************************************************************************** This file contains the "flying laps" descriptions from the 16 F1TIPS track files for those who want to print out the commentry. I have left the text unformatted so that it'll be easier to import to your favourite word processor for printing. ************************************************************************** == Australian G.P. ======================================================= ADELAIDE GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT Cross the line at about 170mph in 6th, drop down to 5th, 150mph for the chicane and back on the gas. brake at the 100m board to 3rd gear, 95mph and then 75mph in 2nd for the next left-then-right. Floor the throttle between the corners and back on the brake just before the corner marker. Then it's down the straight with maximum power, you may need to lift through the left-right wiggle. brake to 2nd just before running up kerb on left. Down to 2nd gear, 90mph and then flat down the long kinked straight. Reaching about 195mph, brake at about 120m from corner, i.e., just before the 100m marker. Round the corner in 1st, about 45mph (try not to turn in too early). Flat out up to 4th gear, 140+mph then braking down to 2nd, just before the end of the kerb on the right. 85mph round the left hander, then back on the gas. Flat out reaching 170mph, braking half way between the yellow pit-line and the kerb on the left. Down to 1st, 60mph round the right-hand hairpin, back up through the gears up the Start/Finish straight. Car Setup Wings -- 40 front / 40 Rear Brake -- Neutral Gear Stack -- 24/32/39/46/53/61 Tyres -- D Keyboard -- Steering and Traction control in use. Phil "Wet Racer" Owen Team Damn Fine Coffee -- "Damn Fine Driving" == Belgium G. P. ========================================================= CIRCUIT DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS Across the Strart/Finish line for the first time in 5th at 183mph. Braking hard just before the 100' marker board before La Source and changing down into 1st. Squeezing it around La Source with just a trickle of throttle at 40mph or so. Accelerating out of La Source and down towards Eau Rouge, which is taken flat-out in 6th at 189mph. I got a bit of a slip here, but managed to keep it pointing in the right direction to take me up the Kemmel straight with my foot to the boards. Approaching Les Combes at 203mph I brake momentarily after the 100' board and drop it down into 4th to take me around the first right hander of Les Combes at 142mph. Brake hard before entering the left hander in 2nd, power out changing upto 3rd and holding it in 3rd at 122mph as I pass through the right hander before Malmedy. Accelerating hard again, reaching 5th before braking hard and changing down to 2nd to take me around the Malmedy hairpin at 88-92mph. Up into 3rd then 4th as I ease it through the left hander Rivage at 129mph, very important to get the entry and exit right here. Power out of Rivage which, if taken right, will allow you up to 6th before snicking back into 5th (152mph) for the first part of the double apex Pouhon. Another important corner this, get this right and your exit speed should be around 180mph in 6th. Brake and slip into 4th (135mph) for Les Fagnes. Up into 5th and hold it there on the rev limiter all the way to the 3rd gear right hander before the crucial Stavelot. Flat now all the way through the gears making sure you change up at the correct revs. Coming into the Bus Stop, 202mph, pass the 300' board... wait for it... 100' stand on the brake pedal and nip down to 4th for the entry into the Bus Stop at 135mph trying not to be distracted by the Jello cans - a mistake here could be fatal. Exit the Bus Stop selecting 5th just as you past the apex. Hold it in 5th for the streak past the timing beam... 1:43.401s. And so ends a tour of Spa-Francorchamps. Not quite as fast as we have been, but we are more than happy... I like this circuit. Derm Quinn Team Dermske == Brazilian G. P. ======================================================= AUTODROMO JOSE CARLOS PACE As we pass the Start/Finish line, 6th gear and around 193 mph (13,000 rpm), the clock starts. You want to be close to the right side of the track and continue accelerating until the 100m. turn marker when it's hard on the brakes, down-shifting to 3rd gear (85mph, 9,000rpm) and preparing for Curva 1, a downhill medium-fast left-hander. After Curva 1 we touch the accelerator, go downhill into the right-hander -- Curva do Sol, car positioned in the middle of the track, nursing the throttle all the way through the turn -- 3rd gear, 92mph (9,800rpm). Coming out of Curva do Sol at the far right end of the rumble strip in 3rd gear at 98mph (11,300rpm) you will be set up perfectly for the fast left-hander, Curva 2. We accelerate hard through Curva 2, up-shifting, and into 6th gear a little after we exit Curva 2 and into the Resta Oposta straight. Once in Resta Oposta start lining up on the right side of the track, this prepares you for the entrance into Curva 3. As you near the 300m. turn marker and the grandstands you'll be flat out in 6th gear at 190mph (12,800rpm). Reaching the 100m. turn marker for Curva 3 it's hard on the brakes, down-shifting to 3rd gear, with a speed of 74-85mph (7,900- 8,300rpm), start your turn into Curva 3, and once into the turn get back onto the throttle. Exiting Curva 3, and lining up on the right, we hit the little downhill straight. 