Forza4 Online Racing - 1/7/2012

[Snymo]

Anyone up for some racing this Saturday night? Got some new SU cars built up that I'd like to try out. ;)

Let me know if you are interested, say about 7PM or so?

[MHISSTC]

I think I can make it , but only for an hour or so since I have to be at work by 9PM.

I've never done this before. Are things pretty straight forward once I'm in the club section of the game and signed-in Live, or is something special I need to do to make it all work?

[raybob9289]

I might make it.

[Snymo]

I think I can make it , but only for an hour or so since I have to be at work by 9PM.

I've never done this before. Are things pretty straight forward once I'm in the club section of the game and signed-in Live, or is something special I need to do to make it all work?

It's pretty straight forward. Usually someone creates a private lobby for a race that is for Club Members/Friends only, they are called the HOST. When we (host or other) see you login and startup Forza, we'll invite you to the lobby (game) and party (voice chat). Once you get the invitation message, just accept it and you'll be brought to both the lobby and party.

If you get there first, just wait for the others so you can see how it's done the first time cause there are a lot of specific settings (number of players, class of car, track selection, time limit for races, etc). With that said, you can create a private race and limit it to just yourself if you want to practice...that might be helpful if you ever do become the Host (if the host drops, a new host is automatically selected).

Like I said, simple! ;)

[chris_venturini]

unfortunately I have a prior commitment so I wont be able to make it this time.

[cobrad]

I'll be there to bring up the back and make all of you guys look good or wreck ya'll.

Brad

Hey wasn't Dave B. going to get a XBOX and join us?

[Dillon]

Another maybe for me...depending on how things go I might join for an hour or two, but I probably won't be there right at 7.

[MHISSTC]

That was cool.

I hurried up and got my SU GT500 Mustang built right before 7PM and got there first with no testing done to my car's setup. I stumbled through things, set up a race, sent out the invite, and Rick joined in a little after 7PM. He helped me through the hosting process and it was just us from 7PM to a little after 8PM when I had to bail to get ready for work. I stuck with my same car as we moved through a few different tracks and Rick tried out several of his cars. Rick was gracious enough to sandbag just enough to keep me in his mirrors.

Things I learned:
* Just like real life, the GT500 is a big car on-track.
* I need to mess around with setups and see how that changes how a car drives.
* There is some smoothness to be gained by going to a racing wheel in stead of using the controller.
* I used the Kinect instead of a headset. That worked fine, but next time I'm going to borrow my wife's headset or adjust the in-game volume levels a bit to get rid of the music, turn down the car sounds, and turn up the voice. It's pretty cool how the system mutes the racing sounds slightly when someone is talking.

[Snymo]

That was cool.

Things I learned:
* I need to mess around with setups and see how that changes how a car drives.

Glad you enjoyed it Scott. It really is much better when we have 4-6 people. The racing is a lot more intense and we have a lot of fun.

Try using the Test Drive function. If you go into the Upgrade menu, select Test Drive. You can pick a track and test your car, but what really makes it useful is that you can pause at any time and tweek any of the settings and then go right back to driving. It makes it really easy to dial a car in just right as tire pressure, suspension settings, aero and transmission really can make a HUGE difference.

Personally, I do 99% of my testing at Road Atlanta. It's a track I've personally raced on (as well as for years in the game) and offers a nice variety of corners, elevation changes, braking zones and a nice long straight to test the top end and gear ratios. If you can make a car go fast there, it will be fast everywhere.

Hope that helps and see you next time.

[jgray]

Sorry I missed you guys, was working late on a home project. I'm available Saturday the 14th if there's interest.

Joel

[Snymo]

I figured with the Bronco's game at 6PM on Sat there might not be that much interest. However, I'd be up for some Friday or Sunday evening racing.

Oh who am I kidding, I'm up for racing anytime! ;)

And two reminders....
1) Two new cars have been added to the GTS field (http://www.nasarockymountain.com/nasa_forums/showthread.php?p=47441#post47441)
2) I am offering FREE cars for NARM members for online racing (http://www.nasarockymountain.com/nasa_forums/showthread.php?p=47440#post47440)

[Gary_44]

This Sunday works for me.

[jgray]

I may turn a few laps with you on Sunday Gary - around 7ish (Mountain Time)??? Rick is a maybe, he's meeting with friends that afternoon and possibly into evening. Although, anyone interested is welcome to join.

Joel