Quote from dpcars :

just had my first trackday of the year.

Yay, finally an update to your page. Having read almost everything of remote interest (to me) in the last weeks, I was really waiting for this .

As this is my first post in this thread, I'd also like to say that your blog and especially the MINI-write-ups, played a relatively large role in triggering my decision to get myself a hothatch this year. So, thx for this opportunity to kill some spare time while being at work .

All this talk about max/min/avg fps is really no use, imho, if the parameters are not clear and probably different for each person posting here. So, in order to really compare fps, I'd suggest to follow the link given by Moonclaw a few posts up, run it on your machine and upload it to the LFS Benchmark site. Than you can compare fairly well how your system compares to other similar systems.

Just my 2p.

This may be something completely different, but who knows: I recently got invited to the "BMW innovation day" (just some promo event where the new BMW's are introduced) by my local BMW dealer. And in the invitation it says that one can test his racing skills in a "Formula 1 driving simulator". I don't know what kind of simulator it is, but as this is a BMW event, it is possible that it will be either LFS or rFactor, I reckon. Anybody know more about this? I didn't bother to do any research as I won't be going anyway, but I thoght it might be interesting for other Germans.

P.S.: I think there is no prize to be won when you do any good in the simulator, but they are doing some sort of tombola where they're giving away a new 1-series.

Was a good race for me in pool 5 today.

I started 2nd and swapped positions with HorsePower a couple of times, who was in 3rd/2nd. On lap 25 I was finally able to pass t1ger and took the lead (I just couldn't catch his slipstream before, I guess he was usually a lot better coming out of the turns). So the second half of the race was not particularly exciting, but it was a looong and nerve-wrecking strech, nonetheless, because all I could concentrate on was not screwing up. Luckily I didn't screw up, though and was able to slowly pull away from t1ger with a maximum lead of 3.xx seconds. It got a little more exciting towards the end, though, as I had developed a flat spot on the left front tire (the neuralgic wheel all along). So I really had to take it easy for the last 5 laps. It worked out, though and I was able to secure a 1 second lead.

Great race overall, and I think we didn't have any major crashes in pool 5 .

Thx a lot to the team, who did a great job of pulling this event off despite the technical problems with the site beforehand. You guys are marvels!

P.S.: I started first in rounds 1 and 2 and second in round 3 (actually 3rd but lowgoods didn't show up). So, I do feel a little guilty, somehow, but I guess there's not much that can be done about it - it's just how the system works ...

P.P.S.: I already know that I won't be able to race in round 4, which is too bad, as I really like the small GTR's -- and it will be a veery loong pause due to the spring break. The good thing is, that I can potentially get a lot of practice in the FO8, though .

Quote from aLexusPro :

I had this problem too. I turned on AA in ATI Control Center but AA is disabeling after Alt+Tab (or Ctrl+F4) movements. I know, this is not LFS problem, in W2k it worked fine, but now AA working bad. Maybe it is problem of WinXP, maybe new drivers have something - i don't know, but there is somethig strange

P.S. My G.Card is Saphire Radeon 9600 (256 Mb)

Yeah, that's a known problem with LFS. I don't know if it will or can be changed, but as a workaround for now you could try changing the resolution once your back within LFS and then change it back to your original resolution (use shift+F9, shift+F12). AA and AF should be back afterwards.

Quote from AtomAnt :

I raced yah today, lol. I'm doing housework...sucks to be me.

I know, and we were only a maximum of four people online (and I wasn't in good shape either, tbh, but that's a different story :tilt.

Well, I was doing my practicing mostly offline due to lack of online racing in that combo and got my personal super duper fluke lap time that hasn't been repeated, yet (well, it's not that far from what I'm capable of doing in a proper race, actually). Seems almost like a vicious circle .

Anyway, what I would really like to see is some proper pick-up races of around 10 laps, or so. For that purpose, I joined quite a few servers with only 2 or 3 people racing, hoping that others would join, but never got to see more than five people online at once. Too bad, really, as the enjoyable online experience with plenty of people heading for the same goal (next OLFSL race) was a major part in my previous OLFSl-experience. Doesn't seem to be happening much this season, unfortunately .

Hi there!

I noticed that this season only very few people are ever practicing the upcoming OLFSL-combos online. As far as I remember that wasn't so much the case last time I raced in OLFSL. So, I was wondering if anybody else noticed this and what are your thoughts about this. Or is it just me always trying to find a decently packed server at the wrong times?

Regards,

Linsen

I saw a feature on Giga TV back in 2004 and downloaded the demo. Played it with keyboard on my laptop and somehow liked it, even though I couldn't get around T1 (or any other turn) without fully locking the tires. Something must have told me that it was a great sim, though, and thus LFS played a major role in my decision to get a new PC -- and a wheel. Got it soon afterwards and messed around offline for quite some time before I ventured online, which was a really interesting experience for me, as I had really no experience with the whole online thing. I never chatted and wasn't a user of online forums either, I mainly used the internet for research. So, actually, LFS had quite a large impact which went far beyond the pc-gaming part

So, who's taking up all the server slots for the GPL demo at BHM? Huh?