4th gear -- 128mph (11,700rpm). Up-shifting and still accelerating we come upon a fast left hander. Easy into the apex of the lefty and continue accelerating and up-shifting as we enter the longer uphill straight. start easing to the left side of the track to prepare for Feradura. At the 100m. turn marker approaching Feradura, brake and down-shift quickly to 4th gear and 120mph (11,000rpm), ease into Feradura while simultaneously getting back into the throttle and lining up on the left side of the track before hitting Laranji. When the right hand turn sign for Laranji just becomes visible, hard on the brakes, down-shifting to 2nd gear 55-65mph (7,500- 8,000rpm), and begin the right-hand turn just a bit high. Out of Laranji, nurse the throttle to keep the speed constant as we promptly enter the left hander Pinheirinho in 2nd gear -- 85mph (11,100rpm). Nurse the throttle to keep wheel spin low and right-drift to a minimum throughout the turn -- 2nd gear, 73- 78mph (10,200-10,500rpm). Exit Pinheirinho on the right side near the rumble strips in 2nd gear, 74mph (10,750rpm). Back on the throttle, setting up on the left side of the track until the right hand turn sign for Bico do Pato becomes visible, we are in 4th gear, at 140mph (12,800rpm). Hard on the brakes, down-shift to 1st gear. Begin the right turn at Bico do Pato late so that you can cut off the apex, in 1st, at 58-62mph (9,300-9,600rpm). Exit the turn, on the throttle, up-shifting and moving quickly to the right of the tarmac to set up for the fast left-hander, Mergulho. Enter Mergulho in 4th gear, 109mph (9,900rpm) nursing the throttle throughout the turn. Exit and set up on the right side of the track for Curva 4 and once out of the turn accelerate and up-shift. At the 100m. left turn sign for Curva 4, brake hard, down-shifting to 3rd gear and turn into Curva 4. at 85mph(9,000rpm). Easy on the throttle through the turn and upon exit or you'll find yourself spinning off the rumble strip and into the grass. Once you are sure you have control of the exit at Curva 4 it's time to bury the foot in the intake manifold! Accelerate through the uphill left-hander Subida, easing left to keep the rumble strip within arms reach. Exiting Subida, still accelerating, drift right just a bit for Arquibancadas. As you see the yellow stripes indicating the Pit Entrance, ease left to cut off the apex into the Start/Finish Straight. Be very careful that you don't cut the apex too far left or you'll catch the dreaded GRASS WHAMMY! Once past the pit entrance and the GRASS WHAMMY... drift right to within a wheel's length of the tarmac line. As we pass the Start/Finish line... LOOK AT THAT... a 1:18:232 lap. Now its time to prepare again for Curva 1 and another lap. Can you do better? Of course you can! PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! Of course, some tweaking of the cars characteristics to suit your driving style will help too! Car Setup Wings -- 60 front / 35 Rear Brake Bias -- Neutral Gear Stack -- 24/32/39/46/53/61 Tyres -- D CH Virtual Pilot/ThrustMaster RCS -- Steering and Traction control in use. Giorgi "Sumasenshi" Sauterovich (a.k.a. George "Shiner" Sauter) DelMartin/Sauter Motor Racing -- "My Other Car is a MiG-29" == Canadian G. P. ======================================================== CIRCUIT GILLES VILLENEUVE This is a description of a flying lap around the circuit at Canada. Also described are some of the passing areas and traffic areas to avoid during a race. The description begins with the last chicane before the Start/Finish line. The exit of this chicane is critical to a good lap. The Chicane from Hell At the pit entrance is a short, sharp right-left chicane. Some in F1SA have lovingly dubbed it the "Chicane From Hell" or CFH. Some drivers with perfect timing have been able to take this chicane flat out in 6th at speeds approaching 190mph. This driver can routinely take the CFH at 165mph in 5th gear. While on the straight, line up far on the left and lift at the 100 board. Without blinking, start your turn in. Let the car slide onto the straight while feathering the throttle and as soon as it feels controllable again, reapply full throttle. Start Finish Line With a good exit from CFH, you should be able to cross the Start/Finish line at about 185mph. This is a good overtaking area. Either on the left or right, just remember to drift to the right for the line up into the Island Hairpin. Turn1/Island Hairpin A slow lefthander turns into a very complex turn. Energy management is the key to this turn. Too much kinetic energy will shoot you into a very sticky sand trap. Just as you round the lefthander at full blast, try to remember that there is a 1st gear turn awaiting you. Try to keep it over on the left as you apply hard brakes. Once the shreaking subsides some, start your turn in trying to maintain 60mph of energy. Rear brake bias will help swing the front end around in this turn. If you are too fast then just touch the brakes to help re-point the nose. When overtaking, dive towards the apex early. This will effectively block the car(s) you are passing. This is one of the best passing areas on the circuit. Energy management is critical here. High Speed Right/Left Chicane Without Steering Assistance, this is a very tricky Right/Left . With SA, you will be guided through this set of curves quite nicely and be able to fly through it with full power. At the Right Turn board, stay in 5th and let that be your brakes for this one. With practice, this turn can be taken in excess of 160mph. Low Speed Left/Right Chicane at the Grandstand Downshift from 6th to 2nd and get slowed down for your turn in. Clip the curb on the left and feather the accelerator while staying as close to the apex as possible. Once through the turn, I usually drift wide left and sometimes touch the grass with my left tires on the exit. Unfortunately, there is no runoff and if you do touch the grass, let off the accelerator and slowly steer back onto the track. Diving low into the first apex will get you past most cars. However, too much speed will hurl you straight towards the grandstand. If you manage to keep it on the track, gather speed back, stay to the inside of the competitor and try to get a good draft off of him leading into the unmarked chicane. Unmarked Right/Left Chicane Drift all the way to the left for the setup into this turn. Lift at the 100 board, brake and downshift from 6th to 3rd. Try to keep at least 100mph. If you have too much speed as you enter the turn, brake again 1/2 way through to straighten the nose. Re-apply full throttle for the exit. Again