Some more thoughts on VROC-Racing....[Version1.2]

Hi all! I intend to post this in irregular intervals, adding new thoughts now and then, so those of you who are new to GPL and VROC get the idea of how to improve these events for the benefit of all others and for yourself. If this gets annoying to you guys and gals, give me a note, if you find this helpful, apply it.....I don't wanna look like a wise-crack, all I want is to have fun playing GPL-Online:).......and plz excuse my rusty english, it's been over 20 years that I've been in the states...... [NEW] (with an assumed permission of requote by Michael Barlow) Topic Start line accidents: I've been paying attention to the start line accidents. More specifically, what causes these crashes.. what I have found is that some drivers sincerely believe that they have to get up to speed as quickly as possible. Even if it means running over the car directly in front of them. I've started races where the driver in front of me doesn't push the gas peddle when the green flag drops. making me sit there and wait for what seems like an eternity as all the other drivers whizz by. I'll slap the gas and throw the car into first gear only to have to slam on the breaks because of this. If I didn't slam that brake peddle I would have ended up like the guy just in front of him spinning and spinning from hitting the guy in front of him. what usually happens next is the guy in front of me will then start off and wind his way through the crashed drivers with me following. we both end up making it through the carnage without a scratch. Think of the start as a fast moving pace lap, don't pass anyone till the field has a chance to get sorted out. Even if that means waiting till lap 10 of an 11 lap race. So, Rule of thumb: don't slap the gas down till the guy in front of you has done so. And be ready to use the brakes. Topic Turn one accidents: I've been involved in many accidents in the first turn on the first lap. The ones that I've been involved in were from drivers watching everything else but what's coming up. Coming up to turn one, I've made it through with a guy in front of me, a guy beside me and a guy on my tail. Because we ALL knew the turn was coming up, We each started to brake early. Each driver broke(?) earlier then the one in front. By doing this we all were able to keep that same distance between us and make it through the turn quickly and evenly. (in fact, this happened through the entire lap) So, Rule of thumb: Get on the brakes sooner then normal while following someone into a corner. Slow down to a point where you think you're slow enough, then slow down a bit more. [NEW] 18 Steps to get a *clean* Windows for playing GPL online via VROC/SpyBoy 1:) Get your Win95/Win98-CD and copy the folder "eru" (to be found under E:\other\misc\eru) onto your hard-drive. Read the "eru.txt" for instructions on how to use it (very easy!). 2.) Use erd.exe to backup your current system-config, selecting *all* of the proposed system-files. 3.) Start regedit.exe (to be found in C:\win95). 4.) Goto "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion" and check the entries "Run", "RunOnce", "RunServices" and "RunServicesOnce": there should be *no* entries in the right window, if there are, remove them all! Don't be afraid, you backed up everything before (you did, didn't ya?!), thus you can do no harm. 5.) Repeat step 4 in "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion". 6.) Repeat step 4 in "HKEY_USERS\Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion". 7.) Start sysedit.exe (to be found in C:\win95\system) 8.) Check "win.ini" for entries under "Run" and "Load" and remove them all! 9.) Open explorer.exe (to be found in C:\win95) 10.) Goto c:\win95\startmenu\programs\autostart 11.) Copy all files there to a new backup folder (for example "autostart reserve") and delete the files in "Autostart". 12.) Remove all crap that makes your Desktop nicer (Backgrounds, sounds, icons, screensavers, smooth-scrolling and so on), no1 needs this stuff. 13.) Use erd.exe again to make a backup of your new config (name it like c:\erd\gplconfg.......8 letters max!) 14.) Turn off your computer. 15.) Turn it on again (no ctrl+alt+del !!) 16.) Windows should now be running in a clean environment, *don't* start any other programs as they flood your PC's memory again, just start your Internet-Connection, start SpyBoy and......enjoy! 17.) To get back to your original-config, cold-boot again, when you see the boot sequence, press Shift+F5 to get a DOS-Prompt. 18.) Goto the folder you saved the original-config to (C:\erd\original), type "erd", select "restore all".....that's it.......and vice-versa if you want to switch to your GPL-Config. Troubleshooting: It could be that you have deleted items in Registry, Autostart or Win.ini that are essential for either your modem, your sound-card or your graphics -card (*very* unlikely though) and you will get problems starting Windows or your Internet-Connection. If so, no problem, restore your original config, do steps 3 to 13 again, this time looking a bit closer at the stuff you are removing, maybe leaving the one or the other entry where it is and try again, narrowing on the crucial entry like that. [NEW] Topic Start of Races: When on very crowded grids, I switch view using F10 until I've passed the first one or two corners, then I switch back to normal cockpit-view. This gives a better overview of what's going on around you, there are no mirrors, though, but if you are able to start in a straight line, this is less a disadvantage, than F10 is of advantage (any1 understood this sentence?). [OLD] Topic Manuals: I know it's boring and you want to get to the real stuff as fast as possible, but a lot of problems would not occur if ppl would read the instructions (RTFM) of each new program they use. For VROC it's essential to setup your Dial-Up-Network correctly, look at the frame-rates you're receiving under heavy traffic, install VROC-Software, Spy-Boy-Software, core.ini's etc etc; all this has to be read about in the corresponding places, so take an hour and get informed, it's not *that* hard! [OLD] Topic Qualification for a Race: Often I would like to slap ppl with a large trout (whatever that means..) when I'm on a flying lap and they're pitting out right in front of me.......lap is ruined even without a crash. Guys, we have the possibility to use the "live"-button in GPL, where you can see who's about to cross start/finish, so press it and pit-out right behind the flyer and don't race him! When on your warm-up-lap, don't go creeping around at 20mph, run at 90% of your normal racing speed because 1. When a flyer runs up to a creeper, mostly the flying lap is ruined and 2. You can build up the rythm (rhythm?) for your own flying lap better this way........ [OLD] Topic Chatting in GPL: Many drivers find it disturbing when those who crashed out or just quit a race keep filling the chat with useless stuff. On the one hand, it's up to them to turn the chat off, on the other hand you would like to stay informed about the ongoing race......difficult to find a satisfying solution here, maybe we all should cut down a little to the real important stuff, moreso as we now have this great toy called Spy-Boy. [OLD] My 2-year old daughter now uses the toilet instead of her pants! This had to be said :-)) [OLD] Topic Discipline: Some time ago I joined a GP-Race in Spa hosted by Rick Sweeney and there were NO incidents on the start with 20 drivers.....incredible......why can't people discipline themselves and try to equalize this "world-record"? Instead, mostly ppl try to get from last to first in half a lap .....complete nonsense, just causes pileups and frustration ;-((. To cool ppl down, I myself only host *Pro*-Races so if you hit something,.....bye....there should be a lot more of that...... [OLD] Topic competition: Next thing is we wanna have fun while racing, right? My driving-policy is, when in the lead and see no1 behind me, I wait (drive slowly in *safe* places, don't stop, you get kicked if idle too long) for others to catch up and race them again....who cares if I win a race (except championship-races of course).....Same applies, if you're in 6th, guy behind you spins and recovers, why not wait for him?.....I want competition, if I wanna hotlap I can do that alone offline...... [OLD] Topic Chat-Keys: Regarding last thought, maybe we all could agree on some fixed short-message-keys for the in-car-chat (I for myself can't type and drive at the same time, I know there are some of you out there who can *fallingonmykneesandworship*), for example "W"= I am waiting, "?"=How many drivers left in the race, "G"=gaps between drivers, "!"= watch out, I'm spinning and so on.....Answers should be given by ppl watching the race.....These keys then should be posted where everyone can see them while in VROC-Netscape as well as in Spy-Boy. [OLD] Topic Bad Connections: Next issue is that ppl join races ignoring bad ping-showings in SpyBoy or VROC-Netscape, getting disco'd, trying again, blocking ppl with good con's from joining, causing warping, and later complaining, what a shitty host Mr.xyz is....;-((.....Guys'n'Gals, look at the pings *before* joining!! [OLD] In China a bicycle has been stolen. Hope to see some nice clean racing soon! cya Markus

