finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :))))

[Hank]

aye...... 8:58@Ring (with a spin or two :)))) )

I know I'm good for under 8:40, just haven't managed it yet.

Down to 1:08 @Glen...... maybe ready to try online soon :))

Or is that too ambitious at this stage?

This sim is getting more and more under my skin... haven't raced PU for over a week... trouble is, it's giving me much back and pelvis pain :(( ... d'ya think the old racers suffered from this too?

anyways, just thought I'd share :))))))))))))))

happy racing

cheersfernow

hank :))

[rms]

If you're getting back pain, figure out what's causing it and fix it. This is a major reason I don't like FF & paddle wheels, they cause shoulder tension which is extremely annoying. Under 9min is good at the ring, once you get a bit more confident 8:30 won't be far off.

rms
rsquires@flash.net

[WCOutlaw]

Hey Hank - awesome, congrats, a BIG milestone - as for racing online, jump right in - I ran on Glen a few weeks back and people were struggling to get 1:11s, etc. so there's always people better and worse than you in such a big online community.

As for the back/pelvis pain - I don't get much back pain, in life, but after working as a landscaper, and now playing GPL I get a little pain appearing a long, concentrated session of racing... It's usually a case of taking a 30 minute break, but this is caused by me usually tensing up in pressured situations (I also get quite clammy with sweat under pressured racing/fast lap situations too - just my body/mind working it's weird way). Usually, I realise and relax myself when running (usually down a straight I'll take my hand off the wheel and relax a little, but it's the constant tensing that gets me, hehe... Amazing how hard I seem to try and the game :p I've been pouring sweat before after league races when I ran with UKGPL - hehe :)

Take care of yourself, definitely not worth injuries over a game...

[D_Man]

Great to hear Hank -^

Once you break 9 minutes it is easy to find an extra 20 to 30 seconds. The next barrier is the 8:30 mark. I've never beaten that though :rolleyes:

I get sore neck and shoulders racing - especially playing GPL. I have found that regular stretching before, after and during sessions helps a lot. Also check out the ergonomics of your sitting position and see whether you can change it to reduce the stress on the part of your back which is getting sore.

As long as you can lap consistently without crashing every lap and you are considerate to others you are more than ready for online. I did a Watkins Glen race one day where Jonathon Davis had pole with a low 1:04 and the backmarkers qualified with 1:09s. In a race like that, you have to anticipate that you will be lapped and make sure you don't cause a crash when they are passing you ;)

Dave

[JeffR]

>...back pain...

This is why I use twin joysticks, (left=throttle/brake, right=steer, various buttons on sticks used for shifting gears, etc). I'm using CH control sticks (USB) which have a light centering force (less than 1/2 of the microsoft sidewinder sticks). I've had a few 2 or 3 hour sessions without any noticable fatigue factor with this setup. Steering with a stick isn't as good as a wheel for GPL (it's ok for NFS type games though), but throtle brake control is better with a stick than my pedals which are too light (maybe I'll try the sponge ball under the brake pedal trick).

[Ashwin91]

Congrats Hank :D -^ .

[SSP213]

Go ahead and play online. I think it'll make you faster, when you're racing against other people. The practice sessions are quite fun, and you'd probably enjoy them!

Good luck! -^

[Hank]

Thx all :))))
soonsoonsoon.... I need to feel confident that I'm not gonna rear-end an experienced driver... so I've got a bit of work to do on my starts (and braking at that crucial first bend :)))))))))))


cheersfernow

[Cheyenne]

Hank, go online! No fear there. You can often find us n00bs there to race!

I remember the first time I ever drove Monza, the very first, was online, there were two other racers, and I won! I still have the replay too. Gosh :love: that was fun.

Don't miss out on it.

Congrats on your ring and Glen times. I'm going to start back in on the ring and see if I can better my own. You're an inspiration, Hank!

Hmm, I don't get back pain, but I have a big office chair and I do get left leg pain sometimes. I don't know why, exactly, haven't looked into it too far, but the left pedal just seems... closer than the throttle. Hmm, maybe because the throttle pedal is usually "down"! ^_^ I'll have to try some different seating positions. Maybe that will help.

Are you doing left AND right foot braking yet?

Oh, how's your dad doing with the games?

[Hank]

Thx, Chey... Good luck to you too :)))))))))))

As for pains.... could just be my age and the absurd amount of time I spend racing.... ( I just love it :))))))))))

My footbrake broke again (I was only getting 80% acceleration :(( )... so I've solved the problem (again) by switching the brakes to the paddle on my wheel.... fantastic!!!!

allows for constant-foot-on-accelerator and feels much more 'natural'... maybe 'cos I'm used to using my hands (sculpting) and not my feet LOL


:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[D_Man]

Hey Hank, don't make my mistake. I waited until I went negative before I jumped on VROC because I didn't want to make a fool of my self :rolleyes:

Now I wish I had started on VROC much much sooner ;)

WOW - Chey, are you back into GPL? I'd love to race with you even though I know you will wipe the track with my sorry butt :D

Dave