there is no run-off curbing so this is another touchy turn. Pits Hairpin Blasting down the straight in 6th, you have a choice of 2 good entrances to the Pits Hairpin. The first is the MPS's recommended line. Depending on fuel load, tire wear, wing settings etc., go a little past the 100 board and then jump on the brakes, letting off slightly when you are almost perpendicular to the turn exit. Then turn hard into this sharp turn and feather the accelerator until you gain traction. The other approach is best used for passing. When headed for the Pits Hairpin, line up on the right and just after the 100 board - again depending on the car's setup - go to full lockup and slide while turning right. If done correctly, you will end up pointed up the straight still traveling with at least 50mph of energy. This is a perfect passing zone. Old Pits Coming off the Pits Hairpin, accelerate smoothly and try to achieve maximum speed by at least 3/4 of the way down towards CFH. These high speed turns are deadly when passing. The computer cars will keep to the line and it is easy for you to get put off into the grass or worse. Passing at the CFH is even more tricky. Save the pass for somewhere else. In addition to the passing problems here, keep in mind the computer cars can't achieve near-flat out speed through CFH...Watch out when following closely! Your only consolation might be that the pits are right there for repair of your broken wings. Car Setup Wings -- 53 Front / 42 Rear Brake Bias -- +2 Rear Gear Stack -- 26/33/40/46/52/58 Tyres -- Q Steering Lock -- 8 Joystick/Maxx pedals -- Traction control and Autogears in use. Jim Krumrei Team Jammin -- "I love the speed...it's that slowing down part that gives me fits!" == Spanish G. P. ========================================================= CIRCUIT DE CATALUNYA Entering Elf: Approaching at 197mph, brake when you notice the curb on the right side. Entrance speed should be between 85-90mph. Exiting in 3rd, 120-130mph depending on the entrance speed. Long right hander after Elf: As you exit Elf, the blue and white curb in the corner should come by when the clock is at 16sec. Entering Repsol: Coming in at 185+mph, brake after the turn right sign, and take the corner in 3rd at 85-95mph. Then nail the throttle just before the last yellow sign going by your left side. Entering Seat: Take it in 2nd gear at 60-70mph. As you exit, notice the building that creeps in from the left side. That's a good sign that you light up the tires. Left hander after Seat: Approach in 5th, down to 4th for the left turn and then immediately back in to 5th, (High RPM'S, I LOVE IT!) speed should be 135- 140+mph. Campsa towards Nissan: Approaching Campsa in 6th you might drop the left side tires as you exit. If it causes you to swerve towards the right, BIG MISTAKE! Try it again. If you does it just right, only the engine sound should be slightly affected. That sets you up for Nissan. Approaching in 6th, down to 5th in the high rpm range, I love that sound! and as you cross under the banner, after exiting Nissan, your speed should be 170+mph then grab 6th. Entering La Caixa: After braking hard, take the corner in 3rd at 80-85mph. Up in to 4th before going back down to 3rd for Blanc Sabadell. Entering Blanc Sabadell: In 3rd at 90-95mph. It's hard to describe the point where one should floor it, but when done right, the curb on the left side should come up when the clock is 1:05. Then flat out through the gears around Renault and towards the Start/Finish line. Car Setup Wings -- 60 front / 40 Rear Brake Bias -- +5 Rear Gear Stack -- 22/30/37/43/52/62 Tyres -- Q Joystick -- Steering and Traction control in use. Hugo Pi Team HCP -- "If we can't hack it, no one can" == French G. P. ========================================================== CIRCUIT DE NEVERS MAGNY-COURS Lycee Bend: During the warm up lap, approach on the extreme left and taken in 1st gear. This is critical as your speed must be around 147- 150mph at the Start/Finish line. Big Bend/Estoril Bend: Approach Bib Bend in 6th, then down to 5th, then take the apex of Estoril Bend, in 6th. Your speed as you come off the left curb at Estoril Bend should be 175+mph. Adelaide Bend: Coming in at 190+mph in 6th, brake when at the 100m mark quickly coming down through the gears. 1st gear for the hair pin with a speed of 45-50mph and up to 95+mph in 2nd before the Esse. Esse: Enter in 2nd gear, and at the apex grab 3rd. And flat out through Nurburgring. 180 Degrees: Down to 2nd gear after the turn left sign with an exit speed of 65-70mph. With a speed of 95-110+mph as you approach the curb on the right. Imola Bend: Enter flat out in 6th and try to get as far left as possible for Chateau d'Eau. Chateau d'Eau: In 2nd gear with an exit speed of 110+mph as you come off the curb. Chicane: Enter in 5th and then quickly down to 1st for the right hander onto the Start/Finish straight. Car Setup Wings -- 60 front / 45 Rear Brake Bias -- Neutral Gear Stack -- 24/32/39/46/54/61 Tyres -- Q Joystick -- Steering and Traction control in use. Hugo Pi Team HCP -- "If we can't hack it, no one can" == British G. P. ========================================================= SILVERSTONE Undoubtedly one of the best modeled circuits, it's also the most difficult to get a competitive "Hot-Lap" time at. Even today, it's the only circuit where the 'real world' lap record has eluded our "Hot-Lappers"... for now. Out of Luffield in 3rd at 111mph, accelerating up through the gears to cross the Start/Finish line at 171mph in 5th. Still accelerating as we come to the 6th gear flat (for the brave) Copse corner at 191mph. Making full use of the exit rumble strip we continue up to a peak of 197mph as we enter the head rocking, high-G corners of Maggots still in 6th, and still at 197mph give or take an mph! Slip back to 4th and 131mph for the right hander Becketts making sure to clip the apex as perfectly as possible. Hard on the accelerator and up to 5th on the apex of Chapel. Building speed and changing into 6th just before the