FAQ
FAQ
0
Last Modified: 12 Jan 97
Introduction
============
This FAQ is an attempt to answer common questions about the simulation
IndyCar Racing II (ICR2), from Papyrus/Sierra On-Line (see a computer
store near you for a copy or check out http://www.sierra.com).
Send any additions, clarifications, etc. to [email protected]
This FAQ will be posted periodically to rec.autos.simulators.
Updates
=======
12/01/97
Table of Contents
=================
Q: What are the system requirements?
Q: What versions of IndyCar Racing II are available?
Q: How can I get the latest versions?
Q: After patching or doing a complete install why can't I update
certain files?
Q: Is there IPX Network support in ICR2?
Q: What 3-D video cards are supported by ICR2?
Q: What version of ICR2 comes bundled with some Rendition Video cards?
Q: I have the bundled version that came with my Renditon Video card.
What are some of the special keys to control brake bias, etc.?
Q: Is there a demo?
Q: How come I can't get any pit service in the DOS Demo?
Q: How can I turn on some of the missing features in the Demo?
Q: I am running IndyCar Racing II on a 486 DX2 66mhz with 8mb of RAM.
Will adding another 8mb of RAM make a significant difference in game
play?
It runs smoothly in VGA mode but I would prefer to run it "smoothly"
in SVGA. Will 16mb of RAM instead of 8mb help me?
Q: Why are some of the drivers missing?
Q: Are there updated cars & drivers available?
Q: I just downloaded a carset, but I can't get it to work?
Q: Why are there "seams" on the cars I painted? And what about that
"skunk stripe" down the top of the car?
Q: Why aren't the Homestead, Rio de Janeiro, and Indianapolis tracks
included?
Q: Is there a Track Pack for ICR2?
Q: How can I run ICR2 in SVGA?
Q: How can I capture a "screen shot"?
Q: I set Announcer to 100%, but I still can't hear any voices during
the game.
Q: Why is my pit always at the same place?
Q: My car disappears in the "cork screw" at Laguna Seca. What gives?
Q: The menu just scrolls selections madly. How can control this to
make a selection?
Q: Why can't I get Univbe to work with my ATI video card?
Q: I am having trouble connecting via modem. Can you suggest any modem
initialization strings?
Q: Can someone tell me what the difference is between the different
chassis, engines and tires?
Q: I'm having trouble learning some of the Road Courses. Are there any
tips?
Q: I'm using a steering wheel. Any tips on setting the steering lock?
Q: What is the difference between controllers (digital or analog)?
Q: Any tips on passing strategies?
Q: Are there any tips on how to setup one's car?
Questions and Answers
=====================
Q: What are the system requirements?
A: System Requirements (MS-DOS/Windows)
VGA
Double Speed CD-ROM drive
486DX 33/Mhz or greater
8MB RAM
MS-DOS 5.x or 6.x
12MB hard drive space
SVGA
Double Speed CD-ROM drive
486DX2 66/Mhz or greater
8MB RAM
mere patch can't help your driving). Allows Mac version of game
to sponsor multiplayer matches which include users of the
Windows/DOS versions of the game.
Q: After patching or doing a complete install why can't I update certain
files?
A: Need to set attributes of *.txt files in various Tracks directories
to turn off read-only.
Q: Is there IPX Network support in ICR2?
A: Sorry, there is not.
Q: What 3-D video cards are supported by ICR2?
A: The retail versions of IndyCar Racing II do not support any 3D
accelerated video cards. However, a Rendition supported version is
bundled with either the Intergraph Intense 3D 100 (a.k.a. Reactor) or
Sierras Screamin 3D video cards.
Q: What version of ICR2 comes bundled with some Rendition Video cards?
A: ICR2-3D is an "optimized" version of v1.02, but doesn't include a
patched paintkit. The patch for the paintkit can be found at:
http://www.kazart.com/autosim/indycar.htm
Q: I have the bundled version that came with my Renditon Video card.
What are some of the special keys to control brake bias, etc.?
A: The following information comes from the readme.txt file of the demo
version and the manual from the retail version. It is a violation of
the Software Ethics Code (section 98:41.5) to use this information if
you do not have own a legitimate copy of ICR2. Violators will be
persecuted [sic] to the fullest extent of karma!
Driving Views: You can cycle through different views of the car while
driving by pressing the F10 key.
