Nascar 2003

[Motor Head]

Before I spend $200 for this game, I wanted to see if it is the greatest racing sim game of all time. I read that many NASCAR drivers actually play this game because it is superior to the post EA Sports buy out game that turned a sim game into a lousy arcade game. I also read comments that the online community and support for this game is still intact and thriving.

Should I spend the $$$ on the game and also buy the wheel from Logitech? I can't stand NASCAR 2007 with its bullshit crashes. The physics suck, and the real world damage sucks. If I decided to commit suicide at 200 mph at the Talladega track, I want to see my car turned into a molten mass of rolling tubing and hamburger.

[Farside]

NR2003 is easily the best Nascar sim, hands down.
It's community is indeed still going strong last I checked.
DMP (http://www.dmp-racing.com/) is where Jr. races.
As for a wheel... if you are really serious about it don't short yourself with a crappy wheel.
Logitech had a great wheel, their MOMO (http://nascar.about.com/od/steeringwheels/fr/redmomoforce.htm). (discontinued)
They have a MOMO now (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2217,CONTENTID=6030) but it's a much cheaper quality... yet still better than any wheel you'll find for le$$.
Logitech also has some brand new wheel (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2217,CONTENTID=11867) but I don't know the first thing about it. It's expensive and have some sweet specs though.
Whatever you get, don't spend less than $100 on your wheel.
I'd definitely recommend NR2003 though. It gave me years of good times. Best bet is to find an online league, after you've spent enough time offline learning how to drive the game. It's not easy to pick right up and play. Lots of setup tweaking.
If you're really into Nascar though it's well worth it!
Now that the game is nearly 4 and a half years old you can find a zillion add-ons too, all free!

btw, look around and I'm betting you can find the game for cheaper.
$200 sounds like one brand new in the package, you can find one used for cheaper I'm sure. So long as it ain't scratched, you won't have any problems.

[Bunny™]

the add-ons and shit i've seen online are incredible....
people using the Monte Carlo and T-Bird bodies from the 80's.....current paint schemes and shit.....I wish i had the time, patience and $$ to go full bore into it.

[Farside]

the add-ons and shit i've seen online are incredible....
people using the Monte Carlo and T-Bird bodies from the 80's.....current paint schemes and shit.....I wish i had the time, patience and $$ to go full bore into it.I hear ya...
I was never too into the 80's mod but the CTS and Cup kept me more than busy.
The ability to paint your own ride was one thing about the game that I spent a ridiculous amount of time with.
There are whole communities of painters alone for the sim.
The one in my sig is one I did for the game.
And this one won me $100 :icon_mrgr
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/978/nemoks1.th.jpg (http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nemoks1.jpg)


Lately I've really been SO tempted to get back into the sim.

[Joe Avezzano]

We're talking about the PC version, correct?

[Farside]

We're talking about the PC version, correct?Yep.
Nascar Racing Season 2003 by Papyrus/Sierra

The last good Nascar sim ever made.

[kingrat]

Yup, I agree...everything else after is crap.

[Joe Avezzano]

Holy shit, I looked this up on amazon, and sure enough it was all 5 star reviews. But to buy a copy, the cheapest one was $114. Most of the ones for sale were around $180-200. Must be a good one. I don't know where I'm gonna get it now.

[frago]

Got one for 89 bucks last year.
Felt lucky.

[GonzoRadio]

Wait, i don't get it....the game is $200 without the steering wheel? Was it always that much, or just because its hard to get now?

[Farside]

Wait, i don't get it....the game is $200 without the steering wheel? Was it always that much, or just because its hard to get now?It's just hard to get.
It originally sold for the usual $39-49.
When I heard that Papyrus was closing its doors, I picked up a spare copy for $7 because I knew that one day I would be able to sell it for higher... I never thought I'd be able to get what people are getting for it now though.
I should'a picked up a few :rolleyes:

[Joe Avezzano]

Ok, so I secured myself a copy, and is it possible to play without a wheel? When I start up it keeps asking for control assignments.

[Farside]

Ok, so I secured myself a copy, and is it possible to play without a wheel? When I start up it keeps asking for control assignments.It's possible but you absolutely want a wheel if you want to complete a race.
The sim is tough enough with a wheel, not having one (or using a stick or gamepad) is nuts.
And the better the wheel, the easier time you will have at adapting to the sim. I had a cheap Wingman ($40) and it sucked horribly.
That kind of wheel is fine for NFS or some other arcadey race game but fails miserably in this sim. Although it's still better than no wheel obviously... but you'll wreck and wonder why.

