just starting :))

[Hank]

hi all... I've been having a go at GPL and thought I'd never get anywhere (couldn't even keep car on the track :(( )

But after a couple of days practice at Monza I got down from 2:00 per lap to just breaking 1:40... still miles behind Clarke, Hill etc


Just today I got down (slowly) to 1:35 and am wondering if I get a better gear setup would that make much difference... or have I just gotta practice to find a better line?

Top speed right now is about 192 mph ( for a very short period)...
Should I be getting higher speed?

If I post the setup I have for this (1:35) lap time... would anyone be willing to give me some tips on what to tweek to get better performance?

Many thanx in advance :))))))))

I don't wanna go online yet until I can handle cars and know tracks a bit better :))

cheersfernow

Hank :))))))

Oh yeah... I'm using automatic, and chase view (for now)..

It seems to me that most secs are lost on the last corner (which I've gotta take at about 65mph or spin out).... and the first big bend where I have to brake down to 125mph and try to be accelerating out at over 135... am I way too slow there?

many thx :))

[DCMattius]

Welcome to GPL Hank. Coming from PU, you'll find out about some key differences. One is you'll have to switch to manual to get faster times. In PU, there isn't much of a difference, but in GPL, you're penalized with less power if you use automatic.

Another difference is setups vary dramatically between drivers. In PU, most people close in on the perfect setup and adjust their driving to suit that setup. In GPL, most people try out a bunch of other "Aliens" setups (which are easily downloaded from many websights). Finding someone who has comfortable setups for you is what you need to look for. Alot of people try Gregor Huttu's since he's one of the fastest. Other people use Alison Hine since those are usually easier to control. I'm accustomed to Jure Kalisnick's and only recently have I been modifying them a little experimentally. I zipped up all the setups I use here: http://home.cfl.rr.com/dcmattius/DCGPL.html .

Good Luck
DCMattu
Fair-Fun-Fast
Demolition Crew

[Hank]

Many thanx, Mattu :))

What do you open your .lo files with... I couldn't figure it out :((

Also, When i tried Manual gears I got a weird whine every time I changed gears 'cos I don't know how to assign 'clutch' to my wheel :((

Got down to 1:34 this avo at Monza :)))

[WCvXd]

You dont have to assign a clutch for a manual transmission in GPL. Just like in a real car, when you shift gears you have to lift off the throttle until the shifter is in the next gear. You dont want to over-rev your engine there because with Advanced and Realistic damage, the engine will blow really easily. It will take a while to get your shift timing down, but you will get the hang of it.

[Hank]

Many thanx, WCvXd :))

I'll give it a go.... (I'm still using assisted braking :)) )

I got down to 1:33 now, @ Monza with gears :)))))))))))

[D_Man]

You're doing extremely well to get down to 1:33 that quickly Hank.

It is best to start without any aids because when you decide later to run without aids, it is like starting over again.

Like Matt said, the Greger Huttu GH (not GH2) setups are quite popular with people starting out. I used Alison Hine's setups intially but found them too pushy. Greger's tend a bit more towards oversteer which I am more comfortable with. Now I use my own setups which use Greger's gears.

I am sure you will find the "seat-of-the-pants" driving a lot of fun. The big revelation for me was how enjoyable it is once you are confident in being able to attack the tracks rather than driving to stay on the black stuff.

The guys here will be more than happy to look at your replays and give advice. The ability to merge replays is reallt handy too.

BTW, the setup files have extensions like .lo1 - these files go in the relevant track setup folder in your player folder.

Good luck

Dave

[Hank]

Many thanx Dave :)))))))))

I'm still having loadsa fun, and got some good tips on setups from various websites.... still haven't found a forum that's
current though, and haven't the first clue how to go about getting online, adding patches and upgrades, et.c.


Still, eh?


hope to be ready to race online soon ;)

many thanx again :)))))))))))

Hank :))

[D_Man]

Hank

This is a good place to start:

http://www.racesimcentral.com/

There are links and articles that should help you out. I'm at work so I can't give you any other links just yet.

Have fun

Dave

[Ashwin91]

Welcome to the GPL club Hank;) .

I see you are learning the ropes of the game real fast-^ .

I hope to hear more of your progress:D .

Yours,
Ashwin

[Hank]

many thanx again all :)) D man, Ashwin......

It's all a bit alien to me still, but it seems to be at least as addictive as PU (and I NEVER thought I'd say that about ANY other racing game :)) )

I think I have a looooooong way to go yet before I feel proficient.

BRM,BRRM,BRRRRRM,BRRRRRRRRRM :)))))))))))))))))))

[D_Man]

When you want to start racing online go here:

http://www.vroc.net/

For most other things you can try this great links page:

http://hotgrids.racesimcentral.com/

Also this thread might help as well:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~hg/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43045

There are also a lot of sites that have help pages for people starting out, but between us here, we should able to help you quite a bit.

I highly recommend using the in-car camera with a FOV (field of view) of around 55 to 60 degrees. It is much more immersive than the standard 78 degrees.

Dave

[DC_Tox]

Hank, welcome to the club! You'll be shortly much more addicted to GPL than to PU, believe me...personal experience :D

Trying out set-ups from other people, before learning the tracks and the driving style of GPL, can be misleading IHMO. The default setup (removing some fuel for the practice laps) is good enough to spend the first laps on a new track and learn it a bit.

Then, I moved to the following GPL track guides (click here to find them (http://www.racesimcentral.com/guides/gpl/lor/lor_main.shtml)) from Lights Out Racing: the guides are very good and they give you also a replay file and the set-ups that fit exactly the driving suggestions of the guide. Try them, you'll be surprised to see how many mistakes you're making that you're not aware of :D

Another hint: disable all driving aids, or you'll have to re-learn everything later!

[Hank]

Many thx D Man... finally, a GPL Forum (wondered where it was.. apart from Racerplanet)

Loadsa help :)))))))

Thanx for encouragement and advice, Tox :))

All taken on board and my life just gets fuller and fuller :))))))))

[DC_Tox]

THIS (http://forum.racesimcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=36) is a very good GPL forum, although a bit disorienting at the beginning (too much stuff!)

[Hank]

Fantastic, Tox :))

Many thx...... went and registered and posted right away... hopefully to inspire all newbies to the game :))))))))))

Some fantastic advice there... I'm gonna try the 3 tracks approach and see how I do :))

I'm very tempted by Monaco, Italy and Belgium :))

But Monza, Silverstone... and that other one Spa, I think is probably wiser .....

Anyways... must have another go :)))))))

Will I ever work again? lol

I better... says Kath :))