RELEASE NOTES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Autobahn Country Club located in Joliet, IL, USA

Full Course 3.531 mi / 5.682 km
North Course 1.498 mi / 2.410 km
South Course 2.060 mi / 3.315 km

AUTHOR: James Mabe "Cyruscloud"


Circuit Background
--------------------------

Autobahn Country Club is a circuit designed to provide its members with an enjoyable and challenging course in which to test their skills aginst one another as well as push their cars to its limits. The course was designed by Alan Wilson who is also responsible for designing such courses as Barber Motorsports park, Arizona Motorsports Park, Gingerman Raceway and South Carolina Motorsports Park.  The course broke ground early 2004 and the first laps were taken later that fall. The track has since been under constant construction, with new faculities, and updates to safety of the course. It holds many sessions and races for its members but as well holds periodic races from such racing divisions as WERA, CCS Motorcycles, Midwestern Council and the SCCA.

About This Project
--------------------------

This project started near the release of Rfactor and was the first Rfactor track I modeled. Along with that it was also an experimental track in a sense, since I had little knowledge of the limits of Rfactor and its potential. I created this track testing a new modeling method, that while in some sense worked and I am happy with the road feel there were some flaws in the modeling design which I have continued to adjust as I develop this technique further. Likewise because this track has been under such constant construction developing it to meet its current state was nearly impossible. This version of the track is set to be the state the track was in summer 2005.  This project was quite enjoyable, especially just because of how much I enjoy this track itself much less getting the chance to build it. There are no lights at this track so any nighttime driving be prepared to treat the session like a rally event. Would like to thank ScottJ for some paddock items I used from his Birmingham track and Gilles Benoît for the 3d people from Trois Reviers. I don't normally borrow items from other places but in this case the paddock items were nearly perfect not surprising since this track was designed by the same person who designed the track Birmingham was based after.

Lapping Tips
--------------------------

There are three layouts with this track, North, South and the Full Course. North provides good action for smaller cars while south and full provide room for cars ranging from club to high level formula breeds. 

North Course mostly just need to be wary of the first and second corner, the track kinks to the left the turn straight back right its a quick corner entrance but be mindful of your competitors through the kink to make sure your in good position before the second corner. Turn 6 begins tight and opens up so remember to try to get the run off since following it is one of the longest straights of the north course which will lead to a tar patch before turn 7, be cautious of it as it can through you off and ruin your setup for the next 2 corners.

South Course is full of combination corner and takes lots of practice to get the most out of the course. One late braking or one wide arc can cost you nearly the entire lap so best stay focused and hit all your marks. The brake markers are setup so that you should turn it as you reach the 1 marker, this may vary upon driver and car but is likely a good place to start your first few laps around. Last most cautious area is the final 2 corners leading back onto the straight, this area is bumpy so taking it full speed would be unwise. Also note the pitroad entrance is very narrow on the south course.

Full course, other than the previous notes only be concerned with the connecting areas that connect the two north and south courses. The first you enter is a long arcing turn that tightens on exit, the second is uphill and has moderate bumps between the transitions, stick to the very left lined to the grass for the smoothest transition.

When exiting the paddock on the north and Full course, exit either to left or right depening on which side of the paddock road your on and make a right after a set of vehicles and to the left of the timing building, then take the left onto the pitroad and maintain left to yield into the racing groove. For the South course exit your stall either right or left pending on side and you should exit opposite to that of the north course, making once again a left onto pit road stay to the outside and merge into the groove midway through the first turn.

Performance Information
--------------------------

I tried to keep this track performing close to ISI's own tracks, memory use is slightly high.  The north end of the track and specially around the paddock takes the biggest hit, expect and 10 or 12 fps gain through the south end.

Installation Notes
--------------------------

Just drop the Autobahn Folder in your tracks directory in your Rfactor install and your set.

ENDUSER Information
--------------------------

I would like to request the end users to not, update either directly or through patches this product. I would also request that this package not be changed in anyway if you host it elsewhere. Please refrain from spending time on bug reports etc. as likely they will not be address in any moderatly soon time frame. I have had thoughts of doing an alternate and newer version of this track at a later point with a fall scheme and fixes or improvements to some of the tracks low points, but there is no time frame as to when this will happen. So I ask that the end user take this track as it is and enjoy.

Contacts
--------------------------

http://www.autobahncountryclub.net
http://teamidt.net/
http://www.virtualgt.com/

Special Thanks
--------------------------

Special Thanks goes to Autobahn Country Club for not only allowing this track to be released to the public but as well for creating such a great facility. Like this track, real people are out there racing on this circuit and others, support your local track.

Also special thanks to Virtual GT for their involvement in making this project happen. Can't get to a track but looking for a more complete experience, you can drive autobahn and other great courses right on a VirtualGT and experience it almost like your there.

Finally thanks to Team IDT for their suppose, motivation and overall swell bunch to be involved with.


