18Races.com

Before I get into my analysis of this track, getting it downloaded and patched was a bit of work. I ended up using this download:

http://www.f1gaming.de/downloads/rfactor/strecken/CTDP_Bahrain_F1-2005_Track_for_rFactor.rar

Patch 1:
Out of the box, the track surface is very bad in places and causes violent shakes in certain corners. This patch will fix that for the most part.

http://trd3.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=2

The site is in Spanish. An English translation is available through this link:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://trd3.net/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D47%26Itemid%3D2&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://trd3.net/index.php%253Foption%253Dcom_content%2526task%253Dview%2526id%253D47%2526Itemid%253D2%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGLJ,GGLJ:2006-41,GGLJ:en

This patch is installed by extracting the rar file and running the included executable.

Patch 2:
I also upgraded the cameras because the default spectator view didn't show much of the track because it was too tight on the car. The link for the upgraded cameras is available on the rFactorCentral.com page http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cfm?ID=Bahrain%20International. It is the Bahrain Alternative Cameras by GTEvo link.

To install this, I extracted the rar file, and copied the file 1Shakir.cam to the C:\Program Files\rFactor\GameData\Locations\Bahrain\Shakir folder. Your install folder might be different. I then renamed the existing Shakir.cam file to Shakir_orig.com, and then renamed 1Shakir.com to Shakir.cam.

Fire up rFactor and you should see the track in the "CTDP F1 Tracks" folder.

On to the post ...

You really get the impression that this is a circuit plopped down in the middle of the desert. Like Sepang, it is a purpose-built track with lots of run-off area. It has some mild elevation changes that are placed in areas that making driving a challenge. The turn-in for corner 7 is very difficult to see due to elevation changes as is the braking point and entry for corner 9. Corner 13 is a high-speed uphill leading quickly into the braking zone for 14. The uphill is blind and landing on the wrong side of the track can really mess you up for entry into 14.

On first impression, you can almost break this track into two primary sectors. The first would include corners 1 through 10, the second corners 11 through 15.

The 1-10 sector looks more technical. It has three very tight right-handers, one of which funnels into a left-hander, a high-speed bus-stop-style section, and the long braking zone going into corner 10.

The 11-15 sector may be as technical due to elevation changes, but it is much faster with longer sweeping corners.

For timing, the sectors for this track are:

Sector 1: Corners 1, 2, 3, 4, ends at entry to corner 5
Sector 2: Corners 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, ends at Vodafone sign between 13 and 14
Sector 3: Corners 14, 15

Attached is a hotlap from the AI, as well as a screen shot of most corners.

AI Hotlap, In Car

AI Hotlap, Overview
Note: I had to use the tracking camera on this because the spectator camera that ships with the track does not show much of the track. I have since downloaded the updated spectator camera.

This lap was completed in 2:02.323 (122.323 seconds).

The gear, RPM, MPH, and time between corners are measured at the point the RPMs begin to increase when exiting a corner. The screen shots are also from the point of acceleration from the corner.

Let's take a look at a lap.

Corners 1, 2, and 3

Image 1: Corner 1 Midpoint

Image 2: Corner 2 Midpoint

Corner 1 is a tight right-hander leading quickly into corner 2 which is a mild left-hander. Corner 3 is a mild right-hander that is taken under full acceleration.

Corner 1: 1st gear, 3331 RPM, 21 MPH
10.400 seconds from start
23.856 seconds from corner 15
3.767 seconds to corner 2

Corner 2: 3rd gear, 4925 RPM, 65 MPH
14.167 seconds from start
3.767 seconds from corner 1
15.5 seconds to corner 4

Corner 4

Image 3: Corner 4 Midpoint

Corner 4 is another tight right-hander.

2nd gear, 4735 RPM, 48 MPH
29.667 seconds from start
15.5 seconds from corner 2
9.3 seconds to corner 6

Corners 5, 6, and 7

Image 4: Corner 6 Midpoint

Image 5: Corner 7 Midpoint

Corner 5 is a quick left-hander that muddles the braking zone for corner 6. Corner 6 is a quick right-hander leading directly to corner 7 which is a quick left-hander. Almost looks like a high-speed bus stop.