over-bridge on Hanger straight. Past the 100' marker at 194mph before a slight dab on the brakes and down into 4th for the first part of Stowe at 137mph. Changing down to 3rd (112mph) for the second apex of Stowe. As soon as the we've lined up with the Vale, it's hard on the power reaching 154mph before braking hard at the left turn marker and changing down to 1st for the left hander before Club corner. Snatching 2nd as we enter Club at 121mph, feeding the power on gently for the second apex of Club. It's important not to get any wheel-spin here, as doing so will ruin your speed for the Abbey and Farm straights. Exiting Club in 5th at 151mph, it's up into 6th hitting 187mph at Abbey. No lifting now as we enter Bridge corner and the Complex at 195mph. Holding your foot firm on the floor through Bridge until the left turn marker before Priory. Hard on the brakes and down to 2nd and 87mph for Priory itself. A quick spurt of power before braking and changing down into 1st for the left hander Brooklands. Out of Brooklands, trying not to lose traction, and up into 2nd for right hander before Luffield. Grabbing 3rd and easing it through Luffield at 112mph and lining up for Woodcote and the charge across the Start/Finish line. Derm Quinn Team Dermske == German G. P. ========================================================== HOCKENHEIMRING Notoriously hard on brakes and tyres, Hockenheim can also be one of the most unpopular circuits in the wet due to the closeness of the trees to the track which can cause a mist to build-up creating serious visibility problems. Exiting the Opel Kurve in 2nd at 115mph, I accelerate hard up through the gears passing the timing beam on the Start/Finish line in 5th at 164mph. Accelerating still for the first right-hander taken flat in 6th at 188mph. Onto the longest straight and time for a breather. Approaching Bremskurve 1 (chicane) at 204mph, braking hard at the 100' board and changing down to 1st for the left right of the chicane itself. On the power again as soon as I'm past the apex. Bremskurve 2 in 6th at 200mph -- a very frightening 'chicane' this -- slip back to 4th and brake slightly to scream through the flick left right at 150mph! This is only possible by riding the kerbs and takes quite a few shake-down runs to summon up enough courage to do it. Hard on the power again hoping that the wheels are firmly planted on the ground after their minor excursion. The Ostkurve is taken flat in 6th at 170-180mph depending on how you negotiated Bremskurve 2. Still accelerating I reach a maximum of 203mph before another mighty chicane, Bremskurve 3. Only sissies (or Wazoos ) lift here and the entry into the chicane is taken at a snippet under maximum speed at 197mph. Hard on the power again. Around the Agip Kurve at 204, losing possibly 1 or 2 mph by the exit. Coming up to the Sachs Kurve, it's very important to pick your braking spot right as there are no marker boards, hard on the brakes and down to 2nd being gentle on the throttle to ease her through without any wheel-spin. Accelerating again and changing up to 3rd for the entry into the Opel Kurve. Entering the Opel Kurve proper, down into second without touching the brakes and apply a quick spurt of the throttle between the final right turn of the Opel Kurve that takes you onto the Start/Finish straight again to complete the lap. Derm Quinn Team Dermske == Hungarian G. P. ======================================================= HUNGARORING This is a very "busy" circuit, you are constantly adjusting the steering or throttle, there are not many places to relax and you need to get into a rhythm in order to lap fast. Often you'd get a better time in the second "flying lap" while using the same set of qualifiers. Passing the Start/Finish line and changing to 6th gear, move the car over to the left side of the track in preparation for Turn 1, braking late, well after the 100m board, speed down from 182mph to around 100mph. change to 4th and back on the throttle as soon as the colour of the crash barrier changes from gray to red. Up to 5th gear on the short straight, brake after the marker board and grab 4th gear for Turn 2. Using the trees in the background as reference, get back on the throttle as soon as possible and swing the car over to the left as you exit the corner, almost immediately turn into Turn 3 and changing to 5th as you power through the bend. You are now on the fastest part of the circuit. Accelerating through the gears on the kinked straight, there's time for a brief breather. In order to take Turn 4 flat-out, you need to have the car lined up on the extreme right, straightened and settled, before the 100m board. There maybe a slight squeal from the tyres as you power through the corner but there should be no wheel-spin. Quickly swing the car to the left and brake hard as soon as the car has settled down. Be careful not to put a wheel on the grass, change down to 4th gear and take Turn 5. You accelerate out of the corner riding high on the rumble strip, change up to 5th gear briefly and brake as you pass the marker board for the Turn 6 chicane. Down to 3rd gear, turn in, back on the throttle as you pass the apex of the right-hander and accelerate through the chicane. You are now about to negotiate the most challenging part of the circuit. Still in 3rd gear and running high rpm, lift from the throttle at the end of the rumble-strip, turn in early for Turn 7, hard on the throttle as you exit the corner to swing the back of the car out, thus putting the car on the left and on a high line for Turn 8. Still in 3rd gear, lift from the throttle, but not braking, for Turn 8, hard on the throttle as soon as you reach the apex and quickly change up to 4th with the wheels still madly spinning. The next two turns can now be taken at full steam, clipping the apexes and using the full width of the track. Charging towards Turn 11, you are doing about 175mph, brake very early, just as the arrow on the marker board becomes visible, position the car on the middle of the road, change