Physics thread (17/05/2013)
"BMW M3 GT4: Repositioned tires to correct track width now that the models have been fixed. This is an extra 8cm front and rear, so it has a fairly significant impact on handling. I also revised the front suspension geometry after looking at the CAD again.
Used this car for testing the brake wear system. I can report that it is all working well when the Full Damage option is turned on. To be honest, it's not something you'll feel on this car until pit stops are added to allow for extremely long sessions. As you get close to the end of their life, though, heat management becomes more difficult and performance diminishes right up to the point that they fail. It's pretty cool. Values are now tuned so that they'll wear out in roughly 8 hours of race-pace driving if you don't abuse them too badly. Run them too hot and that time will drop drastically. We'll need to have an option during pitstops for a brake pad changes. Other cars like the Formula A will probably be a better show of the brake wear as it's just more the nature of those beasts to burn through brakes over a short period.
Also did some work on engine wear. Set the radiator ducting to a nice, standard 0-100% range and balanced all the values around that. It's basically the road car engine in this one, so it's made to last a long long time between rebuilds when treated nicely. It will die quickly, though, if you constantly over-rev on downshifts or let it run too hot. Power loss from overheating doesn't seem to be enabled right now. Will add that to the list."
Casey RINGLEY, Vehicle Lead.