Advice for improving cornering?

[MustangManiac]

I feel my way through it. Like Kenny Brown once said : "if it feels good, it probably is. If it feels bad, it probably is." The more you practice, the more you'll "feel".

Exactly, and I would add to this, the sound. You know what your car sounds like when it is in the power band, that is where you want to keep the revs. Through trial and error you should also know what your tires sound like before they break loose, that is what you want to avoid.

 

[McClarenDesign]

Exactly, and I would add to this, the sound. You know what your car sounds like when it is in the power band, that is where you want to keep the revs. Through trial and error you should also know what your tires sound like before they break loose, that is what you want to avoid.

Don't forget about the sound of the tires, too. They'll tell you everything you need to know.

 

[Johnnypenso]

Would like to bring up my previous question again.
How do you guys know what is the best gear for the corner? Is there a way to work it out? because even with trial and error I'm not sure if I would naturally discover the best gear for each corner.
Also, do you guys use visual references to know when to brake and turn in? Because currently I pretty much just use the flashing gear indicator to tell me when to brake, and guestimate from there, which obviously isn't the quickest option.

Forget the flashing indicator. You have to find visual references for every corner at every track if you want to minimize your lap times. Often it's the curbing, sometimes it's a shadow on the track, sometimes it's a sign or a tree in your peripheral vision, but there's is something at every corner. Luckily you can use most of these same markers for many different car/tire combinations on many tracks because as it turns out, the braking point for 600PP on RS tires is close to the same braking point for 500PP on SS tires or 450 PP on SH tires etc.

The best gear for every corner is usually, but not always, the lowest gear you can take the corner in, that isn't near the rev limiter. If the redline is 8900 and you're in second at 8800 at the apex, it's probably better to take the corner in third to avoid the really short shift exiting the corner. Generally the lower the gear you are in the more the car will turn under braking or deceleration as well. But sometimes it means that if you shift to your lowest gear too soon it will kick the back end out if you are also trail braking, in which case, leave it up one gear to help keep the rear end in check. The hairpin at Spa is like that. Keep most cars in 3rd gear and the rear end is ok, but downshift to second on entry and many cars will have the rear end hanging out. You can use the gearbox in that situation to help control the car.

 

[georgiebest]

Forget the flashing indicator. You have to find visual references for every corner at every track if you want to minimize your lap times. Often it's the curbing, sometimes it's a shadow on the track, sometimes it's a sign or a tree in your peripheral vision, but there's is something at every corner. Luckily you can use most of these same markers for many different car/tire combinations on many tracks because as it turns out, the braking point for 600PP on RS tires is close to the same braking point for 500PP on SS tires or 450 PP on SH tires etc.

The best gear for every corner is usually, but not always, the lowest gear you can take the corner in, that isn't near the rev limiter. If the redline is 8900 and you're in second at 8800 at the apex, it's probably better to take the corner in third to avoid the really short shift exiting the corner. Generally the lower the gear you are in the more the car will turn under braking or deceleration as well. But sometimes it means that if you shift to your lowest gear too soon it will kick the back end out if you are also trail braking, in which case, leave it up one gear to help keep the rear end in check. The hairpin at Spa is like that. Keep most cars in 3rd gear and the rear end is ok, but downshift to second on entry and many cars will have the rear end hanging out. You can use the gearbox in that situation to help control the car.

Ok, so you use the gear that keeps the revs in the power band the most, but then how do you determine what is the correct entry speed? that was going to be my next question, and also when braking do you brake till you hit your entry speed number or do you just brake till it looks like you can take the corner without going off your line?

I've heard you all talking about hearing how the tyres sound, this is something I have been guilty of not doing, because I have the audio balance set so the car sound effects are barely noticeable but the backround music is booming haha. Going to change this so I can hear the tyres and improve my laps.

In terms of skill level, I am currently running 6'15s in the A spec nurburgring 650pp, using a detuned BMW mclaren f1, I don't think that is very good, what sort of numbers are you guys hitting?

