GPL F3 Racing .. Thanks to M. Barlow!

Well, its official. I'm an F3 convert. Mike Barlow was kind enough to host a couple F3 races on VROC at Watkins Glen last night and we had between 10 and 15 drivers on each time in F3 cars (well, J. Plourde gave it a go in an F1, qualified at the pole with a 1:15, and subsequently left amidst great protest). The WIDE spaced grid is a god send BTW, very few problems at the start. First race was a bit off for me as I made last minute gearing changes (gearing is MAJOR in the F3s!) that sucked and I ended up around 6th or 7th. The lap times were all only a couple seconds apart from fastest to slowest drivers. Second race was great,at one point I was battling J. Boy (?) for a couple laps, passed him only to slide wide coming out of the corner leading into the back straight (name?). He apparently intended passing me on the outside of the corner. Result - I'm a three wheeler and he kept going 8-(.. Even with that this was the most fun I have had in GPL to date. Its like a whole different sim! So if you feel you aren't a hotshoe, or just want to try some "different" formula racing, Come on down! But do us all a favor please. If you see F3s only in the comments on GSB or VROC, PLEASE come in with an F3. Its very easy to tell the difference, believe me. If you want to know how to set up a driver for F1, F2, and F3 cars its quite simple and is outlined at: http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/mark.seery/setting.htm Thanks to Mark Seery for the above (and nice racing with you last night Mark!) G. Patricks

This sounds exciting--but I did not see a schedule anywhere on the site. Is that something that's emailed to registrants? David

I didn't manage to race the F3 races last night (my SBLive gameport went flaky on me, and by the time I got my trusty CH Gamecard3 back in there I'd missed the action). I will be hosting several F3 only races tonight on my server. It's on a T3 connection, so hopefully we'll see some full fields... Look for "T Server-F3" tonight on VROC, and please, F3's ONLY! Trips

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> Well, its official. I'm an F3 convert. Mike Barlow was kind enough to > host a couple F3 races on VROC at Watkins Glen last night and we had > between 10 and 15 drivers on each time in F3 cars (well, J. Plourde > gave it a go in an F1, qualified at the pole with a 1:15, and > subsequently left amidst great protest). The WIDE spaced grid is a god > send BTW, very few problems at the start. First race was a bit off for > me as I made last minute gearing changes (gearing is MAJOR in the > F3s!) that sucked and I ended up around 6th or 7th. The lap times were > all only a couple seconds apart from fastest to slowest drivers. > Second race was great,at one point I was battling J. Boy (?) for a > couple laps, passed him only to slide wide coming out of the corner > leading into the back straight (name?). He apparently intended passing > me on the outside of the corner. Result - I'm a three wheeler and he > kept going 8-(.. Even with that this was the most fun I have had in > GPL to date. Its like a whole different sim! > So if you feel you aren't a hotshoe, or just want to try some > "different" formula racing, Come on down! But do us all a favor > please. If you see F3s only in the comments on GSB or VROC, PLEASE > come in with an F3. Its very easy to tell the difference, believe me. > If you want to know how to set up a driver for F1, F2, and F3 cars its > quite simple and is outlined at: > http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/mark.seery/setting.htm > Thanks to Mark Seery for the above (and nice racing with you last > night Mark!) > G. Patricks

Its being set up by Mark, if you signed up he will notify you.. G. Patricks

Excellent Trips! You KNOW i'm gonna be there in my trust Toad. G. Patricks

Thanks for the great write up and THANK YOU for wanting to race such fast cars ;-) I think that running F3's we will learn a whole lot about running F1's. I raced at the Glen in NASCAR-1, NASCAR-2, Converted Indycar-1, Converted Indycar-2, GPL, and will race the Glen in every Sim it comes with or can be converted to. With all that racing at the Glen I learned more about how to drive the Glen in those two or three F3 races then I have in all those years put together. With all the other Sims, including GPL F1, all I could do is run the track. every time I come up to a competitor I'd either pass him and then not see him for another few laps, or I'd be passed and again wouldn't see him for a few laps. Either way, I was mostly alone on the track. With the F3's.... I drove with a lot of cars only inches from each other for many laps. In fact for a half of a lap I ran side by side with someone. Absolutely the most fun I ever had!! I did run a couple races with a mixed field of F1, F2, F3. Although I didn't have as close competition, I did learn a whole lot about being passed and holding a *true* line to be passed. Thanks to Mark Seery and his fantastic write up on how to set up the F3s. If it wasn't for you, Mark, We would still be lost not knowing what competition was. Mike Barlow