Quoted text (30 lines)

> [NEW] > (with an assumed permission of requote by Michael Barlow) > Topic Start line accidents: I've been paying attention to the start line > accidents. More specifically, what causes these crashes.. what I have found > is that some drivers sincerely believe that they have to get up to speed as > quickly as possible. Even if it means running over the car directly in front > of them. I've started races where the driver in front of me doesn't push > the gas peddle when the green flag drops. making me sit there and wait for > what seems like an eternity as all the other drivers whizz by. I'll slap > the gas and throw the car into first gear only to have to slam on the breaks > because of this. If I didn't slam that brake peddle I would have ended up > like the guy just in front of him spinning and spinning from hitting the guy > in front of him. what usually happens next is the guy in front of me will > then start off and wind his way through the crashed drivers with me > following. we both end up making it through the carnage without a scratch. > Think of the start as a fast moving pace lap, don't pass anyone till the > field has a chance to get sorted out. Even if that means waiting till lap 10 > of an 11 lap race. So, Rule of thumb: don't slap the gas down till the guy > in front of you has done so. And be ready to use the brakes. > Topic Turn one accidents: I've been involved in many accidents in the first > turn on the first lap. The ones that I've been involved in were from drivers > watching everything else but what's coming up. Coming up to turn one, I've > made it through with a guy in front of me, a guy beside me and a guy on my > tail. Because we ALL knew the turn was coming up, We each started to brake > early. Each driver broke(?) earlier then the one in front. By doing this we > all were able to keep that same distance between us and make it through the > turn quickly and evenly. (in fact, this happened through the entire lap) > So, Rule of thumb: Get on the brakes sooner then normal while following > someone into a corner. Slow down to a point where you think you're slow > enough, then slow down a bit more.

