PI project-Now Testing!

[fndrbndr]

I'm intrigued by PI.  I'm also disappointed that we only really run cars with 5 "scores," 400, 550, 700, 850, and 998.  I was also surprised that a 3000 lb 498 hp 'vette consistently was a second slower in the last ALS challenge than a 3200 lb one.  I'm wondering just how well the relationship between PI and laptimes holds up.  However, I'm not just interested how it holds up for me.  My ultimate goal in this thread is to get some folks to run cars that I Gift to them.  You'll be allowed to set them up however you want, but have to keep the build as it was when I sent it.  They're not going to be scoreboard cars, and they're not going to be maxed to the top of a class.  However, my first step is a really tough decision....is there a good all-around track?  I like the idea behind the QR, but would like to make this as simple and non-time-consuming as possible, especially since I'll probably be asking for volunteers.  So...any suggestions for a test track?

edit:  spreadsheet is attached.  I'll try to keep it fairly updated.

[Spiny Anteater]

When I'm testing out cars for the first time, I usually run them on Mugello Short. Although I find that a Twisty Tune works best on there, it does have a relatively long straight to test the power, the hairpin and turn onto the main straight will give you and idea of how it handles the twisty tracks while the left-right combinations give you an idea of how it will feel on a flowing track. As an added bonus, it only takes about a minute to run a lap so it doesn't matter too much if you stuff up

Another good one to run (although it's less helpful when it comes to testing for power) is Inland Taipan.

[Detrick]

My testing and tuning happens on Nurburgring ....you got it all at that track - and by far my favorite in game.

I'll be happy to volunteer to run a car for you.  Although, my game time is usually limited to an hour or so a day on a normal day so be patient on the results.....

[feuerdog]

I am a generic tuner, go figure.      I don't really do custom tunes for specific tracks, I just tune the car as best I can for my two test tracks and the rest is inbetween.

Every car I tune goes to Tsukuba for balance and accel. testing and then the Nurburgring for top speed and final shakedown testing. I might revist Tsukuba again the polish the trans settings but in general thats it, i'm done.

I occassionaly do "special" tests, but they are for specific situations.
Sebring - final corner - rough section - balance/susp. compliance
Maple Valley - between 3 and 4 - whoops section - susp. travel
Nurburgring - the "jumps" - forward and reverse - susp. travel
Road America - backwards turn 2 to final turn - lower top speed testing
Sebring - curbing - susp. compliance

[fndrbndr]

Detrick, just to be clear, this would be a pretty long project.  I'm not planning on spending two days putting together data and then calling that a day.  I may even send out multiple versions of the same car, say a Ford Focus at 383, 492, 511, 655, and 710 PI.  I eventually want to put together a scatterplot showing the reduction of times plotted against either the PI or an index constructed from ratings and weight/hp ratio.  I'm wondering which one will show a better fit.  I'll probably measure this with the R² from two ordinary least squares models.

[Detrick]

Seeing as it will be a long project you'll need all the help you can get.  My offer still stands.  Even if I only look at testing out one car a week I think I can fit that in.

Maybe building cars in intervals of 50 PI would help if you are considering running these online or setting up rooms exclusive to a specific PI ....350, 450, 500, 600, 650, 750, 800 (obviously, I skipped the traditional PI's we run)

[sjicedog]

I'll run some for you.  Suzuka is more of a 2 minute track, but has some nice elevation changes and really just lacks a sweeper, but not a bad all around track

[fndrbndr]

OK, so Suzuka, then?  I'll throw some builds together tonight or tomorrow.  Just run the car as is (tuned however you like) and let me know your time on Suzuka full.  And no, no need for a return car.  The best approach will probably be to just send them back to me and I'll upgrade them to a different PI and send them back out.  If you get something you particularly like, or feel there's some potential in, just keep it.  Let me know, so that I know you're ready for another car, though.  Frankly, I'm not going to be sinking a ton of funds into this, but I've got several million just sitting there (I enjoy running the endurance races), so if someone gets a car they really like out of this, then that much the better.

[JG4tr]

I like Suzuka as an all-around track but, not so much as a test track. Too many corners and too many chances to lose time and skew the results of a setting changes, ( tough to be consistant ) but, it does support a nice mix of handling and power. Suzuka west might be a slightly better option. If you're looking for a short lap then Maple Valley short has the long sweeper and the hairpin going for it...

I'm sorry that I can't help out on your project fndr, it looks interesting but, I've just got too many irons in the fire to take on any more big projects right now.

[sjicedog]

As far as a track, I guess it depends on what you are looking for.  I'll go with whatever the rest of the test drivers want, but since you are looking at the impact of PI, probably something that has a little bit of everything.  In the end, I'm getting benefit as well, because the more seat time for me, the better 

[fndrbndr]

Yeah, definitely want something that benefits handling AND speed.  Maybe one of the ones that has both a missile car and a grip car at the top of the leaderboard?  Offhand, I'm thinking there are a few of those.

[Placard Rat]

I'm up for this, it'll provide a good test bed for comparing which tuning methods or calculators work best for me whilst trying out different cars. Don't worry about gifting me cars, I completed the car collector achievements a while back so I have a full garage and healthy bank account, if you post or PM the build list I'll be able to build my own.

As for the test track, my tunes of late have been pretty role specific so I've just been tuning for the track I want and then adapting from there. I quite like Suzuka West as a test track though, nice mix of high and low speed corners.

Rat.

[fndrbndr]

OK, test cars are being sent out this afternoon.  Like I said, if you want to keep them, or find something you like, that's fine.  I'm not making anything terribly expensive anyway.  The track is Suzuka Full.  Feel free to tune it however you like; just give me a time and remind me of the PI of the build I sent.  After looking back over the Lexus thread, I've decided not to include a tune at all; it wouldn't really be helpful anyway, since we don't all drive similarly.  Also, all the cars will be FR, to try to keep things fairly controlled.

Edit:  Detrick, I forgot to add aero to the S2000 I sent you.  If you want to add it, just let me know what the new PI is.

[Ske]

I can probably give this a shot if you need more. I think Suzuka West is a bit of a power track... but it's probably one of the better compromises for a pretty short track.

[fndrbndr]

OK, I got the spousal black flag today, and didn't finish sending cars out.  I have a Supra built out ready to send out, built to somewhere in mid to upper C class.  SJ, I'll get that to you this evening. 

Placard, I'll have something to you later tonight or first thing tomorrow morning.

Thanks for your help on this, guys.