I can say, I was really expecting this day to happen as soon as possible!
Almost 7 months since one of the sad events that happened in my life (the post before this one), now finally I can return properly to sim racing. Had a nice race hours ago in the Algarve GT3, I still kind of "rusty" but I am expecting to get the rhythm soon, and race side by side with the great guys here that I had the pleasure to play against.
Bought a new G27, man I gotta say, new leather smells GOOD ;D
Sadly, the laptop that I bought is giving me graphics worst than the previous one, 3 years older. Bloody Nvidia Optimus. But it's not that what is gonna stop me from racing :)
See you guys on track o/
Well guys, I tried to post this last friday from my brother's Galaxy Tab, but I'm quite sure it was unsuccessful...
Last friday (13) my house got robbed by 4 guys, with my family (including me) as hostages. They took all the most expensive electronics from the house, like laptops, cell phones, computer parts, my G27. I suffered more, cause the most part of my clothes and my shoes gone too. Anyway, gladly no one got hurt after all, but the material damage was big.
Sadly I will have to leave sim racing by now with no prediction of return. I'm using my current savings to get all the things we lost back, the laptop which I'm using now is brand new, and my wheel and gaming gears still far from priority on all this. I'm waiting the moment to come back here at full throttle, I like a lot this community. I will be watching things happen closely, but not racing ;)
* Team Owners, I left the teams to open up space to drivers that can really help. Thank you guys for your invitations, was a pleasure work with you guys.
Bye Bye,
Felipe
Well, my records say that I joined here May 08 2011, but I consider my official join date here Jun 29, 2011 when I did my first race, the superceded version of Sebring DRM. Barely I knew that race was the beginning of something great :)
I don't remember how I met R2P, but I'm quite sure it was with an advertising about guest members. From the time I registered and my first race my lack of confidence was awful, since I didn't ran too much online events at that time (and my memories were not good about it), and less races with a wheel. So I had to do some offline practice to gain some morale and make sure that I would never mess up with the races I join.
That time I was recently unemployed (best thing I did was left out that company :P), so I was racing a lot here, like somebody that should race everything he could until he can't anymore. I remember days when I was racing like 4 events in a day, between Euro and USA. Yes, was crazy, but I was loving :).
2 weeks later a new job opportunity came, but at that moment was already too late: R2P became a routine and I couldn't let that go away. My frequency of races had diminished, but not that much. An average of 3,4 races per week If I'm not mistaken.
The better part was, I was having fun again with games that I was already bored of playing (specially GTR2, who introduced me to sim racing). R2P basically renewed my sim race experience. And here I am, all that time racing regularly, and still having fun to it.
My numbers until the current moment:
275 events (average of aprox. 3 races at each 4 days)
26,891 miles (Wait for me George :D)
119 podiums
31 wins (1 at each 9 events)
28 poles
23 DNF (23 times pissed off with myself =/)
Of these 275 events, 2/3 are sports car events, so the GT guys that raced in the last year know me very well ;)
After this text, some thanks I think I need to give:
- At first, Tim & Todd for allowing guest members to join (and know I'm a proud supporting member)
- All the guys who invited me to their current teams, specially OG (who is no longer here), the first to believe I could contribute to a team, and Nikola Vrhovski, who became a good friend of mine thinking on sim racing.
- All the guys who helped me with setups, driving and etcetera, I can guarantee your help was fundamental to my evolution as sim racer.
- And finally, all the drivers who gave to me the most important thing on this entire package: FUN. Sad, but they are too much to mention :D
Thanks R2P community for everything. Cheers!
Felipe
For those who want to give a try :D
Full Story and download links: http://www.tltracks.com/2012/01/putnam-park-rfactor-2/
Putnam Park v0.2 for rFactor2
Installation
Please do not distribute in any other form.
To install place the mod in rFactor2\Packages folder.
Run Launch rFactor, and then choose Manage Mods.
Under Options detick show Mods Only
Right Click on the Putnam Park entry and Install
Track only appears under All Cars and Tracks Series in
Single Player
Features, Limitations & Known Errors
* Includes Main Layout Only
* Includes Dynamic Wet Weather Reflections, but not all objects have correct reflection plane
* Real Road Fully Setup
* Includes Custom HDR Profiles
* Includes Interesting Default Weather (i.e. it rains and then stops!)
