Racing online (Particularly GPL)

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Carsreunited · #1 Post by **Carsreunited** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:02 pm

I posted a message a week or so ago about my new wheel/pedals racing rig which generated some interesting comments. I thought I'd put together a post on how I got into racing online and what its all about. It's a hobby of sorts I suppose for me. 
 
I first came across information on the game Grand Prix Legends in the 'Virtual Racer' section of 10/10ths in Christmas 2004. I was really bored and went out to all the PC shops within a 25 mile radius in an attempt to track a copy down. All the major places didn't have it . I eventually found a 'sold out' copy in a small shop in Northampton. Bought a wheel and pedals from PC World and then spent the next 2 days glued to the computer. 
 
<a href="http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/forumdi ... id=18">Ten Tenths forum link</a> 
 
To save you the leg work if you want the game you can either get a full copy second hand 
 
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Grand-Prix-Legend ... Item">ebay </a> 
 
or you can download a full demo from: 
 
 
 
<a href="http://www.bhmotorsports.com/download/6 ...  
 
its 86mb though! 
 
You can use the keyboard or Joystick but I would recommend getting a steering wheel and pedals as it makes life alot easier. Something like.. 
 
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Logitech-Formula- ... ">logitech wheel</a> 
 
Once you feel like you can get around without crashing all the time then you can race online free of charge against complete strangers from across the world or join a league which makes it a bit more interesting. After each race, you can see exactly how you did. There are so many freeware utiliities available for this game. For example, a recent race that I competed in: 
 
<a href="http://www.gbgpl.com/weekly/season4/r42 ...  
 
And here is a link to the yahoo group page for GBGPL if you wanted to join: 
 
<a href="http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/GBG ...  
 
And here is a link to the full list of tracks that are available for free download: 
 
<a href="http://gpltd.bcsims.com/">gpltd.bcsims. ...  
 
It really is an excellent game but don't expect it to be as easy as Gran Turismo or as 'arcadey'. It was released in 1998 but still looks great. The other bonus is you don't need a mega spec computer to play it. It takes alot to get really quick at it just because of the realism levels. You can add clutches to the diff and you notice between each one a difference, its that level of detail that makes it a winner in my book. I've been playing it for 18 months, 5 hours a week and I'm only in the top 150 or so people in the UK. 
 
Here are some screen shots to wet your appetite. 
 
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/ ... een146.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/4303/gpl15mv.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9362/picture0478nj.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
 
If anyone wants to join up, I'll be only too glad to help and offer advice. 
 
Scott

Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... eunited</A> at: 30/8/06 1:03 pm

davepoth · #2 Post by **davepoth** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:06 pm

They had that honda at Goodwood this year. The exhaust manifold looks even more mental in real life. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D">

2F45T4U · #3 Post by **2F45T4U** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 3:11 pm

I been playing the Demo on my new lap top, home PC is to crap. Awesome game <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> 
 
I bought an adaptor to fit PS2 controllers in to a USB plug. Only cost me a couple of £ off ebay <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D">

MaddMart · #4 Post by **MaddMart** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:51 pm

Cheers Scott. I downloaded the demo & had a play using my PS2 look-a-like controller. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"> Err, not very good at this. I seem to spend more time on the grass or in the barriers. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> 
 
How do you set the game up for keyboard use?

Martin 
 
<a href="http://www.dolomitesprint.com/" target="top">www.dolomitesprint.com</a>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... addMart</A> at: 30/8/06 5:08 pm

tinweevil · #5 Post by **tinweevil** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:12 pm

As easy as Gran Turismo? You having a giraffe? 
 
GT4 is sold as a driving simulator and is reckoned by those that know to be the most accurate driving simulator yet created (no, not just the authors). It has its shit bits like the totally unrealistic range of upgrades available, eg you can get carbon fibre proshafts for a Triumph Spitfire with the same ease you can for a Scoobydoo. However, the vehicle dynamics are altered in an accurate to real world physics way by the low down reduction in mass on both. What is less shit is the level of detail with which you can tweek the suspension but then any suspension arrangement can be rose jointed so that seems absolutely right to me. 
 
The circuit surfaces are accurately mapped to a ridiculous level of detail, something like 1 or 2 mm accurate with datapoints every 50mm. 
 
They tuned the sim by having their own 'stig' who drove the beejezus out of a selection of cars sensored up and compared that to driving the sim. Then when the sim and a stock car could travel the same line on the same circuit within 1% of each other times they did it all again with the next car, and the next and the next. Obviously not all the cars and tracks were tested like this. 
 
Compare driving rear to 4 to front wheel drive and it just 'feels' right. There's a ludicrous number of cars in there as well, and every one that is a real car is based upon photos, measurements, sound recordings and testing not some kids I-Spy book of stats. Which leads me to another area I don't like, that they have allowed unrealistic, impossible or at least improbable cars in, probably at great expense to the (mostly jap) manufacturers. Adverts in other words. 
 
They've also used made up circuits, which are a lot less annoying than the OTT cars. They really didn't need to do this when they have mindblowingly accurate sims of places like the Nordschleife and La Sarthe. And take it from someone who has studied La Sarthe almost every year since '89, bindblowing is the only word for the accuracy. I've driven about 60-70% of the circuit so I'm not just talking scenery either. 
 
