Track Mania Scripting How-To

Recently, I was sent a link to an outstanding YouTube video about someone who trained an AI to outpace them in a racing game. My curiosity was immediately piqued, and I began to wonder if this could serve as a viable platform for prototyping my AI racing driver algorithms. In this post, I’ll provide a concise guide on setting up TrackMania with a script, focusing on the one detailed in the video: Training an unbeatable AI in TrackMania

Track Mania Nations Forever Installation

From my research, TrackMania’s legacy goes back almost 20 years, to 2003. We will be using the completely free version titled “TrackMania Nations Forever.” While this version has its constraints, it’s ideal for our needs. To delve deeper into the game’s history, consult this informative Wikipedia article: Track Mania

The game can be downloaded from:  Track Mania Nations Forever.

The installation process is straightforward, and unless necessary, I’d suggest sticking with the default settings in the installer.

 

TMUnlimiter

Introduced in 2010, TMUnlimiter added innovative features to the track editor, such as the ability to create oversized maps. If you’re keen on experiencing the three levels showcased in the aforementioned video, you’ll need to install TMUnlimiter along with TrackMania and another tool known as TMInterface by Donadigo.

Download TMUnlimiter from this link: TMUnlimiter Download.

Post extraction, there’s a readme that guides you through the installation.

It’s worth noting that TMUnlimiter necessitates the x86 version of the 2010 C++ redistributable package. If you encounter an error stating it can’t find “MSVCR100.dll”, it means you may have the x64 version and will need to procure the x86 version from Microsoft’s site: Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package Service Pack 1

Donadigo TMInterface

Next, we have TMInterface, a TAS (Tool Assisted Speedrun) tool for TrackMania. Essentially, it allows users to script everything from car controls to UI enhancements. For a more satirical take, you can check this video: [Warning Satire] [TUTORIAL] How to make TAS (Tool-Assisted Speedruns) in Track Mania

Downloaded from this link: Donadigo’s TMInterface website.

Follow the installation instructions on the website, taking note that the process slightly differs for Steam installations compared to standalone ones.

Running TMInterface alongside TMUnlimiter

Figuring out how to operate TMInterface in tandem with TMUnlimiter took a bit, but I chanced upon a tip on TMInterface website.

Start TMInterface (execute TMInterface.exe) to launch TrackMania Nations Forever. Before selecting your driver profile, input “load_infinity” in the TMInterface console. Afterward, you can pick your driver profile and access both TMInterface and TMUnlimiter.

Sai-Moen Wallhugger Install

Upon setting up the above, I sought ways to exploit the API for vehicle control beyond the scripting facilitated by TMInterface. In my quest, I discovered a YouTube video demonstrating a wallhugger script. Sai-Moen’s GitHub page has the Angel Script version, a direct adaptation from his original Python Wallhugger script, which is no longer supported or maintained (in the latest version of TMInterface).

To install the Angel Scripts, download a copy of Sai-Moen’s TMInterface-AS module (click on Code -> Download ZIP), which contains a module as well as some other standalone scripts. There are instructions in the README.md but when I did this it was simply a case of copying the Incremental folder and the individual .as script files to the following location: C:\Users\<username>\OneDrive\Documents\TMInterface\Plugins. Substitute your username as appropriate and if you don’t use OneDrive just find your Documents folder. Basically you’ll need to hunt down where your TMInterface\Plugins folder lives.

Running the Wallhugger Bruteforce

To execute a Bruteforce run, complete a run on the track and save a replay (alternatively you can download a replay from the internet).

Example: To save a replay of one of the levels seen in the video, make sure they are installed in the correct location and then:

1. From the main menu
2. Play Solo
3. Browse
4. Challenges
5. My Challenges (assuming this is where you installed them)
6. Level 1 (or whichever you want)
7. Play
8. [Execute a run on the keyboard]
9. Save Replay

Next, from the TMInterface console, go to the Settings tab and down to the Plugins section. You can disable everything except for the “Incremental Module”.

Still in the settings, find the Bruteforce section and select SaiMoen’s Incremental module. Check a few of the settings here including “Maximum evaluation time”. Expand the modes section and make sure wallhugger is selected. Change the other settings as appropriate.

