GP4: Thruxton by Viking75 - Improved AI and Better Racing

Over the next few days, I have a few smaller updates to share with you. I was going to put everything into one big post, but on reflection, it will be easier to track and find information if they’re split up.

First up: I really enjoyed Viking75’s version of Thruxton — one of my favourite UK tracks. It’s a fast, flowing track where maintaining momentum is everything, and small tweaks to AI behaviour can make a huge difference to how natural the racing feels.

This update focuses primarily on the cc-line. For those unfamiliar, the cc-line defines the racing line used by the computer-controlled cars, but it also influences keyboard steering behaviour. Thanks to the great tutorial written by prblanco over at F1 Virtual, I was able to quickly get up to speed and have a go at creating a new one.

This is my first attempt. I think it’s an improvement, although there’s still room for fine-tuning — particularly around the long right-hander at Goodwood. Church corner remains a great challenge, and I really enjoy the different lines you can take through the Campbell–Cobb–Seagrave complex. The lap times of the computer-controlled (cc) cars are much better now, and keyboard driving feels far more intuitive.

I've also updated the track-side cameras, based off the late 1990s BTCC era. 

Here’s a short video of a quick six-lap race using my WEC mod.
I’m racing on the keyboard. 

Lap one, into the first braking zone — and I’m a little embarresed to highlight it! I brake too late, a slight misjudgment… and I give the Alpine a rather firm introduction to the runoff area. Not my finest moment.

But our car is fine. Keep calm and carry on!

By the end of the lap, there’s more drama! The Penske Porsche ahead is fighting hard after battling the Jota-run Porsche, and as they approach the final chicane it all gets a bit untidy.As a result the Penske-Porsche struggled to navigate the final chicane and I offer a little nudge on the way past.

There isn’t a huge amount of grip in these cars, so the corners are more challenging than they would be in modern F1 machinery around this track. Touring cars here are great fun as well.

I really enjoyed chasing down the pack, setting up an exciting last-lap tussle for second place with the Cadillac. I completed an overtake at Goodwood, only to run wide at Church and hand the position back. Only the final Club chicane to go and now it's the Cadillac's turn to make a mistake. The door is open, and I was able to sprint past on the run to the finish line. An exciting close to an eventful race. 

Thruxton (GB) track download

Download the original track by Viking75 and install my update over his files

Download Thruxton track Download fongu's update