I just found out today that Tom Middleton was killed on April 14th in a helicopter crash. Tom was a avid Sim racer and raced here at R2P with the Nexus 6 Team. He will be missed.
Here is an article from the Anchorage news.
Anchorage News
See the setting, a group of chairs in a circle and the facilitator with a clip board taking notes as his Marlboro smolders in his nicotine stained fingers. I stand, ashamed with my head hung low and admit "I'm Bill, and I'm a closet road racer." There, I said it. I can't hide it any longer. My wife and children would catch me from time to time. Is that wheel turned to the right? "NO, NO, I'm just spinning out and trying to catch the car." Yes, I thought I had kicked the habit. I went as far as selling all my RC Sims. But slowly and secretly found myself at the alter of Amazon and Best Buy. A few laps won't hurt anyone. So there! I said it. It's out. The North Idaho Hillbilly rubbing elbows with the elite wine and cheese eating poofy pants riding crop carrying road racers. I can hide my shame no longer. So If you see this old man winding his way through the chicane of so [... more]
Racing For Jesus is proud to announce sponsorship of the Delaware 150 this Saturday night. This popular event using rFactor and the TPSCC mod from the Pits is drawing large crowds of talented drivers from around the globe.
Be sure to visit the RFJ web site. RFJ was started by a small group of simracers with the idea of having a stock car racing group where anyone could participate no matter what skill level they were at. At the time it was a novel approach because leagues were turning guys away who couldn't pass a driving test. Even though NASCAR 2003 leagues are dwindling RFJ still has this philosophy. Every year we meet at a NASCAR event and share food, fun and faith. Last year we also had a LAN event. We would welcome anyone who would like to join our yearly "Rumble" If any of you are looking for a N2003 event check out the schedule. RFJ has N2003 events throug [... more]
Yes, I'm on a quest for the perfect cup of coffee. The perfect cup is much like the perfect golf swing; its just always slightly out of reach. Sometimes you are close but it just keeps you looking even further for that one better cup. Thats why its a quest; you will never return as you always are searching. I was thinking today that maybe with the international representation we have here at R2P some of you fellas can recommend what your favorite coffee recipe, brewing technique or coffee roast or brand gets you close to coffee nirvana.
This is an old argument that comes up in simracing forums from time to time but I think its worth a visit. Normally the argument falls into a judgment call of whether the Sim is worthy of being called a Sim by virtue of its physics. I don't believe this is where the judgment should be made. Now don't get me wrong I like good physics but this isn't what a good simulation is derived from. Here is the key. THE SIM IS ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR ABILITY TO PUT YOURSELF INTO THE SIMULATION. Let me explain. Even a very good game/Sim with excellent physics is just a game if the racers/players approach it form that standpoint. If it is raced with no regard to aspects of realism in safety, concern for equipment and the respect of other racers than any software is just a game. The game becomes a simulation when you "Put yourself into it" meaning your mindset is that this is a real car r [... more]
DRIVING SIMULATION
What kind of simulation environment do you prefer. A pure driving simulation is more about driving the car with no or little regard to race strategy. The required environment is very low tire wear and fuel usage in ideal weather conditions. This normally brings the high skilled drivers to the front of the pack. The perspective of the simulation is from the drivers point of view. Is this what you prefer?
RACING SIMULATION
A racing simulation is an environment of high fuel usage and tire wear in more realistic weather conditions. The racing simulation must take into account these variables and apply them with race strategy along with good pit stops in order to finish well. The perspective of the racing simulation is more from the crew chiefs point of view. Is this what you prefer?
Shhhhhhh.....Keep yer' voice down....ya' don't want anyone to know. Yes yer' an American who grew up around the local ovals that dot the United States landscape; and you are proud of your blue collar heritage and the rough callous men who go at it bumper to bumper every Saturday night. These are the guys who make a sport of poking fun at the "Wine and Cheese" perdy boys of road racing. Well if the truth be known there are many of these "good ol' boys" who are in the closet so to speak. They won't admit it openly but they are the ones with the big smile on their face when behind the wheel of a GT hardtop or open wheel F3 car. Yes, road racing is fun; lots of fun, but don't let on or you will have to come out of the closet. Shhhhhhh..Bet I'm not the only one.
Well Tim and Todd have succesfully got us all hooked. They gave us our first fix for free. I don't know about you fellas but I got a perdy good buzz off the free stuff so I'm payin' for my fix now. I signed up for Premium Membership and now I can get a good fix at least 21 days in advance.