Finally run the bruteforce by:

• From the main menu
• Editors
• Edit a Replay
• Select the replay you want to bruteforce
• Launch
• Sai Moen’s Incremental module

If everything is installed and running correctly, a new console window appears and it will start streaming. This will continue until one of three things happen:

• The finish line is reached
• The Maximum evaluation time is reached
• You hit escape

If a faster time is found, you should have a results.txt to load back into the console (“load results.txt”). Now when you attempt to drive the track again, you will see the bot drive 🙂 Happy TM’ing!

Time to get serious!

The plan from here on out is to try and be good about recording, editing and uploading at least a video a week. In order to do that (and stand a chance of keeping up with things), it’s time to bring everyone up to speed with the garage 🙂

Quick intro to a couple of new vehicles and then updates on platforms you have seen before. After this I will feel good about going forward!

Video link 

ISTA/P Installation Unknown Error

TLDR: I received an “Unknown Error” shortly after kicking off an ISTA/P installation. Ended up finding the install log file and discovered that the Visual C++ Redistributable package didn’t install correctly. Uncovered the download address from the same log file, installed it manually, and the world was right. 

I must have spent at least a few days trying to getting ISTA/P to install! ISTA worked like a charm, but ISTA/P kept generating “unknown errors” (shortly after installation started). I tried everything! Disabling firewalls and UAC, uninstalling other programs, trying with elevated privileges, running the install from the command line… you name it I tried it.

After a couple of evenings I gave up trying things and decided to go hunting for the log files (they must exist right?). Eventually I tracked them down to C:\ProgramData\BMW\ISPI\logs\TRIC\BDR\ISTA-P. Inside I found all of my miserable failed attempts (there were 72!). From that point it was a case of going through all 2658 lines of the log to try and work out what had happened.

Saving you some of the boring details I worked out that the vc_redist.x86.exe was failing with an error code of -2147023728 (Status code in the log files). Now the hunt was on, where was it getting this from? Going back to the top and working my way down I eventually found (199 lines in) that the installer was downloading it from Microsoft:

• https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x86.exe

This will be subject to change with each version so always best to check your log file. I downloaded the file, uninstalled other versions of the package, and ran the installer with elevated privileges… and “voila”. Bob’s your uncle and fanny is your aunt – it installed. After that, the following installation attempt of ISTA/P went through like a charm!

E9x 335xi Dyno Results: 15 years old and 174K Miles!

Hopefully the first of many dyno runs at Chicane. What better way to test out their 4WD dyno with BMWs first turbo charged car. 

If you have watched the M5 PPI video you already know some of the guys at the shop. They are a fantastic bunch and do not disappoint here. 

Now the real question is… will the car survive? 🙂

Video link 

E9x 335xi Oil Pan Gasket – Dare2Dream Motorsports

The 335xi is a fantastic car but like many old German cars some of the seals fail. This particular example has 172K on the clock and the oil pan gasket needs replacing. It wouldn’t be so bad but being an X-drive the front driveshafts and diff are in the way.

Thankfully a good friend of mine has recently started a shop and he had some time to squeeze the car in at the last minute. 

Whilst we are there we took a quick peek around the shop at some of the various projects!

Video link 

I bought a dirt cheap 2012 MK VW GTi

I purchased this car a year ago and it’s been so much fun. Thought I’d put together a quick video on the background of the GTi but also a more in-depth look into the MK6 itself. 

I have wanted a GTi for almost 30 years and this did not disappoint. 

Video link

Ross Bentley – From the start

This will likely be another element to the channel. Throughout my time at the track I have bumped into some pretty amazing drivers. I think it goes without saying that Ross is not only one of those guys but also an amazing coach.

Prior to Pro Coaching (SpeedSecrets), Ross spent his time as a professional racing driver. He drove many classes including IndyCar and IMSA Sports Car. I hope you enjoy listening to the interview as much as I did doing the interview. 

Here’s the direct link.

Oh and if you want to go fast, make sure you sign up for his SpeedSecrets Weekly 🙂