Sorted mine out now too. Rules/FAQ/notes now working. Similar problem, basically the server space was a big mess of outdated files. Some other aspects like PB time limit locks were not being picked up either because of old files or wrong files. However all now seems to be working, and crashers, cruisers, drifters, slowcoaches, drag racers etc. are being shown the door.

Quote from EQ Worry :

"Also the text lines from TXT.FQ, TXT.RL, and TXT.NT were moved into a new section of Airio.cfg.txt, with new items TextFAQs, TextNotes, and TextRules available. The old arrangement in NOT supported, the three formerly used TXT files are ignored. Any changes in FAQ/Notes/Rules buttons need to be updated by !rld, just like all other items."

So, if you had a text like this in Airio.txt.rl.txt file:

Here are the server rules:
Always observe the rules,
never use any cheats!

You would copy them into Airio.cfg.txt file and add appropriate keys:

TextRules=Here are the server rules:
TextRules=Always observe the rules,
TextRules=never use any cheats!

Note there are no opening pluses (+). After updating save the CFG file, delete old RL, FQ, and NT files, type !rld and it should be functional. If not, it may be caused by another catch: If you still have files like Airio.cfg.tc.txt or Airio.cfg.nc.txt in Airio folder, the new merged Airio.cfg.txt will actually be ignored, the items just added never read! To solve the trouble I'd suggest you switch completely to the new file structure, 2 months old now, no more changes planned.

Thanks EQ I will have to give that a go. I didn't realise it had all changed. On 500 Servers you just press the button to do the upgrade to 2.2.0 but it seems that this was really not the best thing to do, because it has left all the old files in place and because of the structure changes it doesn't really work properly as it stands. We aren't doing any of the FTP uploads from the Airio zip archive ourselves and are relying on it all having been correctly organised when we pressed the upgrade button. So once you get to a point where you have pretty much nailed all the main features it may be worth calling it version 3 and asking everyone to do a complete reinstall so we are all on the same page.

I've set mine up as a demo for a while (mad I know) but without having the rules "a click away" I'm having to really button down Airio to keep control of races. Maybe 500 will upgrade to the latest version soon and perhaps that wil fix it.

Sorry guys, what was the fix for getting the buttons on the help panel for FAQ, rules and so on to work again? I'm on 500 servers, and I have noticed they have stopped working for some reason. It's version 2.2.0.

Confirming LFS Relax works here, I run with it on all the time when racing on various servers. Does spotting, and gaps to car ahead/behind, etc. no problem.

I was watching this on TV at the weekend, now available on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk4zb-pwkCU

Reminded me so much of a typical pile-up at the slow hairpin in South City. Felt reassured that these top guys also get themselves into scrapes like this!

I could only do the first race today due to other commitments but it was fun, although I am still getting to grips with the FOX. I need to find a setup that is not constantly trying to swap ends on me!

I'm not sure about the reverse grid for the second race, being slower myself I really don't relish the thought of being at the front for Race 2. Just causes too many possible accidents. EQ, is it possible for Airio to calculate a grid for race 2 based on the fastest laps of Race 1? The CTRA system used to do something like this and I am more comfortable with earning a front row grid slot rather than being given one. I have been on Conedodgers Skill League recently and even using that system of Race 2 based on Race 1 finishing order would be better in my view.

Otherwise I like the format, if it goes to Wednesdays not sure if I could do them all but I can try.

Sounds good, 9pm UK is a better time for me, haven't driven a FOX for a while so need to get some practice in.

I prefer no. 2, a bit more variety, going round the same track every week in more or less the same cars seems a bit repetitive. However most weekdays are not good for me after about 8.30/9pm so I may not be able to attend many.

Quote from hyntty :

A top-8 reversed was on a week or so ago.

Cool, hadn't seen that.

Surprisingly, order joined, previous race, reverse previous race or random seem to be the only standard options on servers, anything else I think you have to code yourself, including grids based on lap times, as CTRA did - I don't think it's even an Airio option unless I've missed something.

I did a few rounds of last year's AA FBM series and found it enjoyable even though I had no chance of winning, but I set myself goals of being within n secs of the winner, not being last, trying to hang on the tail of faster guys for as long as possible etc. I am finding the Conedodgers skill league concept interesting and a good challenge for me, it's a regular daily thing but non-attendance doesn't hit you too hard.

The AA series was at a good time of week for me but as has been said, it can be hard to block out the time with other commitments, depending on when they are running. I'd certainly be interested in setting up something similar for FBM XRG/XFG pick up racing that perhaps just takes your best few results of the day - but I'd need to learn how to extract the data and code it all up which would be something of a steep learning curve.

Yes I guess it would need some sort of exception handling, so not easy, as you say. Hopefully the default Airio settings will catch most trouble makers anyway. I was just thinking that for the serial problem racers (whether for language or driving) who turn up on a server and get banned very quickly, well it would be nice to be able to share that info straight away with other admins (what thay decide to do with that information is their decision of course) to stop them leaving a trail of disrupted races all over the net.

Quote from Roccivic :

I'm pretty sure nothing can be done about this, as I think this is just an immature kid on a demo licence, but this is none the less unacceptable!!!

