Racing Sim Thread, Part II

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:14 pm

That's a bummer, Adam. It's working great for Terry and me. Sorry, I know of no other programs like it.

Take care,
PK

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:29 pm

I do start it in high priority aswell and dont realy see a difference it seems it works better on newer machines like yours and Terrys say , we need the older version that tweaks Triceratops.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:37 pm

Finally got a chance to download and try the BMW cars, man they are a blast.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:43 pm

Glad you like them heres a good vid of them in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_WXzkHR ... re=related

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:35 am

CSGT Holiday Preview is available for rFactor:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... %20Preview

This is a beta, a WIP, of the upcoming 1970 World Sportscar Championship mod. This download features complete versions of some of the lower-powered, 2-liter cars of this era. The 5-liter monsters supposedly are coming soon.

Looks like fun!

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:46 am

Prototype-C mod for rFactor appears to be close to release. New screens released:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... totype%2DC

http://www.virtualr.net/prototype-c-mid ... iew-video/

I'll sh*t myself when this is available. Group C sports cars might be my favorite race cars of all time.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:18 pm

pk500 wrote:Prototype-C mod for rFactor appears to be close to release. New screens released:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... totype%2DC

http://www.virtualr.net/prototype-c-mid ... iew-video/

I'll sh*t myself when this is available. Group C sports cars might be my favorite race cars of all time.

Take care,
PK

You and me both. I don't know about you but I have an extra supply of Charmin TP when that day arrives.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:04 pm

I loved the Group C mod for F1 Career Challenge, it should rock for rFactor.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:35 pm

Finally, there's a stock car mod for rFactor worth a sh*t and worth mentioning in the same paragraph as NASCAR Racing 2003 Season:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cfm?ID=NSS

NSS is a COT mod converted from the excellent COT mod by superspeedway.net for NR 2003.

This is a solid mod, the closest to the venerable NR 2003 that I've played in rFactor, including TPSCC.

The random mechanical breakdowns are a great touch, much better than in any other stock car mod, and arguably better than the original NR 2003.

I ran the SS.net COT mod last night in NR 2003, and this mod feels almost identical. The translation from NR 2003 to rFactor was nearly flawless.

I have one compliment and one quibble about the physics. I compliment the understeering, "push" tendencies of this mod. Listen to any of the Cup drivers last year, and nearly all of them said the COT pushed like a dump truck compared to the old Cup car. This mod simulates that very well. You need to use a different driving style than with a Cup car to compensate for the push.

But it is very, very tough to lose the rear end with this car on a superspeedway, which is unrealistic. The car is too stable in the corners and a bit too stable in traffic when overcorrections are made to compensate for the understeer.

That probably was a decision, either by the developer of this mod or the original ss.net COT modders, to keep the cars in a tighter pack for better racing. It's a compromise I can live with.

Again, this is a nice mod. I almost had given up on stock car mods for rFactor, since NR 2003 is so far superior to all mods prior to this one. But this one is pretty close to the holy grail of NR 2003.

There also is a track pack and a setup pack that should be used for this mod, available here: http://www.nascarsimseries.com/

Take care,
PK

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:41 pm

The stock car mod is pretty darn good. I ran a quick race at Dover and it was a blast. I actually ended up damaging my brakes somehow.

This would make a fun poker night.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:34 pm

Come and get your updated BMW 320, boys:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... 0320%20E21

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:42 pm

While I'm at it, has anyone else had a go at the Oldring circuit? Version 1.8 is available now here:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cfm?ID=OLDRing

It comes with 10 different layouts, though I've only tried one, the Classic. I had v1.6 installed but didn't ever get around to trying it, and after a quick blast with the 2007 BMW F1 car tonight I wish I had done.

As I said, I've only tried one layout, but on that particular track I only need to go below 4th gear once in the F1 car. It's quick and fairly open, so not too difficult to learn, but there's a degree of precision needed if you're going to lap quickly there. Oh, and the final quick chicane is one of the best chicanes I've ever virtually driven through. It's really too quick to be any good for online racing, but for running laps alone it's excellent.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:53 am

Cool rFactor compilation videos:

http://rfactorcentral.com/rfactor_2007_video/

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:48 am

Updated sounds for the cool F1 1988 mod for rFactor:

http://forum.rscnet.org/showpost.php?p= ... ostcount=1

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:22 pm

I just saw this posted on the main page an F1 1985 mod.

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cfm?ID=F1%201985

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:10 pm

GB_Simo wrote:While I'm at it, has anyone else had a go at the Oldring circuit? Version 1.8 is available now here:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cfm?ID=OLDRing

It comes with 10 different layouts, though I've only tried one, the Classic. I had v1.6 installed but didn't ever get around to trying it, and after a quick blast with the 2007 BMW F1 car tonight I wish I had done.

