Don I've raced against you in some of the nGTX races. I've chatted with you some here and there and my impression is you're a good guy who wants to stay clean, but I think maybe you're a bit too far out on the edge sometimes going for those fast laps. You typically qualify better than me, but I seem to see you a lot during the race because you have a bunch of offs. I don't think you're a bad driver, and you've never been discourteous to me. Thing is, if you aren't always completely under control, it's going to show up at the worst times (it always does for me), and people are going to get ticked off here and there.

Hi Don,

I've been in a number of races with you, most of which we had no direct "encounter".

My first "encounter" with you was in my 2nd R2P race in the M3s at BRNO. We had a fine contest for more than half the race and you finished .243 sec ahead of me.

My second "encounter" with you was in the nGT at Barcelona. This was far less pleasant from my perspective -- and i'm sure yours. You were forced off early and, while I thought you made a risky, but acceptable pass (since i did see you in the mirrors) going into Repsol while trying to make up positions lost -- I, on the other hand, totally screwed up and sent you into an off seconds later at Seat which cost us both dearly, since i waited for you to re-join ahead of me (and i think i was 23rd when i rejoined).

I know you had a few choice words to say over that incident, although i don't know what they were since they were apparently in "Team Speak" (which i wasn't connected to) and/or edited by the stewards.

but please bear in mind that i turned 3rd fastest race lap that night and eventually finished 8th.

My third "encounter" with you was tonight in the Elise race. i was coming thru the chicaine and confronted with a cloud of smoke from which your car emerged facing mine. i, of course, had no where to go by then and hit you. i went from P12 to P16. This was absolutely no fault of yours, and luckily you emerged better.

Aside from such direct experience, i've also observed a few replays that featured you in various encounters with drivers that i have on my "watch out for" list (you are _not_ one of those).

OK, so what does my limited experience tell me about you as an R2P driver: that you _may_ have a tendency to press a bit too hard to make up positions lost in the inevitible incidents of the first few laps (believe me you are not alone here), but that you are a fair and considerate driver overall.

I have no problem with running close to you when/if that happens.

i would only offer the mantra i just made up and am now repeating myself so as to remain sane amongst the shit i have no control over: i shall run the race i am proud to have run, and i will not let the misfortune caused by others to turn it into something else.

EDIT: damn, that sounded much better at 3am. guess i'll return to my previous mantra: don't write anything after midnight.

Yes, Just drive predictably and all issues will sort themselves out :)

Thanks guys. So far, I am glad to have the feedback. Barrett...thanks for your commentary. You are fair, almost too fair with me and I thank you for it.

The Elise run last night was my first time in the car at all. I realized then that once you drop a ger, especially in that chicayne, if the rear even squeaks you end up either turned around or making a quick departure into the ruffage. Sorry I ended up in your way. I was chasing down a competitor, and as you commented accurately, I got to determined and took it just a bit past the edge of reason. Nothing I could do but stop and wait for traffic to get through. Came out basically unscathed and glad to hear you did as well.

Funny, I remember the Barcelona incident. Thanks for waiting. By the way, I do not have team speak, so perhaps someone else had something going there - I dunno anything about it. I was actually impressed with your way of doing things.

Thanks again for the feedback fellas.

I'll put it to good use.

Don, I think we have all been in the state of mind you are in at the moment but try not to get to frustrated about it.

Unfortunately when anyone is running mid pack or further back bumps and grinds are going to happen. Obviously the guys in the second half of the field are not quite in full control of thier cars and that is going to breed more contact.

I have been involved with some hairy moments with you throughout the time you have raced here. I am pretty sure I have never mentioned much if anything about those incidents because I know you are trying to be your best. Also I have been there, ask Claus LOL I remember times trying to get out of his way only to touch the grass and lose control and ultimately crashing into him.

My best advice to anyone learning or struggling at all is to slow down. I know it sounds wierd but most of us have a tendancy to overdrive. For some reason we all feel we need to drive into the corner way to far before braking. This alone is probably the single most mistake costing time. So when I say slow down I mean, slow earlier for corners but dont slow down as quickly. After practicing this you will find you are in much more control IN the corner and ultimately that is faster. AND since you are now in better control IN the corner you will have much better exits.

This next part is constructive critism, I am NOT complaining.

I have to say just about anytime I see you during a race you are eratic, usually late into the corner therefore wide or sliding, then coming back to the throttle often not in control and that makes you unpredictable to the following driver. I am sure you know what I mean and I can understand because I used to do the exact same thing.

My final thoughts are about controller settings. Most drivers that are experiencing what I call over/under have there settings set TOO sensative. The result is over corrections, too much brake and throttle when they need to be babying those pedals. So experiment with lowering Brake and throttle sensativity, mine are both in the 14-17 range.

You aren't BAD as you put the question, I think you have just reached a level that requires some changes to driving habits, controller settings and probably just relax when others are close to you.

I don't know how old you are, I am 43 and have raced with guys over 60 for years so don't lay that excuse out there :P

Kent has mentioned a key point: controller settings. I've had to adjust that alot as time has passed on my POS wheel and pedals.

Klint, about "...brake and throttle sensativity, mine are both in the 14-17 range...".

Do you refer to sensitivity settings within GTR2 or Windows settings or something else like Logitech Profiler?

PS. Don, no, you don't suck.

Thos are my ingame settings and I am pretty sure it goes something like this.

Steering............50%
Throttle............15%
Brake...............17%
Speed Sensativity...30%
Clutch......Is a Secret, can't be giving Tolga and Janko all my settings :P

I also have some small amounts of dead zone but cannot remember what they are.

One of these days I will post a crene shot of this screne, I know Ray asked me for it a while back and I keep forgetting about it :(

Thx, mate.

Thanks fellas. Your tips really helped a lot. My race a t Donnington went better than recent races would have normally dictated. Broke a little earlier, was a little easier on the brake and throttle, and was much more in control. In trying to race more consistantly, I was consistantly faster, and actually a top 5 competitor for about 20 laps, until my tires wore. Still getting better with setups. Man, It took me hours to get this setup for Donnington done. But the time and practice paid off - I finished. Think I may try the Ferrrari - just kidding....I love the PORKA.