After Patch G, it was time to get some new ground work done for new S2 features, starting with a lot of improvements to our modeller, including a new "layers" system which allows parts of the model to be switched on or off. For a start, this is helpful for Eric when modelling, for example the interior can be hidden with a single click when he is working on the exterior. But quite importantly for LFS racers, the layers system introduces an interesting feature - car configurations. This allows different vehicles to share the same model (mesh) but with various visible changes. Classic examples where this helps are the two XR cars and the two LX cars, which have now been converted to look the same as they always did but this time sharing their mesh... meaning that updates to one version are immediately visible in the other. Our plan is to have more than one version of many of our cars.
Using the new configuration system, Eric has now created a new car, the XF GTR, a powerful race version of the XF GTI, which can be seen in these screen shots. Another feature of the car configurations system is that you can change the appearance of some cars with a switch in the setup screen. For example the LX cars use this feature so you can drive with or without the roof.
After the layers / configurations / other modeller improvements, the suspension system was the most important programming priority. But the LFS physics model had a certain issue, all physics parts of the car, such as wheels and the physics contact system, needed to store their own position measured relative to the centre of gravity. This was a clear problem for the new suspension with its various mounting points and more complex, non-linear motion. The solution was to change the system so that all physical parts are positioned relative to some fixed point on the car, which means that they don't need to change their measured position when the centre of gravity is moved. This now means that the centre of gravity, mass, and moment of inertia can change in real time.
Have you guessed what that leads to? As usual with LFS development, one thing leads to another and when the movable centre of gravity was done, I just had to program the fuel usage system! And this meant a simple pit stop system was needed. In the development version you can now set the fuel load at race start, and how much should be added when you go into the pits (simply drive in and stop, you don't enter the "pits" or "garage" screen like in the current public version). It's interesting feeling the difference in fuel load, due to the increased mass and change in weight distribution. Quite noticeable from empty to full in the new Formula car which is light but has a large fuel tank.
The final thing to report right now is an interesting improvement in the sound system. A recent experiment with an exhaust pipe simulation has given a more lively and powerful tone to the engine. Although it's quite simplified to work well in real time without taking up too much processor power, it seems to help with the feeling of speed and driving excitement as you go through the powerband and on to the next gear shift. Sound is a big project which, like the graphical effects, will continue developing over a long time, but this is one more step on the way!
Well that's what we have to report. I'm back again working on the suspension, as it can now be fitted to the cars because they have the fixed coordinate measuring system. Eric is taking a break from cars for a while, to avoid going crazy from vertices and triangles! He's currently updating the Aston track to the standard of the other new S2 tracks, and is building some faster corners on some of its configurations, to make them more suitable for the faster cars that will be included in S2. This game will own. Maybe own GT4 too.
(I know this is the wrong forum but the LFS forum doesn't have any visitors at all)
*edit* I've removed all the images because the host isn't to good to work with.
You can find all pics here
EAS Series Underway! The Big Boys are racing!
Electronics Sports League now has the latest LFS race series, called the European Amateur Series or EAS. I'm guessing that it's Amateur only in the sense that there's no prize money to be had because there's nothing amateur about the driver's that showed.
We have Nils from Berlin, winner of the last ESL Pro series and currently the best driver in LFS bare none. We have Osiris from Grainau Germany, Second place regular season in the 2004 ESL pro. A name you'll always see at the forefront and always hard to beat. Vykos from Germany, winner of the 2003 ESL Pro finals, 3rd this year, and one one of the best passers in the game. Norbi from Hungary, Haven't seen him in ESL before, but have seen his World Records, he's shaping up to take a podium spot I think. DaHoe from Germany, ever present and a great RWD driver. Shordy is also from Germany and I haven't seen him before. He looks to be making his own waves though and I'm keeping an eye on him.
Then we have the Estonians. RudiTurbo, last years World Championship Series winner and always winning here and there. MacEST, a top performer always. You may have seen his World records pop up from time to time, he's very good.
For the French contingent we have A$mo, a tier 1 talent who's been around for a good while, and Busta. Another new guy that we need to watch I'm sure.
Who's missing? Well the most noteable name would be Limiter, second place in the Last ESL Pro finals and perhaps the best RWD racer in game. I talked to him... well ok I yelled at him, and he says he needs a break from the madness and we gotta respect that. We will see him in the next ESL Pro series this winter I'm sure.