* Known Error with Trees, for some reason some are very dark, seems to be Tools export error.
* No Track Marshalls yet, awaiting ISI to release their files
* Track Component only – to race online requires a series with it added
* Shadows aren’t very good – Engine Issue on the whole I think though.
How to Install to Dev Mode
Install Normally, then go to rFactor2\Installed\Locations\Putnam Park.2
Extract Putnam_Main.mas to Locations\Putnam
Putnam_Long.mas to Locations\Putnam\Putnam_Lo?ng
Putnam_GMTs.mas to Locations\Putnam\PutnamMes?h
Putnam_Maps.mas to Locations\Putnam\PutnamTex?tures
Credits
Track Modeling and AIW – Alex Sawczuk
Textures, TSO Modeling and AIW – Luc Van Camp
Cameras – Luigi Campastri
Found the link for this track in a sim racing forum. Done by the FVR guys (one of the "rivals" of ORSM speaking on V8s), this is the shortened version of Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) that V8 Supercars is using since 2010. In this track happens the event (held last week) where international drivers are invited to join the regulars in 2 300km races.
Link for the track: http://www.mediafire.com/?ma081hyl8d548zb
Video of the last laps of race 1 of last weekend (Amazing):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3eeDmNnIdY
I'm not posting this track at the rFactor mod/track testing cause I'm not good to do a good avaliation of a track for use here. But I really believe that this layout can give good online races. So maybe an more experiencied guy who liked the track too can do it for us :D
After this sad Oct 16 (R.I.P. Dan), some good news:
http://www.virtualr.net/game-stock-car-patch-track-pack-available/
Reiza Studios have released the patch for their Game Stock Car title that was released back in July, fixing various glitches and adding a bunch of new features to the title.
Changelog
[General]
Added support for G27 LEDs;
Fixed bug that could cause Game to freeze in multiplayer when going from qualifying to race;
Fixed bug that could cause game to freeze at the end of the track loading screen;
Fixed warm-up functionality in multiplayer (even though the real Stock Car series dont run a sunday warmup);
Updated D3D9.dll do minimize issues with some OSD display tools (such as FRAPs);
Added in-game support for custom skins (in showroom menu);
Fixed some UI glitches;
Added support for 3rd Spring settings in Garage 2 (for future add-on cars);
Added series selection option in main menu (for future add-on cars);
[Rules]
Removed rule that forced a pitstop before lap 20;
Adjusted parc ferme rules to allow fuel and brake adjustments before race;
Increased formation lap speed to 100 km/h;
corrected maximum refueling capacity at pitstops to 35l (as per real refuelling tanks);
[Tracks]
Accuracy of fuel consumption estimate improved in several tracks;
Adjusted cutting detection at Salvador chicane;
Various AIW improvements;
Fixed no speed limit indication at Santa Cruz;
Fixed mesh hole inside the S of Londrina;
Several adjustments to minor graphical glitches.
[Physics]
Several small adjustments to perfect handling accuracy following new data and driver feedback – better braking stability, less chance to lock the wheels under braking, smoother traction, improved turn-in grip, better cold tire behavior (despite changes, laptimes are expected to remain the same);
Added AI tire wear;
Fixed problem that could cause some PCs to slow down at slow speed;
[Sounds]
Lowered minimum volume for opponent´s engines;
[Localization]
Added support for french language;
Fixed some errors in portuguese and english translations.
Free track pack, adding new layouts:
-Brasilia Full Course;
-Curitiba External Ring;
-Interlagos Chicane Café;
-Jacarepaguá Curva Sul;
-Londrina 2009;
-Velopark 2011.
EDIT: A new Reiza teaser of a possible add-on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo3ptD9zCII&feature=player_embedded
Downloads on the VirtualR page.
We cancelled the use of the game here cause of the freezing problem on qualify. Now that the bug is fixed, any objections to use this sim?
Only saw now, but was released yesterday.
http://www.racedepartment.com/team-orsm/64425-v8factor-unleashed-v1-1-has-been-released.html
2010 and 2011 seasons included, saying that this one is the last main release for rFactor (1?), but addons for other seasons can come later.
3 weeks for our Bathurst... too late to test it and put in approval?