And a note to any of you who plan on racing online,
learn right from the start how to race with no aids (steering/traction aids etc) and you won't regret it.
Not only do you go faster without aids, you do FAR less tire wear. Not to mention most servers have aids disabled.

[smurray06]

It's just hard to get.
It originally sold for the usual $39-49.
When I heard that Papyrus was closing its doors, I picked up a spare copy for $7 because I knew that one day I would be able to sell it for higher... I never thought I'd be able to get what people are getting for it now though.
I should'a picked up a few :rolleyes:
OK after a long thinking about it i will buy the game for 8 Dollars, and maybe put in 50 cents to give you a lil profit:action-sm
Ok, so I secured myself a copy, and is it possible to play without a wheel? When I start up it keeps asking for control assignments.
can i ask how much you payed for the game, and where you purchased it. The reason is cause everywhere i have seen it for sale is about 150 to 200 dollars. I do not have the money for that kinda shit, but would really like a good racing sim, but just don't know where to find it for my budget. If any of you guys could post a site where you found it for cheaper I would deeply appreciate(sp?) it, or if any of you guys have a copy that you don't play anymore i might purchase it from you. I would also think about buying a wheel from anyone if they are willing to sell it, but it not your a cunt:action-sm

[Joe Avezzano]

can i ask how much you payed for the game, and where you purchased it.

Err.... I'm going to go ahead and sort of decline those questions.
I'm not sure if I'm even going to play it though. I can't see spending 100+ dollars for a wheel and pedals.

[Motor Head]

Okay, I'm going to hunt down a copy, and see if I can find a good MOMO used wheel and pedals. I'm owning on XBOX NASCAR 2007, but its tooo much like an arcade game.

I emailed a guy that can set me up with the Jack Daniels #07 car for free, and will tell me how to add my own little tweaks...mainly WOW and O&A Pest Racing.

[Joe Avezzano]

With these racing wheels, do they make one that works for PS2 and PC both? I might be able to justify it if I could play NR2003 and gran turismo games with the same wheel.

[Farside]

With these racing wheels, do they make one that works for PS2 and PC both? I might be able to justify it if I could play NR2003 and gran turismo games with the same wheel.I know that the MOMO worked with GT3 but I'm pretty sure either Sony or Logitech prevented it from working in GT4.
The MOMO does work with most other PS2 games though.
Most PC wheels work with the most PS2 games for that matter.
Logitech PS2 wheels (with USB connectors) would work on a PC but you need to download the Wingman Profiler.
Something like this (http://www.productshub.com/Logitech-Driving-Force-EX-Steering-Wheel-for-PlayStation-2-Steering-Wheel-Gaming-Pedals-Cable-USB-PlayStation2/) should work for both GT4 & NR2003.
Be sure you can return it if I'm wrong!


Okay, I'm going to hunt down a copy, and see if I can find a good MOMO used wheel and pedals. Enjoy!

[Motor Head]

Okay FARSIDE, I just spent $253 for NASCAR 2003 and a MOMO Logitech wheel.
It should all be here by the middle of next week. I might hit you up on PM's on where to play and other advice for mastering the game. So I will be practicing alot. I only want to know two things, who has the best Talladega and Daytona servers. I am a fuel slut for Super Speedways. I'm also getting an updated Clint Bowyer Jack Daniels #07 Monte Carlo SS.

Thanks for getting me started into this. I cannot and will not play that EA Sports version of this game. THEY STINK, AND I DONT LIKE THEM.

[Motor Head]

Oh I bought a MOMO Force Feedback on sale for $88.99, its usually over $100. It got 5 star reviews on Amazon. And the game was brand new in the original box. I just don't trust a "slightly" used without a manual or jewel case. So what the fuck, I blew $160.

[Farside]

Nice dude.
Here's (http://www.raceservers.net/Software_Downloads.htm) a link to some of the mods that are available for the sim.
Definitely pick up the CTS mod (the "1024" means that the truck textures are in high res) and whatever else you think you might enjoy.
The physics in these mods are slightly different than Cup.
Jr has actually said that the CTS physics are closer to the way that the real Cup cars drive.

There's also a Nextel update out there somewhere that replaces the Winston & 76 logos with Nextel & Sunoco logos.
When I figure out where I found them (I recently re-installed the sim) I'll pass the info along.

IF you find that your MOMO is losing calibration in NR2003, download this (http://www.wingmanteam.com/files/Patches/beta/MOMORacingPedalsUpdate-083004.zip). Don't worry, it's not infected with anything and has been trusted for years now and it works great.

