User manual GAMES PC GRAND PRIX 4

[. . . ] Hi, My name is Geoff Crammond and if you're reading this, it probably means that you've bought Grand Prix 4. Grand Prix 4 is the latest evolution of the Grand Prix series, which I started writing over 10 years ago. Machines and techniques have changed a lot since then. For example, the sheer scale of the project has increased enormously. [. . . ] If this has a minus symbol, you know that you have put in a faster time. During a race, a timed gap is shown on the LCD a little time after you cross the Start/Finish line. This shows the time difference between your car and the one behind and the one in front. DRIVER STATUS INDICATOR This shows the car is being driven by a player. PITSTOP CONTROLS Qualifying The LCD shows Tyres, Fuel, Leave the Pits, Car Setup and (if in the middle of a session) >> Accelerate Time All tyres are marked with the number of laps driven on them. Race The LCD shows Fuel Laps + /- and Stops to Go +/-When you come into the pits, the crew will automatically change your tyres to the next set of selected race tyres, and refuel the car according to the current pitstop strategy. If your race position warrants it, then you can adjust the pitstop strategy by increasing or decreasing Fuel carried and increasing or decreasing the number of pitstops. Use your Selector and Controller to change these values. Pit Strategy In the basic Car Setup screen there is a Pitstop Strategy panel that can be set to Automatic or Custom. Automatic will allow the computer to set a `sensible' strategy based on race length and conditions. Custom allows you to set your own choice from None, 1 Stop, 2 Stops or 3 Stops. The bar graphs indicate a percentage and a lap of the race that you will stop at. Just before you enter a race, a Last Minute Changes button (shown on the Weather > Conditions screen) allows you to alter the Pitstop Strategy, Car Setup (and Tyre Choice) taking into account track conditions. Your "Come into the Pits" warning light (green) will come on as you cross the finishing/start line of the lap before you stop. Remember that you must go into the pits next time you pass the pit lane (or cancel the call by pressing Return). SUGGESTED GEAR INDICATOR (F6) If the F6 Driving Aid is on, you will see a small number here telling you what gear you should be in before the next bend. This is an `intelligent aid' and the suggestion will vary depending on the car setup you have chosen. DAMAGE INDICATOR This diagram will highlight any faulty or damaged parts on the car. If any section is lit and you can still drive the car, make your way back carefully to the pits where the damage will be repaired. PITS INDICATOR This gives you the current status of your pit-to-crew communication: Off ­ No pits request in force. Green ­ You've been called in to the pits by your team (press the Return key to cancel this order). Green ­ You've warned your team you're coming in to the pits (by pressing the Return key). Red Cross ­ Your pit crew are currently busy with your other team car. Press the Return key to inform your crew of your intention to pit. Press again to cancel. LCD DISPLAYS The central steering wheel LCD shows a lot of important information, depending on what you are doing at any given stage of the Grand Prix weekend. During Qualifying/Practice: Time to go ­ The amount of time in minutes and seconds left to complete this part of the qualifying session. Runners ­ The number of cars on the track. [. . . ] Rev limiter A device which limits the RPM of the engine to a preset value. This is used in the pit lane to keep the car speed within the pit lane speed limit. Ride height The height of the car floor, above the ground, measured from the wheels. 168 Rumble Strip The bobbly, coloured strip on the edge of the track which serves as a warning to the driver to transgress no further. [. . . ]