
Waterford PST for the NASCAR Racing 2003 simulation.

Short Track (0.375 Mile - oval)


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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

[1] HOW TO INSTALL THE TRACK
[2] GENERAL TRACK INFORMATION
[3] CREDITS
[4] KNOWN ISSUES AND NOTES ABOUT THIS TRACK  
[5] TROUBLE REPORTING
[6] DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION
[7] AGREEMENT OF USE

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[1] HOW TO INSTALL THE TRACK
====================================

Unzip the zip file to:  C:\Papyrus\Nascar Racing 2003 Season\tracks\. If you have multiple installations of NR2003S on your PC, you will need to manually select the tracks directory where you wish to install this track.



[2] GENERAL TRACK INFORMATION
====================================

Type: Real track

AI: Yes.  Working pit stalls for 27 total cars (26 opponents)

Mod support: GNS, CTS. (This track was not tested using any other physics other than those.)

Track Information: 0.375 mile low banked (8 degrees in the corners and 3 degrees on the straights) asphalt oval in Waterford, CT. The Waterford Speedbowl opened in 1951 and has been operating every year since. Under the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banner, the Speedbowl's current NASCAR divisions are SK Modifieds, Late Models, SK Modified Lights, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks.  Top touring divisions that visit the track each year include the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the Valenti Modified Racing Series and the NEMA Midgets.  After the conclusion of the 2014 racing season, the track was purchased at foreclosure auction by local Glastonbury businesssman, Bruce Bemer.  After resolving the remaining legal issues surrounding the sale, Bemer is planning several improvements to the facility and is set to open the track for the 2015 season making the future of racing at the popular Connecticut racing venue very much optimistic for the fans and drivers.


This NR2003 version of the Waterford Speedbowl is an attempt to closely resemble the track as it currently appears.  It is not, however, an exact replica nor do the limits of NR2003 allow it to be.  


[3] CREDITS:
====================================

The following is a list of the people who contributed to this project:  

1.  J.R. Franklin:  Track makeover project manager, graphic enhancement, detailing and immersion, 3d object creation, AI (Artificial Intelligence, i.e. the computer controlled cars), quality assurance and testing.

2.  Carl "Riviera71" Sundberg:  custom 3d objects, (main grandstands and tower), Sandbox assistence.

3.  Ian Smythe:  Miscellaneous 3d objects, dynamic lighting, Sandbox assistence and quality assurance.

4.  Matt Gilson:  cameras, graphic detailing and immersion, custom 3do object textures, quality assurance and testing.

5.  Wayne "Bowtie" Anderson:  Miscellaneous 3d objects (includling the Harvery Industies building, crowds, etc.), Mountainman Hauler objects.

6.  Dave Olejniczak:  custom 3d objects, quality assurance and testing.

7.  Ben Althen:  tons of reference photos, WMT and WSMT Haulers, quality assurance and testing.

8.  Mark Caise/Thirty Marketing:  the actual billboard graphics used at the track. 

9.  Google: photo images of the facilty and miscellaneous graphics.

10. Windy City Racing:  Creators of the original Waterford Speedbowl track for NR2003 done with Butter's Principle upon which this version is based.

11. Robo19:  open hauler objects

12. Danny Coral:  Fast GNS, CTS and Cup setups.

13. Beta Testing:  Mike Ehresman, Will Goshen and Ryan Provost.

14. To anyone else whom we may have unintentionally neglected to mention but contributed in the creation of objects that have been borrowed from other NR2003 tracks for this project, we sincerely apologize.  Although you were not mentioned individually, your contributions to NR2003 and this track are greatly appreciated.
 

We owe a debt of gratitude to each of you for your contributions, time, support and help.



[4] KNOWN ISSUES AND NOTES ABOUT THIS TRACK
============================================= 

This track was constructed under "Butter's Rule" to make it capable to run with AI.  However, because of the size of this track at .375 mi., it pushes the NR2003 simulation to beyond the limits of what it was originally intended.

1.  Multiple Racing Grooves.  This track features 2 distinct racing groves just like the real Waterford Speedbowl, so race 'em low or race 'em high.  The AI will go 2-wide to provide an exceptional and exhilarating racing experience.  However, passing on this track is pretty difficult.  An AI car beside you (either on your outside or inside) will put up a great fight for several laps and will not relinquish the spot easily...if at all.

