Greetings from Canada.
Was given this game at Xmas 08 and i'm been just having a blast playing here on the Bude. Great people and great tracks and cars.
But i must say that i was disappointed that the Datsun 240Z, 260Z or the 280Z and ZX series cars are not here.
With Datsun great racing history through the 70s, it would be awesome to be able to see and race these cars again. If you need a reminder, check this out:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6MF2t0ndDg& feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlssSw2JjKk& feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIYS5nIxraw& feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejYcrhXi2w4


I used to own a 1983 280ZX ( last one before the 300ZX came out) Just had a blast with that car and was racing with her at Mosport Park Raceway and Shannonville Raceway ( outside of Belleville, Ont, Canada) for an amateur racing club based in Ottawa, Ont, Canada and would raced other amateur racing clubs throughout Ontario. Those cars were great for racing and you can do anything to them and still be competitive with many other sports cars of their times. I knew a fellow who put a V8 motor in a 260Z and man, did that car go. He reinforced the suspension to handle the power and was done tastefully. I drove it once but man, was that car ever stable for a big motor in her.
Shannonville Raceway is a very unique and technical track. Its now being used mostly for the super bike circuit but was one of the most popular tracks in 60s and 70s. Check it out:

http://www.shannonville.com/index.php

If i knew how to make cars and tracks here, i would definitely be making these two but i don't know how so i'm hoping someone who is into modding cars and tracks can see this post and want to get some ideas on their next project, then this would be the best idea for them IMHO.
Just would be great to see these cars again

Hi all,

I just joined Altbierbude. Great site guys...

I'm based in Uganda, though originally from Canada and as I just ran across this post, I thought I would respond and use it to introduce myself.

FYI:
After recieving permission to take over the "Shannonville Motorsport Park" SCGT project, I have since done some major updates and released for rfactor, GTR2, GTR-Evo, and GTL (actually Sunalp2 at NoGrip converted to GTL for me as I didn't have GTL at the time...)

-Long, Pro, Nelson and Fabi circuits are included.
-A Wet version of each circuit is included for rFactor

Current versions
v1.2 for GTR2, GTR-Evo
v1.1 for rfactor
v1.0 for GTL

While a new scratch version (v2.0) is WIP to correct some track inaccuracies from the real venue, current versions are quite enjoyable IMHO

Latest version links and release info can be found at:
Shannonville Download Links



or try Google

Once, I'm settled in here I will see about having the GTL version uploaded to Altbierbud.

Yours in Motorsport,

jgmonty

Also, if I recall, there might be a 240Z in process. maybe check at NoGrip as there's a list of current cars in W.I.P. stage.

I haven't run across the 240z WIP on no-grip, though as the list is so long nowadays I may have missed it.

FYI: I have a IMSA GTU 240z project for GTL that is WIP, though I haven't advertised it. Based on the Bob Sharp, Frissell etc. wide bodies of the early and mid '70's , which won many of the IMSA championships for that era.

Below is a render from a few weeks ago. Still lots to be done, though have made a fair bit of progress since this render was taken. Now, if only life wouldn't keep getting in the way...

That's sweet!! And agreed, it would be a perfect addition.

My first car 20 years ago was a 1970 240Z (first year in the states). I have many fond memories of that car, from the smell of the exhaust to the way it howled at full throttle. I have owned 5 more 240's since then all of them nicer, some very nice and very fast but none of them quite give me the rush that my first 240Z did. Awesome cars that need to be in a modern sim.

They were indeed a special breed, especially when modified, whether just Super Stock or for Racing. I have owned 240z, 260z and 280z's in my younger days and have had quite a bit of track time in them. I always wanted to build an IMSA version, but never got around to it due to time, money, and life changes. Now in my advancing years, I'm regressing and thought I would build a virtual version

I agree with you guys about the 240Z...

Definately missing from this sim!

Olli, Cooky, Ole, Ron, Markus... one of you guys interested in this car for your next project... please?

Gee-Deeman

After a rather busy year, I have managed to find some time again for my 240z IMSA GTU project and thought I would provide some preview shots of the model, which I'm currently preparing to get into GTL for testing.

The project is inspired by the Frissell, Sharp, BRE Datsun racing teams of the early and mid 1970's, not too mention, the many independants who also raced Z's.

As for when it will be released? Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies...

BTW, A snub nose GT2 version is also in the pipeline.

Yours in Motorsport,

jgmonty

Wow JG what a car!!!

Gorgeous sleek lines.

Are you doing the physics for this beast as well?

Keep up the work m8.

Gee

MONTY!!! Hi there.
I see you have been very busy but your project seems to have evolved pretty well. And as said before: if you need help getting it ingame. And I might have an idea (or two) on who could do the physics.

Markus

Hey Markus,

Nicely done on the 2800CS by-the-way...

I plan to tackle the physics myself, if I can't get the feel right or find my progress is too slow, I will certainly prevail on those with experience to get the car to the level I want.

As you know it can be a bit of a steep learning curve, so will see how I get on, but have been doing my homework.

I'm looking forward to the day I can run a few laps

Well ,thanks.