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> Well, its official. I'm an F3 convert. Mike Barlow was kind enough to > host a couple F3 races on VROC at Watkins Glen last night and we had > between 10 and 15 drivers on each time in F3 cars (well, J. Plourde > gave it a go in an F1, qualified at the pole with a 1:15, and > subsequently left amidst great protest). The WIDE spaced grid is a god > send BTW, very few problems at the start. First race was a bit off for > me as I made last minute gearing changes (gearing is MAJOR in the > F3s!) that sucked and I ended up around 6th or 7th. The lap times were > all only a couple seconds apart from fastest to slowest drivers. > Second race was great,at one point I was battling J. Boy (?) for a > couple laps, passed him only to slide wide coming out of the corner > leading into the back straight (name?). He apparently intended passing > me on the outside of the corner. Result - I'm a three wheeler and he > kept going 8-(.. Even with that this was the most fun I have had in > GPL to date. Its like a whole different sim! > So if you feel you aren't a hotshoe, or just want to try some > "different" formula racing, Come on down! But do us all a favor > please. If you see F3s only in the comments on GSB or VROC, PLEASE > come in with an F3. Its very easy to tell the difference, believe me. > If you want to know how to set up a driver for F1, F2, and F3 cars its > quite simple and is outlined at: > http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/mark.seery/setting.htm > Thanks to Mark Seery for the above (and nice racing with you last > night Mark!) > G. Patricks

-- ========================================= Mike Barlow of Barlow Racing? MikeBa on the TEN network. Member of R.O.R. 1999 http://w3.ime.net/~marknjess/noflame.html ========================================= Racing online with the help of...... Race Communications Association http://members.xoom.com/RCA/toc.html Holodyne Engineering Mystic Music mikeba.vcf < 1K Download

David. I will be announcing dates this saturday morning. The intention is to run a race every two weeks, with practice races run in between. If you fancy joining us, please mail me via the web site. You will automatically be put on the mailing list. All races in this league will be run via direct IP connection. We will not be connecting via GSB or VROC so you will need to be on the list in order to get the address and password. You need to be quick though. I only have about 6 places left now. Regards Mark >This sounds exciting--but I did not see a schedule anywhere on the site. Is

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>that something that's emailed to registrants? >David >> Well, its official. I'm an F3 convert. Mike Barlow was kind enough to >> host a couple F3 races on VROC at Watkins Glen last night and we had >> between 10 and 15 drivers on each time in F3 cars (well, J. Plourde >> gave it a go in an F1, qualified at the pole with a 1:15, and >> subsequently left amidst great protest). The WIDE spaced grid is a god >> send BTW, very few problems at the start. First race was a bit off for >> me as I made last minute gearing changes (gearing is MAJOR in the >> F3s!) that sucked and I ended up around 6th or 7th. The lap times were >> all only a couple seconds apart from fastest to slowest drivers. >> Second race was great,at one point I was battling J. Boy (?) for a >> couple laps, passed him only to slide wide coming out of the corner >> leading into the back straight (name?). He apparently intended passing >> me on the outside of the corner. Result - I'm a three wheeler and he >> kept going 8-(.. Even with that this was the most fun I have had in >> GPL to date. Its like a whole different sim! >> So if you feel you aren't a hotshoe, or just want to try some >> "different" formula racing, Come on down! But do us all a favor >> please. If you see F3s only in the comments on GSB or VROC, PLEASE >> come in with an F3. Its very easy to tell the difference, believe me. >> If you want to know how to set up a driver for F1, F2, and F3 cars its >> quite simple and is outlined at: >> http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/mark.seery/setting.htm >> Thanks to Mark Seery for the above (and nice racing with you last >> night Mark!) >> G. Patricks

>gave it a go in an F1, qualified at the pole with a 1:15, and >subsequently left amidst great protest). ROTFL. He told us to keep practicing and one day we might be good enough for F1. Sorry pal close but no cigar. You need to find another 9 seconds with your LOTUS to keep up with my COOPER hehe. Tell you what though, I'll race ya in a F2 car and give you a run for your money if you want to be a shark in a millpond. As is the ability to run way off the usual line without mishap. It was great to see cars running 2 a*** all the way up to T4 :-) Don't think I agree with this totally. The hotshoes might find a bigger challenge trying to shake away from us midfield runners in F3 and they certainly cannot rely on simple Lotus horsepower to win races. These cars need an awfully good driving technique to squeeze good lap times out of. VROC, PLEASE come in with an F3. Its very easy to tell the difference, believe me. Sure is. Especially when Mike Barlow states that it is a f3 race in GSB. Look further than the green dot before joining. If you want to know how to set up a driver for F1, F2, and F3 cars its Thanks for the plug. There are still places left if anyone wants to join the fray. Looking forward to the new season buddy :-) Regards Mark

He likes riding the armco at Monza too. That's JP for you. Tim -- ________________________________________________ Tim Wheatley "Yellow menacing helmet in the mirror" http://start.at/igps_stats IGPS Driver - Ferrari Challenge Driver - NTT Participant http://drive.to/grandprixlegends http://website.lineone.net/~nascar ________________________________________________

G.P... Question. Can't you just move your setups from your 'name_f1' tracks into the 'name_f2' & 'name_ f3' track folders for better setups? A Curious Thom j.

