You can also set the default size of the simulation window using the Window Size slider control in the Graphic Options dialog box (Graphics command on the Options menu).To reduce the size of the simulation window and improve frame rate, drag the Window Size slider control to the left.

Reducing the clipping pane, which affects how far ahead you can see in your forward field of view, can also make the game run faster. While you are driving, press CTRL+H to reduce the distance you can see in front of you. (To increase the distance, press CTRL+F.)

You can also set the default clipping pane using the Clipping Pane slider control in the Graphic Options dialog box (Graphics command on the Options menu). To reduce the clipping pane, drag the Clipping Pane slider control to the left.

Other suggestions to make the game run faster: Experiment with turning Graphics options (Graphics command on the Options menu) on and off to find the right combination of graphics and speed. For example, set Image Quality to Good, turn off the Textured Sky, Draw Hills, and Track-Side Objects options. You can also try setting Tire Effects to Tracks Only or None to speed up the game.

Reducing the number of computer opponents you're racing against may also make the game run faster. To reduce the number of computer opponents, click Realism on the Options menu, and then drag the Maximum Field Size (Single Player) to the left to specify the number of opponents, and then click OK.

You can see this happening in the game by setting up your Pi dashboard to display boost pressure (Pi Display Setup command on the Options menu). Once you've done this, play with the boost knob and notice how the pressure changes. When its at 5, the pressure is 40; when you move it to 6, the pressure drops drastically because the waste gate is constantly opening.

If you are using a digital controller and you are experiencing brief pauses while you are playing the game, making a change to your game controller configuration may also resolve the problem. Follow these steps: Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Game Controllers. Click Advanced, and then click the Poll With Interrupts Enabled check box. Click OK.

Important note: Turning on Poll With Interrupts Enabled may improve or worsen your joystick control. In general, turning on this option is recommended only for digital controllers, not analog controllers.

Driving with too high a steering ratio setting can also mean you'll have trouble cornering. If, in the course of driving Laguna Seca, you are using full steering lock anywhere other than in 1st or 2nd gear turns, you are probably generating overly high slip angles on the front wheels. You can tell if the "tire squeal" noise is excessive and the car doesn't turn in well. Many drivers assume this is terminal understeer; what they don't realize is that it isn't a setup problem, it's a driver problem. If you practice turning in earlier, WITH LESS WHEEL, you'll find the tires stick better and the car turns in dramatically better. Also, since you're not scrubbing off speed, you'll cut your lap times as well. More steering ratio makes this harder to do. If you're having trouble getting the car to turn in, and you find your wheel/joystick cranked over full lock on most turns, try REDUCING the steering ratio setting. Once you get the hang of driving with smaller slip angles, increase it so you have it available for slow turns.

Remember, too, that once the wheels are cranked to full lock (at low speed), almost no acceleration is available to you. Why? Because in 1st or 2nd gear, any touch of the throttle will transfer virtually all the weight off the front wheels and the car will understeer badly. Wait until the wheel is almost straight before getting on the gas.

A helpful tool included in CART Precision Racing is Pi Analysis. Use the graph of steering angle to help refine your steering technique. If you see large steering angles on large radius turns, you're probably cranking on the wheel excessively and getting a lot of push as a result.

If you find yourself going through a hairpin in 1st or 2nd gear and you still can't get around the turn, before you crank up the steering angle, use Pi Analysis to check your speed through the turn. Because you have limited sensations of speed in the game, you can be going a lot faster than you think when you give the car full steering lock. If you hear tire squeal at very slow turns, you are probably trying to turn faster than the adhesion of the front tires will allow. Try braking longer or starting earlier to kill more speed before turning in.

There are tracks where you need a lot of steering angle just to get around (Vancouver is an excellent example). You'll want a steering ratio of 11 for Vancouver to get your around the two really tight 1st gear turns, but then you have to be extra careful to avoid overdriving the car on the faster turns.