Corner 5: braking

Corner 6: 4th gear, 5479 RPM, 91 MPH
38.967 seconds from start
9.3 seconds from corner 4
2.2 seconds to corner 7

Corner 7: 4th gear, 5851 RPM, 97 MPH
41.167 seconds from start
2.2 seconds from corner 6
7.066 seconds to corner 8

Corner 8

Image 6: Corner 5 Midpoint

Corner 8 is another tight right-hander.

2nd gear, 4166 RPM, 45 MPH
48.233 seconds from start
7.066 seconds from corner 7
13.067 seconds to corner 10

Corners 9 and 10

Image 7: Corner 10 Midpoint

Corner 9 is a sweeping left-hander leading directly into corner 10 which is a tight left-hander.

Corner 9: appears to be a braking zone leading into corner 10.

Corner 10: 2nd gear, 3993 RPM, 41 MPH
61.3 seconds from start
13.067 seconds from corner 8
15.6 seconds to corner 11

Corners 11, 12, and 13

Image 8: Corner 11 Midpoint

Corner 11 is a moderate-speed left hander leading into a long corridor with corners 12 and 13. Corner 12 looks to be an acceleration zone while corner 13 may be more measured but acceleration appears to continue before landing at the top of a hill and into the braking zone for corner 14.

Corner 11: 3rd gear, 5383 RPM, 72 MPH
76.9 seconds from start
15.6 seconds from corner 10
15.5 seconds to corner 14

Corner 12: accelerating

Corner 13: accelerating

Corner 14

Image 9: Corner 14 Midpoint

Corner 14 is another fairly high-speed right-hander leading onto the second-longest straight on the track.

3rd gear, 4836 RPM, 62 MPH
92.4 seconds from start
15.5 seconds from corner 11
16.467 seconds to corner 15

Corner 15

Image 10: Corner 15 Midpoint

Corner 15 is another right-hander and leads onto the front straight. A bit tighter than 14 but nowhere near as tight as 1, 4, or 8.

2nd gear, 5320 RPM, 57 MPH
108.867 seconds from start
16.467 seconds from corner 14
23.856 seconds to corner 1
13.456 seconds to start/finish line

I like this track. It's challenging in different ways than Albert Park. Being a purpose-built track, it's wider and generally has a lot more of a runoff area. It has a decent amount of vertical change which adds more challenge to finding the right balance of the car while driving. It has a lot of corners that are long, sweeping, and fast which you will find more challenging.

I don't like how the AI enters and exits the pit lane. On entry, it is in the racing line and then veers wildly to the pit lane crossing the outer lane of traffic. Not sure how it will react if another car is out there. On entry to the track, it again veers wildly back into the racing line. I have yet to be hit by one, but I have seen other AI cars get hit by one re-entering the track.

I drove about 60 laps today and rode along with the AI for another 20 or so. I've gotten up to speed pretty quickly on this track after my initial analysis. I'm still finding it hard to put together complete laps, but I feel like I'm further along after this many laps than I was with Albert Park.

Attached is a hotlap from the AI, as well as a screen shot of each corner.

AI Hotlap, In Car

AI Hotlap, Overview

This lap was completed in 2:04.709 (124.163 seconds).

The gear, RPM, MPH, and time between corners are measured at the point the RPMs begin to increase when exiting a corner. The screen shots are also from the point of acceleration from the corner.

Let’s take a look at a lap.

Corner 1

Corner 1 is a tight hairpin leading quickly into a left-hander.

2nd gear, 4679 RPM, 47 MPH
13.667 seconds from start
22.163 seconds from corner 15
5.396 seconds to corner 2

Corner 2

Corner 2 is a slightly downhill left-hander immediately after the turn 1 hairpin.

2nd gear, 4333 RPM, 43 MPH
18.733 seconds from start
5.066 seconds from corner 1
17.767 seconds to corner 4

Corner 3

Corner 3 is a sweeping right-hander that is taken full out.

Corner 4

Corner 4 is an uphill right hander.

3rd gear, 4604 RPM, 60 MPH
36.500 seconds from start
17.767 seconds from turn 2
9.8 seconds to turn 5

Corner 5

Corner 5 is the first of two high-speed corners along this corridor.