From the Teams perspective we have the ever-present Ocrana in the forms of Vykos, RudiTurbo and MacEST. We have N!Faculty represented by Nils and DaHoe and the rest of the field is comprised of the newly minted team Allian with Osiris, Norbi, A$mo, Busta and Shordy. All is good
Sidenote here, my coverage starts with the second race of this series. I know, I know, it's a bit of weak reporting, but I had 2 "bc's" the first week, (ask Vykos what a BC is), and I was wrapped up in the Endurance series enough to not even know this series had started yet. I'm shamed of course, but as A$mo might say, c'est la vie. The first Race was in the MRT's anyway, which I hate.
To the Sprint!
First race is an 8 lap jaunt on South City Long in the FXO. The starting grid has a forefront of Nils with MacEST and Osiris with Norbi. Next comes RudiTurbo with A$mo, Busta with Vykos ans Shordy in back with DaHoe.
Now, you expect Nils to run ahead and dominate the entire race, and he does pretty much, but he's towing MacEST behind and never too far away.
You'd also expect Osiris to be right there with them, but turn one turns this upside down.
They start off in a huge rush. The second hard left, Vykos takes an inside line with a late breaking point and taps A$mo as he's turning in. A$mo smacks Osiris hard and sends him spinning. Osiris is the last to recover because he gets completely turned around. A$mo himself gets a lucky break with a nice flat wall hit and manages to maintain 3rd with good speed. Busta gets behind him with Vykos in tow, (Vykos does get an 8pt penalty I think). Shorby has RudiTurbo behind him but pulls off an amazing chichane run a few corners later to get some decent breathing room. Rudi has Norbi on his tail but Norbi passes him at the last swweper.
DaHoe then catches my eye. He's driving wildly and seems to have some serious control issues or something. Osiris passes him with ease. More on this later.
Mid race now. Nils is all over 1st place, Mac is at second chasing, A$mo is alone at 3rd. Busta has Vykos chasing him with Shordy not too far behind. Norbi back a bit farther and Rudi is in a huge row with Osiris. On the 6th lap, Vykos sidesteps Busta after the chicane and Norbi gets within shouting distance of Shordy.
RudiTurbo is giving Osiris fits, he simply knows no fear even when one of the best in the league wants in front of him, their duel is pretty wild stuff.
DaHoe is way back there.
On the last lap Shordy freakin misses the last hard left sweeper to let Norbi ahead. The last lap!! This angers me for two reasons. A: Shordy earned 5th spot. B: This gave Norbi the point for a second place over all, making a three way tie for second.
Usually I would try to email or message Shordy to find out why this happened, but the last few times I did this in similar circumstances I got the same reply. "Uhhhh, dunno dude.. just messed up". So in the interest of better journalsm, I decided to activate my agents in Germany to find out what really happened and they did. Apparently, Shorby's sister had a few friends over and a particularly spry 17 year old girl named Loretta dropped her cellphone just outside his door and went to pick it up as Shordy hit the 100m marker of the sweeper. This definately explains it and I'd like to thank my agents for the info. Good work boys.
Osiris never gets passed Rudi because Rudi rocks, and the race ends like this:
2.01:40?? I've personally never witnessed DaHoe spend more than 2 seconds on any freakin track this side of Fern Bay Black. I emailed him. He said, and get this, that he has driven the FXO a total of 9 LAPS!! I mean, 9 laps... ever. Like he drove the car 9 laps a few days after he got the game and hasn't driven it since. JEEZ, what can you do? It is a shame that he used a Grid 1 spot, but he got there because he dominated Grid 2 in the MRT the last race and didn't want to totally waste it. Last place in grid 1 is better than last place in grid.
2.
To the Main!
This race is a little better and alot crazier if you can believe it. Reverse the above finishing grid for the starting grid.
DaHoe gracefully pulls over at the start of the race and lets everyone by. Good man. MacEST has the dreaded 10 sec hang and begs for a restart that he won't get, earning him a 5 second penalty for chatting during the race.
Osiris bolts out to a decent lead and holds it easily to the end. Dat's ma boy! Norbi does a neat little scoot around the first few turns to gain second, and both him and Osiris are long gone until the checkered flag. RudiTurbo sets himself into 3rd with Shordy behind.
Busta gets tapped out by Vykos, then tapped out by A$mo.
A$mo has Nils drafting him, so Nils passes Busta too. Busta went from 5th to 9th halfway through the first lap, and it must have been maddening as hell. He was a bit off with his braking points and these guys aren't messing around.
