Tracks Thomson Road Grand Prix - Singapore

[garyjpaterson]

Since I have a unplanned day off work today (car trouble...), I've been able to give this track a go!

As expected, it already looks and feels great, and has a completely unique character which I think is the main thing. Haven't spent much time with it yet, but hoping to get a better feel for it soon. Great work so far!

 

[aphidgod]

Yes yes yes yes yes... I love it! So fun to drive. I know we're nowhere near this stage yet, but if you can pull off some convincing jungle atmosphere trackside it will be incredible. Nothing else quite like it in the sim. As excited as I was about the Deutschlandring I really hope this one has your attention now.

 

[Fat-Alfie]

Thank you for everyone's enthusiasm! I find it so easy to get so wrapped up in my own projects that it's hard to see it objectively; to distinguish between loving it because I made it, or because it is genuinely fun to drive. I know this track is only in its infancy but reading comments like these make me believe it can be great

And yes, @aphidgod , Thomson Road does have my full attention and will do until it is complete. After that I promise I will finish off the Deutschlandring track too - honest

I feel really pumped up to start placing the 59 different tree and plant types I have ready - I just to stop driving around the damned track enjoying myself

 

[SteffenLS]

It's a wonderful track already I can't wait to see how it develops!

 

[Fat-Alfie]

Me neither!

(thanks, by the way)

 

[aphidgod]

No... it's properly great.

I even enjoyed a few laps in the S800, which manages just under 3m apiece. That gave me plenty of time to imagine all 59 different plant types scattered about. So much yes.

 

[Dave_6]

Great fun but I can't get one clean lap no matter what

 

[Burke Wells]

Here's a link to v0.0.3
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rlmnbvqtwd99opa/thomson_0.0.3.zip?dl=0

Thanks so much for giving us the opportunity to try it out at this early phase. Like aphidgod, I also spent some time with the Honda S800 here, racing against 13 other AI. I enjoy learning a new track like that, in a slower vehicle, following the AI to see their braking points, etc. After some enjoyable laps like that, I then switched over to the Escort that I enjoy so much. And man, what an awesome good time that was.

This is such a fantastic circuit for fun driving and close racing. Loving that high speed hump, lining up for an appropriate line over the crest of it, trying to keep as much speed as possible but not so much as to go off on the left after landing. Then hard on the binders getting it whoa'd up for that Circus hairpin. I've never been much of a fan of hairpins, but I've gotta say I'm rather enjoying the hell out of both of these hairpins. I wish the AI could take 'em just a bit quicker but it's still great fun racing them nonetheless. I got alongside an AI car racing for 2nd place going through the Snakes section and literally stayed side by side for at least 3, maybe 4 turns, clean hard racing with no contact.

Really looking forward to seeing what you do with this going forward regarding scenery & objects. You've absolutely nailed it as far as the track itself is concerned. Well done, sir.

 

[Fat-Alfie]

You just made my day, Mr.Wells!

Thank you so much for those comments; you pretty much summed up how I feel about the circuit too. When I started researching it and found out it was only 9m wide (and probably only 7m or 8m at a few points along the Old Upper Thomson Road section) I thought it would at best be a hotlapping track, or maybe a drift circuit. But racing against a full pack of KTMs is so much fun

I think I owe it to myself to look into AI hints, and whether I can force the AI to brake later for the hairpins, and take them quicker - then it really would be better.

Thanks again though, I really appreciate it. I placed the main trees and palms along The Snakes section this morning and the immersion is great now - you can't see past the next corner and it forces you to plan your lines better.

Hopefully I will upload an update this weekend and people can try out an improved jungle experience

EDIT - could you try dropping this file into your thomson/data folder? I just did a very quick test and the AI flew around the hairpin (or I may have imagined it )

 

[Fat-Alfie]

Added the first set of trees and palms to the Old Upper Thomson Road section. Atmosphere level has now increased

 

[mantasisg]

That is quite an improvement ! That second part of a track must be a whole new and different experience now.

 

[Fat-Alfie]

Thank you. Yes, it is. It really makes you focus on your lines a lot more, because you can't see as far ahead. Frame rate doesn't seem to have suffered by adding 2500 trees. I still have the bushes and 3D grass to add, and of course the vegetation on the newer section, but I haven't done any optimisation yet.

If I get time today I will finish placing the trees on the the old section and upload an updated version - that Hints file really makes a big difference to the AI around the hairpins; I kept getting overtaken there last night, with AI drivers slipping up my inside under braking, whereas before they would just slow down and wait in a queue to go round the hairpin.

 

[Burke Wells]

EDIT - could you try dropping this file into your thomson/data folder? I just did a very quick test and the AI flew around the hairpin (or I may have imagined it )

Wow, thanks for this! What a difference one little file makes. Looks like the AI just completed their tutorial class of "Taking Hairpins 101" and now they're competitive and tougher through both sections.

That video with the newly added trees looks fantastic. Really looking forward to driving the updated version.

 

[Dave_6]

Installed the new AI file but I can't make it over the hump without half of the field wiping out and them taking me out with them

 

[Fat-Alfie]

I only tried to increase the aggression at the two hairpins. Do you think I need to add a dab of brakes before the hump? I don't think I have experienced many wipeouts in AI races

 

[Proody]

The track looks slightly to Deutschland Ring in "Mini Format".
The track is a lot of fun.
Thanks for the previous work Fat-Alfie.
(Sorry, translate with google)

 

[Tom Blackett]

Great work as always Alfie, looking forward to the next version. Hopefully you will release a link to your other WIP as well!

 

[Dave_6]

I only tried to increase the aggression at the two hairpins. Do you think I need to add a dab of brakes before the hump? I don't think I have experienced many wipeouts in AI races

Well I only actually attempted two races, with a total of 12 AI. I started last each time and on the first attempt, literally the entire field went off to the left and spun back in front of me. On the second try, the first 6 or 7 cars made it but one car did go off. He then spun right in front of me, lol. Driving the Lotus 49.

 

[Fat-Alfie]

Here's a small update, with the first attempt at creating a jungle atmosphere along the Old Upper Thomson Road section (The Snakes, Devil's Bend, Long Loop).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/heedm255x0hxoxt/thomson_0.0.4.zip?dl=0

DIP is still around 1000 along that section so I am hopeful I will be able to make the vegetation dense enough for complete immersion. Ground textures are obviously still WIP

 

[After_Midnight]

Here's a small update, with the first attempt at creating a jungle atmosphere along the Old Upper Thomson Road section (The Snakes, Devil's Bend, Long Loop).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/heedm255x0hxoxt/thomson_0.0.4.zip?dl=0

DIP is still around 1000 along that section so I am hopeful I will be able to make the vegetation dense enough for complete immersion. Ground textures are obviously still WIP

Many Thanks for the update. Great work mate