Okay kids, prove me wrong.

People are asking for a 2.4 hour race. Lets see who has the time and interest to practice.

SimHQ Motorsports 1 is online right now with the 1970 CSGT mod running 3 classes at Orchard Lake. No password.

Download link (updated):
http://www.simhq.net/downloads/motorsports/rfactor/SimHQ_2.4_Deuce2/1970WSCV1.0.rar

Fill up the entry log.
Go ahead. I double-dog-dare-you.

Any chance of a different link, that one stops after a minute for me.

Sure.

http://www.simhq.net/downloads/motorsports/rfactor/SimHQ_2.4_Deuce2/1970WSCV1.0.rar

Could you send a message out to the regulars? As it's not a sticky this one could easily be missed when browsing the forums (I almost missed it ) Great idea though. Let's hope we can get a decent enough level of interest.

Stickied. Yep, I will send out a pm.

Thanks doug. Come on guys. Let's show him we can still get a turn-out together.

I'll join.

Are you giving us a date to make or just looking for interest for an open date?

I will be there if at all possible, whenever it is.

First I'm looking for a server log full of people.

If there is not enough drivers who have the time and/or interest to run on the test server, I won't schedule the race event.

im in (depending on start time) but perhaps with the endurance series mod

Gotcha.

Everyone go log onto the server!

Hi

I saw it in the lobby, SimHQ running LM70 at Orchard.
Only one person showing to be ingame.

Anyway, if this does take place, I'll do everything I can to make it.

It's pretty typical when a server is up for practice that only 1 person might be on. What Doug is looking for when he reads the server logs is not how many people are on simultaneously, but how many unique people log on and spend time on the server.

What kind of lap times is anyone managing so far? My best is a 1:26.1 in the Ferrari, but this is my first day ever of driving at this track.

I got a 26 with a porche, but the cars understeer so much it's frustrating.

Hmm, interested here, may practice on the weekend, but downloading now...

Cool mod music and pre video.

I dunno purolator. AHmad might be able to win even if he didn't have a car

I'm with you on the 28th November. I'm also not available that weekend.

I'm in if this race is on a Sunday ....love this mod ...pb of 1.23.2 with a Ferrari so far...

In the eight days since I started this thread, 11 people have tested at least once. That's not nearly enough to schedule a 2h24min endurance event since history shows at least 2-3 people will drop out a day or two before the race.

I'll let it run one more full week to see if anyone else shows up.

Goon
Pierre1
Purolator
Alex Coutie
Joe
Ian S
SpyDoc
birdski
Ben Holt
DJ Carney
guod

Sign me up, Ill try to do the full 2.4 hour race.

My best lap so far is a 1:25.3x.

I hope some more of you will show interest in this event...

I won't be racing I tried it out, I don't like the track, mod or length of race.

The mod doesn't suit me, but I like the track and the personal challenge of the 2.4 hours solo.
I'll try my level best to be available for whatever date the event might be.

I'm not a great fan of the mod so far, but I'm enjoying it more with each drive. The cars are quite gentle to drive consistently so I think they are a good choice for a 2.4hr race. The track takes some learning. Luckily I found a mod that gives an overhead track map on the HUD so that helped me learn it far quicker.

Come on guys. You know we want a 2.4hr race. This is quite a short track so it should be a lot busier than 2.4hrs at LeMans with the same number of drivers (3.7km track so 10 cars = 1 car per 370m, compared to over 1.3km per car at LeMans).

I looked today, but didn't see the server.
Next time I have my wheel hooked up, I will check again.
But you can count me in, if this takes place.

I've seen more than a couple of you comment on not being real excited about the mod.

So if we switched to P1 and P2 cars in this mod, would that change your interest?

I know some of you love the 1970 mod and hopefully you'd still run if we were to switch?

I would be more interested in the newer cars for sure.

Me too. The mod is great for historical simulation, Doug, but these cars are understeery be-otches that really don't want to go around the tight infield corners at Orchard Lake. I have on occasion plowed off the road at T3 going 30 mph.


TailFlamer,
There are a lot of rFactor servers out there; sometimes you need to refresh the list multiple times to see SimHQ show up.

