Car Physics Philosophy
Many of the cars in the game use physics files based on Power & Glory files that I've modified to suit the context of the 1967 WSC season.
When modifying car physics, I always start with trying to find accurate specs on the following three variables for a specific car model:
- Engine
- Top speed
- Car weight
With the engine specs, besides horsepower I also need the info at which rpm maximum effect was achieved. Torque figures are automatically adjusted with hp adjustments. It's also very important to calculate for transmission losses, something that I learnt from P&G. Top speed is always measured just before the Mulsanne kink at Le Mans, no matter if the car actually competed there. Here I'm mainly using the BodyDragBase coefficient for adjustments. Car weight specs are often unclear if it's dry weight or not so sometimes it will be a bit of a guess work.
The P&G tyre files have only slight adjustments for the player but are heavily modified for the AI variables.
As for the handling and balance of a car, a great variable to use here is the LiftParams values found in the .hdc files, but also variables like BodyCenter and CGHeight can be useful. Yes, I know some of the values I'm using here are just "fantasy" figures but I couldn't care less as long as I can perform authentic 1967 lap times together with that the car feels and behave like I would imagine the real car would have felt and behaved like.
I'm also well aware that the eight tracks in the game aren't fully accurate. However and most important, all the tracks have the correct lengths and if one corner is too fast and another one too slow, my impression is that it evens out over a full lap because of the accurate track lengths.
So, as mentioned earlier, a fairly good player should be able to match the real 1967 top drivers and their lap times at all the events, when using the same car.
I'll post a video later of me trying to beat Dan Gurney's pole lap of 1:55.100 in the Ford Mk II at the 1967 Daytona event so anyone can judge for themselves how accurate they think the car is performing and handling.
And yes, the exhaust pipes were painted red.