At the beginning of lap 2, Nils passes A$mo on the first turn... on the OUTSIDE.
It's serioulsy one of the most beautiful passes I've seen in awhile, check it out. Mid lap, Shordy tries to pass Rudi through the chichane and gets a bit off kilter. He slams hard into the wall coming out onto that next straight. This sets up Vykos for a pass, but Shordy gains contact with him and slows them both. Nils tries his luck at both Shordy and Vykos, but a very nice hairpin turn by Vykos, (drafting Shordy), pushes out Nils to the point where he gets passed by both A$mo and Busta.
Nils gains back 8th passing Busta at the last sweeper though.
On the 4th lap, Nils catches A$mo and makes a very questionable pass at the hairpin and next turn. I know I'm gonna get yelled at, (again), but by my view it looked very bad. Nils taps A$mo at the hairpin, then gives him a rear quarterpanel shot on the next turn to set him sideways.
Busta passes A$mo too and now he has MacEST on his tail. He gives Nils a good honking, but doesn't formally protest after so no penalty.
On the last sweeper Mac gives A$mo yet another tap to pass, but this one looks accidental and A$mo gains it back.
6th Lap we have Osiris and Norbi long gone, RudiTurbo, Shordy and Vykos desperately trying to get things sorted because Nils is behind them. Busta alone for the present, MacEST and the fuming A$mo. Dahoe is enjoying the scenery.
Shordy blows turn one on the 7th, tries to cut back in on turn 2 but gets deservedly knocked aside by vykos,
Nils gets by him too. Rudi has a teensy bit of breathing room in 3rd and Nils gains quickly on Vykos in the fight for 4th.
By the 8th Nils gets by Vykos, but a bad pass attempt on Rudi puts vykos along side him during the long home straight. Just before turn 1 there is incidental contact, Vykos gets the worst of it and Nils gains 4th.
To the 11th, Mac has finally passed A$mo after a blown turn. Nils finally passes Rudi on the back straight and disappears into hotlap heaven. Rudi doesn't look very smooth now as he blows t1 and t2 to let Vykos by on the 12th, and blows the same turns to let Shordy catch him on the 13th. Shordy is a bit extra nice to Rudi, allowing him room to take the chichane, and is caught by Busta who now has MacEst in tow.
Shordy gets a bit sloppy on the 14th and lets Busta by. An early brake at the chichane earns him a hard tap from Mac that sets him awry to be passed by both Mac and A$mo to take up 9th.
He does eventaully pass A$mo before the end.
Mac is trying his heart out to catch Busta, but I notice now his popcorning engine. Shordy makes the last pass attempt of the race on Mac, but Mac gets the run on him at the last sweeper, and the race ends up like this:
Osiris 1:56:68
Norbi 1:57.38
Nils 1:56.67
Vykos 1:57.09
RudiTurbo 1:57.70
Busta 1:57.49
MacEST 1:57.26
Shordy 1:57.40
A$mo 1:57.71
DaHoe lets not go there
When waiting for Dahoe to finish, (he was half a lap plus behind), Nilyn, A$mo and Busta all earn a 10 second penalty for chatting. Yes this is awful harsh, but if it really bother's you try watching an F1 race sometime. Rules are rules and the race admin's don't give an inch.
Intense I tell ya, no other word for it. Nils, (I keep typing Nylin), gives us a really nice view of his talent in this one. Top laptimes in both races and more a clue to his technique can be seen when he's in the mix with others. Norbi is the pleasant suprise. Not the best laptimes, but damn near enough. He manages to keep the car on the road and plays nice with others, meaning he doesn't get hit much which is an artform in itself. Sinbad style, (Sinbad is a British Endurance league racer), can put you at the top and Norbi's at number 2 overall for those smooth racing skills. I'm dying to see him race again.
The two weeks were up, and we had the next race on schedule: Blackwood with the TBO cars, 46 laps. This race was meant to be something different, than the previous ones. Roly was in advantage, as he missed a race, and he had an FXO available, and Norbi had only the GTT left. Well, it was pretty sure, that Roly would take pole here. But there were other surprises left!
Vertic, who also missed a race, due to internet problems (same as Roly) was also driving the FXO and ended up in 2nd place on the grid. Norbi secured only 3rd, his worst for a long time, but you cannot work wonders with the gtt, no matter how fast you are. TasMan was also in the FXO and qualified in 4th, to get his best grid position so far. Then a lot of GTT-s followed, with 3 FXO's left. Chase achieved a great result, as he managed to qualify himself in division A (13th place), for the first time in his LFS carreer, congrats Chase!