Concur with Joe. I like the nostalgia and sounds of the 1970 mod. But the cars are very hard to drive at this circuit. The tires have very little grip, requiring very delicate and conservative driving. Orchard Lake isn't a super-speedway like Daytona, so you have to lift on the banking in Turn 4 with these cars. And as stated, they do not like the infield corners at all. My best is a 1:23.5 on the stock setup, but I never made it through a stint without wrecking. When the night closes in, the weak tire perfornamce could make for a race in which no one finishes.

While I like this mod a lot, I think the tire model is a bit too conservative - just a bit. It makes the driving so technical that most would find it boring - until they crashed out.

The ILMS mod, however, has its own quirks. The biggest is a tendency to snap into a spin under braking and downshift. It might have something to do with the aero model or the rear axel modeling, I don't know. But this tendancy can be mitigated with mroe rear wing. I like this mod as well, despite its flaws.

Chunx,

I find with a suitable setup and a good line through the flatest and tighest part of the oval (setting up wide and aggressively heading for the apex at the proper point), it is possible to stay flat on the banking. Most laps I do have to lift, though, if even for just a moment to tuck the nose in.

Of course, a setup that helps me get through here fast may be hurting me elsewhere.


Doug, do you by any chance have upgrades disabled on the server? No matter what car I choose I am getting automatic lifts and blips when I shift, despite the fact that I have the manual transmission and H-shifter upgrades installed.

I'll run either, but the newer cars for preference. (Having said that, I had an enormous amount of fun running the Healey last night. )

Gareth

I'll go with either car sets too despite having fun with this mod.
At first i found it very understeery and lack of grip like most of you ,but with a significant amount of practice online with the Ferrari i managed to set up the car to find the right combination working the curbs well in the infield and making in trough the oval at high speed with little problem.
I use the curbs on most of the slow turns (being carefull too keep two wheels on track) accelarating progressivly exiting them avoiding spinoffs.
As for the banking just like Joe said it is a matter of finding the right line and most of the time i have to lift too to go trough the late apex leading to the start/finish line without hitting the wall.My pb is at 1.22.8xx now and a pace of low 1.24 occasionnal 1.23 with heavy fuel. I will post a set up later and hope this with help some of you

Because there are so many rFactor servers, it doesn't always list them all without some refreshing of the menu. By default rFactor lists 400 servers. You can change the default number of servers listed in the multiplayer.ini file in your rFactor directory. Search for Concurrent Server Updates="400" and change it to Concurrent Server Updates="800".

Once you find the server, bookmark it with the procedure that Ktel advises here:
http://simhq.net/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2371309/Re_Matchmaking_down_again.html#Post2371309

Doug hopefully count me in, having a few problems with the CSGT install atm, don't know why.

Just added another server, and its up-and-running for practice.

SimHQ Motorsports 3
motorSportz

Running the ILMS 2.77 mod with P1 and P2 cars
You can download it from here:
http://www.simhq.net/downloads/motorsports/rfactor/SimHQ_2.4_Deuce2/ILMS_v2.77P.rar

Orchard Lake Road Course also

SimHQ Motorsports 1 wth the 1970 WSC mod remains online for those that want to do continued testing.

I'd love to take part whatever the mod, but I need a new computer before I can race again.

You had fun with them at the SimHQ LMS race at Le Mans 1979, didn't you?

You implied that you would have to ponder if you wanted to race with the ILMS cars. I was pointing out that you've already raced in them and enjoyed doing so (or at least that's my belief).

Hi guys, I checked in and ran a bit but did not get logged it seems.
I am up for what ever mod is chosen, I have driven both and they both have their quirks but the fun is the mod, track and drivers combined so with a nice group I think either one will be fine.
If there are no conflicts once the date is decided I will be on the grid . . .

David K.

I think you deserve a straightforward answer. Yes, ILMS was fun while it lasted back then at Le Mans 1979. But right on raceday it all came down in a crushing blow which brought me to the brink of quitting online racing, as I just had the wrong attitude. Luckily an excellent race followed (Silverstone, F1 1988) which I started with a "s*** happens" attitude, but unfortunately I do not manage that attitude all the time. If my mood is getting spoiled during a race nowadays and I may throw a tantrum I stop the car at the pits and quietly leave the server. That's better for me and everyone else.

It could be argued that I still have a score to settle and I should get back in that Castrol MG-Lola therefore. But my heart is simply with the older, classic cars.

