Racing Sim Thread, Part II

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:01 pm

I wouldn't have minded seeing Brianza get a few more votes - that's a fantastic piece of work, though I've no argument with the winning choice of Le Mans 1972-1986.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:25 pm

GB_Simo wrote:A question to other users of the 1991 mod - no matter what I do I can't make the visors disappear in cockpit view, I'm always racing on the 2001 tracks regardless of which trackset I select in CSM and Murray and James only commentate if I tell them not to commentate. In addition, when commentary works my engine is almost inaudible, my rev counter sometimes stops working and the TV overlays won't appear even if they're switched on. What have I done?

Edit: It seems as if the mod is only half-loading somehow. Tried it again just now and the visor issue seems to have fixed itself, though everything else is still not right. Driver names are those from the original game and I'm getting the 2004 digital TV overlays instead of the 1991 ones.

Adam did you get your GP4 mod issues sorted out? I ran into that a while back and had to uninstall and reinstall the game. That's how I came up with my cookbook recipe on how to install GP4 and all the mods.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:36 pm

They're sort of fixed, thanks mate. Sometimes the 1991 mod gives me the 1995 TV overlays, which is a tad silly, and I've had to create some custom track listings to get the mods working with the year-specific tracks instead of the 2001 tracks, but I'm happy enough with it now. Thanks for all the help, much appreciated.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:00 am

Guys, the 1966 Mod has been released gor GPL and it is awesome.

Over 2 years in the works...they have painfully recreated every car that raced in 1966 with unbvelieveable accuracy.

I know this game is a beast for some of you to race....but I higly reccommend every race sim fan to check it out.

As great as R-Factor is, GPL is still my favorite racer of all time and for the game, almost 10 years old, to still have a dedictaed following speaks volumes to its greatness.

Check ou the mod and make sure to read the car info here:

http://1966gpl.speedgeezers.net/index.php?p=home

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:12 am

Thanks for the tip, Piggy. I was just thinking of a GPL reinstall over the Christmas break. And I was sober when I thought of it.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:26 pm

Fellas:

I completed a long-desired task last night of driving every rFactor mod I have and deleting the undesirables: 2CV, Caterham, Gasoline Alley, ProtoRacer Demon, Rallycross Group B and Sports Car Challenge.

During that process, the brilliance of a few "hidden gem" rFactor mods re-emerged and are worth noting:

BMW 320 E21 RC: This is a new mod, and it's superb. These are BMW touring cars that were raced in Europe and in IMSA in North America in the late 70s and early 80s. About 300 horsepower, and a very nice balance between power and handling. This car was nicknamed "The Flying Brick" for its ungainly looks, but it's really fun to race. Plus the force feedback effects are excellent through a quality wheel. You really "feel" these babies from the seat of your pants when you drive them.

1955 F1: A great mod with the F1 cars from Fangio's age. Only the Mercedes Benz W196 is available now, but that was one of the most iconic cars from that era. You really need to be on your toes when driving these cars, as I think they're the closest thing to GPL that I've driven in rFactor. Not as tough as GPL, but approaching the same league. Plus these cars are durable tanks, so they can take some contact and keep going. It could be chaos for us to race these without much seat time, but man, they are a joy to drive.

DBR9 Challenge: I've pimped this mod before, but this is the best-looking, best-sounding and best-driving GT-based sports car mod in rFactor. Man, these cars sound fantastic. The only mods that are in the same sonic class are Formula Nippon and GP79. Plus they are challenging and fun to drive, with enough built-in understeer to force you to stay very alert. I've tried a ton of sports car mods in rFactor, and the FABCAR and DBR 9 are the best. They're all I need to satisfy my prototype and GT jones.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:00 pm

PK good choice on the DBR9 mod. I remember pimping this mod way back. The sound of those cars are simply amazing at open throttle.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:43 pm

New mod boys!

Brabham BT52 1.0

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... ham%20BT52

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:20 pm

Oooh, might have a look at that. How well does rFactor model turbo lag and things like that?

I was reading the other day of how BT52 came about. In 1982 Brabham began experimenting with mid-race refuelling stops with their BT50, and designer Gordon Murray set about building the 1983 car, BT51, a car he refers to as a 'half-tank car' - smaller fuel tank, planned mid-race stops to fill it and change onto fresh tyres, a quicker way of covering a Grand Prix distance and more freedom and space for mechanical packaging inside the car. The car was built to ground effects regulations, since Bernie Ecclestone was running both Brabham and FoCA at the time and had ensured his designer that ground effect cars with side skirts would be allowed in 1983.

In October 1982, Bernie banned side skirts. BT51 was finished and had already ran for the first time but was already obsolete. Murray says that the conception, design and building of BT52 ready for the start of 1983 only began after the skirt ban was announced. It has the dart shape and no sidepods because there was apparently no time to go into a wind tunnel and test any sidepods they may have wanted to add. Remarkably, given all that, BT52 went on to win the 1983 world title in the hands of Nelson Piquet, aided by the fact that nobody else had reckoned that building a car designed for mid-race pit stops would bring them any advantage.