Here is the top ten:
At the start it seemed like Norbi would use the better acceleration of the gtt to his full advantage, but he was forced to the outside in turn one, and Roly and Vertic could keep their starting positions.
The chicane went pretty smooth, as every one of these racers knows how dangerous it is in the first laps, so they were very cautious. Marki had a bad start, putting a popcorn machine into his hood right away. Gergő however, got a great one, he moved up from 11th place to 8th, but had to let laube pass, as he had the speed advantage out of the chicane.
King passed TasMan after the first turn, but he hit the wall on the outside of the chicane and lost 2 places, as TasMan took his place back and bond passed him too. Bond had a real dream start from 9th place (Ajjle Bobbi couldn't make it to the start, so everyone moved up one place behind him), he moved up to 5th in the straight, but king took his place back at the next turn.
Palee was behind them in 7th, but he was on the move. After 1 lap the standings were the following: Roly, Vertic, Norbi, TasMan, king13, bond, Palee, laube, Gergő, Marki, Chase, ATiB, Nyiri, ePT0n.
The racing was pretty close in the first few laps, Chase was pushing Marki all the way, but he couldn't pass him.
Palee was pushing hard to get close to bond, and Marki was doing the same, but he was after Gergő. But on the 3rd lap already drama! Norbi's PC crashed, he disconnected, so he not only lost his winning streak, but he couldn't even finish the race! Well, not his fault though, we have to admit, but he is working on his PC, to solve the problem, that caused it to hang.
On the 6th lap after some intense pressure, Palee was able to pass bond on the long straight as he had the opportunity to use his slipstream, he moved up the 5th.
Marki overtook Palee's teammate Gergő on the 16th lap, after he was putting a lot of pressure on Gergő, who made a small mistake allowing Marki to have a good run out of the chicane to pass him at the end of the straight, this earned him position 8.
On the 22nd lap after running his best race yet, laube got disconnected unfortunately. He was holding on to 7th place behind bond, doing constant laptimes.
King13 was following TasMan closely during the first half of the race, he could keep up with the pace of the fxo in the gtt of his own. However halfway through the race, he started to make small mistakes, which allowed TasMan to move away. Palee was closing in slowly on king13 though. This might have been the cause of the crash, that occured in the 31st lap. King13 hit the tyres on the entry of the chicane, which made him spin almost, he went straight into the wall.
He lost 15 seconds while trying to recover, which was more than enough for Palee to take 4th place, and gain a 10 second lead. He is the best placed gtt driver in the race at this time.
Lap 37: bond got wide in turn 1 due to intense pressure from Marki, who was doing a lot of fast laps in a row, to close the gap between him and bond, after this mistake, he is almost in a position to overtake, but he loses his momentum and stays behind.
Lap 38: Bad luck strikes Palee, he was having a great race, and he was in a very good position, but he got disconnected too.
Lap 39: The next victim of the disconnects: ePT0n.
Meanwhile, Marki is still pushing bond to overtake him, but in the 43rd lap, he makes a mistake out of the chicane, which allows bond to extend the gap, he can relax now.
No change of positions until the checquered flag, Roly takes a historical victory, Vertic an excellent 2nd place and TasMan a surprising, but well deserved 3rd place.
The results: (link for extended results is here: Results )
In division C Zoleszzz took the win, after he was put back to the last group, because the use of manual clutch, instead of auto. (Since the last race, we have a rule, that states, that only autoclutch is allowed) Lajoosh and amery secured the other podium positions.
Unfortunately we had a lot more dnfs, than usual, I hope this will get better next time around.
DNF's:
Ajjle Bobbi
C3Gábor
ePt0n
Gsi16V
laube
Norbi
Palee
voicegab
The next race will come in 4 weeks time, as we have a little pause now. It'll be an MRT5 race on FE green. I hope I can be there too, as I had to miss this race, because I had the Oirignal LFS League finals to win. )
Same car for all of us, no tricks of missing a race to spare the fxo's anymore, can Roly win another? Or will Norbi start a new winning streak again? We'll find out in a months time!
See ya all later!
csűr
As usual with LFS development, one thing leads to another and when the movable centre of gravity was done, I just had to program the fuel usage system! 