Another reason why I am not so fond of using the modern cars is that I'm setup-challenged and the modern cars have far more options to get it right or wrong - and in my case it's always wrong. The 1970s cars make everyone struggle with the setup though, so...

LOL@buffer overload

puro - great point about the modern cars and the setups. The 70s ones do allow you limited options for setups and they don't ever seem to affect the car too much, whereas a poor setup in the newer cars will have you facing the wrong way all day.

I would say get back in the MG-Lola though. Face your demons etc. Part of it could well have been the LeMans track. I don't enjoy it at all (I know, sacrilegious eh?). Orchard Lake is a far simpler track.

Burn the heretic!!!!

I would like a race with this mod too. http://enduracers.com/projects_endurance.html

Purolator, thanks for the explanation. Good point about the setup options, too...

Does anyone else have graphics issues in the rear view mirrors on this track?
I always have had, but never asked about it.
I think it is only this track I have ever seen it.
It is annoying only, not something that would keep me from racing here.

I was on tonight, but didn't do any laps. My wheel wasn't hooked up. I did type in why I was on and why I didn't go out.
I have my wheel hooked up tomorrow to practice for my league races that are Sunday. I will try to get on the sever and do some laps then.

If no one minds, I could post about this at my leagues site. Some there may be interested.
Bye for now

I get it too. It's like in half-life when there is no skybox.

Hi SteV8. We're waiting on the Service Pack 1 to fix some problems, otherwise it would be a first pick.

Goon
Pierre1
Purolator
Alex Coutie
Joe
Ian S
SpyDoc
birdski
Ben Holt
Chunx
David Kennard
Wrecking Crew
TailFlamer

13 people signed-on in 14 days on the two servers. History says 3 will drop out before the race starts because their schedule gets goofy, they have to work, or their gf/wife insists they go shopping. Thanks to those of you that tried. It was a good shot. Both servers have been closed. The Fun Series and GTR2 TCC servers remain online.

If anyone has the time or interest, the Fun Series is tomorrow and the final TCC Series race at Macau is Sunday.

doug,

I respect the decision, but out of interest what level of support were you hoping for? I don't disagree that people would drop out, but we did run the Bathurst 1000 with 8 cars (or so) and that was quite a successful event.

For a special event race with plenty of lead-in: 15 cars on grid, 15-20 signed-up.

Not trying to be a snot Ian, but 8 cars for a special event that I spend hours prepping for isn't successful from my point-of-view. I understand for the 8 drivers it was fun.

No, I don't think you're being a 'snot'. I know the 8 cars would be disappointing for Bathurst but we did have a great deal more drivers (~15 if I remember rightly). I can appreciate that it's a waste of your time spending hours prepping for an event only to have a handful of drivers out.

Let's hope for a better turnout next time. A successful race is one that's fun for both the drivers and the organisers.

Right. IIRC, 15 signed-up and 8 ran it, right?

If anyone wants to send me a private email or PM about what they think went wrong, but racing here is all but dead in spite of efforts. Maybe something I did, didn't do, should have done? Maybe just a general boredom with rFactor but why did the incredible racing at the GTR2 TCC series fade out? If I knew I'd try and fix it.

The Fun Series will continue on Wednesdays and Saturdays until either that conks out or it gets better in attendance. The last two weeks attendance for it has been minimal, so I'm switching back to the tried-and-true Porsche 2007 Mobil Supercup cars at the High Speed Ring in hopes it will rejuvenate interest.

Interesting thoughts. I was hoping this would have stayed open. I'm on the other end of the spectrum. Too many 'real life' things right now to race regularly, but I can still occasionally 'jump in,' and I was hoping this would give me my racing fix. I also have such fond mems of trying the previous endurance races (some at least). Heck, I still have good mems of the 24 hour even that ended up being only -- what---maybe 4 hours or less?

For me, it was going to be easier to do this race, and more bang for the buck. No long term commitments like in a series, just preparing for a single big event.

Too bad.

I truly understand, Doug, and I'm not sure about the reasons for others. For me, I've been doing very little of any gaming, so it's not just racing, but gaming in general. I still enjoy reading over the forums every day or two and the great articles, but I only game in little spurts with an online COD:WAW session here and there. I've got Arma2 and OFP:DR just waiting, not even installed yet.

Thanks for the effort. With my luck, I might have been pulled out to work in the middle of the race anyway

Here's to the next attempt!

