F1-2002-World-Ranking FAQ
Q) What is F1-2002 ?
F1-2002 is EA-Sports' latest Formula One game, depicting the 2002
Formula One season.
The game was developed by ISI (Image Space Inc.) and is a direct descendant of F1-2002. It
offers a challenging and deeply developed physics/driving model, surpassing any other
Formula One game to date.
Q) What is the F1-2002 World Ranking Database?
The World Ranking database is a purpose built site, which enables all
drivers to compare their own best lap times with anyone else. This can prove to be a great
motivator to achieve even faster lap times.
It also serves as a central database enabling each driver to have his own F1-2002-Rank
score calculated for him.
Q) What is the F1-2002-Rank scoring system, and how is it calculated.
The F1-2002-Rank is a system based almost completely on the GPL-Rank system.
Each driver is given a score (or "handicap" - similar to golf), which represents how fast that person is over the entire 17 tracks of the 2002 calendar.
Each (fastest) laptime for the driver is compared to the actual 2002 pole time for that circuit, and the difference is noted.The F1-2002-Rank for that driver is then the total of all the laptime differences for all the 17 tracks.
As you get quicker, your score will reduce, representing the fact that you are reducing the gap between your times and the 2002 pole times. (note: 2002 pole-times that have yet to be determined, are estimated from the 2001 times)
If you do not set a laptime for a particular circuit, then you will
be penalised 10 seconds for that circuit.
(defaulting to a laptime 10 seconds slower than the pole time).
If you are very quick, then your score will go negative.
The purpose of the ranking tables is not necessarily to be the fastest, but instead to enable you to use the rank as a method of gauging your own performance, and as a measure of your continued improvement.
What driving aids are permitted.
The following aids are NOT allowed
- Braking Point Assistance
- Anti-Lock Braking
- Steering Help
- Opposite Lock Help
- Stability Control
- Spin Recovery
You must also turn Damage ON, Mechanical Failures ON, and Tyre Wear ON.
The use of any of these aids for all (or part) of a lap will put the lap in the Intermediate or Novice class, and will not enable it to be used in the calculation of the F1-2002-rank score.
This means that the only aids that are allowed are ...
+ Traction Control
+ Shifting Help
+ Clutch Help
Q) What is F1-2002 Telemetry-WR ?
The program F1-2002-Telemetry-WR is a modification to the original in-game telemetry system, and has been altered to allow the upload of lap information to this web-site.
The functionality of the program is identical to the original game version of the telemetry application, but this may develop over time as this site develops.
Note: you can get some information on the original telemetry program from http://f1lap.ea-europe.com and also from the on-disk manual supplied with the game.
Q) How are laps checked for cheating ?
F1-2002 is built on a very open program structure, and even casual snooping of the files (using notepad) will reveal many modifyable parameters which can give your car track hugging characteristics currently unimaginable.
It is no fun competing against those who cheat, and this system is set-up in such a way as to try and eliminate that element. Any laps which do not pass the checks are not able to be uploaded.
The Telemetry program is able to check the game files for hacking and attempts to alter the settings of the cars in such a way as to give a car an unfair advantage. This information is embedded into the telemetry files in such a way that the program can perform this check even after the game has finished running. There is no need to run a separate checking application while the game is running.
Tthe laps are also checked to see whether the driver had cut any corners and acheived an advantage in that way. This check is performed automatically by the Telemetry program before the file is uploaded.
The corner check is not as strict as that in the previous F1-2001 system. You are now allowed to run wide at the exits of corners, and you can utilise a little more of the kerb than before. If you cut the corners too much, then you will be red-flagged, and the lap will be invalid. As long as you stick within "reasonable" limits, then you will be safe.
Q) How do I upload laps to the tables ?
It's easy. You first need to install the program F1-2002-Telemetry-WR. This is available on the main page, under the "latest downloads" section. You should unzip this, and place it in the F1-2002/Telemetry folder.
To view your telemetry, drive a few laps, then enter the Vehicle Setup page and click the Telemetry icon. The F1-2002 Telemetry utility will load and import your telemetry ready for you to begin analysing it.
If you are happy with the lap, you can upload it to this server, and compare your performance against your fellow drivers. Hold the cursor over the lap-time, and go to the "Lap Info" panel. From here you will see if the lap is good to upload (have you cut any corners ? etc...).
Now select "Upload Lap" from the buttons at the bottom of the panel.
You will be asked to enter a user-name and password. This user name is the name that will be attached to the lap when it is shown on the tables.
If this is your first upload, then please enter a name of your choice, together with a password that you can remember. When you click the tick button, you will be automatically be registered with the site, and your lap will be uploaded.
If this is not your first upload then you will already see your user-name and password in the login box. If these details are ok, then just click the tick button to upload the lap.
Q) I notice that many drivers have a team and Country... How can I add or change my details ?
Once you have been registered with the site, you can pay it a visit and click where-ever your name appears in the tables. This will take you to your profile page, where you can view, and optionally edit your details. This is where you need to remember your password, as you (or anyone else) cannot modify your details without it.
Q) I am slow compared to other drivers. How can I go quicker ?
The previous version of this site (for F1-2001) had the capability of downloading any of the laps that were on the tables, so that you could load them into the telemetry application, and compare them with your own. This functionality is not available yet, but is planned to be added shortly.
An advanced set-up guide is also being prepared by a member of the F1-2002 community, and I would like to provide a link to this document/web-page, once it is publicly available.
Q) Where can I download the latest software ?
The latest software can be downloaded via the main page, under the "latest downloads" section.
Q) Where can I find more help
This page was last updated Tuesday, 13 August 2002
No part or content contained on this site may be used for any other purpose other than that intended by the author (Simon Phillips). The program "F1-2002 Telemetry" is not to be used for any other hotlap competiton (online or otherwise) without express permission being granted by the author.