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1996-01-23
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PARAMETER AND RATINGS FILE DOCUMENTARY
---------------------------------------
[For Advance Users Only]
YOU CAN MAKE DRAGSTRIP PLUS TO DO WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO!
At initial start up, DragStrip Plus looks for two files in the current
directory. The first is called "RACE016.PRM", and the second is named
"RACE001.RTS". If either file is missing, or discovered to be the wrong file
length or is otherwise corrupted, DragStrip Plus will recreate the offending
file with a direct copy of its own internal default values. The first file
will hereafter be referred to as the "parameter file", while the second will
be termed the "ratings file".
Both files are text (ASCII) files that can be easily examined or changed by
DRAGSTRIP PLUS users as desired. To make changes in either file, use a text
editor such as MS-DOS's "EDIT" or "EDLIN", or a word processor such as
Professional Write or Word Perfect to edit the desired file.
THE RATINGS FILE: The ratings file can be used to customize DRAGSTRIP PLUS'
E.T. and parts rating system to fit a particular specialized application, or
to merely suit the user's taste.
For example, suppose a particular user constantly disagrees with DRAGSTRIP
PLUS's exhaust valve ratings (and related messages) in the Advice screen,
thinking that DRAGSTRIP PLUS always gives exhaust valve ratings that are too
high.
In this situation, DRAGSTRIP PLUS can be forced to change the way it rates
all exhaust valves in the future by editing the ratings file and finding the
following line:
0 Exhaust valve
By changing the "0" at the start of this line to a negative value, for
example "-5", DRAGSTRIP PLUS will lower its ratings of all future exhaust
values by this same amount (-5). This line would then appear in the ratings
file AS follows:
-5 Exhaust valve
Of course, you can just as easily raise DRAGSTRIP PLUS' rating scheme for any
part by changing the "0" at the start of the applicable line to a positive
number, such as "5".
CAUTION: Do not add or delete any lines to the ratings file, insert extra
spaces in a line, or edit any portion of a line other than the numbers at the
left side of the file, or change any ratios (either up or down) by more
than 30 points (or more than whatever value is stated at the top of the file).
DragStrip Plus will check the file for gross errors, and will simply over-
write the ratings file with the original data if you make a critical error.
You may then try once again to modify the file to suit your application.
This process may be repeated as often as necessary, until you get it right.
However, keep in mind that DragStrip Plus is most accurate calculating E.T.s
when it is using the original ratings file; the program has not been
seriously tested with other values, so results may be unpredictable.
THE PARAMETER FILE: The parameter file sets the program's parameter ranges
by specifying a high and low value for every input value in the program. The
experienced user may wish to experiment with this file, in order to force the
program to allow a wider range input values in particular situations.
For example, let us say that the driver of a certain race car weighs 675
pounds. DragStrip Plus normally rejects this input as being "out of range".
But if the parameter file is modified, DragStrip Plus will accept a 675 pound
driver without question.
Here's an example: in DragStrip Plus, the first three input values in the
program are MPH, Gear, and Tire Height (diameter) respectively. Examining the
first three sets of numbers in the parameter file reveals the low and high
ranges for each in the following form (actual values you see may differ):
40 MPH
310
240 Gear
780
22 Tire Height
0
and continuing etc...
Note that the lowest permissible value DragStrip Plus will accept for a given
value always appears first, followed on the next line by its highest
permissible value.
This means 40 - 310 is the only acceptable range for MPH input values,
2.40 to 8.40 is the valid Gear ratio input range, while 20 through 44 inches
is the shortest and tallest tire heights allowed.
By examining the parameter file, you will be easily able to find the high and
low parameter values controlling Driver's weight, 80 to 500 (pounds). Change
this latter figure to 675 and save the file (if using a word processor, be
sure to save the file in text or "ASCII" format). From now on, DragStrip Plus
will accept up to 675 pounds as a valid driver's weight, until you either
change the parameter file again or delete it.
Note that some sets of values in the parameter file mean nothing, or are
reserved for future use, and should therefore be ignored. These are clearly
labeled in the "RacePRM.KEY" file as being "Misc" or "Not used".
IMPORTANT: You can change any values you like, EXCEPT the high-low limits
controlling values inputed into the program via a menu selection process.
Certain selections, such as "TireType", "Traction", "Manifold", and "Head
Type", are made by the user by selecting the appropriate choice from a menu
selection that appears during program execution. Since you cannot make more
menu selections appear other than those displayed (because no further menu
choices exist), DragStrip Plus considers any change to such parameter limits
to be a fatal error, and will promptly overwrite your work with the original
values (no harm done!).
Furthermore, you may not delete or add any parameters; when you finish
modifying the parameter file, it must have the same number of low-value/
high-value parameter sets as it did originally.
As with the ratings file, there is no need to worry about making a mistake;
DragStrip Plus will check the file for gross errors, and your work will merely
be overwritten with the original values if a serious error is discovered. You
may attempt once more to try and modify the file to suit your application.
This process may be repeated as many times as necessary, until you get it
right.
Also keep in mind that DragStrip Plus is most accurate in calculating E.T.s
when it is using its original parameter data; the program has not been tested
over wider parameter ranges, so the results may be quite unpredictable.
Particularly this may be so if the user modifies the MPH or Transmission
Slip% ranges (and actually inputs data in this expanded range).
Changing certain parameter limits associated with the engine, such as
"Engine Size" or "Carburetor CFM", can have a radical effect (usually for
the worse!) upon the E.T., MPH, and/or shift point of every subsequent vehicle
that is displayed, even "tried and true" combinations loaded from the program's
database.
Changing the limits for other engine values such as "Intake Valve Size", may
shift the program's rating system for that part (while correspondingly
changing the range of any values you input, of course). If you find this
ratings change undesirable, change the ratings file (as described previously)
until you correct the undesirable part rating shift.
The effect that results from changing any given value will not be documented
here, because these effects change from version to version of DragStrip Plus
as programming improvements are made. You will have to gain this knowledge on
your own, through experimentation and close observation.
If you modify the parameter and or ratings file in any way, DragStrip Plus
will display appropriate messages on the "E.T. RESULTS" screen advising
caution against trusting the program's E.T. results.
If you wish to erase the message, or want to restore the ratings and/or
parameter files to their original state, simply delete the applicable file.
The next time you run DragStrip Plus, the deleted file(s) will automatically
be recreated in their original form (in whatever directory is current at the
time), and the caution message at the "E.T. Results" screen will no longer
appear (be careful not delete any other DRAGSTRIP PLUS program files other
than the parameter and ratings files).
REVOLUTIONARY CONCEPTS, INC.
P.O. Box 690048
Houston, Texas 77269-0048
E-mail: dragplus@rconcepts.com
WWW: http://rconcepts.com