LFS seems to have all the necessary physical goop, although... I'm not the guy to know that....

Could be controlled with only mouse and keboard. Here's what you need:

• Gravity and a downhill track
  
• Tire physics that could model urothane tread, tire hardness, tire width, tire diameter, and wheel core diameters (Tire physics could be a trip because different wheels have square or rounded edges for grip or slidability, offset centers for same, or hollowed out outside edges for flex pattern.)
  
• Two axles that pivot at different degrees, setable
  
• Two bushings for each axle, changable stiffness and preload
  
• Wheel base and ride height
  
• The ability to push start (key)
  
• Front and rear foot pressue (mouse)
  
• Lateral pressure for both feet (mouse)
  
• Three different tucks and stand up, adjustable (key)
  
• Left or right, or left and right arm positioning, adjustable (key)
  
• Aero for different tucks, air braking, and drafting
  
• Lean turns or rail grab turns (key to grab)
  
• Pressure for hands on ground, adjustable (thereby taking weight of the wheels for sliding) (key)
  

What you got is stand up downhill skateboarding. (Laying down, or luge, is for sissies.) I'm telling you right now, there is nothing like going 60mph sideways around corners on a vehicle that is smaller than your shadow. Race strategy and drafting are a gas. Depending on the course, getting the hole shot is either a sucker move, or the only way to win. It's really cool... over 50mph and you can't just fling an arm out or change stance suddenly, the wind will put you down, HARD.

It's a life style, so falls squarely into the "Live For Speed" category. Having just placed 8th at the U.S. Nationals downhill pro division, I know a few guys who are the best in the world, and one in particular that would go ape nutty to work with you on it. The skateboard industry, especially downhill, is really grass roots. Liscencing would be a no money venture. The guys I know would be happy just to have their gear represented in public.

With mouse control, every kid in the world would download it.

Man... pass that sh*t!! :banana_ra

How is this an improvement to LFS? You are talking about a different project entirely. A cool concept for many people I'm sure but moving this to off-topic section.

Cool idea man! Though i think we should wait for them to finish their job on LFS first

great idea and write up but since when has downhill skateboarding been popular? the early X-games?

Quote from Gunn :

How is this an improvement to LFS? You are talking about a different project entirely. A cool concept for many people I'm sure but moving this to off-topic section.

Not a different project. Just another 4 wheel vehicle in the garage. You know... S4, or something...

Quote from mattlikespeoples :

great idea and write up but since when has downhill skateboarding been popular? the early X-games?

I guess you have to do it. It is absolutely the most serene, one-on-one-with-nature sport I've tried. When I'm bombing up the straight at WE INT in my FRR, the wind roaring in my ears, it really reminds me of DH. Cut the engine noise, add the thrill of no conventional brakes, and 6 man heats... You handle a skateboard exactly the same way you handle a car, but without drive to the wheels. Oversteer, understeer, drafting, strategy, and the will to go to the limit is what it's all about.

Let's put it this way. I dragged in LFS for all of half an hour two years ago. Done with that. I'd be racing DH every night.

As a stand alone, I can see it won't be a sale item. But as an additional 'car', well... word would get around and there would be at least a few who would only skate in the sim.

Skateboarding in LFS?, personally I would say its not a good idea, it would turn me off for sure, LFS is about MOTOR racing, the emphasis is on the "motor".......

Dan.