As for where to race, this (http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/NascarRacing2003/) guy has been around for a long time. I don't know if he does leagues anymore but his site has plenty of links to leagues. Plus he has probably the best setups out there.

As for Tona/Dega servers, I dunno who has the best anymore (it's been a while) but there was never a shortage of them. When you create an online account and log in you will see a button, "RACE SIERRA", click that and it'll drop you into a multiplayer lobby with a server list and a chat lobby. Someone there can probably answer that better at this point.

But do yourself a favor and get in plenty of offline racing time before you go online. Especially since you're going from EA to NR2003. There's a lot that you can do in EA's game that you will end up wrecking yourself if you try in NR2003. I was warned about that when I first made the transition and I didn't believe it but it's so true.

Also, when you get your wheel you're going to want to download the latest Wingman Profiler from Logitech. You can change the sensitivity settings along with the ingame settings to get the right feel.
Mine looked something like this:

Profiler:

Wheel:
Sensitivity 25
DeadZone 0
Range 100

Accelerator:
Sensitivity 55
DeadZone 2
Range 100

Brake:
Sensitivity 30
DeadZone 2
Range 100


IN Windows:

Combined Axis is unticked
FF on
All 3 numeric values are set to 4 (FF can screw you up but you want an idea of what it's trying to "tell" you, adjust to your liking)
Centering Spring is enabled
Strenght = 20 (Centering spring is IMO the most important feedback to get a feel of the road/car)


Ingame:

FF Strength 20
Damp 15
Latency 2
no aids except auto clutch

In Advanced
Steering 10
Throttle 0
Brake 0
Steering Assistance 0
Linearity 85



Obviously, adjust to your liking but this is a good start. I can't stress enough though that aids will only fuck you over.

Here's (http://www.dwarehouse.com/) a great spotter replacement pack. Even if you're not a JJ fan, this pack fucking rules.
There's also a pack somewhere out there that improves the AI to behave more realistically but I can't find it at the moment, if I do I'll also pass that along.

Oh, and when you start your 1st race, while you're picking the track, be sure to click the "more options" button and tick on 'damage'. I reinstalled this past week and hopped on the track, wound up wrecking and couldn't understand why my car was in perfect shape. It took me forever to re-find that button since it's been so long.

Anyway, have fun. If you have more questions feel free to ask or you can probably find me faster at pestgaming.com (www.pestgaming.com)
There's another guy there that used to race who can possibly answer any questions as well. The 2 of us have been itching to race again so maybe we can all get something going one night.

[Joe Avezzano]

I can't stress enough though that aids will only fuck you over.

So true, so true.

Seriously, I'm still trying to talk myself into getting a wheel for this game. I just hope it's as good as it sounds, considering it's about 5 years old already.

[Farside]

Seriously, I'm still trying to talk myself into getting a wheel for this game. I just hope it's as good as it sounds, considering it's about 5 years old already.Don't get me wrong... the game isn't perfect.
The graphics are dated, there are a few bugs that can't be fixed (mostly flag/pitting bugs),
you have to learn what kind of vehicle contact online is doable and what will wreck someone (don't expect to make contact with someone in a turn and not spin... then again, that's the way it should be) etc. but those minor distractions aside, it's still easily the best Nascar game out there (by a long shot) and the only one that is truly a sim.

There will always be driving games out there so picking up a good wheel is an investment.

[Joe Avezzano]

I love driving games, but usally on the PS2, that's where my dilemma is. I want to make damn sure that the wheel I buy works on PC, PS2, and PS3 or 360 if I get one. But it seems that the Logitech ones would work fine for almost any gaming platform, correct?

[Farside]

I'm not a big console guy anymore so I don't know for sure.
The only game that I do know of for the PS2 that the MOMO doesn't work with is GT4. Pretty sure you can blame Logitech for that.

Just about all of Logitech's PS2 wheels (USB) will work on PC games as far as I know.
You'll just need to download Logitechs Profiler.

As for PS3/XBOX360, I don't know at all.

[Motor Head]

Game arrived at work today. Brand new still shrink wrapped. Hopefully the wheel will arrive soon so I can start practicing. I'm already batting around some idea's for a totally unique car. A Hustler Magazine Monte SS would be cool. I guess most people that play the game have several different cars that can be used at anytime. I will have to read the tutorials for installing a custom skin on the car etc. I still refuse to purchas PhotoShop so I will have to make a donation for a custom car.

[Farside]

The thing with cars and racing online is that if you have a custom car and you enter some random server, only you will see the paint job of your car. Others will see a generic car. Likewise the other way around. (it's the same with any racing game)
That's another reason to find yourself a league and stick with a league.

