1973 Indianapolis 500 [May 31st]

Jason White wrote:

I just wanted to post some important information for our 1973 Indy 500 this coming Sunday (PMs have also been sent out).  You may already be aware of this information, but we just want to be sure.   

Our 1973 Indy track has a lot of detail items, and while it looks nice, that also means a lot of data and graphics to process.  Add to this the fact that 34 cars will be on track at once (33 drivers plus the pace car), and those of you with older computers may find you cannot run the race at full graphic settings.  Even if you have a new, fast computer, we encourage you to run an offline test with 33 AI cars to make sure your computer does not have FPS (frames per second) issues.  If FPS issues do occur, you can adjust your rFactor display settings until they subside (for example, "high" setting for all car details; "low" setting for track detail).  Also, there is a 4 GB patch you can apply to rFactor, this will further ensure that FPS will not be a problem.  More information on the patch can be found here:
http://www.ntcore.com/4gb_patch.php

On Saturday @ 20h00 Paris time, we will be having an optional practice session on the server; our "Carb Day" --  This will be an opportune time to practice 3-wide rolling starts behind the pace car.  If you are available, we encourage you to take part.  

Thank you again for participating, and we wish you good luck in Sunday's 500 mile race!   

BUMP

I echo what Jason said Sven, thanks for your comments

The effort we put into this is always more enjoyable if the mod and the events are not just to our liking but also give people some fun

Sven Selbmann wrote:

this upcoming 500 really feels special. i mean the server open for the whole "month of may", the qualifying and finally the 500 itself on sunday. it really brings that indy feeling to me. not to mention the superb mod combined with the outstanding rendition of the track. nicely done guys, nicely done. a dream for a simracer with a softspot for indy. thank you guys. i know it isn't over but it's already a pleasure to be part of it.

Ditto!

Sven Selbmann wrote:

thats what i would do. i just remembered a 500 i did a couple of years ago. i wanted to pit but another driver thought i just wanted to break the draft because i was running a different fuel strategy, so he stayed right behind me. had to run another lap. no harm was done but i was close on running out of fuel.

Good point, maybe, it should be part of the prerace briefing on the server ?

Something like : before the final pitstop, if you go into the pits, you stay close to the inside wall
and if you want to break the draft, you can go near the inside wall after pit entry to make sure there's no confusion.
After the final pitstop, there's no rule, game on

Good point indeed.

I believe if you go full to the left of the backstretch and stay there nobody will follow you as turn 3 gets closer. It will not just be obvious that you are going to pit, but also that the better line through that turn (And passing you) is for the car who goes again back to the right.

You can then brake before entering turn 3 on the inside and stay low all the time. Remember that these cars have jokes instead of brakes in superspeedway trim (Some idiots went as far as mounting motorcycle brake discs and caused massive accidents), so you will have to be losing speed already before entering turn 3.

But the briefing should cover this, no doubt

Jason White wrote:

I just wanted to post some important information for our 1973 Indy 500 this coming Sunday (PMs have also been sent out).  You may already be aware of this information, but we just want to be sure.   

Our 1973 Indy track has a lot of detail items, and while it looks nice, that also means a lot of data and graphics to process.  Add to this the fact that 34 cars will be on track at once (33 drivers plus the pace car), and those of you with older computers may find you cannot run the race at full graphic settings.  Even if you have a new, fast computer, we encourage you to run an offline test with 33 AI cars to make sure your computer does not have FPS (frames per second) issues.  If FPS issues do occur, you can adjust your rFactor display settings until they subside (for example, "high" setting for all car details; "low" setting for track detail).  Also, there is a 4 GB patch you can apply to rFactor, this will further ensure that FPS will not be a problem.  More information on the patch can be found here:
http://www.ntcore.com/4gb_patch.php

On Saturday @ 20h00 Paris time, we will be having an optional practice session on the server; our "Carb Day" --  This will be an opportune time to practice 3-wide rolling starts behind the pace car.  If you are available, we encourage you to take part.  

Thank you again for participating, and we wish you good luck in Sunday's 500 mile race!   

Yet another option is to adjust this line in the PLR file:

Garage Detail="1.00000" // LOD multiplier when vehicle is in garage (0.01-1.00)

Should keep the cars in the garage from busting your framerate, although I'm not sure if it makes THE difference with this mod and this track.

See you all on Saturday

Really looking forward to this race. Also was hoping to ask about a few things before Sunday's race.

I've never raced here but would assume the racing typically goes very well. However, in previous IndyCar races in other leagues, there's a few things that really have caused problems which I was hoping to touch upon:

1. Chop-blocking - when you go right across someone's nose when they have a run and are about to be beside you, it more often than not leads to trouble. When I experienced this in another league, one driver was doing it a lot and it ended up leaving to drivers getting pissed off and leaving.
2. Lapped cars blocking - I understand how cars want to really stay on the lead lap, but I've actually been pushed into the grass on the frontstretch while besides a car I was lapping because he was so hell-bent to be on the lead lap. He claimed he was "holding his line" but he wasn't there for the next race.
3. Wrecks - I've watched countless times where drivers will not slow for wrecks and pile into those trying to avoid them, ruining both of their races. Heck, that might have been the reason why 1 Indy 500 I was in had 95 out of 200 laps under caution - NOT FUN!

