Just from looking at the graph in S-tracker I can tell you that you're taking the wrong line through T1/2
Check the video Mark put up earlier - the flying lap is very nearly the line I'm taking arou8nd the entire circuit
Instructive video. Thx for sharing. Anyway ballast is really a factor here for the Alfas. There are 7 kph gap between BMW and Alfa on the straight, so it will be an issue. I can't even imagine to go on meds for all the race. They won't last. With hards I'm stucked on 39.0-39.5 pace. I don't see the light out of the tunnel, and I guess that I should buy even a new H shifter, as this one is broken in some way, given that when I'm in first and 3rd gear, sometimes the electronic switch puts me on neutral
Ballast is primarily a cornering, braking, and low-speed penalty, weight has almost no effect on top end acceleration or top speed (Both are determined purely by Aero, power, and then traction in that order (Speed record cars tend to be heavily ballasted - I know of an early 90's 200SX in the states that's running about 1300Bhp doing 200+ on speed trials. It and has been ballasted UP to about 2 tonnes - They weigh ~1290Kgs stock and only do ~130-140 for the turbo variants).
The Alfa's straight line problem is (assuming AC model this accurately) the All Wheel Drive system, power loss through 3 diffs and all the other parts is massive compared to the 2WD cars.
There's a fantastic best motoring video from the late 90's with a load of crazy Japanese racing drivers where they raced a stock S15 Silvia (250Bhp) Vs a stock Evo 6 (~300Bhp). The Evo walked off the line and out of the hairpins but was destroyed on the straights and in the faster corners by the Silvia - which eventually won. They both weigh roughly the same.
So in other words you're stuck this round as your cornering advantage is now heavily eroded, and you were never going to be fastest down the straight anyway
(I'm actually surprised at the BMW's top speed, I expected similar to the Merc but you got a fair bit faster than my car - no wings? I think even with restrictors the Merc still has more power)
I've had the miss-shift thing as well though, I think it's caused by wear to the metal parts that define the gate - eventually the stick moves enough the hall devices can't see it anymore as Jos suggests.
I just took the leather shift gaiter off and it fixed it for me
I haven't changed the clouds type yet on the server - I have to assume this is a Shaders patch thing though as like Marc I had no issues when I did my practice runs.
Will fire up the Gaming PC later and switch it...
Lorenzo - G25's are the best, I've actually worn the plastic around my pedals smooth. Would love to know how many miles it's 'driven'!