5th gear, 5525 RPM, 109 MPH
46.300 seconds from start
9.8 seconds from turn 4
4 seconds to turn 6

Corner 6

5th gear, 5488 RPM, 107 MPH
50.300 seconds from start
4 seconds from turn 5
7.5 seconds to turn 7

Corners 7 and 8

Corner 7 is a flat, fairly high-speed right hander that leads almost immediately into the Corner 8 which is also a right-hander.

Corner 7: 4th gear, 5645 RPM, 93 MPH
57.800 seconds from start
7.5 seconds from turn 6
12.867 seconds to turn 9

Corner 8: 4th gear, measured acceleration

Corner 9

Corner 9 is one of the bigger breaking zones outside of the hairpins. It is a tight, uphill, left-hander.

2nd gear, 4438 RPM, 45 MPH
70.667 seconds from start
12.867 seconds from turn 7
9.033 seconds to turn 11

Corner 10

Corner 10 is a right-hander that trickles into corner 11.

Corner 11

Corner 11 is a fairly high-speed right-hander that falls away and leads to a short downhill shoot.

3rd gear, 5349 RPM, 70 MPH
79.700 seconds from start
9.033 seconds from turn 9
8.267 seconds to turn 12

Corner 12

Quick left-hander.

5th gear, 5728 RPM, 113 MPH
87.967 seconds from start
8.267 seconds from turn 11
7.133 seconds to turn 14

Corners 13 and 14

Continue acceleration from corner 12 into corner 13 before beginning braking for corner 14. Corner 14 is a long sweeping right-hander that is at least two corners built into one. It falls away and seems to go on forever before opening up to one of the two straight-aways enclosing the main grandstands.

Corner 14: 3rd gear, 4535 RPM, 59 MPH
95.100 seconds from start
7.133 seconds from turn 12
20.783 seconds to turn 15

Corner 15

Corner 15 is the second hairpin and leads back onto the front straightaway.

2nd gear, 4908 RPM, 50 MPH
115.833 seconds from start
20.783 seconds from turn 14
22.163 seconds to turn 1

This is a breakdown of my personal-best hot-lap at Albert Park. Video of it can be found on this post. The lap was completed in 1:54.926 (114.926 seconds).

The gear, RPM, MPH, and time between corners are measured at the point the RPMs begin to increase when exiting a turn, or the point that I start to unwind the steering wheel. The screen shots are also from the point of acceleration from the corner.

Let's take a look at this lap and compare it to the AI hot-lap analyzed in a previous post.
 

Corners 1 and 2

Corners 1 and 2 are located at the end of the long front straight.

Corner 1: 3rd gear, 5357 RPM, 70 MPH
6.334 seconds from start
15.367 from corner 16
15.533 to corner 3

Corner 2: Measured acceleration but if you get turn 1 correct, it should be full acceleration.

AI:
Corner 1: 2nd gear, 3700 RPM, 40 MPH
6.933 seconds from start
17.063 from corner 16
16.074 to corner 3

Corner 2: Full acceleration

Notes: I'm back on the gas much quicker and even though I'm covering more ground from midpoint to midpoint, I shave more than ½ second off the time of the AI.

Image 1: Corner 1 Midpoint

Corner 3

Corner 3: 2nd gear, 5028 RPM, 50 MPH
21.867 seconds from start
15.533 from corner 1
4.133 to corner 4

AI:
Corner 3: 2nd gear, 4206 RPM, 44 MPH
23.067 seconds from start
16.074 from corner 1
5.833 to corner 4

Notes: I'm much deeper into this corner on braking than the AI car. Since it's a short shoot to corner 4, there's little to be gained by maximizing exit speed so hold as much speed as you can deep into the corner.

Image 2: Corner 3 Midpoint

Corner 4

3rd gear, 5663 RPM, 74 MPH (I'm back on the gas at this point but it is measured)

26 seconds from start
4.133 from corner 3
5.267 to corner 5

AI:
3rd gear, 5485 RPM, 72 MPH,
28.900 seconds from start
5.833 from corner 3
5.169 to corner 5

Notes: Through this point in the track, I have shaved nearly 3 seconds from the AI's time by focusing on exit speed through corners 1 and 2, and braking deeper in turn 3.

