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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Introducing MetroFactor

Let me introduce you to MetroFactor. MetroFactor is based on a racing simulator program called rFactor using a mod called VHR. The difference between a game and a simulator is how close it is to the real thing. VHR is online NASCAR racing at its finest.

The adjustments required to have a winning car are near the same as the real car owners have to contend with. The MetroFactor web site describes the requirements and gives sample pictures of how real it gets. Caster, camber, wedge, track bar, tire pressure, splitter and wing are just an example of the many adjustments that have to be perfect in order to win.

In addition many hours of driving practise are required to control the car under high speed circumstances and avoid crashing yourself or someone else. The feedback sensations to the steering wheel are as real as it gets and a driver must be gentle feeding power with the accelerator or reducing it with the brake pedal and gears.

Online racing means individual drivers from anywhere there is internet can join the racing action and compete for the checkered flag. rFactor has numerous kinds of cars that can be added and driven on all the world's tracks. Cars such as Formula, Road Course, Trucks and even GoKarts are available.

After our local group practised endlessly, we decided to get a bit more organized and MetroFactor was formed. We practise during the week at various times, and every Saturday evening there is a scheduled race on one of the NASCAR tracks. Tracks are rotated each week and the announcement of the next upcoming track is posted on the MetroFactor site.

Although it is all in fun, drivers gain points at each Saturday race, determined by their finishing position. The winner gets his/her name posted on the leaderboard for the week. Our current season is expected to end some time in April 2009.

If you want more details, check out the MetroFactor site. Better yet, get the program, a steering wheel and join us at the track. Or if you already have rFactor, join us. We are always happy to have new guest drivers drop in that are interested in good clean racing. As with any organized activity there are rules that must be followed, but they are pretty relaxed so long as you don't carelessly or intentionally wreck others.

Check out details at MetroFactor.

-=One Day At A Time=-