AAAAAAARGH (Rally)

[iLex]

The Rally races really drive me crazy.
After getting a 5 sec penalty over and over for BEING hit from the side by a AI car I really start to hate the rally races.
Is there any way to cheat my way out of these races? I've driven most of the easy races and the tarmac easy, medium and hard races, but the medium and hard dirt and snow races are still a (big) problem.
At first I liked them, but this illogical penalty system (why doesn't the AI car get penalties for terrible driving?) really makes me furious.
I found a way to 'cheat' the tarmac rallies by entering a Nissan R92CP, but I can't figure out how to do a similar thing to the dirt races. It seems that, even when you enter a high power car, the AI has a big advantage because of its 'godlike' status and near perfect cornering.
I'm not looking for any other satisfaction than to get the gold medals for all of these races, so I can get to 100% game completion. In other words: I'm not looking for fun driving these races (which has been proven to me to be impossible), I just want to win them.
Thanks in advance.

 

[samj_13]

The Rally races really drive me crazy.
After getting a 5 sec penalty over and over for BEING hit from the side by a AI car I really start to hate the rally races.
Is there any way to cheat my way out of these races? I've driven most of the easy races and the tarmac easy, medium and hard races, but the medium and hard dirt and snow races are still a (big) problem.
At first I liked them, but this illogical penalty system (why doesn't the AI car get penalties for terrible driving?) really makes me furious.
I found a way to 'cheat' the tarmac rallies by entering a Nissan R92CP, but I can't figure out how to do a similar thing to the dirt races. It seems that, even when you enter a high power car, the AI has a big advantage because of its 'godlike' status and near perfect cornering.
I'm not looking for any other satisfaction than to get the gold medals for all of these races, so I can get to 100% game completion. In other words: I'm not looking for fun driving these races (which has been proven to me to be impossible), I just want to win them.
Thanks in advance.

The closest thing to "cheating" without using a GameShark, Codebreaker, etc. is to get the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Super Rally car for 1,250,000Cr. Very expensive, but very useful. I've heard the Dodge Ram is actually quite good for rallies, not 100% sure though.

A quick search for rally tips would never hurt either

 

[Doggie]

I really despise cheating, but since you are asking for help, migth try to give a few pointers. Try to get a powerfull enough car, so that you can beat the opponent at the starting line. After that don't let him pass you. Sounds simple and stupid... but works.

A better tip (some consider this cheating) is to "bumb" your car straight, with the backend of your car. So if you notice that you are coming in too strong on a corner, just easy of the gas so much that the front wheels get some traction and then floor the gas, and let the backend bumb the outer wall. This will bumb your car to a right position to exit the corner with full throttle. And no 5 sec penalties if it's the backend of your car which hits the wall.

 

[DLRgian]

Get a Ram like what Samj_13 said its a very good rally vehicle for around 150-200 a-spec points

 

[Moloch_horridus]

Yep - get the Dodge Ram - add 200 kg ballast all at the rear - NA1 or 2, exhaust, good clutch, whatever.

Wall ride - don't hit them too hard and you will be right
Bum steer - slide the car into corners so that you hit the wall with your rear quarter - no penalty, op left eating dust
Be as a whale - you are in a bloody big truck, don't let them get past

GC Hard it is difficult to get the lead but once you have it you should be right.

 

[Razzbar]

I believe the opponent might also get those penalties. I've looked in the rearview mirror after being rear ended and seen him waaaay back there, as if he's taking a penalty.

I'm pretty sure about what rates a penalty, however. It's which end of your car registers an impact, and how hard it is.

You can just slam into a wall flat out, and as long as it's your rear end hitting first, you won't get a penalty. That leads to one driving style where you ease up to the outside of a turn and goose it and go flat out around the outside of a turn. Be advised that most of the time this is not the fastest way around a turn.

Also, you can rear end an opponent if you do it easy enough. Once you're actually in contact with him, you don't have to worry about getting a penalty for hitting him. I've been in some races where we were in contact a LOT, without any penalties. The point is, don't be TOO afraid of touching your opponent. Especially, don't be afraid to slide your rear end into his nose, and don't be afraid to "wedge" on the inside of a turn.

Yeah, the Dodge Ram is definitely worth a try. I won Cathedral short course in medium diff. with it.

I also recommend practicing the track in the practice mode, where there are no penalties. Nothing messes up your driving rhythm like 5 seconds of waiting to get out of jail. Learning a dirt course is just as important as a paved one, moreover, there is more to learn. The textbook geometric outside to inside to outside rule of thumb of taking a corner on pavement just doesn't apply on dirt. Every track has corners that spin you out. They look just like the other ones, but they'll get you every time until you know them. Ditto for the jumps. You have to learn each one individually. Some of them you must take absolutely head on straight, others you gain by being in a slide when you hit them. The whole point is to PRACTICE the track and learn where the 'gotchas' are.

