13 replies to this topic

[dan2k]

Grand Prix Legends

Hi, I just got the GPL demo. I still havent got the hold of the full version yet, so I am just playing with the demo for now to get use to the game. Just after a couple of minutes I realise why so many people say it is the best racing simulator ever! It feels so realistic with the steering wheel and pedals, unlike any other racing game Ive played before. The game also runs very smooth (37 fps on my computer), which helps alot, and the graphics are not as bad as I thought it would be. Ive had about 2 hours of experence now ;). I leave the car setup default and the fuel load default too, and I am driving around Watkins Glen with an average time of 1 min : 25 secs with the Lotus car. I noticed that other drivers out there drive around this track around 1 min : 06 secs. So what I want to know is, is it because of my driving style or the setup, or maybe I need alot more practice? I dont even know how I am suppose to drive like, I just try to drive as fast a smooth as possible, but still I am off the pace. Can anyone help me out (I know there are alot of GPL experts here at Atlas BB)? I just want to know how I am suppose to drive (the style), and where to find the best setup.

Thanks...;)

[Witt]

You are probably still using the novice training car, which goes a whole lot slower than the real thing. Before you actually proceed with "training", make you sure you select the "Grand Prix" car. You can spin about 5 times in the Grand Prix car and your lap will still be fast than a 1:25.

There is a loophole in the demo that allows you to race on Watkins Glen with a full grid, as well as play some other tracks which you can download from various websites. I'm not sure off the top of my head what to do, but go to Irvine's Love Child's thread about the GPL demo and that has all the intructions. It also allows you to drive all the other cars which the demo does not, so it's worth it.

[Witt]

http://www.atlasf1.c...?threadid=14545

here's the thread. And be sure to check your PM box, a little birdie just told you where you can find a copy of GPL in Melbourne.

[mahelgel]

well if you are that "quick" and if you are able to be stable at that speed after just 2 hours.. then you shold get the whole game, and register on the GPL rank... probably would beat my rank after just a few weeks..

[Irvine`s Love Child]

dan2K ( and Witt !! ) welcome to the wonderful world of Grand Prix legends

I`ve only been driving GPL for a few months and I`m certainly no expert, but here a few links which will help you on your way.

(1) GPL demo info http://www.atlasf1.c...?threadid=14545

(2) Ricardo Nunnini`s site http://website.lineone.net/~richardn/

This site is a great great read and has helped me recently to change my approach to driving regarding the racing line (stay on it), corner entry speed (slow!) and corner exit speed (fast!!)
You just have to see the pics in thread (1) at Watkins Glen to know that I used to drive like my pants were on fire. Late braking was the be all and end all of a fast lap for me.
As you spend most of your track time on straights and very little in negotiating corners, a faster corner exit speed is vital to better lap times. You`ll feel as if you`re going way to slow initially but your lap times will tumble, believe me !!
I now drive like my pants are mildly smouldering

(3) Car choice.If you have just started try all the cars by all means, but the "goes like a rocket" Lotus is a pretty nervous driving experience for beginners. If you still want speed, try the Eagle -- it is more forgiving on the track. The Cooper is probably the easiest to drive.

(4) Have a look at the M.Sentell Watkins Glen replay that comes with the demo. Get a feel for what racing line he takes and which gear he enters corners in. His was a 1:06.9x time so I`d suggest you brake earlier than he does to get a feel for the track.

(5) Slow down the AI cars to match your pace. http://www.atlasf1.c...?threadid=14708

(6) Get rid of the deadzone in your steering wheel !!!! http://www.atlasf1.c...?threadid=14858

This is one utility that has really helped me to keep better control of the car :)

(7) Last but not least ...enjoy racing in GPL, there`s nothing else like it !

Cheers ILC

[BuzzingHornet]

Don't drive with the default fuel load unless you plan on doing 100 straight laps The car will handle like a tank

[Irvine`s Love Child]

The graphic add-ons for GPL are being constantly updated by a band of very talented designers.

Have a wee look-see at the kind of detail now being produced.

[dan2k]

Thanks for the help guys, now I know why the lap times are not as fast as it should be.;)
I gotta get a copy of the full version a.s.a.p, I love this game!

