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New Rules for 1997 Season
rules: rev0.970223

GENERAL INFO:

  • As the name of the series implies, races must be raced on MicroProse's Grand Prix II (GP2).
  • This is not a network racing series, you race your games playing against the computer cars and then your results are compiled with all the other racers. We each race our own separate races against the computer AI cars. Our stats, qualifying time, race time etc. are then collectively assembled and used as the race results. Yes you're allowed to play your race in a network race against another human, so long as all other AI cars are racing, and each driver races 100% of their own race.
  • You need to keep racing until "Game Over" appears, some people are under the wrong idea that the race is over when the winner crosses the line. You need to keep racing until the game ends.
  • Qualifying and Race info is due no later than midnight of the date indicated on the race schedule, send them in early to be safe.
  • It is extremely important that you save all of your games, even if you DNF. These games must be saved for length of the entire season. We will be utilizing a windows3.1 compatible program this season which extracts your race and qualifying data from your save race file. If you DNF you can save it right after you crash, no need to accelerate time to the end.

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    RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • I recommend setting the Pit Strategy so that the game asks you before each race and not default to the strategy the setup defaults you to. This way you can always change your mind right before the race. see footnote on how to set.
  • It is very important to run some practise racing laps before you compete in the race. Your race car handles quite differently in qualifying and pratice sessions than the actual race. Go run some quick races and get used to the feel of the car, pratice pit stops etc... 
  • You are required to run with the GP2 Racing League Carset for the 1997 season, I suggest you also update all the driver names and car jams to the 1997 season. Follow the instructions here.
  • Set your Frames Per Second about 1 to 2 fps lower than the estimated value for smoother game play. see footnote on how to set.

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    GP2 PRE-RACE INFO & SETTINGS:

  • Utilities which alter game performance*, AI, F-Key Aide useablility, etc., are not allowed, cosmetic changes are ok. * Except for the GP2 Racing League Carset which is required.
  • We race Non-championship races.
  • Race distance will vary depending on the Class you compete in. see footnote on how to set.
  • "Opposition Standard" must be set to the same as the Class you race in. ie: If you are competing in Ace, your Opposition Standard has to be set to Ace.see footnote on how to set.
  • "Opposition Spread" must be set to 1994.see footnote on how to set.
  • All realisms must be turned on. see footnote on how to set.
  • F4, indestructable mode, must be turned off for all Classes of competition. Other than the ban on F4, each Class will be allowed to use any "F" keys which are normally allowed by GP2. This does not mean you can load a utility which allows any "F" key in any Class.
  • Races, for all Classes, must be raced with the GP2 Racing League Carset. This contains performance values relating to a realistic field of competition with the 1997 driver line up and Team JAMs. Other carsets with actual GP2 Racing League drivers will be available very soon.

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  • You must race as driver 26 from the Carset, and have all settings as specified on the instruction sheet. Values will be checked and if values like your horsepower don't match then you will get 0 points for your race.
  • GP2 RACE INFO:

  • Use your favorite setup for your race, you are not forced to use a specific car setup.
  • You have to decide when you are starting your "league" non-championship race. This includes Friday and Saturday Practice and Qualifying too. You are only allowed the two sessions of qualifying for the race. Practice qualifying all you want in preparation, but when you are starting your GP2 Racing League race, you only get one race, if after Saturdays quals you are only in 18th, that is just how it goes and you start your race from 18th position.
  • Be sure to save the game before you've left the starting grid because you are allowed to restart your race if less than 3 laps have been completed, after the 4th lap begins restarts are not allowed.
  • You may save a game and finish it later, but if you spin out or crash you are not allowed to "turn back the clock" and go back before the incident happened and race as though it never happen.

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    SUBMITTING RACE INFO:

    Qualifying & Race

  • Race information will be submitted with the aide of our Windows based Race Submit Program. May be downloaded here when completed.
  • If asked to provide your setup you'll need to comply.
  • Be sure to save your "save game" file, it is required for the Race Submit Program to extract your data, and you may be asked to provide it for authentication of your game. If the Save Game file is requested and you can't produce it, you forfeit all points for that race. If it happens twice you are disqualified from the season.