You are thinking of the wrong game if you think Turismo is bagatelle racing. There's pleanty on the PS2 that are. A common criticism is that the GT series has no concept of damage. But thats a good thing, how can you hope to accurately simulate the effects of a bent wing or cracked rad? It simply cannot be done accurately. Besides, the racing line is the fastest way round so there's no advantage in driving silly. 
 
Oh and it can be Lanned up and played for free against users anywhere in the world too. And you know, i mean KNOW your are not being cheated against because how can you? There are no modpacks and you can't touch the code. 
 
GPL has downloaded, I'll have a look after trough. 
If you have a USB wheel it'll work on a PS2. <a href="http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search. ... smo+4">Try it.</a> 
 
Tinweevil

1978 <a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/704">Dolomite Sprint</a> Blue, a bit tetley. - Current daily drive. 
1972 <a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/754">Spitfire IV</a> No name, in bits. 
1968 <a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/705">GT6 II</a> Little blue, nice! 
1973 <a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/755">Dolomite Sprint</a> VA41, seriously tetley. 
1980 <a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/864">Dolomite 1500HL</a> Orange, really quite tidy.

LewisK · #6 Post by **LewisK** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:22 pm

And there are many mod release packs to improve the graphics, sound and interface to bring it up to the spec of those who are used to a little more polish <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> 
 

<img src="http://www.antchip.com/sig2.jpg"/> 
Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves, we can't lose! You're on!

davepoth · #7 Post by **davepoth** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:46 pm

I think I've mentioned it before, but GPL is in a whole other league. It's difficult. The torque effect of the engine is modelled (try getting airborne somewhere) it's one of the few games I've ever played with a clutch, and on the hardest difficulty setting it takes days of practice just to get round a track without driving into a wall. 
 
And then you put the other cars in...

Carsreunited · #8 Post by **Carsreunited** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:20 pm

Sorry Tin, maybe I shouldn't have mention GT. I've only played up to GT3 on the PS2 so can't really comment on GT4. 
 
As for damage, GPL models it well. You can feel the differnce between having a puncture and not, you can feel slight differences if you have damaged suspension, you can tell when your engine is about to blow, you will see oil pressure differences on the guage, engine not very willing to rev etc. You have a display of tyre temps for each corner including outer, centre and inner temps in order that you adjust camber, tyre pressures, wheel rate etc in order to try and get temps even across the width of the tyre. 
 
I didn't really want this to be a thread about which sim is the best, I'm just saying that GPL is very good especially considering it is 8 years old. 
 
BTW, some PS2 wheels will work on a pc. You can usually download the xp drivers from the wheel manufacturers site. 
 
Never used the keyboard Martin, but in GPL you would go to 'Options', then 'Controls' and then configure the respective buttons you require. Some people get to be good with the keyboard but the ones that I know who have used the keyboard have all eventually moved to a wheel and cursed the amount of time they wasted with the keyboard. 
 
Incidentally, which track is it that they use on the Demo and which car options have you got? 
 
OK. Just established that its Watkins Glen. To give you some idea of how hard it is. The world record is 1:02.9 in a Lotus, my best is 1:05.4 in a Lotus. It took me a couple of weeks to get below 1:10. If you think you are about to run off the track, drop it down a gear, invariably this will keep you on track. With the wheel and pedals, if you are accelerating hard, you will have to counter steer to the left as the engine hits its power band just to keep it in a straight line. Try and replicate that on the keyboard or joystick if you can! 
 
 

Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... eunited</A> at: 30/8/06 9:43 pm

2F45T4U · #9 Post by **2F45T4U** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:55 pm

Ok I think I actually have GTL not GPL.... 
 
The demo has a Lotus Elan, an E type and a Vette and you drive round some French circuit I think.... 
 
That games good too<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D">

MaddMart · #10 Post by **MaddMart** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:43 pm

OK I've just done a 1m 55s without spinning (I think). But I have got the auto gear change on. The trouble with using the PS2 controller is the steering is pretty uncontrollable. You only have to move the paddle very slightly and you're on opposite lock. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":(">

Martin 
 
<a href="http://www.dolomitesprint.com/" target="top">www.dolomitesprint.com</a>

Carsreunited · #11 Post by **Carsreunited** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:56 pm

Wait until you get my old wheel otherwise you will get too frustrated with it. Once you are set-up I can send you my set-up for the Lotus at that track. At least that way you know what it is capable of. 
 
Adam, yes you have GTL at Dijon I think. My computer doesn'y play it very well. Its quite demanding graphics wise. GPL can be played on 300mhz range processers so is very easy on the computer.

davepoth · #12 Post by **davepoth** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 12:22 am

Here's a link to the 2004 release of the demo, with all the patches added: 
 
<a href="http://www.gamershell.com/download_6101 ...  
 
82 and a bit MB, but well worth it. 
 
I use an old flight sim joystick for GPL, not ideal, but there's plenty of travel in each direction to make steering easy. I can do full throttle starts about 50% of the time...<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D">

Carsreunited · #13 Post by **Carsreunited** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:24 am

I've heard that a Joystick is do-able but as you say, being able to accelerate hard, turn left and right to counter-act the varying torque being applied as the wheels spin is a tall order. 
 
The above link is the same download as the earleir BH Motorsport one. It has the latest patches etc. 
 
The graphics on the original disc and demo are quite basic (in car etc), there are numerous hi-res textures that have been developed which can be overlayed. You get clocks and dials more like what you see in GTL where you can actually see the numbers on the dials. I'll try and do a screen grab so you can see.

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