 

[DLRgian]

I believe the opponent might also get those penalties. I've looked in the rearview mirror after being rear ended and seen him waaaay back there, as if he's taking a penalty.

I'm pretty sure about what rates a penalty, however. It's which end of your car registers an impact, and how hard it is.

You can just slam into a wall flat out, and as long as it's your rear end hitting first, you won't get a penalty. That leads to one driving style where you ease up to the outside of a turn and goose it and go flat out around the outside of a turn. Be advised that most of the time this is not the fastest way around a turn.

Also, you can rear end an opponent if you do it easy enough. Once you're actually in contact with him, you don't have to worry about getting a penalty for hitting him. I've been in some races where we were in contact a LOT, without any penalties. The point is, don't be TOO afraid of touching your opponent. Especially, don't be afraid to slide your rear end into his nose, and don't be afraid to "wedge" on the inside of a turn.

Yeah, the Dodge Ram is definitely worth a try. I won Cathedral short course in medium diff. with it.

I also recommend practicing the track in the practice mode, where there are no penalties. Nothing messes up your driving rhythm like 5 seconds of waiting to get out of jail. Learning a dirt course is just as important as a paved one, moreover, there is more to learn. The textbook geometric outside to inside to outside rule of thumb of taking a corner on pavement just doesn't apply on dirt. Every track has corners that spin you out. They look just like the other ones, but they'll get you every time until you know them. Ditto for the jumps. You have to learn each one individually. Some of them you must take absolutely head on straight, others you gain by being in a slide when you hit them. The whole point is to PRACTICE the track and learn where the 'gotchas' are.

Nicely said bro..👍

 

[Moloch_horridus]

Another useful tip (originating from Famine) is to do all the rallies on each track one after the other - do the easy, then the medium then the hard on one track and one direction before going on to the next. I found this to be very useful.

 

[DLRgian]

Ya I assume because you are used to the track.

 

[iLex]

I really despise cheating, but since you are asking for help, migth try to give a few pointers.

I called this 'cheating' but how much cheating is actually involved? You are allowed to enter just about any car and the AI has hit me more times than I've hit it (so hitting the AI seems more like a part of the game than really cheating).
But I know what you mean. It's more fun when driving by 'custom' rules about not hitting the opponent, having an equally powered car and stuff like that. On tarmac I play by these rules. But in this case the 5 sec. penalty ruins all the fun already, especially when the AI hits ME and I get the penalty, I just want to finish these rallies.

Thanks for your comments. I'm going to try the dodge.

 

[jessekatianda]

Another useful tip (originating from Famine) is to do all the rallies on each track one after the other - do the easy, then the medium then the hard on one track and one direction before going on to the next. I found this to be very useful.

I didn't know Famine did it this way as well. But it is very true, I do this all the time too. I even do the "Normal" ones first, on Easy, Normal, and Hard, then the "Reverse" on Easy, Normal, and Hard. It really helps.

 

[Perfect Balance]

Try buying the latest Subaru rally car, it was a lot faster than all the other cars I had been using, and I beat almost all of the races with it.

 

[no tcs needed]

Best car from dirt rallies = Suzuki Escudo (if you can control it)

To overtake just smack into them, overtake them whilst they recover and just get in their way during the 5 sec. penalty. To stay in front, swing the back out on the corners as you get no penalty for hitting the side with the back off the car.

 

[GM]

By no tcs needed

To overtake just smack into them, overtake them whilst they recover and just get in their way during the 5 sec.

Only bad drivers and/or cheats do that kind of thing

The best rally car IMO is the Peugot 205 EVO II, It has great handling and not to hard to win the rallies (excluding Grand Canyon Hard which is'nt easy in any car)

 

[Mach 10]

Grand Canyon is definetely difficult and I've have my share of horrible laps there. The RSC Rally Raid Car is a No-no here! That car has to be one of the worst handling Dirt/Snow cars I've ever driven. Or maybe it was just my skill?
I would suggest practicing a lot and if you still can't win, try a faster car. If that doesn't work, pull a NEWB and wallride! I've had to do it once or twice, I didn't mind. I was hungry for cash!

 

[Mt. Lynx]

I´ve said it before, and I´ll say it again; the best cars for rallies are the purpose built rallycars! For twisty tracks like Grandcanyon and the Ice rallies, short wheelbased cars like the Focus or the 206 are the best, and for Swiss Alps and Yosemite, the Evo Lancer Super rallycar should do the trick (all rallycars should be kept stock, and the only things you change is tyres). On wet tarmac, I used a fully modded GSX-R/4, and won with ease.