down to 4th gear, turn into the right-hander, quickly back on the throttle and accelerate through the chicane. Change up to 5th gear on the short straight and brake at the end of the rumble-strip for Turn 12, grab 3rd gear, turn in tight, and drifts onto the curb as you power out of the corner. Running in 4th gear, lift from the throttle after passing the pit entrance and turn into Turn 13, the tighter line you take as you enter this corner, the earlier you can get back on the throttle for the exit. Exiting Turn 13 in 4th gear, hard on the throttle and accelerate through the gears, crossing the Start/Finish Line at 154mph and a time of 1:13.899. Car Setup Wings -- 60 Front / 40 Rear Brake Bias -- Neutral Gear Stack -- 32/36/42/48/54/60 Tyres -- Q Keyboard -- Steering Assistance control in use. Justin D. Carr Endever-Yugo Racing -- "I'd rather be driving Volkls" == Italian G. P. (no-aids) =============================================== AUTODROMO NAZIONALE DI MONZA (NO AIDS) Here is my description of a lap of Monza, from a "no aids" perspective. I would like to be able to quote entry and exit speeds for the corners, but the simple fact is that I don't have time while driving to look down. I can get a rough idea of the tachometer with my peripheral vision, but I generally go more by sound. Thus I will say things like "at the high end of 4th gear" to describe the entry or exit of a corner. I will write this as if I'm the world's greatest authority, which of course I am not. I thought one blanket apology would be better than a bunch of little ones. This morning I was achieving practice times on C tires in the mid 1:21's with a best so far of 1:21.394, and a best qualifying time of 1:20.638 with the setup and approach described here. In a 100% length race, I ran a 1:28.490 on lap 3, and 1:27.768 on lap 8, both of which were fastest laps. This should give an idea of where I'm at performance wise in the 3 main areas. Cross the Start/Finish line in top gear. On a mediocre lap the speed at the line will be 193 mph, and on a good lap it will be more like 197 mph. It's flat out past the pit exit, then watch for the braking signs on the right as the track curves right just slightly before the Variante Goodyear. Line up on the right side of the track, and brake hard just a tick before the 100 marker. Take the first left turn in mid to high 3rd gear, then dabs the brakes again while turning right to slow to the low end of 3rd gear. The second right is the tightest, and is the key to the whole chicane. Begin to accelerate slightly right at the apex, then continue to accelerate smoothly through the final right, right out onto the rumble strip. Hard on the gas through Curva Grande, trying to pick up the apex as soon as possible. At the end of the rumble strip on the exit of this corner, the car should be at about 12,500 rpm in 5th, and ready to go into top gear. Watch for other cars drafting here, and keep the line to the right side. Approach the Curva Della Roggia, brake hard just a tick before the 100 sign again (or at the 100 sign if you feel lucky) and take the left hander in low to mid 3rd gear. Accelerate through the right hander, trying to be high in 3rd by the end of the rumble strip. Then it's hard on the gas again, clipping the apex of the first half of the Curva Di Lesmos, hitting top gear between the two apexes, then exiting the 2nd half under full steam. On a good lap, hit 200 mph just while passing under the bridge. At the 100 marker for the Curva De Vialone, brake hard down to the high end of 4th gear for the left hander. Don't use the whole track here so as to be better set up for the right hander following. Off the gas here, shift down to 3rd at the apex of the rightie, then accelerate again (gently!) through the left hander exiting the Variante Ascari. Try to be high in 3rd gear at the end of the rumble strip at the corner's exit. Up through the gears again heading down to the Cruva Parabolica. Line up on the left side of the track, brake at the 100 marker, shift down to 4th, slow down to mid 4th gear, hit the apex fairly early, and try not to slide off the outside of the track. As soon as that has been avoided, hit the gas, and accelerates through the remainder of the curve, trying to be over 195 mph at the Start/Finish line again. I try to shift at 12,000 to 12,500. I consider "low" in a gear to be 7 or 8 grand on the tach, "mid" is about 10 grand, and high is about 12 grand. At this track, the key to good times is to take it easy and not hurry. What I mean by that is to do your braking before the corner, then accelerate out of it. Because of the long straights, exit speed is all important. I get my best times when I'm not really trying. Car Setup Wings -- 30 front / 25 Rear Brake Bias -- +5 Front Gear Stack -- 27/35/42/49/57/66 Tyres -- C 2 joysticks -- NO AIDS Steering lock set at 10. CH flightstick for steering only. Kraft Premium 2 stick for throttle/brakes, and shifting via 2 buttons. Ron Ginter (a.k.a. The Grand Wazoo) Great White North Racing Team -- "Realism is everything" == Italian G. P. ========================================================= AUTODROMO NAZIONALE DI MONZA Crossing the Start/Finish line in 6th at 200mph, a close eye is kept on the pit exit lane for any cars emerging. Around the slight right reaching near 209mph before braking hard at the 100' board and changing down to 2nd and 100mph for the first left hander of the Variante Goodyear. Touching the brakes again at the apex and allowing the car to trickle through the tight right hander. On the power slightly and around the left hander. Past the apex and, using all the kerbing, full on the power snatching 3rd as soon as possible so as to minimise wheel-spin (nearly impossible here). Accelerating hard around the Curve Grande and onto a short, by Monza standards, straight passing under the bridge at 196mph. Approaching Roggia and braking extremely hard from 203mph, grabbing 2nd before the entry. Once again snatching 3rd before the exit to minimise wheel-spin (again