.00 lat you might make it alright.
With 5, 10, or more cars dissappearing and re-appearing though you're
just looking for trouble. So take it a bit easy for the first lap or
so. If someone is really off pace then sure, steer around him. Just
try to be sure no one is coming up from behind you. Headphones really
help here.
That's all. See you IN the races!
J Burrowes
[link lost in import]
Excellent advice - using the grids increase my startline framerate by
anywhere from 5-10 fps. This results in much better control for myself as
well as all clients and I've found that the startline to 1st turn incidents
reduced significantly.
Brian
> ... I miss our 2x2 staggered grids when I connect to other servers.
>They were created to address the problem of warping that all clients
>experience - especially in the opening seconds of a race