Adam:

Finally got around to trying this track last night, and it's a gem. Each layout is very fun. I think the track is comprised of famous corners from various real circuits around the world, as the track map shows an Adelaide hairpin, a New Holland right-hand sweeper, etc., etc.

We need to run this track during a Poker Night soon.

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:58 pm

I think only a few of the corners are direct copies, if I remember right, but they all take at least a little inspiration from the corners they're named after. Something like that. I don't often drive a track without having at least one pause to wonder why a certain corner has to exist, but Oldring's layouts have such a wonderful flow to them. I really love the place.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:42 pm

Rodster wrote:I just saw this posted on the main page an F1 1985 mod.

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cfm?ID=F1%201985

Saw this a few days ago too - if I was nitpicking I'd say that either the drivers are sat too low or the cockpit fairing is too high, but the Lotus looks like a good start. Don't expect that mod for a good while, though, if we see it at all - the WIP section is littered with one-man bands that, for whatever reason, weren't able to complete their projects.

I know you're keen on the upcoming 1991 mod, and MMG's leader says on his blog that once he's received the sounds for the cars, he'll be about ready to release the demo for it. Might be worth keeping an eye out over the next couple of weeks for that one.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:52 am

Patch is available in the Downloads section of this site for the NSS stock car mod for rFactor:

http://www.nascarsimseries.com/

Details:

This patch fixes the DX7 issues that some users are experiencing. 2D wheels have been replaced by 3D wheels. Better looking chassis driver seat added. Cockpit view windshield has more vertical view now as do the real COT cars. HDV update which addresses front brakes cooling and grill tape incrementing in increments of 1. Also two new tire files which fixes over inflation at minimum tire psi for Marty & heat issues for Rockingham.
This is considered an official patch and everyone should update from 3.1 to 3.2

<<<<<

I run rFactor in DX7, so this patch fixes the issue of all of the AI cars appearing black.

Fellas, this is an excellent NASCAR COT mod for rFactor. This is the best stock car mod for rFactor, by far, so I strongly recommend it if you're jonesing for some stock car action in between watching the races this weekend at Daytona.

This is the only stock car mod in rFactor that comes even close to the venerable NR 2003. It's a very solid, very fun mod. Very well done.

Make sure you download the track pack and setups at the nascarsimseries.com site, too, as you'll have every Cup track and setup optimized for this mod.

Take care,
PK

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:19 pm

Thanks for the update Paul. I have yet to try this one out. The Pits have also released their first stab at the current COT:

This is the predecessor to TPSCC v2.0. We decided to release it as a beta due to the Daytona 500. However, it's pretty much 90% complete, there will be a new cockpit in v2.0 and a few other things. This has a highly-realistic version of the Car of Tomorrow, detailed modeling, new physics, paintable wings & splitters, paintable wheels & engines, and much more! As well, Brian and Jerry have put together JaxBR...an updated superspeedway to replace last year's 'Florida'. However, please note that all older TPSCC tracks still work with no modifications at all.

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cfm?ID=TPSCC

Anyone up for a race at Daytona tomorrow night using one of these mods or just back to good old NR2003?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:21 pm

I know these three rFactor mods are blacklisted since they're conversions of existing games, but I fished around the Web tonight and found the FIA GT Championship, WTCC and Radical mods, and man, they are quite fun.

The FIA GT Championship mod is a direct conversion of GTR 2, the WTCC mod is a direct conversion of RACE 07, and the Radical SR 3 mod is a direct conversion of that car from RACE 06.

All three of those games use the same code as rFactor, so I guess they were fairly straightforward conversions for modders. But Simbin threw a fit, as it understandably didn't want its games converted into free mods.

Well, that's an issue for the modders and Simbin to resolve. All I know is that between my existing rFactor mods, these three conversion mods and the new NSS stock car mod, I have everything I'd ever want out of a circuit racing game in one executable file called rFactor.exe!

Plus it is pretty damn fun knowing you have GTR 2 and RACE 07 to play on the rock-solid rFactor online code.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:30 pm

DChaps wrote:Thanks for the update Paul. I have yet to try this one out. The Pits have also released their first stab at the current COT:
This is the predecessor to TPSCC v2.0. We decided to release it as a beta due to the Daytona 500. However, it's pretty much 90% complete, there will be a new cockpit in v2.0 and a few other things. This has a highly-realistic version of the Car of Tomorrow, detailed modeling, new physics, paintable wings & splitters, paintable wheels & engines, and much more! As well, Brian and Jerry have put together JaxBR...an updated superspeedway to replace last year's 'Florida'. However, please note that all older TPSCC tracks still work with no modifications at all.
http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cfm?ID=TPSCC

Don:

Thanks for the link. I'm teetering on whether to give this a try, for two reasons.

One, I'm happier than hell with the NSS NASCAR mod for rFactor. It's really good.