And so I was right. Doing it yourself was indeed what I had in mind right away. I will throw in the second idea if the learning curve is too steep. But, knowing you a little bit, I doubt it.

Pics look great btw.

M.

I am absolutely drooling over these pics.
Your doing a bang up job and well, if its a long progress, so be it. Always best to get it right the first time. This is going to be one great and fun to drive car when its done. Even though i use to drive the 280ZX, they all had that same "feel" of hugging the corners real well at high speeds.
I, like you, can't wait to get back behind the wheel of these great cars. Even if it is a sim.
i just miss driving these cars. Lots of fun.
I very much appreciate the update on your progress in the making of the 240Z. You very much have a huge fan here awaiting the final results.

Hi all,

I've been off-line for awhile, though work on the [WIP] 240z IMSA GTU project has been ongoing in the background whenever I can find the time.

I have the project fully functional in GTL and partially in GTR2 (lights, guages not working yet in GTR2), while the rfactor version has only been partially converted.

I have been having a blast throwing the Z's (10 'draft' liveries at the moment, all but one of which are based on real cars) through some laps, despite physics not being quite where I want them yet.

Still plenty of work to do before I would be willing to release, though getting in-game and fully functional for GTL was a major milestone for me. Being my first car project it has required plenty of trial and error to figure out how everything worked, especially given lack of documentation available. Things like genstrings drove me to frustration, despite being very straight-forward once I figured out the logic behind them. I'm getting there on the physics, but as mentioned I'm not quite satisfied with the results yet. Overall polycount is still on the high side, but getting closer to optimum as I take the effort to remodelling some of the parts.

I will see about getting a few in-game screenshots uploaded and linked from this thread over the weekend.

Yours in Motorsport!

Monty

Hi Monty,

It sound like your car is about ready for Beta testing.

There are some really good drivers on the Bude who I know would love to do some testing... I would love to do some myself.

You will find that you can glean a lot of feedback and great suggestions from this.

If you want a team of testers to try your car online I would be happy to put a private server on and assemble a good team for you that would include guys who know about physics and modding.

Cheers and I look forward to some screen shots.

Gordon aka Gee-Deeman

Hi Gordon,

The operative word is "about". I'm not quite ready for a Beta release, though getting close. I appreciate the offer and will certainly avail on the community's expertise for Beta testing prior to any Alpha release. Thanks!

Some screenshots will be available shortly, just getting a few ready for upload now.

Cheers Monty.

It's great that you are waiting to properly finish it as it seems lately a few GTL mods are being 'released' yet seem to still be W.I.P.s, like one recent case where there's no sounds!!

Looking forward to when you do release it and a huge THANK YOU!!

As promised, here are a few ingame screenshots from GTL for my [WIP] 240z IMSA GTU project.

Disclaimer
UVW Templates are still beta, hence graphics being a little rough, while the Interior shot shows "factory" style textures being used, as I haven't got around to doing the race cockpit UVW templates as concentrating on physics lately. That said, car is fully functional at this time, though project is still very much early beta.

Notes:
Genstrings are currently active for:
Rear Wing (Spoiler, Airfoil, Whaletail)
Front Airdam (Standard, with Brake Ducts)
Moulding/Trim (Chrome, Black)
Headlight Covers (Clear, Painted)
Wheels (only BBS/Dunlop currently)
Helmets

Car is producing 405.5HP@8700RPM and 264.6 ft/lbs Torque (302.3813kw, 258.75nm) currently and two NISMO tranny's are available (a Close Ratio-#32010-N3130 and a Wide Ratio-#32010-N3030)

Anyway, A little teaser for all you 240z fans...

Monty

Wow, amazing looking work for you very first car project!!!

What is the top speed? Looks like it may take the Porka 935 and BMW turbo on.

Great stuff!

Gordon

Thanks Gordon,

Re: First car, I should have picked a lada or similar boxy car...
Trying to keep the polys down with all those curves has been a real challenge to say the least.

At the moment @260km/h with current gearing, so slower than the 935, which is expected given the 935 has an extra 300hp or so, but fairly competitive with the Bimmer re lap times. I will have a better idea once the car is properly dialed in...

The Z's real strength has always been its handling...

Cheers,

Monty

There are usualy one or more modders and guys who do physics etc on TS (Team Speak) most nights and I am sure they would be very pleased to give you hints etc to help you with any problems.

If you want to know who they, let me know please.

Lots of guys who do skins here too.

Gee

I am looking forward to doing one in my Petrolheads livery!

I was working on the final draft for the Body templates and had a 100mb psd which included all the liveries I had done to date, that is until I had a power failure and file got corrupted
Unfortunately the only backup I had was a few weeks old and based on older UVW's. Currently rebuilding templates and will make available to a few painters prior to project release. GTL was also running at the time and on reboot found all my user history to have been wiped out, but did manage to find an old file using some data recovery tools, so at least didn't need to redo all the races/championships again. On another note, Graphics card died last night and now down to one monitor and I hate working with one monitor on a shite card... Will try and find a decent card in Kampala this week, but will probably have to ship one in. The joys of living in Uganda...