HOW TO INSTALL

1) Download and/or copy the file PCE205S.EXE or PCE205H.EXE into the directory where you installed Hotrod PCE.

PCE205S.EXE is a self-extracting zip file that contains the version 2.05 patch for the Xngine (Software) rendered version of Hotrod PCE.

PCE205H.EXE is a self-extracting zip file that contains the version 2.05 patch for the 3Dfx Hardware rendered version of Hotrod PCE.

SOFTWARE VERSION INSTALLATION:

2) To install the software rendered patch (PCE205S.EXE):

From the directory where you installed Hotrod PCE, run "PCE205S". This will extract the patch files to your game directory. Answer Yes to any questions asking to overwrite files.

3Dfx VERSION INSTALLATION:

2) To install the 3Dfx rendered patch (PCE205H.EXE):

From the directory where you installed Hotrod PCE, run "PCE205H". This will extract the patch files to your game directory. Answer Yes to any questions asking to overwrite files.

AFTER INSTALLING THE PATCH:

3) Read PCE205.TXT for information regarding the patch.

HOW TO USE THE NEW VERSION

The new version will run exactly like the original.

We hope that you enjoy playing HOTROD Championship Drag Racing PLAYER'S CHOICE EDITION.

CHANGES IS THIS VERSION (2.05)

1) Fixed a problem that may have caused some computers to unexpectedly hang or reboot during or after running a race in PCE. It is highly recommended that you update to version 2.05 whether you experienced any problems or not.

2) Fixed a bug that caused the wrong winner to be declared in the event that your opponent blew an engine before the race began. Also, fixed a bug that caused both cars to DQ during a multiplayer race if one car's engine blew before the race started.

3) Do to the changes made in this version, we updated Network Version checking for game compatibility. You must be running the same version (2.05) of Hotrod PCE as the host machine.

CHANGES IN PREVIOUS VERSION (2.04)

The following changes have been made in PCE to promote honest and fair multiplayer racing.

1) The STATS tab now displays a "CLASS ID" value. The CLASS ID value is based on the class restrictions. To find out what CLASS ID a given class has, load/set the class restrictions and start a single/multi player event. View the STATS tab and record the CLASS ID.

People racing online or over a network can view the CLASS ID value to verify that a given Class has not been changed in any way. This feature allows racers to verify that a specific set of restrictions is being used. In addition, the CLASS ID has been added to the event.log file which is in the SAVE\LOG directory.

2) Engine settings are now verified to be within ranges set by PCE. This fixes any problems when importing .DYN files that contain engine specs that are determined to be out of the range allowed in PCE. If a value is found to be out of range, the setting will automatically be adjusted and a message will appear on the screen.

3) Online and network races only:

New additions to the event.log file include a "Host's Chassis List:" followed by a list of driver names and chassis numbers.

Chassis numbers are not the same as car numbers. Each official PCE car has a chassis number. This number may or may not be the actual car (slot) number. For example, if you repainted a car and saved it in a different slot, both cars would share the same chassis number but they would have different car numbers.

When class car restrictions are enabled:

The ladder diagram will now display a driver's name in RED under either of the following circumstances:

a. If a driver's chassis is not in the "Host's Chassis List:".

b. On non-host computers, the host's name will be RED if the host's chassis number does not match the one on your computer.

The chassis numbers are checked immediately after the host starts the event just prior to the first race. If any names appear in RED, then you know that someone has the wrong car files loaded in the CARS directory.

To figure out who has the wrong car files loaded, just analyze the event.log file. If the host has the wrong car files loaded, then the "Host's Chassis List:" will not match a predetermined chassis list. To generate the predetermined chassis list, you just need to start a multiplayer event using the legal cars and record the "Host's Chassis List" from the event.log file.

If a non-host driver name is RED and the "Host's Chassis List" checks out okay, then the driver has the wrong car files loaded. You will also see in the event.log file which chassis the driver had loaded.

PCE does not disqualify a driver for having the wrong car files loaded, so it is the racers responsibility to evaluate the situation and take the appropriate actions. You can continue racing, or you can exit PCE and load the right car files.

4) Changed the weather setting display format on the STATS tab as well as the values saved in the event.log file.

5) Do to the changes made in this version, we updated Network Version checking for game compatibility. You must be running the same version (2.04) of Hotrod PCE as the host machine.

CHANGES IN PREVIOUS VERSION (2.03)

1) Fixed some Two Step problems. Engine rpm's should be limited roughly within + or - 30 RPM.

2) Fixed the dial-in entry bug. #.90 dial-ins don't get changed to *.89 anymore.