(UK servers are almost full with one at 100% and the other at 92).

LFS is remarkable value for the money, not doubt about that. Also each stage gets cheaper, because the price for S2 and S3 was set when S1 came out. So, compared to the costs of living, S2 was already cheaper than S1. S3 is probably at least 3 years away (I consider this a rather optimistic estimate). So by that time, costs of living will have gone up even more, but S3 will still be 12 gbp .

@Davo: spring effect and damper effect strength should really be set to zero as far as I am concerned, but if you like it that way, it's fine of course.

@Flight: Yesterday I tested what you described to see if I have the same problems with my DFP and only didn't notice them before, but I must say, it's really hard to tell. I took the FOX on As club reverse and fooled around a little, went over the curbs as often as possible, trying to keep the wheel straight or turned. And one thing I know for sure is, when I hold it straight and have front wheels loaded (under braking f.e.), rumble strip feeling is quite pronounced. However, when front wheels are not loaded (under acceleratrion f.e.) there is almost no rumble present. Also, I'm certain that I do feel the rumbling when the wheel is only turned slightly and at least one front wheel is loaded (under cornering for example). Where I couldn't really feel anything was, when I turned the wheel quite a lot while going over the curbs. But I would need a more scientific approach to be able to tell if there really is no rumble. Problem is, that it is affected by so many variables like grip or the load on the wheels. Also, it seemed to me, that the curb itself may make a difference. I'm not sure if they are all modelled in the same way (on some, the teething might be rather pronounced, while it might be only very subtle on others). Overall, I do think that the feeling is very nice, though. It does feel very realistic to me and very informative. I also think that the rumble effects could be a little stronger, though. But that's probably because I'm using only 20-30 % ffb strength ingame and 103 % in the profiler.

And one more thing: I haven't tested it recently, but I remember feeling the train tracks on the SO tracks through the wheel, no matter if it was turned or not. So, if that's there, I would assume that the curb-rumbling is also there.

Well, this post is not much help, I guess, but maybe I'll find the time to do more extensive testing. And in case you will be doing more testing, make sure to try it on a curb that's on the outside of a turn in order to have at least one front wheel loaded as much as possible.

Pool 6 here.

It was a rather uneventful race for me. Almost boring, in fact, but there's noone to blame besides myself. I started on pole and was passed by Nóvoa half way through the lap. I needed around 6 to 7 laps to really get into the race (seems I always do) and before my laptimes started to go down. Obvioulsy, most people behind me had similar problems getting into the flow. So I was basically alone on the track for most of the race (kkot did keep up for quite a few laps, but never got close enough to put pressure on me). Then people behind obviously had to battle for positions and lost touch. At the same time, I wasn't capable of getting really close to Nóvoa either. He was around 2-3 seconds ahead until lap 18,19 or so, when I was able to put in some fast laps and closed in on him. Around lap 24, or so, I was pretty close, but started pushing to hard and failed to maintain my speed. So I dropped back again until shortly before the end, which was way too late. I finished 1 second behind Nóvoa and didn't have a single fight over the whole race. Well, finishing second is not bad in itself, but I'd rather have a little more action, I suppose .

Quote from Shotglass :

of course the 911s design with the rear converging into a pointy edge is the worst in terms of lift generated so what that car needs first and foremost isnt an undertray but a proper design

Yeah, make it look like something else. Who cares, it's only the most beautiful sportscar around. And as Porsche has shown with the Cayenne (especially after the facelift), they're fully capable of designing cars that are just as indistinctive as a Kia/Hyundai/Daewoo.

Apart from the fact that a Corrado is a little too old for my taste, it also sort of has a "reputation" here in Germany. Not that I would have anything against displaying an image that is somehow converse to my "real me", but if I wanted to do that, I'd rather go the opposite direction and drive an Opel Rekord or so.

What do you guys think about the second generation Seat Ibiza Cupra, btw (the facelifted one)? It's relatively light-weight, has 156 hp and it supposedly is a quick, nimble car. I also like it much better than the Leon from that time (it's smaller too).

Edit: All I can seem to find on mobile.de and at autoscout24.de is the Saxo VTS which has only 118 hp and even that is rather rare.

Last edited by Linsen, Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:45.

Thx a lot for all your suggestions, guys, this is really helpful. Seems I'm still tending towards the Clio, though. I like the fact that it's small, lightweight and from all I read a rather exciting drive. Some of the other suggestions (like Golf or Focus) would probably be a little more sensible, and it would probably also be relatively easy to get a car that's not too run-down. It would also be less exciting, though. Similar things could be said for Opel/Vauxhall, I guess, but I just don't see myself driving an Opel.

Well, I guess I will have to read some more and arrange some test-drives in the next months (once spring is here) to find out what some of the suggested cars really feel like and how they suit me.

Anyway, I'm still open for suggestions and thx again for your help .

