AC Multiclass Abarth500/Mazda MX5@Bridgehampton, Wed 25th October 2023

Elmar3rd · Oct 30, 2023

eN1xes said:
try this https://www.mediafire.com/file/deow9mxtfqze8o5/ginetta_g40_gt5_v1.1.rar/file maybe add +20kg of bop should be a cool different car to choose in terms of different handling

I tested the G40 GT5 too. A great car and RWD. But unfortunally much too fast without BOP. There is also a G40 Junior, but it's too slow.
Original source: https://shaunclarke35.***********/website/downloads

(replace **** with wixsite dot com)

HF2000 · Oct 30, 2023

Ginetta G40 GT5 added to the test event. https://www.mediafire.com/file/deow9mxtfqze8o5/ginetta_g40_gt5_v1.1.rar/file

HF2000 · Oct 30, 2023

Elmar3rd said:
I tested the G40 GT5 too. A great car and RWD. But unfortunally much too fast without BOP. There is also a G40 Junior, but it's too slow.
Original source: https://shaunclarke35.***********/website/downloads

(replace **** with wixsite dot com)

I agree. It's a great car! Trickier than the Mazda and it hates kerbs but otherwise a very lovely drive.
But too fast indeed. What a pity!

Elmar3rd · Oct 30, 2023

HF2000 said:
I agree. It's a great car! Trickier than the Mazda and it hates kerbs but otherwise a very lovely drive.
But too fast indeed. What a pity!

BTW, the G40 is my replacement for the MX5 Cup in Automobilista 2. Another AM2 favorite for me is the Aussie Racing Cars Camaro.
It is available for AC from Legion. The Mod is well made with responsive physics and FFB:

https://*************************/2022/11/aussie-racing-cars-camaro-version.html

(replace *** with perendinator dot blogspot dot com)

Direct Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Bph0Ukk87t8TsP9mNzw5B2t7Huu3g3N/view?usp=share_link

In my first tests, it really matches the MX5 Cup.
But it is a demanding racing car (oversteer, curbs again!) and this may vary in a good drivers hand. Mabe to special for the grid, I'm not sure!?

... and yes, it's a real racing car, not fictional:

Aussie Racing Cars - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

HF2000 · Oct 30, 2023

Elmar3rd said:
BTW, the G40 is my replacement for the MX5 Cup in Automobilista 2. Another AM2 favorite for me is the Aussie Racing Cars Camaro.
It is available for AC from Legion. The Mod is well made with responsive physics and FFB:

https://*************************/2022/11/aussie-racing-cars-camaro-version.html
(replace *** with perendinator dot blogspot dot com)

Direct Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Bph0Ukk87t8TsP9mNzw5B2t7Huu3g3N/view?usp=share_link

In my first tests, it really matches the MX5 Cup.
But it is a demanding racing car (oversteer, curbs again!) and this may vary in a good drivers hand. Mabe to special for the grid, I'm not sure!?

... and yes, it's a real racing car, not fictional:

Aussie Racing Cars - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Nice drive but in my first timed lap I was 1,8s faster than my MX5 PB.

Elmar3rd · Oct 30, 2023

HF2000 said:
Nice drive but in my first timed lap I was 1,8s faster than my MX5 PB.

Thank you, then it is not an option.

HF2000 · Oct 30, 2023

The Abarth 124 is on semislicks way too slow.

Elmar3rd · Oct 30, 2023

HF2000 said:
The Abarth 124 is on semislicks way too slow.

Yes, no grip, very careful driving, makes no fun to me with the semi slicks.

Elmar3rd · Nov 2, 2023

At first, I want to clarify that I am not a nerd, but I enjoy challenges like this and want to share my experiences with you.
Since the test server is needed for other races (which are all fantastic), we couldn't collect much data. However, we drew some conclusions: the G40 is too fast, and the Abarth 124 is too slow. Finding good FWD contender is not a problem. But a RWD contender for the MX5 Cup is hard to find.

So I've tried another approach to find/evaluate good contenders for the MX5 Cup/Abarth 500 races. I set up an AI-race (for details see attached screenshot) with 10 laps. The AI-Setup 95/85 gives good racing/overtaking without cars running wild or piling up in the first corner. And I read somewhere (not sure), that an AI level above 80 enables the AI to adjust the setup or change tires according to its requirements. So I choose 95.
Regarding the grid, I tried to distribute the cars fairly (12345543211234554321). BTW: The Ginetta G40 is missing, because it was way too fast in the first attempt.

The results (see attached screenshot): The Abarth 124 is too slow as previously mentioned. The Clios might be to fast, while the Swift and the Civic appear to be suitable additions to the grid.

