A lot of the racers today (Sunday) from the SimHQ Touring Car Series probably don't know me, and I don't really know many of you. There was a time a few years ago that I ran in just about every SimHQ sponsored event, and a few of the big endurance series for other sites in a SimHQ car. I took part in some sort of race two or three times a week for a couple years. Then I bought a house in the country at the end of 2008. So far out in the country that there was no kind of high speed internet to be had. Two and a half years later the 21st century finally arrived in my area and although slow to many at 5.5Mbps...I'm back.

Man did I miss it too!

The very first race today I felt like Steve McQueen in "LeMans". Heartbeat racing, clock ticking, sweaty palms, wait for the lights...

For my first race weekend back I don't think I got into anybody too badly. I know there was some contact in a couple races, but it wasn't intentional, and other than wrecking out at lap 3 in the 20 minute race (stupid cement tire barrier) and losing my hood after rear ending somebody in a slow start in the 10 minute race, I pretty much kept the fenders on.

I plan on making as many races as I can now. Just a little rusty, but man was that fun!

That was, indeed, fun. I was just ahead of you when you got into the tire barrier. I happened to be looking in the mirror when you spinning/wrecking. I almost spun off myself, as I was laughing so hard.

It was nice to see you back on track. I didn't get to do much door to door with you, so I had to settle with clouting you after the end of the race. hehe.

Oh that was you?!? I didn't have labels on...and forget how to turn them on so I didn't know who was around me at any time. That's why I didn't plow into you at the checkers because I didn't know who it was and if I'd piss somebody off...lol. Just glad my TIR was working! So many times I was getting ready to change lines and then I'd look over to see a car right beside me. Scared me a couple times...lol.

I'm ready for Wednesday!

I too had an absolute blast today!! I also need to apologize to those that got hammered by my over optimistic moves. I am not used to driveing with such abandon but it seems a bit more aggression is OK with these cars. I'm just not good at initiating passing moves. It is not something I get to do all that often.

I think the TAB key is the default for labels.

Dave

Yep, tab for labels Weasy.

And you have the 3 virtual mirrors available. If you forgot how to activate them (even with TrackIR):
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3206279/Using_multiple_cockpit_mirrors.html

Good to see you back racing with us again.

I second that.. i had an absolute blast. Those first 2 sprint races were some of the most fun i have had sim racing.

My missis caused me 2 accidents though.. On the start of race 1 she spoke to me just as we went green and i missed the start and ended up getting rear ended and on race 3 she shouted "the Grand prix is starting".. this was swiftly followed by me saying hello to a barrier.

Anyway, i can see me staying up for Wednesdays races as i enjoyed it so much.

It was indeed very much fun.

Even though I only got to drive the first 5 lap race - it was my first race online (and here) for a long time and it was a brilliant way to get back into it.

Thanks to all who helped organise the event.

After the first race I kept getting a CTD. Don't know if I was showing up as joining the server, but everything seemed okay until a few seconds after the garage monitor appearing, then it shut down - 4 times in a row. Furstrating! I have had a similar issue quite a while ago that turned out to be a clash with TS - so in future I will run TS on my netbook instead and see how that works. In the week I practiced a lot on the server with no issues (but also without TS running).

W-K, nice to see you again and have some more bashfests racing alongside you.

I was just in front of you for the last few laps in race 1. I kept sliding wide on the corners because my pedal unit had slipped away from my feet and I was using my tip-toes to brake and accelerate, with the pedals ending up at a 45° angle, only just within reach.
Each time I slid wide, you tried to come through, but I managed to pull away enough on the exits to keep you behind.

The guy between us (Myrig - as above) managed to get past, though - never mind.

On the last lap I saw you in my mirrors, swerving all over the place and trying to keep it on the black stuff - I hope I didn't hit you, I was trying very hard not to.

Roll on Autumn Ring - can't wait.

JD

PS - Dave, don't worry about it too much - unless things have changed here (I doubt it) these fun races are just that - so there is inevitably a bit of bashing and grinding going on. As long as it isn't malicious, I don't think you should be too concerned.

Johnny, that last lap was my charge to try and gain the spot. I got a little too deep and almost wiped myself out. You were clean the whole time. Great job keeping your cool with your pedals sliding across the floor...lol.

Myrig, one thing my wife is great about, she knows when I'm racing to stay away and she never bothers me. I've had similar incedents in the past, but she knows this is one of my very few hobbies so she lets me play.

The 3 virtual mirrors surprised/disappointed me in this race. Weasy (I love that nick , reminds me of that old show “The Jeffersons”) came up to pass me and we were side by side for a while. I was wondering ... where did Weasy go? There was absolutely no indication in my rear or side mirrors as to his whereabouts so I just held my line and he eventually passed me on the right. I guess I might have to start using my TIR or get quicker with the look left/look right buttons in this series.

Lots of fun none the less!

Did you change your seat position? That will change the mirrors too. You can adjust the mirrors with the seat adjust buttons while holding the "shift" key.

I've used TIR since day one of sim racing and I'd be totally lost without it. I love being able to look through a corner to see where I need to be or what's coming up, plus like I mentioned above I can see a car pulling up beside me to pass.

I might give the virtual mirrors a try. My normal mirrors seem so small.

Thanks for that tip. I was always scared to move my seat because my mirrors would be off.

Great tip about the mirror adjustment and I wish I could get it to work! I tried moving my seat and mirrors all over the place and also messed with the mirror/headmovement params in my PLR file but still no luck. This is what I always see ...

Where's car 13? ...



There's car 13! ...

I've never seen a rearview mirror that would show what's beside you.

Yeah that side mirror is only going to show what's at your rear right quarter panel, not anything forward of that.

Don't worry about the mirror. You have a bigger problem. Your back door is missing.

Awww, I thought there might be a miracle cure to my "side mirror" problem I know they don't actually exist in real life but was hoping they would in rFactor to allow for more situational awareness.

Anyway, TIR is turned on and it looks like the modelling of the interior of these OSC cars is barely half done.

I know you are refering to real life Darren, but actually in one of Papyrus's Nascar games the rear view mirror was in three sections with the side segments showing side views. It would be great if Rfactor 2 would incorporate that idea.