Newbie help needed please

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chitownjeff

Rookie
Cold Pass Member
Feb 21, 2020
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Hello, I haven't played NR 2003 ... probably since 2004 - lol.

I installed it for fun and tried to play it but ran into some issues.

First, I thought I played this before using my standard keyboard preference of A and Z and then the arrow keys, but the game won't let me. It let me pick keypad 8 and 2 and then 4 and 6 for left and right - but that's not an easy setup. Is there a way to use A and Z and the arrow keys?

Second, using any of the setups that come with the game have me slamming the inside wall. For example I went to Daytona, selected Easy and going down the straights I'm having to tap 6 (right) every half second to keep from going into the wall. Now I know camber and some other things control that, but on a track like Daytona I don't remember the game being this bad (Bristol yes, but Daytona no). It's so bad I can't race because I end up smacking cars when in traffic. Any suggestions? And I am playing arcade not sim.


thanks!
 
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mtblillie

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Dec 3, 2016
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The computer won't let you use arrows for the controls because you need them to scroll through the menus while you are playing. You can use other controls besides the number pad, but there may be restrictions on which keys you can use. Also those keys may be assigned to other functions (such as looking right and left in cockpit mode) so you would have to change those first. Why would you want to use A and Z for left and right, wouldn't you want like A and S or something?

The setup problem probably has more to do with your control inputs. Keys basically have an on and off whereas a joystick or wheel has a range in between. Pressing a key for turning right for example would be like turning your wheel all the way to the right. The car is going to make a more dramatic right turn rather than a gradual one. In your settings under controls there is a linear dial that will help you adjust for using a keyboard for driving, that should make controlling your car easier. I don't remember what it is called, but if you hover your mouse over the various settings it will tell you what each one does.
 
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chitownjeff

Rookie
Cold Pass Member
Feb 21, 2020
1
3
I normally use A for accelerate and Z for breaking, and then the arrow keys for left and right.

I'm beginning to think that I'm remembering an older version of Nascar Racing because some of the menus are different from what I remember them.
 

garrett1127

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Jul 23, 2016
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That would be correct, Nascar3 I think, you need to add the official patch to NR2003, then go into options, advanced setup, there you can choose any keys you want, instead of using the keys, go to Wal Mart and buy yourself a cheapo joystick, map the throttle to the trigger, left and right on the stick, upshift to the c key, brakes on the x key, and downshift on the z key. I ran the game like this for over 15 years and was pretty good at it, until I recently got a wheel from a friend.
 
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Mystical

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Dec 21, 2017
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If the keyboard is too much of a hassle to race with I would suggest a controller. They are pretty cheap these days and would allow you a lot more easy control when racing thats for sure. There are 3rd party programs that allow you to easily remap a lot of the buttons on the controller too so you can have easy t access hotkeys while racing as well.
 

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