Anyway, the mod looks nice...

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:32 pm

Details are starting to emerge for iRacing, the new racing simulator created by Dave Kaemmer of past Papyrus fame. Red Sox owner John Henry is helping to bankroll this sim:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/classifi ... 700.column

All online? $500 for an annual subscription?

I don't give a sh*t how good this thing is -- I'll pass.

Take care,
PK

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:50 am

I remember when I first heard about this years ago. It was a stupid idea then, and it's a stupid idea now.

Other MMORPG's have lifetime sub's in the range of $150 - $200, and they want $500 per year? I could go race actual go-carts for not much more than that after initial expenses.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:46 pm

Agreed, Grant. Well said. This is taking the cult of Dave Kaemmer one step way too far.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:52 pm

Rodster wrote:New mod boys!

Brabham BT52 1.0

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... ham%20BT52

Anyone try these yet?

I spent about four hours last night dialing in setups for Richard Burns Rally and farting around with GTR 2. BIG fun. Damn, when you get in the zone with RBR, you're exhausted after completing a good stage. It's that intense.

I downloaded the 1999-2005 prototype mod for GTR 2. It's fun, and the car models are gorgeous. But it's based on the SCC mod from rFactor and suffers from the same problems as that mod: It's too easy to drive the cars, and all of the cars have approximately the same driving model.

I deleted the mod this morning. Anyone have any recommendations for good GTR 2 mods? I enjoy the driving model and offline racing with GTR 2 just a touch better than rFactor, at least with most mods.

For comparison, I drove the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars in rFactor and GTR 2, back to back, at Donington Park GP. The GTR 2 Porsches had slightly better road feel and a slightly more challenging driving model. The AI was slightly better, too.

Both games have so many good qualities. I enjoy both immensely. And Richard Burns Rally kicks ASS, especially my ass!

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:33 pm

pk500 wrote:
Rodster wrote:New mod boys!

Brabham BT52 1.0

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... ham%20BT52
Anyone try these yet?

Take care,
PK

I haven't tried it yet and it will be at least another 2 months before I get my system back. I'm in temp mode so to speak gaming wise.

Back OT v1.1 is out.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:31 pm

The full V8 supercar mod in GTR2 is probably my favorite. Very well done and the cars have the right feel.

I forget the name of the one I'm using, as there were 2 of them running around out there for a while. Mine has a full season with all of the proper tracks, although I had to download them seperately.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:47 pm

Gurantsu wrote:The full V8 supercar mod in GTR2 is probably my favorite. Very well done and the cars have the right feel.

I forget the name of the one I'm using, as there were 2 of them running around out there for a while. Mine has a full season with all of the proper tracks, although I had to download them seperately.

Mr. Men Mod Team?

http://www.nogripracing.com/details.php?filenr=1982

Take care,
PK

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:46 pm

pk500 wrote:
Gurantsu wrote:The full V8 supercar mod in GTR2 is probably my favorite. Very well done and the cars have the right feel.

I forget the name of the one I'm using, as there were 2 of them running around out there for a while. Mine has a full season with all of the proper tracks, although I had to download them seperately.
Mr. Men Mod Team?

http://www.nogripracing.com/details.php?filenr=1982

Take care,
PK

That looks like the one. Running the season is cool as the race weekend includes the multirace format. I may have to fire it up again, as I've been watching the V8 races on Speed I've taped. Awesome series!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:59 pm

The more I drive it, the more the new BMW 320 E21 RC historic touring cars are becoming one of my favorite all-time rFactor mods. I drove them for about 90 minutes last night at Brands Hatch Indy, and it was a riot.

The cars offer an ideal balance between driving and racing. Plus the offline AI behavior -- usually a weak spot with rFactor mods -- is surprisingly good.

This one is a gem, boys. Can't wait to race it online with you.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:56 pm

Some sim racing news:

-- Screens and movies of upcoming historic GT and touring car mod for rFactor:

http://www.virtualr.net/new-historic-gt ... -previews/
http://www.virtualr.net/monte-carlo-cla ... c-preview/
http://www.virtualr.net/historix-ui-preview-video/

-- Full 2007 F1 mod, with circuits, planned for February release for rFactor:

http://www.virtualr.net/mmg-fsone-merge ... date-news/

-- Some renders from the F1 2007 mod:

http://www.racingrenders.com/pages/07spyker.html
http://www.racingrenders.com/pages/07ferrari.html
http://www.racingrenders.com/pages/07superaguri.html

-- Now this looks like fun. A Nordschliefe VLN mod with an interesting array of machinery -- 104 cars in this mod:

http://www.virtualr.net/vln-mod-2007-by ... s-carlist/

-- Team Players, which made the FANTASTIC 1955 F1 mod for rFactor, is hard at work at a 1967 mod for rFactor. I know Piggy considers it heresy, but will a rival to GPL come to rFactor? Screens look lovely:

http://www.virtualr.net/team-players-f1 ... -previews/
http://www.virtualr.net/new-1967-ferrari-f1-eye-candy/

-- Movies from Enduracers' upcoming Le Mans Series mod:

http://www.virtualr.net/le-mans-series- ... o-preview/
http://www.virtualr.net/christmas-prese ... nduracers/

Major drool factor everywhere here, boys.

