New Drivers

[vosblod]

Experienced drivers may wish to skip straight to the Online Racing section…

1) Getting Started

a) Firstly get yourself the game disc, have a quick search on ebay OR try here, you should be able to pick it up for around £5.
b) Download the installer from here
c) Insert the game disc and run the installer. This will install GPL with various updates and add-ons. If you have problems there is a downloadable installation guide here

d) OPTIONAL now might be a good time to install the additional mods;
i) 65 Mod; http://fp.gplegends.plus.com/65modv2.htm
ii) 65 Mod update; http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?t=335668
iii) 66 Mod; http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?t=307116
iv) 66 Mod update; http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?t=335670
v) 69 Mod; http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?t=287281
vi) 69 Mod update; http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?t=335673
vii) 67 update; http://forum.racesimcentral.com/showthread.php?t=338751
There is also a Night Mod and Thunder Cars Mod which you might like to try

That’s all you need to get started.

One issue that does crop up from time to time are graphics problems, particularly in relation to newer graphics cards. There are updated Rasterizers available here
If you run into problems let us know so we can help, it’s also worth checking the two main GPL help forums RSC and SRMZ
The disc comes with 11 original tracks – beyond that there are hundreds more downloadable at the GPL track database
There are also a myriad of things you can add such as track updates, a replay analyser and set-up assistant but one step at a time…

2) Getting out on track

Now you are all loaded and raring to go but before you hit the track consider the following;
i) Controller – it is really worth considering buying a wheel and pedals. There are lots of products available ranging in price – basically the more expensive the better but there are some good cheap wheels out there if you just want to get a feel for the driving. You can use the keyboard but you are likely to struggle…
ii) Driving View – we recommend using the cockpit view. You can use the overhead view but in the long run you could struggle, and it won’t be so easy to check your opponents behind you.
iii) Driver Aids – by all means use these to start with. Once you start getting up to speed, however, we strongly recommend you switch all driver aids OFF. In the long term it will hold you back against your online opponents.
iv) Which Mod? – you will want to go straight out in the original 67 beasts. Go for it but we do recommend, once tried, you start to learn your craft in the more forgiving 65’s and progress onto the 67’s, 66’s and 69’s.
v) Which chassis? Try them all – you might find one that particularly suits you

OK now you’ve considered the above it’s time to hit the track… But which track? Well a good starter would be Silverstone or Monza but you may have ambitions to conquer the Nurburgring immediately.
Now prepare to crash, for crash you will, and lots. If you race the AI you will wonder where they have all gone once the flag drops.
Fear not we have all been there. Be prepared for a lot of practice, then some more practice and finally a lot more practice. We can assure you what you get out of GPL will be worth it.
As to how long it will take for you to be ready to take on the drivers at UKGPL well that’s like asking how long is a piece of string – it depends on the time you can put in, a few weeks of dedicated practice might be feasible.
As a rule of thumb you should be able to get round a track MOST times with no driver aids. At this stage don’t worry too much about your track times.
A word of warning, ditch the default setups, there are lots of setups available on the internet for download (see links below).

Now it’s time to get yourself online…

3) Getting online

If you are brand new to GPL start by joining the practice servers/races in IGOR. Join our chatroom (#ukgpl) where you will quite often find other UKGPL drivers. Hop on to any of our servers (don’t worry you won’t end up in a league race, they are password protected). You can enter IGOR via GEM which came with the installer.
You will find us a helpful bunch so this is a great way to practice your newfound skills and get advice.
Once you can get round safely it is time to join us in our league races. At the sake of repetition don’t worry too much about your lap times at this stage. UKGPL welcomes new drivers and you will never be penalised for a lack of driving expertise.

On that fine note, before you do start, check our Rules and Regulations with an emphasis on Sporting Regulations and Etiquette. Don’t worry you don’t need to learn it all verbatim, it is common sense stuff really.

4) Online Racing

The first thing you will want to do is decide which divisions you will participate in. We cater for both new and more experienced drivers. You can find the current divisions together with details for Season 18 here
Newer drivers may wish to join the 65 Novices to begin with and also consider the Graduates (Privateers) once you feel ready to tackle the 67’s.
For the more experienced we cater for 65’s (Amateurs), 66’s (Historic), 67’s (Graduates - Works) and 69’s (Gold).
Just vote on the appropriate registration thread in Announcements and you will be entered into that division and have access to the race passwords.

We do NOT currently race online using the 60fps patch, please ensure this is switched off. Go into GEM options and untick 60fps

5) Teams

Once you are settled in you may wish to join one of the various existing teams or even start your own. Just contact one of the team members or you can self-service the set-up of your own team.

6) Forum Navigation

UKGPL operate through the SROU forum. There are three main sections; Announcements (division registration and the like) / Races / GPL (for anything else).
Entering via ukgpl.com will give you direct access to the latest race threads and additional utilities such as replay downloads.

7) Links / Resources

A google search will throw up lots of resources. A few worth looking at are;
Mike's website - Mike's (Miner2049er) GPL website with lots of resources
Race Sim Central - general GPL forum
SRMZ – general GPL forum
GPL Track Database - track and set-up downloads
GPL Rank - keeps track of your laptimes
GPL Wiki - lots of useful information
GPL Links - lots of resources
SR World - more resources and set-ups


So happy racing and we hope you enjoy being part of UKGPL. Feedback is always welcome, just PM one of the Moderators.
If you need help, advice or anything else to get started just post here and we’ll do our best to assist you.

[Hristo Itchov]

Amazing guide, Tim, fantstic job! 

[Ken Murray]

Excellent Tim, a very useful resource.

[Truetom]

All the links in the "d" are broken dor me - can't reach any of it, mostly 404 error.

[Clive Loynes]

I think that is largely due to RSC going down the tubes TT.

You can find most of it here
http://zefix.tv/gpl_ultimate_links 

but I can't find a link to the 65mod. 

Anyone have a clue where that may be hosted now?

[miner2049er]

I think that is largely due to RSC going down the tubes TT.

You can find most of it here
http://zefix.tv/gpl_ultimate_links 

but I can't find a link to the 65mod. 

Anyone have a clue where that may be hosted now?

Here

http://www.jamesonline.net/gpl/gplinstall.html

If it gets too many hits I will upload it to drop.io or somewhere similar and use their bandwidth.

[Clive Loynes]

Well done that man.

What about the 65 slipstream patch?

Is that in there already or does it still need adding?

[Truetom]

Ordered the game. I wonder how much time it will wonder around Europe - remember 10 years ago I bought a book and got it after 9 months...
Will have more questions then.
Am doing some laps in 2004 demo. Came 6th so far in the 12 lap race in Lotus. Can you select any other car at all? 

[EvilClive]

I dont think the 67 demo lets you have any of the other cars.

The Lotus is considered the fastest car in the 67's but it is difficult to drive at 100% and is also one of the most fragile. You really have to watch the engine revs and avoid that red pointy thing on the rev counter, otherwise that bootiful Cosworth engine gets upset 

When you eventually get the game disc, and are able to try the other chassis you willl find that although some of the other cars are not as nimble as the Lotus, they are easier to drive and you can expolit more of their potential than you can that of the Lotus and the result is faster more consistant lap times...at least that is the theory   
This will be the time that you enter the dark world of setups and try to find one that suits you, out of the thousands that are out there, or you might try developing your own.

[miner2049er]

Well done that man.

What about the 65 slipstream patch?

Is that in there already or does it still need adding?

That is V2.01 which should include it. (I think).

[Dan Minton]

Thanks for this ..game should come in the post this week.