Image 3: Corner 4 Midpoint  

Corner 5

4th gear, 6207 RPM, 101 MPH
31.267 second from start
5.267 from corner 4
9.1 to corner 6

AI:
4th gear, 6137 RPM, 100 MPH
34.069 seconds from start
5.169 from corner 4
8.331 to corner 6

Notes: I generally take a wider line through turn 5 and clip the grass near my turn in point. Can't say I'm gaining a great deal by doing this but it gives me a wider arc.

Image 4: Corner 5 Midpoint  

Corners 6, 7, and 8

Corner 6: 2nd gear, 5781, 58 mph
40.367 seconds from start
9.1 from corner 5
14.867 to corner 9

Corners 7, 8: full acceleration

AI:
Corner 6: 3rd gear, 4532 RPM, 60 MPH
42.400 seconds from start
8.331 from corner 5
14.667 to corner 9

Corners 7, 8: full acceleration

Notes: This corner remains probably my biggest struggle on the track. It looks like I lost a second in this corner but that's a bit misleading since I measure midpoints and mine was much later than the AI. Still, this corner remains tricky for me.

In the big picture, this corner is not good for passing so it serves little value and as long as you can hold your position, there's little to be gained or lost here in racing. 

Image 5: Corner 6 Midpoint 

Corners 9 and 10

Corner 9: 2nd gear, 5005 RPM, 51 MPH
55.234 seconds from start
14.867 from corner 6
15.833 to corner 11

Corner 10: should be full acceleration.

AI:
Corner 9: 2nd gear, 4760 RPM, 49 MPH
57.067 seconds from start
14.667 from corner 6
16.663 to corner 11

Corner 10: full acceleration

Notes: I messed myself up on this corner and turned in way too early. I ended up carrying plenty of speed but was a bit out of shape in corner 10. I was on the gas a bit too hard and about lost the rear and had to let up slightly which threw me off. Probably lost a 0.5-1 second on this combination of corners.

Image 6: Corner 9 Midpoint 

Corners 11 and 12

Corner 11: 4th gear, 5385 RPM, 87 MPH
71.067 seconds from start
15.863 from corner 10
3.037 to corner 12

Corner 12: 4th gear, 6339 RPM, 101 MPH
74:104 seconds from start
3.037 from corner 11
12.696 to corner 13

AI:
Corner 11: 3rd gear, 5776 RPM, 75 MPH
73.700 seconds from start
16.663 from corner 10
2.963 to corner 12

Corner 12: 4th gear, 5320 RPM, 87 MPH
76:663 seconds from start
2.963 from corner 11
13.737 to corner 13

Notes: This is by far my favorite combination of corners on this track both for hot-lapping and racing. The AI does a very poor job in this corner and it can be taken much faster.

Image 7: Corner 11 Midpoint 

Image 8: Corner 12 Midpoint 

Corner 13

3rd gear, 5136 RPM, 67 MPH
86.800 seconds from start
12.696 from corner 12
5.867 to corner 14

AI:
2nd gear, 6057 RPM, 59 MPH
90.400 seconds from start
13.737 from corner 12
6.593 to corner 14

Notes: Again, another corner that can be taken a gear up on the AI.

Image 9: Corner 13 Midpoint   

Corner 14

4th gear, 5166, 86 MPH
92.667 seconds from start
5.867 from corner 13
8.533 to corner 15

AI:
4th gear, 5217 RPM, 86 MPH
96.993 seconds from start
6.593 from corner 13
6.89 to corner 15

Notes: I'm not gaining anything on the AI in this corner but am not losing much either. Fairly low value corner.

Image 10: Corner 14 Midpoint

Corner 15

2nd gear, 4421 RPM, 44 MPH
101.200 seconds from start
8.533 from corner 14
4.667 to corner 16

AI:
2nd gear, 4436 RPM, 45 MPH
103.883 seconds from start
6.89 from corner 14
4.15 to corner 16

Notes: AI turned in early and had to get back on throttle then brake to this point where it started its final acceleration out of the corner.

I did basically the same thing and was carrying too much speed and had to go way too deep into this corner.
 

