I recently got around to driving the various
GPLRally tracks that MadCowie & Co. released back in '02 and '03. For
various reasons, having something to do with a complete inability to
operate the '67 cars on pavement, let alone dirt & ice, I ignored them at
the time. But now that we've got those cool new '65 cars, I had to check them
out. There's some really fun drives to be found in there... if you haven't tried
the rally tracks yet, you should. And this download fixes the "what
was he thinking" aggressively ugly (heck, the dimensions aren't even
right!) program sets that came with the originals.
This one zip listed above contains program sets for all 24 of the Rally tracks,
assembled into a single easy-to-install package. Or if you prefer, you can
download the program sets individually by clicking the links below.
There's a new Spanish track
from Sergio Loro, Casa de Campo, and BAPOM is there with some of our
trademark 'lovely' original art - makes a fine MegaPoster print, for what that's
worth...
You don't need to download this program set - it comes with the track.
The newest track from Raul, San Luis Potosi is a real-life Mexican club circuit - '65s and slower, please,
and watch out for turn 1... You don't need to download this program set - it comes with the track.
Zeltweg Flugplatz is a real-life airfield circuit used in the '60s,
hosting the Austrian GP until the Österreichring was built. First release from
Raul Valenzuela. The track map might not seem compelling, but you should give it
a spin - the circuit is unique in GPL for being the bumpiest damned thing
you've ever driven!
Panchine is the first final release from Richard Neville ('Luna'),
winner of the "create this track in 30 days" challenge.
It's a fantasy track, with a nice flow and some scary-fast
sections. It also has some absolutely beautiful texture work! And now
there's a top-notch cover to go along with it...
First-timer Gavrilenko Dmitry
brings us the first 'final' Russian track for GPL. The Neva Ring is a
real life track from the '60s formed from a pair of roads circling the outside
of a stadium. It's sort of like oval racing, except half the time you're turning right!
Tulln-Langenlebarn is a pleasant Austrian airfield track used for F2
races in the late '60s. This version was brought to us by Sergio and Robert
Zeugin. Wrap this program set around it, and make a fine track that much better
(err, if I may be so bold...)
The latest release from David
Sabre (aka Sabreteam), maker of such mandatory GPL tracks as Brands67,
Laguna67, and Indy67, is a version of Portland International
Raceway, circa 1967, sans Festival Curves. Note that there's a naming
conflict with this track, as 'port67' was already used for a different version
of Portland, so it's recommended you rename the relevant files to 'port.*'
before installing. In any event, you'll probably want one of these here BAPOM
program sets to wrap around it. I know I do!
Bjørn Finnestad, maker of Lura04,
brings us another "fictional track on real Norwegian roads", Tasta
'04. Check it out. How often do you get to fly through toll plazas at 190
mph? Updated 4/29/2005 - there was a typo on the map pages... more shoddy
quality control from your friends at BAPOM!
First-timer Lee Gaunt has favored us with a darned-fine version of Donnybrooke, a period-correct US
track that hosted the beloved CanAm series back in the day. Slap this program
set on top of it, and flash back to the Summer of Love...
Okay, I've only said "I
don't do betas!" a few dozen times, but here I am, "by popular
demand" doing a program set for a beta track: Brubeck's masterful Suzuka
2000. If you haven't checked this beast out (I know I hadn't!), you
owe it to yourself to do so. This beta is better than 90% of the 'final'
releases!
The final (?) version of Carthage from our old friend Sergio, this
version 'splits the difference' between the '35 and '36 tracks - it has one of
the chicanes. You don't need to download this program set - it comes with
the track.
Sergio has just released the 1935 version of Carthage, which removes the two chicanes, making a
fast circuit all that much faster!. You don't need to download this program set - it
comes with the track.
For certain Jarama-related
reasons, I'm just getting around to releasing the program set for Sergio's Carthage
1936, which has been out for a while. Carthage was a real public-road
circuit in Tunisia, used in the '30s. Think 'Tripoli'.
Sergio has just released
one of the few remaining truly relevant real-life tracks that haven't
been done yet. Jarama hosted the '68 Spanish GP, and was used in a
non-points '67 race as well. It's well done, and comes with some spiffy BAPOM
original artwork to boot! You don't need to download this program set - it
comes with the track.
