Regarding these self-promotionals about "people not using aids"...
How did you guys get under the PP restriction with the R18 or HSV without using aids? They have baselines of about 100 PP and 50 PP over the restriction respectively. Or are you ignoring the fact that using the limiter is, practically speaking, an assist little different than someone applying traction control AND adding a mid range AND high range turbo? (The R18 and HSV are designed for higher speed turns and have almost unlimited torque for most of the curve when power-limited down to 550pp) for the R18 and a similar boost in performance (although slightly less) with the HSV?
Note: I'm not against anyone using any aids, or for that matter, against anyone not using any aids. Just curious how you can say things like "with only ABS=1", or "don't use Aids" as if you're not gaming the game as much as someone with a bevy of assists enabled.
I can get what you're saying about the use of the R18 and HSV, in a sense.
Why do people mention what aids they use or not? Achieving certain laptimes without aids is more difficult than achieving the same time with aids. ( to a certain extent, I think we can all agree that some aids actually slow you down in some situations and that some aids are just plain ridiculous ).
Look at it this way : say that someone records a 1:17 lap without using any aids and another person records the exact same laptime using all possible aids, both are using a HSV or R18.
Who will be rated higher? Who will be considered a better driver? The one not using aids
Knowing that you can post the same laptimes as person X without using aids can be a motivation/ego boost/whatever.
On top of that, if someone can achieve better laptimes than me, using aids in the process, I consider it a challenge to beat them.
This is, after all, something competitive.
Do I look down on them because they use something legitimate? Nope, I'm having fun, they're having fun = everyone's happy.
But of course , there are always people getting all high and mighty for not using aids and using a wheel and who mock the DS3 players who use aids, but those are a minority.