By the way, F1 Racing Championship demo is out, I just thought I tell you guys. I read the game is very impressive overall. http://www.bhmotorsports.com/ has the demo for download, I'm pretty sure many other sites on the net has it too.[p][Edited by dan2k on 02-08-2001]

[AlesiGOD]

I'm getting this game too, fastest lap so far at Glen after a week with the demo: 1:07.40

[dan2k]

Hi again. Well, I had about an 1 hour of practice last night with the Grand Prix car type at Whatkins Glen with the LOTUS car. Its so bloody fast with the Grand Prix car type compared to the practice car type! Its definitely more harder to drive then the practice car type, but more exciteting and challenging at the same time. I had it on default setup with 10 laps of fuel (I am hopeless when it comes to setting up the car). After about 10 laps, my lap times where around 1 min :15 secs, then about 10 laps later I got it down to 1 min :11 secs. I can now drive around Watkins Glen about 1 min :11 secs most of the time. The fastest lap time I got was 1 min :09.58 secs, I didnt believe I could go that fast! I have learnt alot of new things since I started playing this game, for example, I now slide the car alot more in most of the corners and I step on the gas to slide the car more as its going through the corner (risky stuff), and step on the brakes hard to straightin the car when it starts to slide too much, I now react alot quicker with the steering wheel to keep the car on the track. I think I might have to change my driving syle if I was racing, because I think the way I drive is way too risky in racing conditions (I might crash the car after 10 laps). Anyway, this game is awsome, I have never played a game that has made my heart beat so fast. Thanks to all those people that recommended this game to people like me, that have never played this game before.
One more thing, do any of you guys know where I can get a good setup for Watkins Glen, because I think the default setup for the game is not that good. Hopefully I will have time to do some more practice tonight.;)

[BuzzingHornet]

I seem to remember that Irvine's Love Child (still can't get over that name ) posted up a link in the big thread on GPL where you can download a file with 600 different setups in, for most of the cars and tracks. I've got it and there are some very good setups in there. Little tip: when trying other people's setups, try changing the steering ratio on the car setup screen to suit your wheel. I remember trying Greger Huttu's Monaco setup for the first time and couldn't work out why I couldn't get round the hairpin even on full lock

Personally I prefer the Ferrari for Watkins Glen, it feels much less edgy than the Lotus; you can boot the gas pedal and the back end doesn't fly out so easily, which is good at the Glen cos you are riding the throttle most of the time ;)

[Irvine`s Love Child]

Glad to see you love the demo. You both seem to be getting to grips with it pretty quickly. AlesiGOD --- 1:07.xx is a stonking PB after only one week. If he`s anything like you, your Da might be pipping my Da for points this season !!;)

Get the big bad beautiful bunch of 600 setups at the US Pits in the setups section.

Here`s a good page that Homer Simpson could use to setup a car ... http://perso.infonie...e_cadregpl.html

**********************************************************
If you`re anything like me you`ll want to update the cars and sounds in the sim.

Quickie round up of good looking car updates can be found on Dave Mack`s site, at the bottom of the page.
( back up your cars folder before installing them )
----------------------------------------------------------
For new sounds --- grab Nigel Pattinson`s Carsound program at the US Pits in the utilities section.

Alison Hine`s favourite GPL sounds has a Honda sound which will move fairly weighty house furniture
Likewise, try Patrick`s GPL sounds. The Ferrari one is brilliant.
( as before, back up your sound folder before installing them )

If you`re a member of the Tifosi, probably the best GPL cockpit I have ever seen is Bruce`s Ferrari cockpit.
**********************************************************

Make sure to join GPLRank once you get up and running with the full GPL cd.

Cheers ILC [p][Edited by Irvine`s Love Child on 02-09-2001]

[dan2k]

Thanks for the help man.;)
I think I might have to stop playing GPL for a while, because I just got the F1 Racing Chapionship demo and its awsome! The graphics are soooo beutiful, and the physics feels very realistic. Overall I think, this game kicks GP3 arse big time! The game runs so bloody fast, like in real life (very smooth frame rate too). And the tracks in this game has to been seen to believe, its very realistic.
Get the demo a.s.a.p, and try it out for your self.
The ABS and TC feature in the game is pretty cool too (its a good way to see how TC will be like, and how an engine will sound with TC), I enabled both ABS and TC and I could drive around Spa with a average time of 1 min :43.xxx secs.

[AlesiGOD]

Damn, I was leading at Solitude, only to crash 3 laps from the end.