2.  Realiging After A Caution.  As is the case with most short tracks under 0.5 mi. built under Butter's Rule", it may take a little longer for the NR2003 "Race Director in the tower" to get the AI realigned after a caution flies.  Be patient.  They will get re-aligned properly. Sometimes during a caution, after some pitting has occured, the game will wave off the re-start if the field has not realigned and closed up properly and other times it'll just throw the green flag when back markers have not caught up, so be ready to go at all times.  

3.  Pit Stops.  We have intentionally set the caution pace speed very slow at 30 mph. Routine 4-tire and gas pit stops are possible without losing a lap depending on how close you are behind the pace car when you make your stop. If you are further back in line, you may not have enough time to complete a full 4-tire stop with gas and still remain on the lead lap, so plan your pit work accordingly.   

4.  Race Ending Under Caution.  If a race ends under caution, some of the AI cars will stop on the track and not make their way back to the pits. We have tried a number of things to remedy this situation, but have not hit on anything that will solve this.

5.  It is highly recommended that this track ONLY be run with "Pit Stop Frequency" set at 1X.  Higher Pit Stop Frequency" settings of 2X, 3X or 4X will introduce problems, cause confusion with the AI and should not ever be used.

6.  AI cars will sometimes exhibit other odd behaviors that are unfortunately inherent in short tracks made for NR2003.  

This track was not tested with CUP or PTA physics.  All testing and track.ini settings are for the GNS and CTS physics only, which the editor of the track feels are best suited to racing at Waterford SDT.  The CUP physics will work, but the AI has not been tested or balanced for CUP.

The AI for this track were constructed using the following:

     a.  A default papy_ai.ini
     b.  The default fast setups for each physics (GNS and CTS) 
     c.  The opponent strength set at 97%. 
     d.  Ratings for the car sets used in testing and in developing the A.I. for this track are from the NRatings program using the MasGrafx Full Season V3.1 formulas. 

We went to great efforts to make the A.I. and racing as realistic as possible. At the same time, we also took some liberties with the A.I. tools available in the track.ini to enhance the "fun" factor. We're confident that you'll enjoy the offline racing experience against the AI the way we have set them up for you. 

To enjoy the best results, we recommend that you use the default fast setups provided with the track and car sets containing ratings as described above. Your results and AI behavior, however, may vary depending on the type of mod used, the ratings of your specific car set, different setups used, driving style, skill level and countless other variables that make it practically impossible to predict the results that you will achieve while racing on this track.

We hope that you will enjoy the racing at this track as much as we have building  and bringing it to you.


PROJECT:  Short Track
J.R. Franklin
Carl Sundberg
Matt Gilson
Ian Smythe
Wayne Anderson
Dave Olejniczak
Aaron Maynard




[5] TROUBLE REPORTING 
====================================

This track is not supported by or affiliated with Vivendi Universal Games, Sierra Online, or Papyrus Racing Games so please do not call or email.

You may use the forums at www.SimRacingDesign.com, www.NR2k3Tracks.com or www.GroundPounderDesigns.com for questions regarding the track.



[6] DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION 
====================================

Autorized Distributing Websites:

www.nr2k3Tracks.com
www.smiffsden.com
www.groundpounderdesigns.com

THIS TRACK SHALL NOT BE POSTED AT ANY WEBSITES, OTHER THAN THE ONE(S) PROVIDED, WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM J.R. Franklin.

[7] AGREEMENT OF USE
=====================================

Use of this track by installation into a racing simulator constitutes agreement with this and the following statements:

1) This track shall not be sold or distributed for commercial purposes, or money exchanged for this track or any part thereof.

2) This track shall not be redistributed without written consent of the author(s) as listed above. 

3) This track cannot be modified without written consent of the author(s) as listed above.

4) This track, or any parts thereof, shall not be converted to rFactor or any other simulation without the written consent of the author(s) as listed above.

5) This track must always maintain an unmodified copy of this CREDITS_README in whatever form it is distributed.

6) This track is covered by implied intellectual property laws, in that it is the property of the author(s).

7) This track is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.