Information Boxes : Additional information boxes may be called up by use
of the following function keys:
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F7
F8
F9
Turbocharger L =
Brake Bias
' =
Anti-Roll Bars:
Front
+ =
Rear
] =
Increased Boost
Move forward
K = Decreased Boost
; = Move rearward
Stiffen
Stiffen
- = Soften
[ = Soften
Q: Is there a demo?
A: A DOS demo can be found at:
(DOS) ftp://ftp.std.com/vendors/papyrus/icr2demo.exe
(DOS) ftp://ftp.sierra.com/pub/sierra/demo/icr2demo.exe
(Win95) ftp://ftp.sierra.com/pub/sierra/demo/wicr2dem.exe
(MacBinary)
ftp://ftp.sierra.com/pub/macintosh_demos/IndyCar2_Demo.sea.bin
(Mac BinHex)
ftp://ftp.sierra.com/pub/macintosh_demos/IndyCar2_Demo.sea.hqx
Q: How come I can't get any pit service in the Demo?
A: It's a demo and your pit crew has the weekend off.
Q: How can I turn on some of the missing features in the DOS Demo?
A: Courtesy Neil Jedrzejewski (Note: an editor is also available at:
http://www.theuspits.com/workshop.html)
To turn on some of the disabled features in the Indycar Racing II
demo you can do the following:
Open the file GAMEOPTS.CFG and using the hex editor change the
following bytes.
Offset
68
72
72
89
89
89
Value (hex)
01-64
00
01
00
01
02
Result
Race distance in %
PaceCar off
PaceCar on
Damage off
Damage Realistic (great fun)
Damage Arcade
93
00
Breakdowns Off
93
01
Breakdowns On
97
00
Yellow Flags On
97
01
Yellow Flags Off
The offset it how many bytes into the file the value resides at.
Offset 0 is the first byte, Offset 1 the second and so on.
Before doing this, backup your GAMEOPTS.CFG file by typing COPY
GAMEOPTS.CFG GAMEOPTS.BAK
If you have any problems, delete your GAMEOPTS.CFG file (a new one
will be created next time you run Indycar) or type COPY GAMEOPTS.BAK
GAMEOPTS.CFG
Q: I am running IndyCar Racing II on a 486 DX2 66mhz with 8mb of RAM.
Will adding another 8mb of RAM make a significant difference in game
play?
It runs smoothly in VGA mode but I would prefer to run it "smoothly"
in SVGA. Will 16mb of RAM instead of 8mb help me?
A: For the DOS version it's been stated that the memory(above 8MB) only
increases the length of the replay.
Q: Why are some of the drivers missing?
A: ICR2 is based on the 1995 CART season. Papyrus was unable to get
License Agreements with all teams and Drivers.
Q: Are there updated cars & drivers available?
A: Various 3rd party efforts have been made to provide cars & drivers
for 1995 & 1996. Check any of the following:
http://www.kazart.com/autosim/indycar.htm
http://www.theuspits.com/workshop.html
Q: I just downloaded a carset, but I can't get it to work?
A: The directory name where you put the new carset must match the name
of the .DAT file. If the .DAT file you downloaded is PPG96.DAT, the
directory name must be PPG96. Also note that the directory must
fall directly under the CARS directory.
Q: Why are there "seams" on the cars I painted? And what about that
"skunk stripe" down the top of the car?
A: You need to patch your paintkit program. You can find the patch at
http://www.kazart.com/autosim/indycar.htm
Q: Why aren't the Homestead, Rio de Janeiro, and Indianapolis tracks
included?
A: ICR2 is based on the 1995 CART season. Some of the tracks were
changed in the 1996 season. Papyrus also did not have a License
Agreement with the Indianapolis Speedway.
Q: Is there a Track Pack for ICR2?
A: No, there is not. However, if one legally owns NASCAR Racing or the
Indianapolis Track Pack for ICR1, there are conversion programs for
these tracks. Check http://www.theuspits.com/workshop.html
Q: How can I capture a "screen shot"?
A: Press the Print Screen key on your keyboard.
be created in you ICR2 directory.
Actually this is
A: First check you modem manual and make sure your intialization string
has turned of "data compression".
