I wanted to see how good of a job PD did with "La Sarthe" and the "LMP 1" cars, since this seems to be a hot topic on this board. 
Based on some stats I've been able to dig up, I tried to mimic like cars on La Sarthe 1, to see how close to the lap times that were acheived last weekend. I had to use "Arcade Mode" in order to get HP and weight "close" to RL, but was not able on the Audi R8. This year's rules really cut them down on power, and was outside the scope of the 20% adjustment. In order to compensate and get a similar power to weight ratio, I increased the weight, but it's not adustable "enough" to be accurate. For all intents and purposes...I was close.
The driving style I used just was to just try to be smooth, slow in, fast out, accelerate after all the apexes and ride the kerbs on the exit corner. Not qualifying style, but a "brisk race pace", promoting even tire wear. I used the gear indicators to dictate braking points and gear selection. I didn't go for late braking, but let the indicator flash 3-4 times before braking. To put my driving ability in perspective, not at all bragging or saying I'm the fastest guy here, but my previous best on La Sarthe 1 is 3:00.77x, Minolta, stg 4 with R5s. Though I've driven La Sarthe 1 a lot, I only went for a "fast lap" a few times. My other fast laps are 1:28 at Suzuka, 1:22 at Grand Valley, GT mode F1, and verified by the mods.
The "Real Life" stats:
- 2005 Audi R8 520hp
950kg
hp:kg ratio .547
top race speed 310km/h, 192mph
qualifying time 3:37.795
best race lap 3:39.781
tires that last 20-30 laps (reported double and triple stinting of 12-13 laps between pits.
- 2005 Pescarolo Judd ~620hp (reported 100hp more than Audi, I don't have an exact figure),
900kg
hp:kg ratio .688
top race speed 325km/h
201mph
qualifying lap 3:34.715
best race lap 3:34.968
My Arcade mode stats/settings:
- Audi R8 626hp
990kg
hp:kg ratio .632
top speed (quick settings limited to 330km/k, to make sure I could ride the rev limiter at 310km/h)
Lap times were between 3:38-3:40; My B-Spec Driver with 95 machine skill and 81 for the other settings got 3:39-3:41
Tires were R1
- Pescarolo Judd 635hp
900 kg
hp:kg ratio .705
top speed (limited to 340, same reason)
lap times were between 3:35-3:37
Tires were R1
* Additional info to consider:
I used Traction Control because I used the DS2 vs. my DFP, and I haven't used the DS2 since GT4 came out. But using the DS2, I would be forced to drive "smoother".
I have yet to verify GT4's tire degredation. I doubt that R1s would last 24 laps as the Audis did this year. So I'm not sure how much the suspected GT4 softer compound would make a difference.
Arcade mode doesn't allow for suspension or aero changes...both cars tended to understeer.
I'm sure faster times are possible if pushing at the limit, and my test was in no way and exact science, but I think that all in all it resulted in some pretty close times to Real Life.
👍 PD.
Based on some stats I've been able to dig up, I tried to mimic like cars on La Sarthe 1, to see how close to the lap times that were acheived last weekend. I had to use "Arcade Mode" in order to get HP and weight "close" to RL, but was not able on the Audi R8. This year's rules really cut them down on power, and was outside the scope of the 20% adjustment. In order to compensate and get a similar power to weight ratio, I increased the weight, but it's not adustable "enough" to be accurate. For all intents and purposes...I was close.
The driving style I used just was to just try to be smooth, slow in, fast out, accelerate after all the apexes and ride the kerbs on the exit corner. Not qualifying style, but a "brisk race pace", promoting even tire wear. I used the gear indicators to dictate braking points and gear selection. I didn't go for late braking, but let the indicator flash 3-4 times before braking. To put my driving ability in perspective, not at all bragging or saying I'm the fastest guy here, but my previous best on La Sarthe 1 is 3:00.77x, Minolta, stg 4 with R5s. Though I've driven La Sarthe 1 a lot, I only went for a "fast lap" a few times. My other fast laps are 1:28 at Suzuka, 1:22 at Grand Valley, GT mode F1, and verified by the mods.
The "Real Life" stats:
- 2005 Audi R8 520hp
950kg
hp:kg ratio .547
top race speed 310km/h, 192mph
qualifying time 3:37.795
best race lap 3:39.781
tires that last 20-30 laps (reported double and triple stinting of 12-13 laps between pits.
- 2005 Pescarolo Judd ~620hp (reported 100hp more than Audi, I don't have an exact figure),
900kg
hp:kg ratio .688
top race speed 325km/h
201mph
qualifying lap 3:34.715
best race lap 3:34.968
My Arcade mode stats/settings:
- Audi R8 626hp
990kg
hp:kg ratio .632
top speed (quick settings limited to 330km/k, to make sure I could ride the rev limiter at 310km/h)
Lap times were between 3:38-3:40; My B-Spec Driver with 95 machine skill and 81 for the other settings got 3:39-3:41
Tires were R1
- Pescarolo Judd 635hp
900 kg
hp:kg ratio .705
top speed (limited to 340, same reason)
lap times were between 3:35-3:37
Tires were R1
* Additional info to consider:
I used Traction Control because I used the DS2 vs. my DFP, and I haven't used the DS2 since GT4 came out. But using the DS2, I would be forced to drive "smoother".
I have yet to verify GT4's tire degredation. I doubt that R1s would last 24 laps as the Audis did this year. So I'm not sure how much the suspected GT4 softer compound would make a difference.
Arcade mode doesn't allow for suspension or aero changes...both cars tended to understeer.
I'm sure faster times are possible if pushing at the limit, and my test was in no way and exact science, but I think that all in all it resulted in some pretty close times to Real Life.
👍 PD.
.
They did put up a good fight, though.
