I've had some interesting developments over the last couple weeks that I thought I'd share, especially since part of it was recently discussed here.
First off, with the most recent update we're now able to turn off the suggested gear indicator. I've never used that indicator literally but I, like many others, would make some decisions based on it's info. Example: start braking approx 2 seconds after it starts flashing. It wasn't necessarily intentional but the flashing light is so prominent that it just happened. Eventually I came to rely more on that blinking light than paying attention to physical braking points and my consistency was not optimal.
So I've been racing with the gear indicator turned off for the last week or so. Admittedly it was rough at first but I quickly adapted and have found that my performance and consistency is improving. I'm using more of my senses and field of view now, I feel like I'm able to brake a bit later and take a more optimal line through the turn because of it. I also have more of a feeling that I'm actually driving and not relying on some "aid". I can't exactly put my finger on it, I think it's more of a combination of things that add up to create a better experience all around. I highly recommend that everybody spend a day racing with the indicator turned OFF, it will take a few races to get used to but after that everything feels more natural and you won't miss it at all.
Secondly, on Monday I built a box for my rig so I could invert my G27 pedals. I didn't expect this to make much difference but it has had quite an impact for the positive. Having the brake pedal at a different angle had GREATLY changed the feel, it actually has a progressive feel to it now and gets stiffer the further I push it. I have not installed the Nixim mod yet and did nothing to change the strength of the pedal, but simply having a different fulcrum/pivot point between my foot and pedal has effected the say it feels. I am now able to trail brake and threshold brake MUCH better than before. Previously if I wanted to give 60% braking (for example) I had to "hover" my foot at the right position and if I gave just a little more pressure it was easy to end up with 100% braking instead of 70%. Now it's much easier to apply just a tad bit more braking and not over do it.
The evidence of all this became pretty clear last night. We did some 500pp and 525pp racing and in both races I ran I was right in the mix with iForce and Wiifreak for the duration of the races. Anybody that's raced with us knows those guys are in a league of their own and I've never been near their level. In both races I spent lap after lap going door to door with Wiifreak, in the first race I finished less than .2 seconds behind him (for 2nd place) and actually passed him on the last lap of the second race to secure 2nd place. Granted he spun with about 4 corners to go but I was right on his bumper when he did, and I was less than 2 seconds behind iForce at the finish line. I should note that iForce wasn't too thrilled with his car selection for that race, but we all know that he's fast in anything.
The point, these two improvements to braking ability have had a HUGE positive effect on my driving ability and I'm somewhat shocked by it. Not everyone has the ability to improve their pedals to this extent but having the suggested gear indicator OFF plays a major part in the improvement so I recommend that everyone try this out. It will feel surprisingly odd at first and you'll be surprised how much you unintentionally relied on it, but you'll be equally surprised and how much it was negatively effecting your performance.
For the guys with DFGT pedals, do whatever you can to make that brake pedal better. The squish ball under the pedal works good (I used this method using high density foam) and combined with the bungee cords I think this would be a decent improvement. Improved braking performance has quite an impact on your overall performance, more than I expected.
Just thought I'd share.
I probably would have preferred the stock red/yellow, but someone already declared those.