A friend and I recently struggled to get my new 33.6 Dynalink modem
talking to his USR Sportster 14.4. We both were using the standard USR
init string for the USR Sportster (AT&F...AT&K0&M0) to no avail.
Technical support and all data we could find led us to dead ends.
However, after some wild guesses, we found that by adding &B1 (Fixed
Serial Port Rate) to the end of the string, ICR2 connected and worked
well. Hope this may save someone out there some pain and suffering.
Earl Setser
> I've got a USR 28.8 DSVD and can't get the voice side to work. If you
> know how or have a successful modem string please clue me in.
I've submitted a complete write-up on DSVD to Sim Racing News and it
should be in there on the next issue. [Editor: His article appeared
in the August 1996 issue http://members.aol.com/simracing/index.htm]
The summary is this.
caveats:
AT&F1&K0SSE=1
It doesn't work with the modem string they ship because it disables
error correction and error correction is REQUIRED for DSVD -unfortunately this means an increase in latency, but its tolerable.
Secondly, you cannot switch from voice to voice/data within the game.
The way Papyrus coded the answering mechanism it just doesn't work.
You need to set your modem strings as above. Dial using the game,
wait until the connection is established and the answering person
switches to a track, then lift the handset. I've raced probably 30
times with the DSVD setup and this is the most reliable way to do it.
[email protected] (Randy Magruder)
Q: Can someone tell me what the difference is between the different
chassis, engines and tires?
A: From a post to r.a.s. by [email protected] (GAUNTLET):
Goodyear tyres, the qualifying tire, firestone and goodyear are
then basically the same for race lastability.
Peneske is the race chassis for non-ovals, Reynard is quicker but
harder to drive {less stable rear end}.
Lola is the Oval chassis
Cosworth is the oval engine I think {12,800-13,000 best rev level}
Mercedes probably the best non-oval engine {12,800-13,000)
Honda the best of both worlds engine I believe {12,800-13,200} red
lines at 13,500 but I believe it starts losing power after 13,200.
-------------------------------------------From a post to AOL by Chad255786:
The Chassis, Engines, Tires performance values of the real Indycar
World Series are the basis for ICR II.
This means:
Lola: Just slightly the best overall chassis. Best on ovals and
superspeedways, slight stability problems on some road courses that
affects tire wear and handling over the course of a fuel load.
Reynard: Better than the Lola on road courses, confident, stable on
ovals but a little heavier and produces more drag making the lola
overall, a better sled.
Penske: I can't figure if Papy setup the Penske to be like the
season end Penske which finished EVER so close to Pruett at Michigan
or the Chassis that got beat by the Speedway tour bus at Indy.
Anyway.
Penske: Solid road course performer where it was easiest of all 3
to handle/ wear tires over the whole season. Sucked on ovals until
very late in the season (when the `96 undercarriage and suspension
pieces were added) because the car lost so much speed in turns and
experienced sometimes violent buffering/handling when in a pack of
cars and slipstreaming occurred.
Engines:
Ford: Best overall. Improved low-end torque over the `94 engine
package. Solid high-end power for ovals/superspeedways. Prone to
more breakdowns than the other engines.(fact in ICR II and real
life*****)
Mercedes: Weak at high ends compared to Honda and Ford. Good low
range power and better power band than Ford. VERY reliable.
Honda: Okay at low ranges(coming out of turns on a road course)
Great, Great top power for the ovals. This engine is the choice of
anyone trying to set one lap records at Michigan etc...
Tires:
Goodyear: Good grip, average durability.
as sticky as the Firestones.
not
Q: I'm using a steering wheel. Any tips on setting the steering lock?
A: When you set your car up, reduce the steering lock. Set it so you can
make the slowest corner on a road course with about full lock. Then
increase the steering lock a degree or 2.
I usually have the steering lock set for 10-12 on road circuits and
8-10 for ovals.
Q: What is the difference between controllers (digital or analog)?
A: I've been using the keyboard for racing in NASCAR with ok results. It
seems the biggest problem with buttons though are that they are either
ON or OFF. No inbetweens. Question: Are the joy sticks & wheels the
same way? I mean for instance if you turn the wheel half way does the
car experience say half the wheel lock angle? OR is it done so that
the wheels and sticks put out periodic signals that are proportional to
the range of movement?
