
Before you begin...

   * Requires VB5 runtime libraries !  AND
   * Requires the HOF2LAP utility - download it from the homepage
     http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/3987/
   * Put HOF2LAP.exe in the GP2 main directory

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** If you like this program, vote for it on www.gp2.com  - Thanks :) **
***********************************************************************


                     GP2 Lap Time Recorder  V1.5
                           by David Winder
             (http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Gold/4475)


Description
-----------
I used to record my personal lap times on paper in a grid.
Only thing was every time I bettered a laptime I had to rub out the 
original one and pencil in the new one. Also there were times I wanted
to log my split times too so that Id know if I was on a good lap next 
time I played.  Making all those gridline would be too much.

So, I decided to write a program to let me log all my times.  Not just 
for every circuit, but also for every session and including split-times.

The other thing was that people are creating new circuits now, thanks 
to Paul Hoads Track Editor and if I installed any of them I wanted to 
record those too.  Well this program can (or at least will shortly be 
able to) store those too.  There are provisions for 16 custom tracks 
as well as the Standard GP2 and IA Track Pack Circuits.

The IA Track Pack circuits do not replace all the tracks. Some are 
different and some (like Imola) are modified.
Monaco is the same as the original but Ive still classed it as a 
seperate entry.

Well I figured that such a utility would be useful to have so here 
it is. 

Please feel free to contact me with any Suggestions, comments etc.   

My Email is f1racer@usa.net

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Installation procedure
----------------------

1) Copy over the existing .EXE file of an earlier version or simply 
   extract into a directory of your choice.
2) Copy the hyperlink.ocx and hyperlink.oca to your c:\windows\system
   directory
3) Copy the VB5 runtime libraries to the c:\windows\system directory
4) Copy HOF2LAP.EXE for the GP2 main directory.
   (HOF2LAP homepage is at the top of this document)
5) Tell the program where your GP2 directory is by pressing the 
   INITIALISE button on the main screen


IMPORTANT
---------
A)  Once installed from fresh, you will have to initialise the datafiles.  
To do this, just click on the INITIALISE button on the main screen.  
Just do this once for the datafiles though, if you do this while you have 
any times recorded you will lose them all.

B)  To enter your lap times, only use the format n.nn.nnn (ie 1.24.567)  Dont use colons (:) or 1m24.567s.   Just dots.
This is so that the computer can generate your 3rd split time which GP2 
does not give you.

C) You will need to initialise the Custom Circuits before you can use them.

D) Dont forget to put HOF2LAP in the GP2 directory and then set your GP2
   directory (press INITIALISE to do this)

Follow the above and you`ll be ok.

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Version History
---------------
V1.5   -  Major update !
          Lap Time Recorder can now import lap times directly from the 
          GP2 saved hotlaps.  With kind permission, this is done using 
          the DOS utility HOF2LAP.
          You will need to download this program seperately. 
       -  Added Export to screen option
       -  Added time differences. Now you can compare your practice and
          qualifying times.  (* see `Time differences` section at the bottom
          of this document).
       -  Ideal Lap Time calculation.  How fast you could have gone.
       -  Improvements to GUI (colors etc)
       -  `Setup` field renamed to `Notes` as you may want to store other 
          info in there.  This field has also been lengthened       
       -  Minor tweaks. 


V1.4.2 -  Fixed Custom Circuit initialisation bug. NOW you can use them

V1.4.1 -  Fixed HTML Export bug that prevented IA Track Pack times from
          being exported.
       -  Fixed Custom Circuit input bug which required you to enter all
          the cutom tracks in one go.  Now you can add/delete them as
          you like.
       -  Added a little phrase at the bottom of the main screen which
          I rather liked :)

V1.4  -   Added `Export as Web Page (HTML)` facility.
      -   Added `Export as Text file` facility.
      -   Modified 3rd Split time updating so you dont need 
          to TAB to the Setup box for it to update.  Now it will update
          as soon as you leave the 2nd Split time box.
      -   Added `Real 2nd Split` facility.  Now you can see what your
          `real` 2nd Split time is instead of the accumulated one 
          given in GP2.  Simply click on the red `+2nd Split" caption.
          (This is for your own viewing purposes only and does not get
           saved).

V1.3  -   (Internal Release)
      -   Added `Custom Circuits` facility. Now you can add your own !
          (Click the `?` button to add your circuits.)
      -   Tidied up GUI
      -   Fixed `Export` bug when `setup files` are typed in. 

V1.2  -   Some bug fixes in time calculation for 3rd split time fixed.
      -   Tidied up Printout to format figures correctly.
      -   Added `Export to Clipboard` facility.
      -   Some other minor fixes

V1.1  -   Well, dont I feel stupid !   V1.0 had provisions for entering split-times 
          in QuickRace and Race sessions.  Well GP2 doen`t tell you your split-times 
          in these sessions so don`t ask my why I programmed it in.  I wasnt thinking
          straight I guess. :))   Sorry.
      -   Print feature now available. I can improve the layout in future releases.
          It does not print out circuits that have no entries.  If you prefer that it should,
          drop me a line.
      -   Fixed bug that reported wrong split3 times and especially if split2 was 
          over 1 minute.
          Before this split times were all assumed to be entered in secconds (ie nn.nnn)
          Split2 can now be entered in minutes (ie n.nn.nnn)
          Dont forget split2 is an accumulation of itself and split1.
      -   Small cleanup of GUI.


V1.0      Initial realease. No print facility or custom circuit input yet.


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Future Developments
-------------------
In future versions I will implement the following:-

- Allow selective circuit exports. So you can export times from only
  circuits you select rather than all of them.
- Graphical car setup information (also using HOF2LAP) - * coming next
- General tidying up
- Any change I consider appropriate submitted by users.
- Import facility to compare your times with other peoples.
- Possibility to export as email (to coincide with Import facility)
- Better error handling when Tracksets are not initialised


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Time Differences
----------------
Version 1.5 allows you to compare your practice and qualifying laps.
In order to use this facility you will need to have both Practice AND
Qualifying laps data filled in, including the split times.
When this is done, a blue +/- will appear on the times screen.
Clicking and holding this with the left or right mouse button will show
your time differences between the two laps.

Using this data, and Ideal Laptime is calculated.  This is done by analysing 
the split times from both laps and adding together the best splits.
This is a time you could have achieved if you had the best from both laps.

I know its a bit limiting to only compare two laps but I have been toying 
with the idea of building a database of laps for each circuit then you can
compare all the laps you have entered and not just the fastest too.
I will look into this option.



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Enjoy this freeware.


David Winder
f1racer@usa.net