Hi Rocci
Yes this kind of thing is pretty annoying, I've just recently set up a couple of servers of my own and it doesn't take long for these people to find you. It's very interesting to see this from the admin side of the fence, and have been working out how best to wield my "banhammer". I have installed Airio on some pretty strict settings with tips from EQ Worry (the same tracker as on the AA servers) which is quite good at finding troublemakers but it does throw up a few false positives (I think J@tko has had that sort of trouble on NDR too), so it needs careful tweaking and also some clear rules so the racer can't say he wasn't warned in advance. I did wonder if there might be a case for some sort of master list of problem users - a bit like one of the Spamhaus spammer block lists - that server admins can choose to subscribe to and post updates to. Maybe it's something that could be added to Airio. Then with some options in the configuration, someone entering a server who has been banned elsewhere could carry that ban or some element of it with them on to other Airio servers.

Just found this thread today, also setting up a G25 for the first time, had exactly the same problem. Had told the profiler that I had separate axes, but in LFS no amount of settings tweaking would stop throttle and brake from both using the RZ axis number 3. Sure enough, in Windows / Game Controllers, it was set as combined axes. Definitely one to watch for. All seems OK now!

Hi Jatko
I was on the NDR server tonight and yes it was pretty crazy - at least at the back, where I usually am. I've just been setting up Airio on my own server and there are some settings in there which look like they could automate a lot of the process of weeding out problem drivers for you, I think it can even detect and spectate overly slow drivers, blue-flag-ignorers and wild crashers, have a look in the .fil.txt file. Personally I find the bad language distracting too but that's probably just me - but with such huge fields of cars and people waiting to race, if you could get as much automated as possible it will avoid you having to set up any more "limads" than you need. Just a thought

Just getting to grips with LFS Lapper for the first time. Is it possible to rotate track by time (every n hours, days, etc.) rather than by number of races?

Sorry to hear CTRA is having troubled times. I hope it keeps going as it's the first place I look for competitive fun racing most times of day. And I'm still working my way up the licence tree!

Some ideas I had that might alleviate the situation, in no particular order:
a) have "seasons" with a week or two's break every couple of months to give an opportunity to clear any report backlogs, have a break, implement bug fixes / improvements / rule changes etc.
b) try and further automate some aspects of racing that can cause situations that lead to reports, e.g. quickly auto-spectating idle drivers, those who drive the wrong way, those who are overly slow, those who have a blue flag on their screen for more than (n) seconds - if any of these were possible it could ease the reports pressure a bit
c) open the pits later in the race for mid race joiners
d) as others have said, recruit some more assistance for report processing although maybe reducing the possibilities for report situations to occur would make this less necessary

Probably others too. Let's hope it can keep going as it's a very good framework, retaining interest in pick up racing for experienced racers whilst offering a structured introduction to sim racing for newbies.

I'm happy to go with the flow. I am only really used to the FBM and XFG, so anything that gets me to race something different will be great. Also good to try some of the tracks I haven't tried much like FE Black and Aston Historic. Trying a new car and a new track together though will be a big challenge!

Ah, I mean familiar from Race 1 and Single Seater 1. I've done all the Aston "tarmac" in an FBM for example but only as National, Cadet etc. - not all strung together like Historic.

Ventured on to Race 2 for the first time myself yesterday, previously it always seemed empty. Good to try some different cars and circuits, managed to get within 6s of everyone else on Aston Historic in something I'd never driven before so pleased with that. The new circuits are really just the Race 1 ones stuck together so most of the corners were at least familiar. Also hadn't realised the XFG and XRG were now available on there, must have missed an announcement. Would be great to get more racers on there though.

Ditto. Happy to chip in and help where I can.

Sorry to hear that EQ. I am also a bit out of shape but mainly down to too much Christmas food. I need to get back on the Wii Fit. Will another AA member be able to take over the organising do you think, or is it something only you can do?

PS Scalextric is a UK brand of slot car (www.scalextric.com is the web site).

Well it wasn't last Sunday, turned up at 8.30 and "no drivers" - Presumably this week? I see you are now sporting [AA] in front of your name Rocci, I was thinking of doing likewise! I am now racing as "Deslotted" rather than under my "modelmotorracing" licence name which was too long I thought. For a while I tried "profscooter" which is a name I use on other forums (long story) but I then had people asking me what make and size my scooter was and of course I don't have one : Deslotted refers to the fact that when not racing on LFS I am racing Scalextric cars, hence when on LFS I am "de-slotted"!

Quote from lbm323 :

I have an s2 licence but i enjoy the formula BWM. in the Black Wood track i cant go any faster than 1:17-1:18. I have a driving force gt wheel. i tried the default seup and the blackwood race that it comes with. i dont know how to set up a car. what can i do. i feel like im drving agressive and if i push a little more i go over the limit and spin out. is there a secret. i see guys run 1:13's effortlessly. what can i do to improve my times. i know practice practice practice but i already do.

I also find Blackwood GP a challenge in the FBM and struggle to get quick times consistently. It's one of the toughest tracks I reckon, and one slight error (particularly the turn 2/3 chicane) can cost you a lot of time on the long straight. Also the climbs and dips on the way back to the start line can cost more time if your gears are not quite optimised. Certainly worth getting into an on-line race to get some real experience. I find I do my best laps when I am just a car or two's length behind someone who is just a little bit faster than me - in the desperate chase to hang on to his (or her) tail I find new ways to approach a corner with the result that I set a new PB on that lap. Then I am so shocked by the "new PB" message appearing on screen that I spin off at Turn 1!