The keyboard (and other digital controllers, such as joystick buttons)
causes steering, acceleration, braking and reverse to be applied on an
increasing basis. We do not "slam" the wheels left/right, or the
gas/brake to the floor. We do it gradually over a period of time (I
don't have the code in front of me so I can't say at what rate, but
it's short - about a second to full value, I believe).
Analog controllers such as joysticks are interpreted for steering in
one of two ways. If you choose linear steering, then the joystick
value corresponds linearly to the steering angle; 1/2 left will give
you 1/2 left steering. If you choose non-linear steering, then the
joystick value is converted to steering angle by a (surprise)
non-linear function; again, I don't have the code in front of me,
so I can't tell you what the function is.
Rick Genter
Technical Lead, IndyCar Racing II
Papyrus Design Group, Inc.
Q: Any tips on passing strategies?
A: My experience has been that if you are dicing for position, it is the
racer behind that must find their way around the other.
Blocking is
usually tolerated when a fight for position is being engaged.
However, if a racer is being lapped, it is considered good racing
etiquette to let faster cars by at the earliest opportunity. A lapped
racer is not expected to give up his line into a turn for a faster
car, but not block that car either on exit, or when trying to pass in
the corner. Again, it is still up to the faster car to find their way
around. I would expect the same to hold true for racing sims.
Jerry
Purple Lips Racing
Q: Are there any tips on how to setup one's car?
A: Yes, Terje Wold Johansen has prepared an excellent article that
appeared in the May 1996 issue of Sim Racing News.
Indycar 2 - General Setup Guide
- by Terje Wold Johansen
To complement this month's track guide for Indycar 2 and to give
people a grounding in setting up an Indycar, we needed some basic
facts. What ARE each of the setup options? What do they do? How do
they complement one another? Below Terje gives an overview of the
lesser understood parameters of Indycar setup, and how they affect
the car's handling. Take it away Terje....
1. ANTI-ROLL BARS (ARB)
What happens when you adjust the ARBs?
Increasing the front ARB stiffens the front end of the car and
increasing the rear ARB stiffens the back. Decreasing them makes
each respective end softer. What does softer or stiffer imply?
When a car is said to be soft it has relatively much roll. Roll is
experimented when you turn the steering wheel or brake. When turning
it depends on the stiffness of the car and the actual weight being
transfered(speed, turning radius). Under braking it depends on the
speed, stiffness and the brake balance. A soft car will respond
slowly to weight transfer while a stiff car will respond quickly.
This response time decides how your car handles. Because roll is
equal to response more roll equals higher response time and too much
roll means that the car will feel sluggish. The opposite of sluggish
is too pitch sensitive which often means that the car has been set
up too stiff. Apart from the ARBs the shocks play an important part
in the stiffness of the car. In ICR2 shocks equal shocks and springs
in the real IndyCars.
When do I adjust ARB?
Usually you would like to decrease the front ARB if you experiment
push in a turn, but you would like to increase the rear ARB if you
experiment push when entering a turn. If you have oversteer in a
turn soften rear ARB and/or stiffen front ARB. If you have oversteer
when entering a turn soften rear ARB and/or stiffen front ARB. If
you have oversteer when exiting a turn increase front ARB and/or
soften rear ARB. Usually it is pretty easy to find the optimum
settings as the car doesn't push into a turn and oversteer while in
it and finally understeer when exiting. Usually it is only
understeer or oversteer. If you experiment both it is something
fundamentally wrong with your set-up and/or your driving.
2. BRAKE BALANCE
The brake balance affects the weight transfer under braking. By
moving the balance forward the front brakes will do more of the
braking than the rear and hence more weight will be distributed
forward than if you didn't. Too little weight transfer to the front
may cause the car to swap ends as the rear becomes too heavy. Too
much weight transfer forward will make steering difficult because
the front tyres loose grip. On tight tracks like Detroit the balance
is often moved backwards in order to make the car turn in more under
braking. The brake balance is heavily influenced by driving style.
3. CAMBER
Why is it that the temperatures become unequal across a tyre? The
unequal temperatures are a function of the weight distribution that
takes place when driving through a turn and the general downforce of
the car. Changing the camber of a tyre means that we can adjust how
much of the tyre we would like to touch the track surface. Camber is
essential to how fast you can drive through a turn. Lessening (-)
the camber tilts the top of the tyre against the car which is
exactly the opposite of what happens when you increase (+) the