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THE DAYTONA PATCH

Introduction
O.K. You've read the posts in r.a.s and heard the rumours, so here it is straight.

Long before Gerhard released his track converters, I had been messing around trying to change things in Nascar and Indycar Racing. Somethings had worked, more often they didn't. Then Gerhard came along and produced his tools which, to me, we're the keys the the door that had remained locked to me for so long.

Now, with the crucial information I needed, I could start having fun!

As we all know, licensing laws prevented Papyrus from producing a Daytona and Indianopolis track for Nascar Racing. With Gerhards skill and the track data already available from ICR1, it didn't take us long to get the Indy track back. However, all the complaints, questions and other talk about Daytona got me kind of hooked on the idea of doing something. So I sat down and started work.

As many people suggested early on, simply using Talladega would be better than nothing but nobody could change the name to 'Daytona'. Well, its not impossible, but its not easy either.

People pestered Papyrus, but as Rick G said, the tools they use are so complicated that it would be beyond the average user and because of the limited demand and hassles of support, it ain't going to happen.

This is where I step in.

A small group of people on the 'Net eventually started to catch up with each other and started sharing file format information. Soon, with some work, we we're able to change textures and colours, AI and all manner of other things. However at present, but not for long, we still haven't cracked that crucial format the 3DO file which contains the data which makes up the track.

What is the Daytona Patch?
The Daytona Patch, when complete, will produce a 'Daytona' circuit using elements from other tracks and objects within Nascar racing. To compromise for the lack of a track editor, I decided that it would best to base the Daytona patch on the Talladega track and change as much as possible. I've worked on new textures, colours, scenery and AI and at present, alothough it uses Talladega's surface, it's a different experience.

What about the licensing laws?
This has been the main thing holding me back. At present, on the advice of a lawer, I can release the patch into the public domain as long as I don't use the name 'Daytona', it's logo or and fonts associated with it. However, all is not lost! If however, I release the patch with the track under a different name, I can then release another patch to rename it to Daytona. This means that I am basically providing you, the user, with the tool to do it and therefore can not be held responsible. It is at your own risk that you rename the track 'Daytona' and get DIS and SEGA kicking your door down over a breach of licensing.

So where do I get it?
Slow down! At present its not finsihed. I'm taking my time over this one to try and get it right. The Pits has a good reputation for providing useful accurate information and I'm not going to chuck this out half done. I have a small group of Beta testers who will asses an apraise it before public release.

Can I be a Beta tester?
No! The team is chosen so don't expect your begging e-mails to be replied to.

What will I need to run it?
Because I use objects from other tracks, you'll need to have a copy of the Nascar track pack. I can't send out the files from the other tracks as their copyright Papyrus, so instead, I extract them from the tracks and patch them in. Apologies if you don't have the track pack, but if your a true Nascar fan, you'll have it anyway.

So what will it look like?
Well here are some pictures. Please Note - The release version WILL NOT be called Daytona, nor will it carry the Daytona International Speedway logo's. There are still some more scenery changes to be made. These are work in progress pictures.

Pic 1 - The selection screen.

Pic 2 - New pit buildings (stand to be replaced by score tower).

Pic 3 - The Pits.

Pic 4 - The back straight.

Pic 5 - Exiting turn 2.

Pic 6 - AI cars running two abreast.

Pic 7 - Look! AI cars attemping to pass each other going into turn 3!

Pic 8 - The top two cars are passing the bottom draft off the line!