Targa Florio.

[Ferry_vO]

Must have been a lot of work to recreate this entire track for rFactor..
And this is just the short 72 kilometer (44 miles) version!
Some good info about the real track here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targa_Florio

It is a real rollercoaster, sort of a Nurburgring but three times as long and even more dangerous. Mostly second/third gear corners and just one very long straight near the end.
My first lap went in 44 minutes! Just eleven minutes above the lap record..
It is great to just drive along and enjoy the scenery though; take a sixties or seventies sportscar and turn off all drivers' aids (Except invulnerability: You will need that!) and have fun.

I did it in this Ferrari 312P:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/rFactor/Targa1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/rFactor/Targa2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/rFactor/Targa3.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/rFactor/Targa4.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/rFactor/Targa5.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/rFactor/Targa6.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/rFactor/Targa7.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/rFactor/Targa8.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/rFactor/Targa9.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Ferror/rFactor/Targa10.jpg

[wombat666]

I opted for a drive more suited to my ability!!
After several attempts I've managed to complete a full lap ..........:applause:
Now for some Osella time.

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Excellent effort and well worth the lengthy waiting time.
:kilroy:

[Ferry_vO]

I opted for a drive more suited to my ability!!

I only picked the 312P for the great sounds.. I doubt I pushed it beyond 80% of its limits!


After several attempts I've managed to complete a full lap ..........:applause:


That's where 'invulnerability on' comes in handy.. :d
Can you imagine doing eleven laps in a real car on that track without killing yourself..??


Excellent effort and well worth the lengthy waiting time.
:kilroy:

Absolutely! :applause:

[Wing_Z]

These screens look amazing... I haven't had a driving sim for a while, what's the opinion: are they overall much better, in performance and looks, than the present flightsims?

[Ferry_vO]

That depends on what sim/game you buy; the older sims like rFactor and the Simbin sims (GTR2/GTR Evo/Race07/Race on etc.) are still quite popular due to their open structure (like MSFS) and perform great on modern computers but graphic quality depends on the quality of the mods (Cars and tracks) that you are using.
IIRC the engine used in these games has its roots in the ancient EA Formula series! A benefit of an older game is of course the FPS performance which is great! GTR2 does somewhere between 100-250 fps, depending on the number of vehicles on track.

The newer games like the Codemasters F1/DiRT series and the EA Need for Speed series look fantastic, almost photorealistic, but are very limited in modability.

rFactor gets a sequel in the near future but there's no date set yet. Old mods like the one in the screenshots above 'should' work with part 2 too.

[wombat666]

rFactor gets a sequel in the near future but there's no date set yet. Old mods like the one in the screenshots above 'should' work with part 2 too.

At least the current release date for rF2 is supposedly '2011' ...... at the present.
:kilroy:

[Wing_Z]

Not a trivial download either...
Now where should I look for the Targa Florio??

[wombat666]

Here,
http://www.nogripracing.com/details.php?filenr=33037
You need to register at NoGrip.

Or here, scroll down the page and choose either mirror 3 or 4.
http://www.virtualr.net/

:kilroy:

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[Ferry_vO]

Or at the biggest rFactor resource: http://www.rfactorcentral.com/index.cfm

Also registration required, but well worth it!

[Wing_Z]

Thanks - looks like I may lose some flightsim currency... what a huge community rFactor has!

[Ferry_vO]

And the best part is that everything is (still) free! :applause:

Let us know what you are interested in, and Wombat and me can point you to some interesting add-ons!

[Wing_Z]

Thanks Ferry, I suspect Id need a hardware upgrade to make this driving thing work properly, my FS joystick clearly isn't the thing.
My local Computer shop has this amazing rig which looks like Red Bull Racing's simulator. Mmm...

rE-Fge3gN9w

OK it doesn't have full 6-axis motion, but 'd still consider buying it.

[wombat666]

This is worth watching, despite the crappy image quality.
I've had the video tape for years and years, considering when the original was produced I guess we shouldn't complain.
:kilroy:
http://vimeo.com/9624195
Driving the Ford must have been 'interesting'.

[Wing_Z]

This is worth watching...I'll say...
Amazing to see all those names on the same track: Hill, Hopkirk, Bonnier, Bandini, Bondurant...a long list of Greats.
The damage to the GTO caused me physical pain.

What a great spectacle, thanks for the link.