Installing the custom skin is as simple as throwing a .tga into your exports_imports folder and then going into the "Opponent Manager", creating a new driver, and select "Import".
Installing car files (if you find one you like or your bud paints you one and sends you it as a .car file) all you need to do is drop the file in your Papyrus\NASCAR Racing 2003 Season\series\cup\cars folder.

If you're thinking about painting your own, any program that supports layers will do as long as it can also save the skin as a .tga and open .psd or .psp files. Personally I use Paint Shop Pro but I THINK a free program like Gimp will do the trick. I never used it and don't really know much about it but as long as it can do the above it should work nicely.

[Motor Head]

I'm still practicing at the game. Talladega, Daytona are getting easy. I'm starting on some of the shorter tracks and getting my ass handed to my by the computer. Most of the time my car ends up a smashed mess. Been playing around with my brake and steering for the road courses. So far doing pretty well on those.

[kingrat]

I'm still practicing at the game. Talladega, Daytona are getting easy. I'm starting on some of the shorter tracks and getting my ass handed to my by the computer. Most of the time my car ends up a smashed mess. Been playing around with my brake and steering for the road courses. So far doing pretty well on those.

If you can master Bristol, it's some of the best online racing you can experience. Used to be my favorite track online when I used to play, provided you get a server full of decent racers...any track for that matter is better with good racers.

[Motor Head]

I actually tried to get online to race on one of the big tracks....I have no idea how the game connects. I'm used to Counter Strike with 4000 servers all ready to go....nothing comes up. How do I log on to play???

[Farside]

I actually tried to get online to race on one of the big tracks....I have no idea how the game connects. I'm used to Counter Strike with 4000 servers all ready to go....nothing comes up. How do I log on to play???
When you create an online account and log in you will see a button, "RACE SIERRA", click that and it'll drop you into a multiplayer lobby with a server list and a chat lobby. Just sayin' :action-sm

Don't forget to patch it.
All Programs > Papyrus > Nascar Racing 2003 Season > Check For Updates

[Motor Head]

Can you explain to me like I'm a 4 year old and know nothing about computers how to inport textures etc. So I can make my own car, and update the 2003 cars to atleast 2006. I have no idea what a tga. is or how to convert it to a....fuck I'm lost. I heard there is a COT mod to make all your cars ready for 2008 season....atleast what it's based on now.

The COT is ugly, but its a good ugly. I just want to see what it does on the bigger tracks.

[Farside]

Updating your cars is the easy part.
Start here (http://www.masgrafx.com/masgrafxracing/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index&req=viewdownload&cid=24), download the 2007's and whatever 2006's that aren't included in the 2007's. Masgrafx has probably the best paints out there for the sim.
There are plenty of other sites out there if you don't find the one(s) you want there.
Unzip them to your Papyrus\NASCAR Racing 2003 Season\series\cup\cars folder.
Then go into the games opponent manager and activate them, you have to create a new roster if I remember right. I forget how as it's been a while but it should be pretty straight forward.

As for making your own car...
.TGA's are a raster graphics file format, basically a picture.
Do you have Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop?
Believe me when I say forget about the ingame paint shop. It's absolute garbage.
Get your hands on a paint program and we'll go from there.

I haven't heard of any CoT mods yet but I've been out of the loop lately so you could be right... if you find it let me know.

[Motor Head]

I priced photoshop....holy shit, that is too much money. I downloaded the patch, and have replaced every car. I played online this past weekend. This game fucking kills. I would of liked to do my own car design, but unless I can find a "cheap" photoshop disc, it just aint gonna happen.

[Farside]

I priced photoshop....holy shit, that is too much money. I downloaded the patch, and have replaced every car. I played online this past weekend. This game fucking kills. I would of liked to do my own car design, but unless I can find a "cheap" photoshop disc, it just aint gonna happen.Try Paint Shop Pro, much cheaper

[Motor Head]

Holy shit this game is like crack, I have all the new COT cars and bought PSP to do my own designs. Updated tracks, updated everything and just as soon as I start to get good.....

Sierra pulls the fucking plug on the online multiplayer.

[Joe Avezzano]

Holy shit this game is like crack, I have all the new COT cars and bought PSP to do my own designs. Updated tracks, updated everything and just as soon as I start to get good.....

Sierra pulls the fucking plug on the online multiplayer.

Are you serious? You can't play against others anymore? I was just thinking of playing this last night. What the shit...

[Farside]

Sierra pulls the fucking plug on the online multiplayer.I just connected to Sierra, the server browser still works.
The only thing I see that doesn't work anymore is the Sierra stats system.