(edit: Screenshot 1 is the result and screenshot 2 the starting grid)

gearwhine · Nov 2, 2023

Elmar3rd said:
At first, I want to clarify that I am not a nerd, but I enjoy challenges like this and want to share my experiences with you.
Since the test server is needed for other races (which are all fantastic), we couldn't collect much data. However, we drew some conclusions: the G40 is too fast, and the Abarth 124 is too slow. Finding good FWD contender is not a problem. But a RWD contender for the MX5 Cup is hard to find.

So I've tried another approach to find/evaluate good contenders for the MX5 Cup/Abarth 500 races. I set up an AI-race (for details see attached screenshot) with 10 laps. The AI-Setup 95/85 gives good racing/overtaking without cars running wild or piling up in the first corner. And I read somewhere (not sure), that an AI level above 80 enables the AI to adjust the setup or change tires according to its requirements. So I choose 95.
Regarding the grid, I tried to distribute the cars fairly (12345543211234554321). BTW: The Ginetta G40 is missing, because it was way too fast in the first attempt.

The results (see attached screenshot): The Abarth 124 is too slow as previously mentioned. The Clios might be to fast, while the Swift and the Civic appear to be suitable additions to the grid.

Doesn't work though Dirk, AI is randomised despite you setting 95/85 with no margin. Proof is in the fact same cars have different times. Nice try but no imho

Elmar3rd · Nov 2, 2023

gearwhine said:
Doesn't work though Dirk, AI is randomised despite you setting 95/85 with no margin. Proof is in the fact same cars have different times. Nice try but no imho

I'm not sure, I set the strength to 95 (fix) and agression to 85 (fix) (edit: 85 means no piles in the first corner after the start and no rattling cars) and 10 laps to let them race and overtake. I watched the race and it was good racing. Maybe I don't really understood AI at all. Then it's rubbish of course.

HF2000 · Nov 2, 2023

It depends on the AI lines that the creator of the track has made and which car he has used for it. You will find tracks where the Mazda is clearly superior on the FWD cars because the AI lines were based on a RWD car (as most of the tracks).
Certain AI lines can only be followed correctly with cars that have RWD characteristics. AI with FWD cars suck on that kind of tracks.

Elmar3rd · Nov 2, 2023

Thank you Han, that's the point. It is based on AI-lines. This is not appropriate for RWD/FWD comparisons or even multi class like WEC with LMP1 and GT cars. Good to know.

In my opinion we should go with the established cars (MX5, Abarth 500, Swift) as you already did for the next race.

Thank you very much for your efforts with the test server.
I think it was worth a try.

HF2000 · Nov 2, 2023

Elmar3rd said:
Thank you Han, that's the point. It is based on AI-lines. This is not appropriate for RWD/FWD comparisons or even multi class like WEC with LMP1 and GT cars. Good to know.

In my opinion we should go with the established cars (MX5, Abarth 500, Swift) as you already did for the next race.

Thank you very much for your efforts with the test server.
I think it was worth a try.

Yes I will keep those three cars for the time being but any suggestion for another RWD I will investigate.

stigs2cousin · Nov 3, 2023

As I may have mentioned before the MX5/Miata as an affordable RWD sports car is a unicorn in real life and in conclusion also in the sim world.

Real life comptitors could be:

BMW E30 318is, 325i
BMW E36 320i (NOT Italo M3)

Lots of german saloons of the 70s and 80s a la Opel Manta and Ascona A, Ford Sierra, Mercedes 190e 2.6

New Idea, what about MG F?

The problem would be to find a "race ready" mod with the right power.

HF2000 · Nov 3, 2023

stigs2cousin said:
As I may have mentioned before the MX5/Miata as an affordable RWD sports car is a unicorn in real life and in conclusion also in the sim world.

Real life comptitors could be:

BMW E30 318is, 325i
BMW E36 320i (NOT Italo M3)

Lots of german saloons of the 70s and 80s a la Opel Manta and Ascona A, Ford Sierra, Mercedes 190e 2.6

New Idea, what about MG F?

The problem would be to find a "race ready" mod with the right power.

MG MGF 1.8i/VVC Throphy

Mod Includes MGF 1.8i (Mpi) 120hp + Hardtop variant MGF 1.8i Tuned 135hp, custom airscoops, K&H splitter, mudguards MGF VVC Throphy 160hp + Hardtop variant MGF VVC Throphy Tuned 180hp, limited slip differential Details Total Mass: 1120kg...

www.racedepartment.com

Looks promising! Certainly one I'm going to test!