Two, the original TPSCC was blown at rFactor Central and The Pits as the spiritual successor to NR 2003 when it wasn't even close, in my opinion. I think it was given almost cult-like devotion simply because NR 2003 track building and physics king Brian Ring is one of the primary builders of TPSCC. Quite frankly, Ring's work in the original TPSCC wasn't close to his efforts with NR 2003.

Still, I may give it a go. We'll see. Let us know how you think it compares to the COT mods for NR 2003 if you try it, especially if you also try NSS.

DChaps wrote:Anyone up for a race at Daytona tomorrow night using one of these mods or just back to good old NR2003?

Ah, sounds like fun! But I'm going to my brother's house tomorrow night to play poker, drink beer, smoke cigars and watch the Taylor-Pavlik fight with him and some friends. Maybe next week?

Have fun if you race tomorrow.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:17 am

Gave the GTR 2 and RACE 07 conversions a bit more of a go after the fight tonight, and upon further review, I'm not as sold on them as I was the other night.

Something just doesn't feel right in the conversion. Cars that were challenging to drive in GTR 2, such as the Corvette, Viper and Lambo, don't feel as tough to handle in the conversion. The 911 GT3 Supercup car in rFactor is tougher to drive than the one in the GTR 2 conversion, where the opposite is true with the original GTR 2, for example.

Plus the driving model in most of the vehicles in the RACE 07 conversion feel the same. Even the Mini drives a lot like a WTCC car.

Finally, the cars just don't have the "weight" in both conversions that you feel with similar cars built for rFactor. The rFactor cars feel heavier, as you fight the wheel more and feel better force feedback.

I'll do a couple of more comparisons, but right now I'm leaning toward ditching the GTR 2 and RACE 07 conversions, as my rFactor folder already is 14 GB! But I'm definitely keeping the Radical SR 3 conversion. Those cars are really fun to drive, and the rear end slides all over with too much power applied at the pedal.

I also fell prey to the new TPSCC COT mod, and I have mixed emotions about it in a head-to-head comparison with the NSS mod at Daytona.

The TPSCC cars have slightly more "weight" to them on the wheel than NSS, but the AI in NSS is far more realistic at Daytona. In NSS, you see two lines of cars driving around the track, and it's up to you to pick the right line. In TPSCC, the cars move to single file much too quickly and also move out of your way when you get a hell of a draft.

Plus it's no contest graphically. The NSS tracks look much better, and the NSS cars have real liveries. The TPSCC liveries are all fictional.

Finally, the seating position in TPSCC is really odd. Sometimes the top of the wheel is right in your line of sight.

I'll try to do another comparison, but I'm leaning toward keeping NSS and ditching TPSCC.

Any other feedback from anyone on these mods?

Take care,
PK

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:02 am

pk500 wrote:Any other feedback from anyone on these mods?
Take care,
PK

I spent a good bit of time Friday and Saturday night with TPSCC and NSS mods for rFactor, as well as the COT mod from SuperSpeedway.net for NR2003.

For me it all boils down to this: the ISI/rFactor engine cannot handle large fields of cars running on ovals smoothly enough for me consider trying anymore stockcar mods, including the upcoming ARCA sim based on the rFactor engine.

Maybe my machine is just too old, or I have a setup problem with rFactor, but whether it was the NSS or TPSCC, I ended up having to run at 1024x768 with only 20 cars, 10 visible and medium details to get frame rates above 30 consistently. Even then the start of the race would have me dipping down to the teens - not a smooth experience, and it looks horrible.

Conversely, I ran the newest SS COT mod at the SS Daytona with 43 cars, 22 visible, 1280 x 1024 resolution, all details on full except shadows in car, and never dipped below 35fps even starting from the back of the pack and in constant heavy traffic. Most of the time the fps were 60 or above, and it looked fantastic.

I am not an NR2003 zealot or snob. I want a replacement for NR2003 and will glady pay good money for one, but if I can't get a smooth, consitent frame rate in heavy traffic with a full field of cars, then there is no point.

rFactor, GTR2, GTL, and Race 07 do just fine for me in fields of 20 cars or less on road courses where the racing gets spread out within a lap or two, I just don't think it can handle tightly packed oval racing.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:26 pm

Don:

That's a bummer about the framerates. I haven't run a race with more than 10 cars with NSS, so I'm not sure how a "big pack" race would run on my rig.

I like NSS. It's a really strong stock car mod for rFactor. But it still has a couple of niggling physics and AI issues that wrankle me and cause me to say, "Nope, it's not quite NR 2003."

I look at NSS this way: If I never had played NR 2003 and didn't own it, then NSS would be terrific. But I have played and still own NR 2003, and it's still the king of stock car sims.

Think I'm going to reinstall NR 2003 and uninstall NSS and its tracks during lunch and take a strict caste mentality for my racing sims. rFactor is my road racing sim, NR 2003 my oval sim and Richard Burns Rally my rally sim. And their paths shall not cross.

Take care,
PK