  • We are all here to have fun, but cheating is not tolerated.


    DECIDING WINNERS:

  • I had hoped to base our finishing positions relative to the other competitors. However, GP2 doesn't give the absolute race completion time or average speed unless you finish on the lead lap so this is impossible, until somebody makes a patch to change this. hint hint
  • Given the situation I've decided to score everybody based on their finishing position in their own personal race. 
  • SCORING:

  • All points are for the driver, your team earns the same points as the driver, 2 drivers maximum per team. Drivers may be on the same team and in different Classes.
        • 1 point given for submitting qualifying time.
          5 points given for finishing your race (even if laps down or DNF.)
          20 pts to 1st, 18 to 2nd, 16 to 3rd ..... 2 to 10th
  • The top 6 drivers in each Class will get extra "F1 Points":
        • 10 points to #1 overall fastest in the Class
          6 points to #2 overall fastest in the Class
          4 points to #3 overall fastest in the Class
          3 points to #4 overall fastest in the Class
          2 points to #5 overall fastest in the Class
          1 point to #6 overall fastest in the Class
  • Additionally points can be earned each race for not using "F" Help keys and Steering and Opposite Lock help. 
        • 1 point for each race completed start to finish with no "F" Aide keys.
          1 point for each race completed start to finish with no Steering or Opposite Lock help.
  • Even if you don't finish in a top position, by submitting qual stuff and finishing your race you can earn 6 points. The point system is definitely geared towards finishing well, but I want to see people get points if they are racing. 
  • CHANGING CLASSES:

    Everybody in the league earns the same number of points for the same finishing position. When you move up to the next Class (ie: Amateur to Semi-Pro) you will lose 25% of your total accumulated points to date.
    This is in effect for two reasons:
    • To prevent SandBaggers from staying in the Amateur Class and winning the Team Constructors Champtionship. SandBaggers = competing in a Class below your true ability
    • Because the races are more difficult in higher Classes so it is only fair to have your points discounted somewhat when moving up to a higher Class. This is much more fair than wiping your points clean when you change Classes.
  • When a racer attains 4 first place finishes in a Class they are required to move up to the next Class. You may always move up if you feel you need more of a challange.

  • If you started out in a Class which is too difficult for you, there is no penalty for moving down a Class.

    So for example if you have 32 points after your first Amateur race and you want to move up a to Semi-Pro, you will then have 24 points. (32-25%). If you were to win your next race with 32 points and decide to move up to Pro, you have 24+32=56 points before moving up, -25% and you start out your Pro series with 42 points.


    MISCELLANEOUS:

  • You will be able to have a replacement driver for up to 2 of your races. The purpose of this is so that if you are very busy, going on vacation, etc.. you will be able to get points for your race. The replacement driver will simply stand in for your normal ride. Please notify me ahead of time if you are using a stand-in driver. 
  • Thank you for reading all this! It is very important information.

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    footnote:


    INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SET THINGS CORRECTLY:


    Saving Changes:

    Be sure to save the changes you will be making. 

    You can save changes by either:
    1) Saying "YES" to save changes when exiting game, or 
    2) MAIN MENU | OPTIONS | ADVANDED OPTIONS | SAVE GAME STATE


    Pit Strategy:

    MAIN MENU | DRIVE MENU | DRIVE OPTIONS | under the section Race Options turn on "Decide pit strategy at race start"


    Graphics Detail Level:

    MAIN MENU | OPTIONS | GRAPHIC DETAIL LEVEL | USE ESTIMATE


    Race Distance:

    MAIN MENU | DRIVE MENU | DRIVE OPTIONS | under the section Race Options set Race Distance to the appropriate length for your Class


    Opposition:

    1) MAIN MENU | DRIVE MENU | DRIVE OPTIONS | under the section General Options select "Amateur", "Semi-Pro", "Pro" or "Ace" depending on the Class in which you're racing.
    2) MAIN MENU | DRIVE MENU | DRIVE OPTIONS | under the section General Options select "1994 levels"

    Realisms

    MAIN MENU | DRIVE MENU | DRIVE OPTIONS | CAR REALISM MENU (at bottom left of screen) | select "ALL"


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