impossible, if you're trying hard enough). Up through the gears, aiming to be in 6th before the second right hander of Lesmos which is entered flat at around 185mph. Under the old banking approaching 209mph before braking for the 2nd gear 105mph Vialone. A quick squeeze of the throttle and into 3rd for the right hander before braking slightly down into 2nd and 90mph for the left hander - an important corner as it's very easy to drift off line on the approach to it. Accelerating again (it's all stop and go at Monza) just clipping 199mph as we pass the 100' board leading into the most crucial corner of all, the Parabolica. A dab on the brakes and down to 3rd (128mph) for the entry. A slight four wheel drift is bound to occur here, but it's nothing to worry about. The slide can be allowed to continue right up until the edge of the tarmac, then a slight lift of the throttle gets the chassis going in the right direction again, before mashing the throttle and selecting 4th for the final dash towards the line. 5th, then 6th just after the yellow pit-lane markers and across the line. Time: 1:18.258s, pole position. Derm Quinn Team Dermske == Japanese G. P. ======================================================== SUZUKA INTERNATIONAL RACE COURSE Cross the Start/Finish line in 6th gear doing 185mph. Peak at 193mph just before changing down to 5th for First curve, relax from throttle and brake down to 3rd (95mph) for the second part of the corner. Up through the box, flat through the first left of S- curve, then down to 4th (130mph) for the next right-hander. Be careful not to go too wide on the exit as it will foul up your line into the next corner. Back on the power and up to 160mph before going down to 3rd gear (100mph) as you see the kerb appear on the right. You can break the suggested line here by a reasonable speed, without losing time into Dunlop Curve. Flat out through here, and the first part of Deyner Curve too. Brake just before running up kerb on the left, down to 3rd gear at 100mph. It's tempting to go too fast round this corner, but this is not the part where time is to be made up. If you get round here reasonably quickly, that's fine. Back on the gas and up through all the gears, except 6th, into the Hairpin Curve. Brake as the kerbing on the right ends, down to 1st gear and 65mph. On the power just before the corner ends. Take the next left-hander in 5th (140mph) and down to 110mph in 4th for the next part of Spoon Curve. You may well run up the kerb on the right if you're a bit throttle happy. Flat out until the Casino Chicane, reaching 195mph just after the left-hander. Brake as you see the pit entrance disappear off the right of the screen, remembering to keep to the left of the track. Take the chicane in 1st at 55mph and back on the power at the second apex. Cross the start line again and down the main straight. Car Setup Wings -- 40 front / 40 Rear Brake Bias -- Neutral Gear Stack -- 24/32/39/46/53/61 Tyres -- Q Keyboard -- Steering and Traction control in use. Phil "Wet Racer" Owen Team Damn Fine Coffee -- "Damn Fine Driving" == Mexican G. P. ========================================================= AUTODROMO HERMANOS RODRIGUEZ Down the Start/Finish straight in 6th reaching 197mph before right hander. Brake for this at the 100' board quickly shifting down into 3rd (100mph) for entry. As soon as I pass the apex and straighten up I accelerate momentarily (top 130mph) as I turn left, straighten and brake down to 2nd for the right (85mph). Exit the right (slide out at 100+) and accelerate moving up to 6th gear (top 175mph) and brake again at the 100 sign down to 4th for the left, enter the corner straighten for the right with a quick stab on the gas and then brake down to 2nd. Exit at 80mph short acceleration into 3rd then back down to 2nd before the next right and the Esses. Into the right in 2nd (80mph) and straighten for the left still in 2nd. As I round the apex into 3rd for the right - accelerate (120) slowing slightly for the bend then onto the gas again and line up for the left. Turn and into 4th, stay in 4th at about 120 for the next right/left then accelerate and move through 5th and 6th for the last half S (have I missed one it's a bit difficult to count). Coming up to the pit entrance and Peralta at 185mph in 6th, enter the long corner at 185 and stay on the gas (lifting only slightly twice but not dropping below 180mph), exit Peralta at 185mph in 6th and head for home. Car Setup Wings -- 35 front / 35 Rear Brake Bias -- +6 Front Gear Stack -- 22/28/35/43/53/64 Tyres -- D Joystick -- Steering and Traction control in use. Piers Samwell-Smith Gratis Prima Team == Monaco G. P. ========================================================== CIRCUIT DE MONACO There are lots of background scenery and track markings depicted in this circuit, put them to good use as reference points for when to brake and when to hit the throttle. Hurtling toward Ste Devote, position the car in the middle of the track, brake after the white marker on the road, clipping the apex and back on the throttle to accelerate out of the corner towards Roses Bar, the speed should not drop much below 100mph for this corner. For Massenet, brake after passing the pedestrian crossing and change to 5th gear, cruising round the first part of the corner, keeping the car on the extreme left of the track and back on the throttle just before the Palm trees come into view. It is essential to keep the car on the left side of the track, and as you pass the road marking, brake hard, change to 3rd gear and turn in almost simultaneously, this will throw the rear of the car out and results in a tight line into Casino. With a tight line, you can be back on the throttle quickly and accelerate towards Mirabeau. Try not to brake too late for Mirabeau, use the yellow strip on the left wall as a guide. After exiting Mirabeau position the car on the extreme right, accelerate and change to 3rd gear briefly before braking and down to 1st gear for the Loews hairpin, you'll need to run a tight line for