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> <snipped> > I do have an F2 Driver set up also, though I sure would like to have > some F2 setups that work (hint hint ;-).. ) > BTW guys, if you create new drivers for all 3 classes, i.e. G. > Patricks F1, G. Patricks F2, G. Patricks F3, and you decide to delete > your original driver that has no F# after it, save the setups folder > under the player name 1st........ yes, DOH, I deleted all my F1 > setups. > See ya in the pits!

no_spam.n2rif1.vcf < 1K Download

On Fri, 23 Apr 1999 17:10:36 +0100, "Mark Seery"

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>: >:>gave it a go in an F1, qualified at the pole with a 1:15, and >:>subsequently left amidst great protest). >: >:ROTFL. He told us to keep practicing and one day we might be good enough for >:F1. Sorry pal close but no cigar. You need to find another 9 seconds with >:your LOTUS to keep up with my COOPER hehe. Tell you what though, I'll race >:ya in a F2 car and give you a run for your money if you want to be a shark >:in a millpond.

I missed that comment.. Now THATS funny. I don't consider myself fast but i'm well under 1:10s in my F1 Toad. As I believe I hit 1:21 in my F3 Toadster and 1:19s were seen (good job SAVATS!) I would assume a 1:15 in an F2 would be achievable... G. Patricks

Yes, after I restored my originals I overwrote the Setups folders in each of the classes. G. Patricks

>Well, its official. I'm an F3 convert. Sorry for the dumb question, what is F3? Is that the slower GPL "trainer" cars? Second question: can I use my current GPL car setups on F3 cars? Joe

>Well, its official. I'm an F3 convert. Mike Barlow was kind enough to >host a couple F3 races on VROC at Watkins Glen last night and we had >between 10 and 15 drivers on each time in F3 cars (well, J. Plourde We've been most of the way through a full season with 2 Pro Long races at each track in the GMSS F3 series....these cars provide very good racing, much closer and more interesting, as racing, than occurs very often in F1. The F2 cars are great, too, and provide better racing than F1 on average ...give them a try too. The F1s are great for pitting your skills against the cars, but the other formulas excel when you want the biggest challenge to be the other humans.

Must admit I'm edging that way too!!! I raced F3 at Zandy on Mr. Barlow's server tonight and it was great! Absolutely nose-to-tail for lap after lap. At one point there were 4 cars within about 2 seconds of each other and lapping at equal speeds. Of course, moments after I took the lead my usual bout of online bad luck struck - a hard disk access which not only caused me to warp back to 4th place but also to make my sound disappear for the remainder of the race... But it was a BLAST anyhow! -- Cheers! Graeme Nash http://www.karisma1.demon.co.uk ICQ# 11257824 ________________________________________________________________________________ "Sorry, my eyes were on screensaver" (Calvin & Hobbes)

Yes, the F3 is the basic trainer and F2 is the advanced trainer. And yes you can use your current GPL setups, however you may find you need to play with the gearing and clutches as the F3 and F2 cars are underpowered compared to the F1 cars.

Oh and to add.. You would need to rename the extension of the file for the Trainee and advanced trainee. Snipped from the readme.txt of GPL : "the final digit in the extension will designate the car class, with 1 being Grand Prix, 2 being the Advanced Trainer, and 3 being the Novice Trainer. Thus a setup for a GP Lotus would have the extension .lo1 while a setup for a Novice Trainer Lotus would be .lo3" -- -- Fran?ois Mnard <ymenard/Nas-Frank> -- NROS Nascar sanctioned Guide http://www.nros.com/ -- SimRacing Online http://www.simracing.com/ -- Official mentally retarded guy of r.a.s. -- May the Downforce be with you... "People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realise how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."

Umm, I missed this, :-( anywhere one may join? Matt -- Matthew Knutsen "The Art of Legends" - GPL add-ons http://www.cheekracing.electra.no/GPL/

Just check VROC for any races with "F3 only" in the comments field. I think there is a league somewhere.... try this: http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/mark.seery -- Cheers! Graeme Nash http://www.karisma1.demon.co.uk ICQ# 11257824 ________________________________________________________________________________ "Sorry, my eyes were on screensaver" (Calvin & Hobbes)

I tried an F3 race last night on SpyBoy, man was I surprised how difficult it was! I figured it would be simple after driving the F1 cars for so long, but it's a totally different animal. Besides having to learn new breaking and turn-in points, there is no power to pull you out of trouble if you get out of shape and those wonderful 4-wheel drifts in the F1 car just bog down an F3 car. The F3 cars are much like running a FF1600 where you have to be very precise on turn in and very careful not to break the tires loose for fear of scrubbing off all your speed. Time for more practice! -don

>Oh and to add.. You would need to rename the extension of the file for the >Trainee and advanced trainee. Thanks. Can't wait to try an F3 race, I love the concept! Joe