UPDATE 2/28/2005: For those of you who are into this sort of thing, I've
created an second version of the cover suitable for use in a '67 season (F2 race
held on 6/23/67). It's included in the zip file - download or not, as you see
fit.
Why look, it's yet another esoteric pre-war racetrack from our old friend Sergio Loro! Nepliget
is a real-life Hungarian street circuit used in the 1930s.
Hey, check it out, Strava's branched out into the field of 'non-slotcar-tracks'!
This one's a fantasy track, but it sticks to the traditional Strava design
concepts - a wide, pleasant track, with no 'gotcha' moments, designed more for racing
(online and off) than hot-lapping.
A new track from first-timer Ginetto, Pista di Fiorano is Ferrari's test track, as it
opened in 1972 (before an additional chicane was added on the front straight). A
very good-looking track, and fun to drive - recommended.
The last of Gilas' Magny/Behra Collection, this is the Jean Behra track in 1981. This is the final
configuration of the track until it was demolished (in 1988), rebuilt, and
reopened as Magny-Cours in 1991. You don't need to download this program set - it
comes with the track.
Another one of Gilas' Magny/Behra Collection, this is the Jean Behra club
circuit, as used in 1971. You don't need to download this program set - it
comes with the track.
Finally, we reach the end of the road with the last three releases of Gilas' monumental
11-track Magny/BehraCollection. This particular one is the Jean Behra track, circa
1971. You don't need to download this program set - it comes with the track.
Not content to take some time off after the release of the monumental Porto58, Sergio is back in
fine form with Gardermoen 1950, a Norwegian airport track used in the
late '40s (and still in use as a dragstrip). And nothing goes better with
obscure Scandanavian tracks than a thick slice of BAPOM original artwork - ask
for it by name!
The latest from Alain Bosco (Road67, Albi, Pau) is a nicely realistic version of Montlhéry in
its 1966 configuration (with a pair of chicanes added in the oval section). And
here's a nicely-restored version of the original real-life cover for that event.
The latest from Jim Pearson (you know, the Isle of Man guy!) is Dundrod Circuit, a
collection of public roads in Northern Ireland used for auto racing up until
1955 (and apparently still in use for motorcycle racing). If we posit a
fictional world in which the Ulster TT (for cars) had been held in 1967, the
cover for it might have looked something like this...
The latest and greatest from Sergio Loro & Robert Zeugin. A real city track used in 1958 and 1960.
The Porto project was started by by Neri at least three years ago - it's
nice to see it finally come to fruition!.
You don't need to download this program set - it comes with the track.
Hondala Circuit is a new fantasy track from first-timer Von Honka. Simple layout, but should be
plenty of fun to race on - nice wide track, lots of run-off, etc. Reminds me of
the Van Gossum tracks. Dig the pretty fall colors!
You don't need to download this program set - it comes with the track.
The first in a four-track series from our obsessive-compulsive
friend Gilas, this particular track is the Jean Behra circuit as it
appeared in 1967. The track was later rebuilt and renamed Magny-Cours,
for what that's worth... You don't need to download this program set - it
comes with the track. Updated: 11/10 - cover typo.
First-timer Bjørn Finnestad has graced us with Lura04, a fantasy race through real-life
roads in his Norwegian home town. Apparently these roads were also used in
(real) Norwegian World Rallys, so take that as you will. Arguably the roads are
too tight for '67 cars, and possibly too tight for the '65s as well, but that's
for you to decide. Me, I don't drive the silly things, so what do I know? Updated:
11/10 - two typos on the PDF map.
Dolphin is another fantasy track from master creator Polar Blue 21 - the man behind, well,
nearly every single Japanese track we have in GPL. Those of you who pooh-pooh
the whole fantasy track sub-genre should really put aside your
preconceptions and give the Polar Blue series a shot. This man builds truly
wonderful tracks, tracks that have a flow that pretty much no one else
can touch. Excellent hot-lapping tracks, as they're just so damned much fun to
drive!
You don't need to download this program set - it comes with the track.