3) Fixed the load car setup bug that would say a setup was hacked anytime the front tire diameter of the setup was less than 12 inches.

4) The Stage Time Limit restriction is only suppose to count down after your opponent has staged. This caused a problem for cars on bye runs, becuase it was counting down right away, thus DQ'ing your car. PCE ignores this now for cars on bye runs, but the regular staging time limit is still enforced.

5) Fixed a bug that caused PCE to exit sometimes when saving a car in the paint shop.

6) Now you can change tire diameters without making a tire CUSTOM.

7) Fixed a bug with cam shaft IVO, IVC, EVO, and EVC settings. These values were not being converted when you switched the cam shaft to Manual Entry .050 lift, or when switching from Manual Entry .050 lift to Manual Entry Seat to Seat. Thus it was possible to have values that were out of range for the cam shaft type. These values are now being converted. In addition, these values are now being verified when you load a car setup. If any of them are out of range for the current cam shaft type, then they are automatically changed to fall within the range. If an automatic change occurs, a message is displayed in the shop. You will most likely have to work on your engine some if this happens to be the case with any of your current setups.

8) The camshaft values for IVO, IVC, EVO, and EVC now accepts fractional values. Before, it would display 12.00 and not accept values like 12.XX where XX is some number.

9) Made the text "N2O: ON" appear anytime nitrous oxide is on, regardless of the command line option '-O'.

10) Added color coding to some of the text in the STATS tab. Also added the weather type, i.e. "WEATHER: TYPICAL".

11) There is a new command line option: -R

The '-R' option will wire the Two Step to the Transbrake control button. This causes the Two Step to be activated anytime you turn on the Transbrake, and vice versa. Using this option will not disable the Two Step's control button, so you can still use the Two Step without using the Transbrake.

Example command line: C:\pce>pce -r

12) Do to the changes made in this version, we updated Network Version checking for game compatibility. You must be running the same version (2.03) of Hotrod PCE as the host machine.

CHANGES IN PREVIOUS VERSION (2.02)

1) Fixed a chassis track width bug. This change may affect your car's response as you launch from the stage light. Fast cars may require a little work in the shop to compensate for this realism fix.

2) Fixed a tire restriction bug, that gave an unfair advantage to those who knew about it. If a specific tire type was required, certain values on the right side tires could be changed, thus making it a custom tire, yet the tire would still pass tech inspection.

3) By popular request, we have done away with the thousandth of a second dial-in. In real life, dial-in times are generally restricted to hundredths of a second. PCE now uses a hundredth of a second dial-in. So you won't be able to dial in a 12.345 anymore, instead you would dial-in a 12.34.

4) Do to the changes made in this version, we updated Network Version checking for game compatibility. You must be running the same version (2.02) of Hotrod PCE as the host machine.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Version 2.02 is not compatible for multiplayer racing with version 2.00 and 2.01.

CHANGES IN PREVIOUS VERSION (2.01)

1) The Two Step (rev limiter) works correctly. The upper rpm value wasn't correctly limiting the engine rpm. Now, the first value is the rpm limit when the Two Step is engaged, and the second value is the maximum engine rpm limit when the Two Step is disengaged. When you prohibit the use of the rev limiter in the class restrictions, the Two Step has no affect and engine rpm is not limited.

2) Class files load correctly. There was a problem that caused certain restrictions to become corrupt when loading a class file.

3) Driver names appear correctly in the ladder diagram when you join a network event.

4) Fixed an engine sound problem that occurred if you changed engine sounds during a multiplayer race. You no longer can change engine sounds between runs. The sound that is chosen prior to the start of the event will be used for the entire event. After the event, the engine sound is updated to the currently selected sound.

5) The Class name now appears in the ladder diagram header. If the name is too long to fit in the header, it is truncated when displayed.

6) Added the file names for the car interiors to the CAR INFO tab in the paint shop.

7) There is a new command line option: -O

The '-O' option will make the Nitrous Oxide control button act like an On/Off toggle switch. Press the nitrous oxide button once to turn it on, and again to turn it off. The default method requires the user to hold down the button to keep nitrous oxide injection on. Definitely use this option if you are experiencing problems with your controls not responding to input while holding down the nitrous button. When using this option, The screen will display "N2O: ON" in the upper left corner of the race screen when nitrous oxide injection is on.

Example command line: C:\pce>pce -o

8) Fixed a problem with the engine dyno that caused engines using the MANUAL ENTRY .050-LIFT TIMING camshaft to produce incorrect horsepower and torque curves. Good news for those of you who are using them, because in most cases you should see a nice horsepower and torque increase.

2.01 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Version 2.00 and 2.01 are compatible for multiplayer racing.