I completely agree - I wish people would take the start and T1 slower. Sometimes you can absolutely count on those start and T1 incidents. I've found Monza and the Glen the worst tracks in this respect, with Silverstone and Kyalami *** their heels. I guess this is because there are more rookies at these circuits. Pro settings don't help - you just lose the chance to get back into the race when someone else takes you out and thus waste all that time qualifying. Improves the frame rate as well. At many tracks it should be possible to pull out of the pits without interfering with oncoming cars - eg Monza, Kyalami and Silverstone. The problem is often turn 1 by which time no one has any excuse not to know that there is a faster car coming up. Often the biggest problem is having 2 cars coming past because GPL only shows you one of these until the first is completely past you. You may have intended to slot in just behind the first car only to discover at the last moment that you are baulking a driver whom you had no idea was there. Using the live view may help but, on tracks like Silverstone where the pit lane is so long or where your garage is right at the beginning of the pit lane, it can be pretty hard to judge how far back it has to be clear. Besides GPL doesn't give you a fixed camera to watch the track from. I reckon people should either turn chatting off, learn to read it without spoliing your race or learn to ignore it. The Spy boy chat is great but you can't watch the race from there. Congrats. As I said before Pro damage just takes out people who are not at fault as well as those who are. Yeah, you're right. I must confess that I have been guilty of this once or twice, but on reflection, it's just not worth it. Cheers, Paul

Look at the "Comments" field too. How the heck can you not see "ONLY F3s" All in capital letters? -- ========================================= 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

>Look at the "Comments" field too. How the heck can you not see "ONLY F3s" >All in >capital letters? It's easy if you have SPYBOY in a window and don't scroll over to the comments. That doesn't make it right, but it is easy to do. It seems like it is harder to make the F3 cars competitive than the F1's. Keep up the good work , you are a great host. Don Jacobs

I know this sounds like a lame solution, but it works for me. How do I avoid the carnage at the starts of races? I qual on the front row. I pay attention to how many cars are on the front row, and what grid the host is using. Obviously its not always possible to qaul well, but you can do certain things to help. For example,. dont join a race if your not going to have enough time to get some good qual laps in. And of course, practice offline! That includes starts, just because your on the front row doesnt mean your home free, you still have to get off the line and space yourself from the field to avoid getting smacked in the back going into turn one. I pride myself as an excellent starter, consistent and fast. My general formula is as follows 1) First, use the clutch. I use the enter key on the key pad because its easy to reach around my wheel 2) Get the engine revs up to a few hundred under the red line, with clutch in 4) It appears that when online you somtimes cant put the car in gear untill all cars a present? Regardless, get the car in first gear 5) Be ready before the flag goes up (I know, obvious) 6) When the flag moves let the clutch go, you have to be gentle on the gas at this point. If you dont give it enough, the revs will drop and you'll "stall". You want your wheels to spin, but not smoke. This is the part that takes a lot of practice, you can very easily get "Squirly". As soon as you feel the car start to grab, drop it into second. 7) Full throttle at this point This is only from the FRONT ROW, or possibly if your on the outside at a track like Monza or The Ring. DONT do this if your mid-pack, If you get a great start, you'll run into the back of someone, or you'll loose it and take out half the field. Dont think you can snake through the front runners and use your great start, cause it never works!! Practice off-line Hope this helps some people

First Rob I am really sorry! But how many online racers wouldnt want to be on the front line? Send this to one of the league racers or hot-lappers & see what they say? Have you raced in "Pro" yet on GSB with some of the good racers? Spa alone you better be below a 3:15-16.xx to race.. Cheers Thom_j.

Quoted text (29 lines)

> I know this sounds like a lame solution, but it works for me. How do I avoid the > carnage at the starts of races? I qual on the front row. I pay attention to how > many cars are on the front row, and what grid the host is using. Obviously its not > always possible to qaul well, but you can do certain things to help. For example,. > dont join a race if your not going to have enough time to get some good qual laps > in. And of course, practice offline! That includes starts, just because your on > the front row doesnt mean your home free, you still have to get off the line and > space yourself from the field to avoid getting smacked in the back going into turn > one. I pride myself as an excellent starter, consistent and fast. My general > formula is as follows > 1) First, use the clutch. I use the enter key on the key pad because its easy to > reach around my wheel > 2) Get the engine revs up to a few hundred under the red line, with clutch in > 4) It appears that when online you somtimes cant put the car in gear untill all cars > a present? Regardless, get the car in first gear > 5) Be ready before the flag goes up (I know, obvious) > 6) When the flag moves let the clutch go, you have to be gentle on the gas at this > point. If you dont give it enough, the revs will drop and you'll "stall". You want > your wheels to spin, but not smoke. This is the part that takes a lot of practice, > you can very easily get "Squirly". As soon as you feel the car start to grab, drop > it into second. > 7) Full throttle at this point > This is only from the FRONT ROW, or possibly if your on the outside at a track like > Monza or The Ring. DONT do this if your mid-pack, If you get a great start, you'll > run into the back of someone, or you'll loose it and take out half the field. Dont > think you can snake through the front runners and use your great start, cause it > never works!! Practice off-line > Hope this helps some people