April 08, 2007

Calabogie Update News

Friends:

This project is on-going with the release in the fall of 2006 of the 4th in the beta series of iterations to a select group of testers who’ve actually been to the facility. Input has been most satisfactory on improving the build and my thanks to the team.

Work progresses on the 5th beta with some of it best described as ‘two steps forward...one step back’ thanks to some very tricky elements of the drawing distance file and my own incompetence. Notwithstanding, the project forges ahead and following a track site visit scheduled for late May-early June of 2007, I’ll make a final determination as to all tso’s to be included and textures to use for ‘beta5'.

Some weeks back, I had come to the decision to involve other select groups in the beta testing loop. Chief amongst them was the NAGPL, the North American GPL League, headed up by my very good friend, Mr. Bob Bernhardt. Bob has run this league for a number of years and has forgotten more than I’ll ever know about hosting GPL events on-line.

I’m pleased to report that thanks to Bob’s expertise and tenacious efforts, a moderately successful on-line test of beta4 was run past Saturday night on VROC involving members of the formal beta test gang and members of the NAGPL. I say ‘moderately’ with respect to how the track performed and comments received post run. There were a few issues with fps sags and disco’s which wasn’t all that surprising in the way of news. I was anticipating a little trouble in a couple of areas and as it turned out, those fears were somewhat justified but most of the 12 runners got thru the test without drama. Overall, I consider the test a qualified success for a first time running and am very encouraged to proceed.

In the coming weeks, I should like to run some more trials with other leagues...The NAGPL again, The Regulars and the ADC...to further collect data on the build. The target for release to the general public of the final Calabogie track is projected to be late Summer-early Fall 2007. Conversions to GTL, GTR and rFactor to follow.

Once again, my thanks to the NAGPL and especially Bob Bernhardt for the fine job in testing this track. I am in your debt.

Manfred C

Thanks Manfred for the info.

Is it posible to give some preview's, pic's or ather information about the track.
In ather word's what can I suspect to see, is it a oval? dirt track? long / short / hillside track?

If not..........no problem!
Good luck and keep them coming.

Hi, Pedro!

Indeed. I was remiss in not establishing a proper Calabogie thread here at the GPLMZ way, way back when I first took on the project in late 2003. Yea...that long ago! LOL! The very best I can do, I think, is point you to the official website where it will give you tons of data including some cool in-car, on-board laps. Enjoy.

https://www.calabogiemotorsports.com/

Pedro,

if you have visited the Calabogie website and looked at the numerous pics, vids, track maps, etc, all I can say is .... the GPL track is right on the money .... the layout, elevations, track width, the roller coaster sections, they are all a duplicate of the real track .... in fact, the GPL track is much more fun to drive than even the videos would lead you to believe .... the track almost invites you to go faster, to push your limits .... it's like the track is saying, "c'mon I dare ya" .... lol, just my impression anyway .... it's a yeehaw kind of track where you can go for broke as your car gets light over the blind crests, regains grip at the opposite edge of the track, as you slam thru the gears in a flat out downhill sweeper .... a longish track that keeps you busy and will wear you out .... and wide enough for some great online racing with plenty of passing sections .... it's a winner, and certainly will be worth the wait

Looking forward to this! Hope it all goes to plan.

WOW

I have seen the video's...................
Looking very good,
its not gonne be a easy one.
Looking forward to it.

Thanks for the info

I'm currently setting up to make the drive to Calabogie on Saturday, June 30, 2007, for a final look see in prep for the last beta. It is already known that a couple of ardent local GPL gearheads will attend to assist as well. We'll be looking at getting stills plus in-car camcorder work to nail down the final spex.

With any luck, the project will go live to the public in late Summer, early Autumn. But what the heck...it's taken soooooooo long to this point, if it takes a little while longer to get it JUST SO, well, so be it.

If you're in the area and free that day, pop on out to the grounds and ask for Manfred.

I hope to see you there, Don.

Made the 4-1/2 hour drive...that's one-way, you understand...to Calabogie on Saturday, June 30th to hook up with Colin French and none other than our own celebrated Bob Simpson to get the very latest on CMP.

The place looked marvelous. Really neat to see it paved...my last visit was in the Fall of 2004 and it was still just a CAT track thru the woods then. It was finally paved in mid-Summer, 2006.

I shot lots of camcorder footage which I've already reviewed and Colin shot a ton of stills which I will use as reference and even for dedicated 3do's.

One corner has certainly been re-profiled since my last visit and I'll busy myself over the next little while in updating it plus lots of other goodies, too.

Stay tuned...

looking forward to the "other goodies" .... I hope the corner that was re-profiled is one of the ones I'm slow in .... of course that could be one of many will stay tuned

Really looking forward to this Don.