The graphics are superb and the vehicle dynamics very real, too real infact, as the cars with 400+ Bhp and skinny cross ply tyres are very difficult to drive (initially anyway).
There is now a new add on to control the AI (artifical intelligence) drivers making them much more realistic. You can even have Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost racing! Goto http://www.netrevo.com/gplw/
A GPL grid with
updated cars by JF
Carset.
Grand Prix Legends was released in 1998 and was way ahead of its time, only now are computers powerful enough to exploit all of the simulations (it is not really a game) features. A thriving internet community exists supporting GPL. People are producing new tracks which you can download, tweaking the original cars and tracks, producing utilities to help you get more out of the software. You can also upload your lap times and see how you rank in the world. (I am currently ranked about 1500 as of 15th March 2001)(Now ranked 1390, 5th April 2001)
For further details on all things GPL visit the site of Eagle Woman who was one of the testers for the simulation. It has answers to nearly every question related to GPL and links to many sites where you can download the new tracks, car graphics, sounds utilities etc. Pay the site a visit and get hooked!!Tracks Available (not all of them) There are around 100 tracks available for download!
Brands Hatch*
Bremgarten (the old Swiss GP)*
Buggati Circuit at Le Mans*
Goodwood*
Imola*
Ostering*
Road Alanta*
Solitude*
Crystal Palace*
Snetterton*
Kyalami
Mexico
Monaco
Monza
Mosport
Nurburing (yes the old circuit 14.19 miles and 174 turns!!)
Rouen-les-Essarts
Silverstone
Spa
Watkins Glen
Zandvoort
(* means tracks downloaded from the internet)
Some of The Set Up Options
Wheel rates (spring rates)
Antiroll bar rates
Tyre pressures
Camber
Double Adjustable dampers
Toe
Brake bias
Bump stop size
Ride height
Steering ratio
Gear ratios
Differential settings in the limited slip (ramp angles and number of clutch's)
You can also alter the setting for each corner of the car not just at one end!
Cars Available
Lotus-Ford 49
Repco-Bramham BT 24
BRM P115
Coventry 19R (A copy of the Cooper, permission was not given to use the Cooper
name)
Murasama MA-310 (A copy of the Honda, again permission to use the Honda name
was not given)
Eagl-Weslake T1G
Ferrari 312
They all handle like the originals and sound superb!
Racing
You can race against up to 19 computer controlled cars and the modeling
of the drivers is very realistic. The Lotus drivers suffer more mechanical
breakdowns, and the drivers also make mistakes. When they want to overtake
you (wishful thinking because I am nearly always at the back) they will
sit behind you for a while and suss out where you are slowest.
There are many internet racing leagues but I am waiting until I am a little
better before I try these.
Computer
My computer is a Pentium III overclocked to 515 Mhz with a Voodoo 5 graphics
card (slightly overclocked) and I can not get a good frame rate with all
the features switched to maximum. You require a powerful computer to get
the most out of this software. A steering wheel and pedals are a must.
I have already got plans to build a proper seat with some real pedals
(all home made). For the brake I intend to rig up a master cylinder with
a pressure transducer, this will then replicate the proper feel of a pedal
where more pressure gives more braking, instead of a moving brake pedal.
But I must get my new project finished first!
Online Racing
I am now part of an online racing league (early 2002). We race at
various tracks every week. So far I have competed in six races and just
won my first event at Imola. The leagye is very competitive but great
fun. It is so much better racing against real people instead of the AI
on the computer.
Read About The Real 1967 Season
Visit this site (
Click Here ) for actual race reports and many pictures from the 1967
season. Some of the pictures of the cars flying at the Nurburing are scary!
