Is reinstalling GPL out of the question Bill? It runs fine on W7 64 bit, and has been massively updated with new graphics, physics and various mods.

edit -

they emailed me the CD Key for Steam downloading now..

Wow I had not seen that rF2 video before that Spa '67 looks terrific, looking forward to rF2 even more now... brings back great memories of GPL and VROC and my Gurney Eagle on that track, I may have to dig out the GPL CD and revisit it while I wait.

Jens, for me it isn't out of the question! Had it updated on my PC in '07 or so, and that PC went down in flames. I bought GPL in '98 and it was always a special thing

On Win7 64 now, with a radeon card and I have been itching to try GPL again. I was watching youtube vids today and...well, I think if I don't drive a Lotus 49 at Monza and a GT40 MKII at Spa soon, I'm a-gonna die

But only a few years ago, it seemed like a difficult process to just 'jump in' and get everything updated. I was updating one thing here, another there...for weeks

is there a simpler install now?

If you enjoyed GPL, you won't enjoy Codemasters' F1 201X titles. We have yet to try the 2011 version, but the 2010 version had some issues, and the one and only patch for it made things worse. See our review here for details.

If you liked GPL, it works fine on Win7 64 bit (I have it on mine). Again, SimHQ did a nice piece on how to install it on a modern PC. I followed the article's instructions and it worked to a T. That would definitely give you a nostalgic flashback, yet with revised graphics to give the game a little better look than the original. And modern PCs run it with all the graphics settings max'd out with no problems.

As someone else said below, rFactor with the F1 1971 mod is really a hoot. My first racing sim was GPL, and the 71 mod really gives you a lot of the same feel, but with higher fidelity physics based on a 7 year younger game engine. Also nice about rFactor is that it was designed as a framework for freeware mods. There's a ton out there, the best all recommended in this forum, and all free. Like you, I enjoy an evening of just driving alone in practice, mastering a track, and besting my own lap times. rFactor works quite well for that, and is huge bang-for-buck due to the plethora of freeware content available.

If you're after a satisfying single-player racing experience, SimBin's GTR2/Race07/GTR Evo/Race ON titles (all based on the rFactor game engine but with different AI, graphics, weather, etc) are some of the best out there at the moment. Good stock game content, and a fair amount of freeware mods and add-ons as well.

Here's some links to SimHQ racing content on the above:
GPL (re)Installation Guide
F1 2010 Review
GTR2 Review
Race 07 Review
10th Anniversary of Sim Racing

Finally, here's a YouTube video we did to help virtual drivers master a track for an upcoming event, featuring rFactor and a solo hot-lap from in-car: Fast Lap: Fuji