The secret to be fast on snow or dirt is to brake really early and be very gentle with the throttle.

Now, how to learn to rally? The answer is licensetests! Do all licensetests involving rallying, and don´t give up until you´ve golded them all! When that´s done, you´ll win all the rallies without much effort.

 

[Diego440]

I'll give you a little cheating tip from the day when I did the special stages. As yourself, I kinda liked them at first, but after being hit 5 times in a race and getting so many penalties by the crappy control-less AI, I started to hate it. In the end, I just did all the stages in a day and never looked back.

The hardest for me was Grand Canyon, both ways, Hard... which sounds like a weird euphenism. The snow stages were very easy, except for the whistler track.

Be advised, this is cheating, so if anyone reads this and doesn't feel it "follows the essence of real racing" or however you want to call it, don't blame me; blame the system

So, here's the trick:
Cathedral Rocks I and II and Swiss Alps: you should go with a highly powered car, such as the Lancia Delta S4 (which I used) or any Group B rally car (above 350hp, except for the Renault). In these stages you have to rely on your technique. Make sure you're ahead of the AI car at the start or at least into the first lap, as being behind with a more powerful car will make you smash into them too often and we all know what that means. This advice goes for every race.

Tahiti: you will need a car that slides well and which is fast, since during the few straights the AI tends to catch up. I think I used the Ford RS200 Rally Car... being a Group B rally car, it's very volatile, so handle with care. In this stage you basically have to slide a lot, so make sure your choice car does it well. That's the best advice I can give you on this track, since you also have to rely very much on your driving skills. There is one cheat you can do, which is instead of taking the curves a-la rally mode (sliding), make contact with the outside fence before entering the curve and just floor it... since you're already in contact, the system won't penalise you. But on this track it doesn't work very well because the AI catches up quickly.

Chamonix and Ice Arena: Ice Arena turns out to be very easy and very short, since every lap is done in less than a minute. I used a Subaru rally car, although I've seen people do it in a fully tuned Skyline. However, on this track, less is more. Too much power = loss of control.... you'll notice the AI doesn't go beyond 100 kph. The trick is to use the walls to your advantage. Wherever possible, make slight contact with the wall and just use it as support to take the curve. Of course, you'll be using the outside of every curve, but on chicanes it doesn't work too good, since you'd have to go from side to side, and again, the AI will already catch up. In Chamonix, you basically have to drive well before the snow part, and once you enter the snow, do the above technique. However, in both stages you should do a trial run first to really learn the braking points.


Grand Canyon: By far, the hardest of rallies for me. Especially because you can't ride the walls, but also because the AI is ALWAYS on your ass. First off, if you haven't passed the AI car before the curves start, restart the race... the AI gets too much in the way. And the main trick here is "easy does it"... except for the jumping straight, you don't have to speed much, although you should always keep the revs in high. The car could be any rally racer, but I'd avoid the Group B ones, since again,they're too volatile. On hard mode, the AI gets a super turbo boost during the last lap, so no matter how far behind you it is, be ready for it to jump you in the final stages of the last lap.

That's about it. I did all the special stages in one day and other than the tarmac stages, I haven't done them again. The best advice I should give you is to be sure you're ahead of the car early in the race, since the rhythm of the AI is strange; it only pushes it when it's ahead of you, it would seem, but it's very easy for you to lose your own rhythm when behind... and all the dust doesn't let you see anything. All stages are hard at first, therefore, you should try a trial run first, cheating or not... just so you can learn the track and find the best braking/accelerating points.

Other than that, good luck 👍

 

[Mach 10]

The secret to be fast on snow or dirt is to brake really early and be very gentle with the throttle.

I was about to say that as well! I learned about that the hard way on Ice Arena.

I used a fully modded GSX-R/4, and won with ease.

I must try that car when I get it.

 

[the_matt]

I used to absolutely despise rallying myself, but now that I'm learning to drift I have much better throttle control and improved patience, so they've become pretty damn easy. The best tip I can think of for someone having trouble is to wall ride wherever possible. Do that well and you'll have no trouble with these races at all

 

[GM]

The secret is to use a TVR 350C.
Well your need practise, it's very hard to control but very fun and gets 40 a-spec points against an evo

 

[Thirdeye]

Sorry for not reading through the posts above, so if this was already mentioned then just ignore me, but what I did in some of the Hard races was get a very high powered car (such as a Skyline R34 V-Spec II Nur) fully tune it, put snow tires on it, and never brake around corners unless absolutely necessary, just turn the car so the tail hits the corner before you turn. This is especially helpful in the Ice Arena and Chamonix.