the next few corners and use the full width of the track. Taking the right hander after Loews in 2nd gear, accelerate and change to 3rd gear, position the car on the extreme left before turning in for Portier. Accelerate out of Portier in 3rd gear and into the Tunnel, which is fairly straight forward and your only time to relax, the top speed should be around 170mph. Position the car in the middle of the track, brake and change to 4th gear after the 100m marker board for the Nouvelle Chicane, a quick flick to the left before turning into the right hander and clipping the apex, back on the throttle immediately and accelerate through the second right hander. No need to touch the gear shifter and brakes for a while since the next corners are all taken in 4th gear with the speed controlled by the throttle. Lift from the throttle after the pedestrian crossing and cruise around Tabac, a quick jab at the throttle before lifting again for the Swimming Pool Complex. The first left hander into the complex is crucial, getting it wrong there will mean a difficult time for the rest of the complex, you cruise round the left hander and then back on the throttle and accelerate through the right hander. Lift from the throttle halfway along the short straight and cruise through the right-left combination, using every inch of the road. Approaching La Rascasse in 4th and high rpm, brake hard and change to 2nd gear, try to hug the right inner curbing while keeping the speed around 50mph, a very difficult thing to do, but a tight line will let you get on the throttle early and accelerate out of the corner. Lift from the throttle again for Antony Noghes, turn in tightly and as you pass the apex, flick the car to the left and line up with the straight, back on the throttle immediately, accelerating through the gears and passing the Start/Finish line with a speed of 156mph and a lap time of 1:15.932. Car Setup Wings -- 64 Front / 56 Rear Brake Bias -- +5 Rear Gear Stack -- 26/32/38/44/50/56 Tyres -- Q Keyboard -- Steering Assistance in use. Justin D. Carr Endever-Yugo Racing -- "I'd rather be driving Volkls" == Portugese G. P. ======================================================= AUTODROMO DO ESTORIL Crossing the Start/Finish line at around 194mph in 6th gear, keeping an eye on the Pit exit, position the car on the left for Turn 1, turning in after the 100m board, on full throttle (198mph) but dropping a couple of mph through the bend. Riding high on the curb as you exit, straighten the car and back on the track, turn in at the 100m board for Turn 2, still full throttle (197mph). We are now through with the easy parts of the circuit. Coming up to Turn 3 with a speed of 195mph, hard on the brakes at the end of the rumble-strip, turn in while braking to slide the back of the car out, speed has now dropped to around 90 mph, change down to 4th, let the car settle a bit, then back on the throttle and using the full width of the outside curbing on the exit. Position the car in the middle of the track for Turn 4, hard on the brakes again as you pass the last marker board with a speed of around 125mph, letting the rear of the car slide, back on the gas once passed the apex, the car should be exit the corner in the middle of the track at 65-70mph. Time to relax, accelerate through the gears, reaching 185mph before braking for Turn 6. For Turn 6, position the car on the extreme right as you pass the 100m board, brake and slow to around 100mph, change down to 4th, turn in, and just before the apex, give the throttle a quick jab, but let the car turn a bit more before hard on the throttle again and accelerate out of the corner. Onto a short straight, change up to 5th and drifting over to the left to prepare for Turn 7, braking very late and turning in almost simultaneously -- sliding the rear out, quickly down to 4th and back on the throttle almost immediately. Accelerate through the gears, changing up to 6th before turning in for Turn 8, a bit of wheel-spin through the corner, but hard on the throttle (158mph). Taking Turn 9 at full steam, turn in early and exit on the right, straighten the car and brake hard at the end of the rumble-strip, speed is down from 170mph to around 110mph, change to 4th, turn in early and on a high line, back on the throttle before the apex, lifting if the car drifts too low (you'll have to play this turn "by ear"), then accelerate and up the gears through Turn 11 with lots of wheel spin, exiting the bend at around 170-175mph and back on the Start/Finish straight once more. Car Setup Wings -- 60 front / 36 Rear Brake Bias -- +10 Rear Gear Stack -- 31/37/43/49/55/62 Tyres -- Q Keyboard -- Steering Assistance in use. Justin D. Carr Endever-Yugo Racing -- "I'd rather be driving Volkls" == San Marino G. P. ====================================================== AUTODROMO ENZO & DINO FERRARI First of all, try to avoid wheel spin in the warm up lap by not accelerating too hard in the lower gears. Now we will try to do a lap in the 1:18.xxx. It doesn't matter how fast you enter the chicane before the Start/Finish line, but the exit speed will affect your speed down the Start/Finish straight. To get a fast lap time, you will need to exit the chicane at 80mph and pass the Start/Finish line at 160mph. Enter the start of Tamburello on the right side, then move to the left side of the curve and exit the corner on the outside at 195mph. Position the car on the left side of Rettifilio. Then move over to the inside of the short right curve before you come to the braking area for the Tosa. At this point you should have a speed of 200mph. Brake hard just before the 100m board and shift down to 2nd gear for Tosa. Enter Tosa at 75-80mph feathering the throttle to avoid wheel-spin at the turn-in, then accelerate flat out up the hill. Before the double apex curve, Piratella, you should have a speed of 180mph. This is an important place for a fast lap. Brake very late, just before where the corner begins, and shift down to 4th gear, accelerate, and at the end of first apex