If you haven't noticed, all of these links came from the VirtualR blog, which is fantastic. Find it at www.virtualr.net

Take care,
PK

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:18 pm

Good stuff Paul. Thanks for the info and a big props to all you guys for keeping this thread going while I have been on hiatus so to speak the last several months.

pk500 wrote:......-- Now this looks like fun. A Nordschliefe VLN mod with an interesting array of machinery -- 104 cars in this mod:

http://www.virtualr.net/vln-mod-2007-by ... s-carlist/

This one actually has already been released but you will not find it on RSC, rFactorCentral, etc. as it contains cars from GTR2 and other mods without permission. I have seen some reviews that it is good, and some that it is a buggy mess. I have it downloaded, but have yet to install.

Which brings to mind another topic. Normally I do not provide links to mods or tracks of questionable origin, but there have been some really good converted tracks released recently for rFactor from the Race07, and GTR2 world that would be great to run online with you all sometime. If I get the server back up and running I will install these tracks and point you in the direction to find them.

EDIT: Actually, Paul already provided a good starting point for finding these tracks - www.virtualr.net

Anyone interested in trying to race at 10:30 tonight?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:51 pm

DChaps wrote:Anyone interested in trying to race at 10:30 tonight?

Don:

I'd love to, but I have an indoor soccer game at 9:30 p.m. Probably won't be home until 11ish, and I have the Oilers-Coyotes' game from last night to watch on the DVR. Why didn't I watch it last night? I was having fun with rFactor, Richard Burns Rally and GTR 2, of course!

Next week!

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:51 pm

pk500 wrote:
Rodster wrote:New mod boys!

Brabham BT52 1.0

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... ham%20BT52
Anyone try these yet?

Tried to, but I get an error where the .MAS file can't be found. Managed to load a track and drive briefly with an invisble car but the only thing I can tell you so far is that it accelerates, if you'll forgive the expression, like sh*t off a stick.

Edit: Might know why I'm getting the error, fairly certain I've not moved all of the mod files to the right places. I'll give it another shot now and report back.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:15 pm

That's my only fear about this mod, Adam: There's seems to be an equal number of complaints about bugs and compliments about this mod in the comments section of rFactorCentral.

I do NOT want to f*ck up my rFactor install and all of my mods and tracks, forcing a complete reinstall of hours' duration, just so I can drive these.

Is it too hard for modders to either put their beta tested mods into an executable installer, along with an uninstaller, or at least a .RAR file with a logical rFactor tree and detailed readme file?

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:49 pm

It seems to be, though this mistake was an elementary one on my part - having downloaded and unpacked the rar file, what I didn't do was move the rfm file to the rfm folder, the vehicles to my Vehicles folder and so on...a few people also seem to be confused because the sound links to the 1979 mod, so if they don't have that they'll get a silent BT52.

Some folk have been reporting an issue where the game gives a CTD or worse as they accelerate up to speed, and a chap in the rFactor Central comments claims to have fixed that with a file downloadable here:

http://users.california.com/~keeper/BT52treadfix.7z

Don't know if anyone needs it, or even if I needed it, but I have it anyway. Haven't had any problems so far.

As far as the mod itself, I don't know what to think. I ran the '79 Osterreichring and out of the box I'm going 5 seconds a lap slower there than I do in the '79 Ferrari - I can barely get under 1:40 for a lap, when the real 1983 pole was a 1:29 and fastest lap a 1:33. I've done no tweaking, and with default settings there's low grip at the front end - all the weight is at the back of the car, there's turn in understeer which I can only avoid by pitching the car into the turn, and then the understeer is back by mid-corner. It looks nice, the cockpit is well done and the sense of power and speed in a straight line is definitely there, but I'm not sure about the handling just yet.

PK, I noticed Rallycross Group B in the list of mods you'd cleaned out and I still haven't got around to trying it - no good?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:14 am

GB_Simo wrote:PK, I noticed Rallycross Group B in the list of mods you'd cleaned out and I still haven't got around to trying it - no good?

Adam:

Thanks for the feedback on the Brabham.

The Rallycross Group B cars are no fun because they might be the worst racing cars in rFactor. Ridiculously overpowered for the tight, cramped confines of rallycross tracks. Plus the default setups have zero grip.

I know rallycross is wild and wooly, but these cars were ridiculous. Like driving a Renault Turbo with full qualifying boost and trim from the early 1980s on a small kart track. I don't think I ever depressed the gas pedal on my DFP past the 50-percent point.

I downloaded the VORRA buggies and the ORR 2 off-road trucks last night and am eager to give them a go. I was less than impressed with the original ORR mod, as the grip and front-end stability were lacking and the shocks' rebound was like a pogo stick. But I've read many compliments of ORR 2 indicating that many of these issues are fixed.

Take care,
PK