Image 10: Corner 15 Midpoint

Corner 16

3rd gear, 6562 RPM, 83 MPH
105.867 seconds from start
4.667 from corner 15
9.033 seconds to finish line

AI:
3rd gear, 5990 RPM, 79 MPH
108.033 seconds from start
4.15 from corner 15
10.13 seconds to finish line

AI is back on accelerator at this point but it is a measured acceleration.

At exit, in 4th gear, 6327 RPM, 102 MPH, 111:500 from start, 135 MPH at finish line.

Notes: This is a critical corner to get correct. I'm much deeper into the corner than the AI at the point I begin unwinding the wheel and accelerating harder. I would prefer to be closer to the curbing as well.

Image 11: Corner 16 Midpoint

Overall thoughts: I got off to a great start in this lap and with a better job in 9/10, 13, and 15, I could have easily taken another 1-2 seconds off my lap time.

The Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit is a relatively flat, 16-corner track.

The screenshots and videos are from an AI-controlled car. Observing or riding along with another driver is generally one of my first steps to learning a new track. The AI serves that purpose well in rFactor.

AI Hotlap, In Car

AI Hotlap, Overview

This lap was completed in 1:58.163 (118.163 seconds).

The gear, RPM, MPH, and time between corners are measured at the point the RPMs begin to increase when exiting a corner. The screen shots are also from the point of acceleration from the corner.

Let’s take a look at a lap.

Corners 1 and 2

Corners 1 and 2 are located at the end of the long front straight.

Corner 1: 2nd gear, 3700 RPM, 40 MPH
6.933 seconds from start
17.063 from corner 16
16.074 to corner 3

Corner 2: Full acceleration

Image 1: Corner 1 Midpoint

Corner 3

Corner 3: 2nd gear, 4206 RPM, 44 MPH
23.067 seconds from start
16.074 from corner 1
5.833 to corner 4

Image 2: Corner 3 Midpoint

Corner 4

Corner 4: 3rd gear, 5485 RPM, 72 MPH,
28.900 seconds from start
5.833 from corner 3
5.169 to corner 5

Image 3: Corner 4 Midpoint

Corner 5

Corner 5: 4th gear, 6137 RPM, 100 MPH
34.069 seconds from start
5.169 from corner 4
8.331 to corner 6

Image 4: Corner 5 Midpoint

Corners 6, 7, and 8

Corner 6: 3rd gear, 4532 RPM, 60 MPH
42.400 seconds from start
8.331 from corner 5
14.667 to corner 9

Corners 7, 8: full acceleration

Image 6: Corner 7 Midpoint

Corners 9 and 10

Corner 9: 2nd gear, 4760 RPM, 49 MPH
57.067 seconds from start
14.667 from corner 6
16.663 to corner 11

Corner 10: full acceleration

Image 7: Corner 9 Midpoint 

Corners 11 and 12

Corner 11: 3rd gear, 5776 RPM, 75 MPH
73.700 from start
16.663 from corner 10
2.963 to corner 12

Corner 12: 4th gear, 5320 RPM, 87 MPH
76:663 from start
2.963 from corner 11
13.737 to corner 13

Image 8: Corner 11 Midpoint

Image 9: Corner 12 Midpoint

Corner 13

2nd gear, 6057 RPM, 59 MPH
90.400 from start line
13.737 from corner 12
6.593 to corner 14

Image 10: Corner 13 Midpoint

Corner 14

4th gear, 5217 RPM, 86 MPH
96.993 from start
6.593 from corner 13
6.89 to corner 15

Image 11: Corner 14 Midpoint

Corner 15

2nd gear, 4436 RPM, 45 MPH
103.883 from start
6.89 from corner 14
4.15 to corner 16

AI turned in early and had to get back on throttle then brake to this point where it started its final acceleration out of the corner.

Image 12: Corner 15 Midpoint

Corner 16

3rd gear, 5990 RPM, 79 MPH
108.033 from start
4.15 from corner 15
10.13 seconds to finish line

AI is back on accelerator at this point but it is a measured acceleration.

At exit, in 4th gear, 6327 RPM, 102 MPH, 111:500 from start, 135 MPH at finish line.

Image 13: Corner 16 Midpoint

Image 14: Corner 16 Exit