Regards,

Linsen

Edit: Damned, I just read the review in evo magazine and now I WANT the Clio 182! Unfortunately, I won't get it for 10.000 € .

Last edited by Linsen, Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:47.

Quote from aLexusPro :

Max, i was there. There were 2 groups: very fast racers (around WR) and newbies who saw this combo first time. I was in the second =) Anyway, great idea: tune-up + fun race + offline + something else = very close and intresting race (poetry?).

Good luck to all, see you on sunday's race!

There was at least one group more: mediocre drivers who've practiced the combo offline for a few dozen laps but are still off the wr-time by around 2 seconds (yes, I was one of those ).

Edit: erm, why are you logged in as a demo player, max? If you're participating in OLFSL you surely must have an S2-license ...

@JamesK: Well, it has to be somewhat newish because of that environemt badge that will be coming in 2008. Most older cars will have a hard time meeting the cirteria, and I live pretty much in the middle of Berlin where I will have to have that badge or I won't be allowed to drive. Also, it needs to be reliable, as it will be the only car I'll have.

@Kev: I like the R5, too, but it's too old and not reliable, afaik .

@JTbo: There's a misunderstanding, probably du to me using the term, "I'm looking at one". I never had a Clio, I'm just taking buying one into consideration.

Quote from Michael Denham :

Evo magazine highly rates the Renault Clio, especially the previous model 172 cup or 182 trophy. I'm sure either one of those would be a good bet. I am not sure about price or availability of those for you, but worth a look if they're available and within your price range.

That's what I'm looking at atm. Here it's called Clio Renault Sport and it starts at around 7.000 €. The trophy is out of reach, though, as there were only 550 produced (500 went to the UK and 50 to Switzerland afaik). It looks tempting, but I'm a little afraid that many of them have taken quite a beating by young immature drivers -- but that's a problem with most hothatches, I suppose.

@ajp: I don't really like the Focus much for it's looks, tbh, but it's something to think about.

@JTbo: I'm not so sure about the Polo, actually, I think it's mainly wearing the badge as an image factor but doesn't really drive like the three letters suggest.

Hi there!

I'll probably have to get a new car at the end of the year, because my current one will have problems getting the so-called "Umweltplakette" (environment badge?) without upgrading. Also there are several other things that would have to be taken care of if I wanted to drive it over another (and maybe this time colder) winter. So, I'm already thinking about what car I should get. This time I'd like to get something a little more performant than what I had previously. Also it has to be a good daily driver and it shouldn't cost more than 10.000 € and it should be fairly easy to get in Germany. Therefore I'm thinking about a hothatch that shouldn't be older than maybe 7 years.

Since I reckon that there are quite a few car enthusiasts around , I thought I'd ask for some ideas to give me inspiration what to look for. So what do you guys think, which one is the "hottest" hothatch that fits my criteria (I'm currently thinking about a Renault Clio RS, btw).

Regards,

Linsen

Quote from d6nn :

i bought a dfp just days ago, but i dont get it. is there sumthing wrong with my wheel or what... the problem is that every1 uses alot higher/different ffb settings than me, and if i use them in my profiler/game i cant turn the wheel is so hard to turn coz of the ffb and i set my settings alot lower (usually 5% ffb) . i did what the tutorial said but its just not possible to drive.

Problem is, when you set ffb strength in the profiler to a value below 101% you're loosing a lot of feel around the center (and static effects are dumbed down). This is a driver inherent problem (which I hope will be adressed in a later release) and can only be overcome somewaht by using at least 101% in the profiler. I'm using 103% in the profiler and 30% ingame for XFG f.e. With heavier cars I sometimes go as low as 20% ingame. It really shouldn't be too hard to turn with those settings.

Ok, thx guys. I might try your utility, Peptis -- Or I'll simply have to drive the fast laps myself .

Go to your Online Racer Stats and click Laps Chart in the upper left corner .

Hard to say which tracks are hard and which are easier. I guess it depends a lot on personal preference and on the car used. I'm finding Fe green reverse pretty hard in either the RB4 or the XRT for example (high curbs which unsettle the car and make spinning out a constant threat), in the XFG however, I'm finding it relatively easy and very enjoyable to drive. SO town reverse on the other hand, seemed very hard to me at first and should be hard, considering that there are many very different turns with the constant risk of hitting the armco. But again, I'm finding it relatively easy to drive somewhat compatible times (relatively speaking) in the XFG there. I wouldn't know how the track feels in the XRT, though. Might be very tough to get around in one piece.

So, the hardest track for me seems to be WE if driven in any car from the TBO-class upwards. I don't know what it is, but I'm finding it very tough to hit the ideal line there and many of the corners I have to take at at varying throttle pressure, which makes it hard because of the obvious lack of controller precision and lack of feel in the right foot.

Here's some further advice: Next time you have a problem, try to provide some more information when posting about it seeking for help. Posting something along the lines of "my wheel is not working, what do I do?" is not really sufficient information.