Anyways, thank you for reading this. Again, I don't assume the drivers here will do any of this, but I thought I'd bring it to everyone's attention as these have all happened in most of the IndyCar oval races I have been in.

Marc Cohn wrote:

2. Lapped cars blocking - I understand how cars want to really stay on the lead lap, but I've actually been pushed into the grass on the frontstretch while besides a car I was lapping because he was so hell-bent to be on the lead lap. He claimed he was "holding his line" but he wasn't there for the next race.

There's no Safety Car in this race, so there would be no reason for a lapped car to block, as he won't be saved by Ben Hogg to stay on the lead lap.

You need the Ben Hogg's Cad' to stay in the lead lap, send me your IBAN before the race and a pm during the race when you need my services.

Quote :

I've never raced here but would assume the racing typically goes very well.

People here are not as used to ovals as in US leagues, but if those leagues you get all the manevuers you listed, I guess you will like the driving here more

Ben Paulet wrote:

You need the Ben Hogg's Cad' to stay in the lead lap, send me your IBAN before the race and a pm during the race when you need my services.

Can you do CART races too ? Martin is useless at that

If you need, I can. I'm waiting for your IBAN, now.

JP Campmajo wrote:

Marc Cohn wrote:

2. Lapped cars blocking - I understand how cars want to really stay on the lead lap, but I've actually been pushed into the grass on the frontstretch while besides a car I was lapping because he was so hell-bent to be on the lead lap. He claimed he was "holding his line" but he wasn't there for the next race.

There's no Safety Car in this race, so there would be no reason for a lapped car to block, as he won't be saved by Ben Hogg to stay on the lead lap.

You'd be surprised, I've seen people block regardless of this factor when it is so much easier if they simply give the leader the inside line. Some people just think they own the track even if they are about to get lapped or laps down

Marc another thing that will be changing is a wrecked (or in the process of wrecking) car will be able to ESC out before coming to a halt to avoid mass disaster. I am not sure when one of the senior admins will make the change but it will be in place for the race on Sunday. Hopefully for carb day also.

If anyone does the stupid driving methods you spoke of they will likely have raced their last race here. Things do happen but blatant stupidity often gets attention here.

Oh, no, I'm not surprised as I have seen a lot of idiotic behaviors, and had my issues with lapped cars - from someone blocking while I was alongside, to the lapped car trying (and failing ) to crash me.

I reacted more to the "stay on the lead lap at all costs" which should happen less when you don't have a Safety Car to save you (I did that myself on the CART races here, and it saved my race).
As Mike said, stupid driving will be noticed, especially now it's on TV.

JP Campmajo wrote:

As Mike said, stupid driving will be noticed, especially now it's on TV.

I forgot about that. "For all to see and critique!!"

JP Campmajo wrote:

As Mike said, stupid driving will be noticed, especially now it's on TV.

Specially since you are commentating too , you will be sure to highlight it, right?

Ben,
You sure to lead us all the right direction, not like the transam pitwall kiss

Mike Becnel wrote:

Marc another thing that will be changing is a wrecked (or in the process of wrecking) car will be able to ESC out before coming to a halt to avoid mass disaster. I am not sure when one of the senior admins will make the change but it will be in place for the race on Sunday. Hopefully for carb day also.

If anyone does the stupid driving methods you spoke of they will likely have raced their last race here. Things do happen but blatant stupidity often gets attention here.

Arh, I thought not being able to esc out was a welcome bit of realism so I shall most respectfully disagree with your decision

Will there be a qual session on Saturday or just the race?

Carb day sat. No qual. Field is set.


I assure you the ESC out thing will likely prevent loss of half of the field in an early race crash. I doubt everyone will be ready for the full effect of the loss of wing down force in traffic.

Note to everyone...there is massive loss of wing down force in traffic. Passing is NOT easy. Slower might be faster long term. Take note you can raise and lower wing angle in the pits.

Jukka Maattanen wrote:

Will there be a qual session on Saturday or just the race?

Race day is on SUNDAY   --  Carb Day on Saturday is just an optional session to practice 3-wide starts and running in packs.

Jason White wrote:

Carb Day on Saturday is just an optional session to practice 3-wide starts and running in packs.

Got it

François Remmen wrote:

Ben,
You sure to lead us all the right direction, not like the transam pitwall kiss

I've 2 laps to do, I hope I can to lead you without death kiss. So stressing.

Anyone fancy coming online for a bit of pack racing practice?