get 5th gear, fly pass the second apex flat out in 5th at 160-170mph. Now in 6th gear for a short time before braking from over 170mph down to 1st gear and 70-80mph for the Acque Minerale chicane. Avoid turning in too early and hitting the kerb on the right side which will result in a spin. The braking-point here is critical because there are no distance boards to look for, this is another important place for a fast lap, use the changes in colour on the left wall as reference, you must feel when to brake, I can't tell you where the right point exactly is -- it's somewhere before the colour changes. Enter the Acque Minerale chicane in 1st and accelerate through it in 2nd gear, exiting the chicane at 75-80mph, using all the kerb on the left side and shift into 3rd gear. At the end of the next right hander you should be in 4th gear and riding the kerb again. Somewhere between the 100m. board and the yellow bridge is the braking point for the next chicane, the Variante Alfa. You are going from over 170mph in 6th to 4th and turn into the left hander as early as possible but avoid hitting the kerb on the left side. You should be exiting the chicane in 4th at 47-48 seconds. Now accelerate flat out till the 6th gear. Under the bridge before Rivazza you should be around 190mph. Don't go too early to the inside of the gentle right hander in order to avoid a spin. Brake at the 100m. board for the two left handers at Rivazza, down to 2nd from over 190mph to 80mph for the first, and at the start of the second curve you should be in 4th gear and using all the kerb on the outside of the corner. Just before the entry of Variante Bassa you should be in 5th gear and lift the throttle briefly for the turn in for Bassa, then down on the throttle again and exit the Variante Bassa in 5th gear and flat out. Now we come to the last chicane, Traguardo. Braking from 5th down to 2nd at the end of the red/white kerb markings on the right side and exit the chicane to the Start/Finish straight at 80mph (again it's important to exit the chicane at a speed as high as possible). Now flat out and changing gear till 6th and passing Start/Finish line at 160mph. If the timer stops by 1:18 - 1:19 seconds then it was a very fast lap. In my opinion, the best places for overtaking are at the Rettifillo and the braking zones for Tosa and Rivazza. You can overtake, under braking, into the Acque Minerale as well, but here it is risky because you can easily hit the kerbs and spin. It is also possible to overtake between the Variante Bassa and Traguardo chicanes , but many computer drivers drive very slowly here so there is a good chance that you'll damage your front wings. Car Setup Wings -- 60 front / 30 Rear Brake Bias -- +3 Rear Gear Stack -- 23/30/38/45/52/60 Tyres -- Q Keyboard -- Steering and Traction control in use. Georg Naujoks Team Naujoks - Camen -- "Stay cool, Drive fast" == United States G. P. =================================================== PHOENIX GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT Rounding the double apex left-hander at the end of a warm-up lap, you enter the Start/Finish straight on Jefferson Street. Accelerating hard, crossing the line in 5th at 160-165mph. Still accelerating, up to 6th gear, passing the pit lane exit point and moving over to the left for the approaching 90 degree right-hander. Just before the 100 yard marker board, at 190mph, brake hard and change down to 3rd for the corner. Exiting the corner, move over to the right, accelerating, change up to 4th, reaching 130mph before braking for the 2nd gear left-hander into Jackson Street. Stay on the right on leaving this corner, accelerating again, up to 4th gear and 135mph before braking hard for the left-hander, taken in 2nd. A short burst of acceleration, still in 2nd gear, before a quick dab on the brakes and a right-hander before the run to the hairpin. Be careful not to misjudge your braking here, as contact with the wall will lose you valuable time. Onto the straight. Move over to the right, accelerating and moving up through the gears, reaching 150-155mph in 5th before braking hard at the 100yard marker and changing down to 1st gear for the hairpin. Smoothly round this left-hander, feeding in full throttle halfway round. Exiting the hairpin, stay close to the right, clipping the apex of a gentle right hand kink, move over to the left, still accelerating. A fast right-hander next, followed by a slightly slower left hander. Enter the right-hander in 5th gear, at 165mph. This corner can be taken flat out with a light fuel load and good tyres, otherwise lifting from the accelerator is needed. Line up for the left-hander, briefly up into 6th gear before changing back down to 5th with a dab of the brakes to negotiate the corner at 135-140mph. Exit this corner into Washington Street, a longish straight where it is possible to obtain a good tow from other cars. Accelerate, up into 6th gear, keeping over to the left. Watch the countdown markers, at 185mph and just before the 100 yard marker, quickly drop down the gears to 2nd and brake for the right-hander. A quick burst of acceleration, a dab on the brakes, and round the left-hander onto Adams Street. Stay out to the right, up through the gears to 135mph in 4th before braking hard and late for another 90 degree 2nd gear left-hander. Another quick burst of acceleration and dab of brakes before the 2nd gear right-hander. Move out to the right, avoiding any cars that may be slowing for the pit entrance, and line yourself up for the long, double apex left-hander. Enter this corner in 2nd gear, accelerate past the first apex, then build up through the gears as you emerge onto the Start/Finish straight again and crossing the line with a time of around 1:22.xxx Car Setup Wings -- 40 front / 40 Rear Brake Bias -- Neutral Gear Stack -- 24/32/39/46/53/61 Tyres -- C Keyboard -- Steering and Traction control in use. Christopher Philpott Team GB-Aitch -- "Wot you lookin' at, mate?!" ========================================================================