Ditto what SpyDoc says. I am lucky to get 2 hours a week doing frivilous things like gaming, and only on weekends in the afternoon. The rest of my weekends revolve around family stuff, and my weekdays are busy as are my weeknights. Heck, I had to got in to work for the first half of my Saturday today!

While I do find those few hours per weekend to do a little racing, it's so hit-or-miss that it won't work with scheduled on-line driving. So, I've been doing off-line single player with RSRBR '09. Looking for consistent free-time to race online has been like chasing a mirage for me, and it's been that way for the last two years.

Ditto Spydoc and Chunx. Too many family obligations when you have kids and a busy job. You can't always get home on weekdays at the designated day and time because of stuff that comes up in the office. This why I treasure racing sims with full-developed A.I. for offline racing. I can boot it up when I do have the time. Sims like F1C, GTR2 and NASCAR Racing 2003 Season, have good to excellent racing A.I. NR2K3 even has adaptable A.I. that you can toggle on and off. In F1C, I went into the .ini file and edited the skill level of every Formula One star, including the Schumachers, to a point where they run with me throughout the race, and races are never predictable or run the same way. It's frankly more fun than multi-player. Seems like in multi-player the guys who race online all the time and are great with setups leave me in the dust. Thene there are the guys who are reckless beyond their skill level and spin out and crash. They always quit cutting the field that finishes down even more. It becomes sort of not fun anymore. I'm not singling out SimHQ for that criticism. That's a problem with all online racing, from my experience.

I'm glad you guys took my advice and stopped scheduling racing on NFL Sundays. That's my only day to relax for several hours, six months out of the year, and watch my favorite sport. I'm not paying through the nose for NFL Sunday Ticket on DirectTV not to watch it. I'm sure it's the same for a lot of other guys.

Best day for me and maybe others is Friday night. I don't do anything on Friday nights. I'm a married man, so I'm not out looking for action. I could race for hours on Friday nights, although this past Friday night I was online with Ghost Recon Classic for hours because there was nobody racing. How old is GR classic? I find more guys doing that oldie but goodie online in a single public server than are racing on any SimHQ servers.

Maybe take a poll to find out when guys are most likely to be available to race? For me it's Friday nights and Sunday mornings (before the NFL games come on). I'm typing this on Sunday morning. I could race for 2-3 hours every Sunday morning, EST, but need to be done by Noon to get ready for the NFL. Of course, there are six months out of the year when there is no NFL football on Sundays. But Saturdays are family chore and errand run days. You finally get to sleep late in the morning, then you get up and do your house maintenance chores, the "daddy" chores, which means running out to Home Depot or Lowes and such. Then you need to take the wife out to dinner and/or the movies on Saturday night, so that pretty much tanks Saturday.

Yup. Sunday morning is great for me for racing. I don't do church. I believe in God but don't believe in institutionalized religion. Friday nights and Sunday mornings. Let's git to racin'!

Sorry, I missed all this happening. Well, it appeared at a busy time over these past few weeks and i kept saying to myself - "I'll join the server at the weekend". That never happened though. This weekend I checked again but noticed it's been shelved - shame.

I'd run either mod if you were considering this again but I'm certainly keen on the historic cars. I know that David K has posted already but I'm sure the rest of Team Average would be interested - depending on the date/time . We're going to be entering the HSO 1000KM @ The Nordschleife http://historicsimracing.ace.st/hso-open-events-f15/nurburgring-1000-km-1970-t502.htm on December 13th, this time with 2 cars and another L2R 24hr veteran from another team joining us.

Re the GTR2 series, possibly it just went on too long. Maybe short 4-5 race series, keep people wanting more. I wanted to join the BMW series but Sunday is family day now for me - unless it's later in the evening.
The SGT series we ran at the beginning of the year was superb - I hope we do that again.

Jon

We'll stick with the Fun Series till after the first of the year then see how everyone is doing time and interest wise.

I'd like to see us do a short 4 race GTR2 series, a 2-3 hour endurance race in rFactor or GTR2, and a short 4 race series in rFactor. But not all at the same time.

But it will depend on how many people raise their hand and say "I'm back!". I've been in email and PM contact with several of the "missing" drivers, and to the person everyone has said they're swamped with life and still have the interest, but not the time.