Sorry for all the questions, I just really want to improve as much as I can

 

[McClarenDesign]

Georgie, you have to figure out entry speed on your own. Knowing comes from experience with various cars, layouts and turns. Drive everything you can get your hands on, but start slow. Slow = precision. The speed will follow.

Only brake as much as you need. The magic speed target number will change lap after lap, and with line choice.

 

[georgiebest]

Been looking around and it turns out that a lap time of 6'15 for the Mclaren f1 GTR isn't too bad on the nurburgring seasonal event, so I'm kinda happy with that.

I do feel my driving has come along massively in the last couple of weeks by using information posted on this thread, and also massive amounts of practice. Finally getting a wheel has also helped the cause hugely.


Thanks for all the advice guys, lets keep it going and make the thread a good source of info for everyone on the forums

 

[MustangManiac]

I am always surprised at how many people listen to music while racing, I can't drive competively if I can't hear my car, both the motor and the tires. Has anybody ever seen a race car with a cd player installed, I think there is a reason for that?
My wife thinks it is funny that when we went to pick up the Jag that I turned the radio on once, just to see if it worked and never turned it on again. People have asked what kind of sound system it has and my reply is a V-12 Jag, that is all the music I need. Listen to your car, she will tell you what she needs.

 

[Johnnypenso]

Ok, so you use the gear that keeps the revs in the power band the most, but then how do you determine what is the correct entry speed? that was going to be my next question, and also when braking do you brake till you hit your entry speed number or do you just brake till it looks like you can take the corner without going off your line?

I've heard you all talking about hearing how the tyres sound, this is something I have been guilty of not doing, because I have the audio balance set so the car sound effects are barely noticeable but the backround music is booming haha. Going to change this so I can hear the tyres and improve my laps.

In terms of skill level, I am currently running 6'15s in the A spec nurburgring 650pp, using a detuned BMW mclaren f1, I don't think that is very good, what sort of numbers are you guys hitting?

Sorry for all the questions, I just really want to improve as much as I can

I agree with the two posters above, and to me, sound is a very critical part of driving fast. Especially the tire sounds and knowing then the front or the back is at it's limit is invaluable in driving quickly and consistently..

Finding the right corner entry speed is a matter of practice and getting a feel for the car. I look at nothing but the road ahead and if in competition, the track map so I can see who is around me at a glance without changing camera views. I never look at the gauges, speedometer, flashing indicators etc. A good indicator for corner speed is whether you can get the car to the apex. If you find you are pushing out slightly or can't quite get the car on the curb at the apex then usually your corner speed is slightly high. On the other hand if it's easy to get to the apex with, then you can go a little faster in that corner.

 

[georgiebest]

Hey guys, quick update.
I done what I said, turned the music off, put the sound effects up.
Big difference has been the sound.
I now know instantly if I am going the right speed through a corner because there is a tiny bit of tire squeal. If I get that squeal whilst still being able to take the correct line, then I've pretty much nailed that corner.

 

[Johnnypenso]

Good show George! Sound is critical I think, and overlooked by a lot of guys that would rather listen to music when they drive. I have lots of time in the day to listen to music, when I race I want to listen to the music of racing exhaust and tire squeal, esepcially if it helps you to go faster...lol. 👍

 

[MustangManiac]

Hey guys, quick update.
I done what I said, turned the music off, put the sound effects up.
Big difference has been the sound.
I now know instantly if I am going the right speed through a corner because there is a tiny bit of tire squeal. If I get that squeal whilst still being able to take the correct line, then I've pretty much nailed that corner.

👍 Congrats, like I said above, your car will tell you exactly what to do and when, all you have to do is listen to her 👍

 

[McClarenDesign]

👍 Congrats, like I said above, your car will tell you exactly what to do and when, all you have to do is listen to her 👍

Amen. Next- learn how to "feel" where your opponents are, and how to move them without contact. It's like The Force when it works.

 

[GTPLam]

Turn 6 (long right hander), is a good corner to trail brake in. Brake later, but softly and controlled. Too much braking and the car won't turn, not enough and you won't make the corner. You are playing with the throttle too much; accelerating, lifting, accelerating some more. It should be light and smooth braking until the apex, where you begin accelerating. You hit the apex about right, but you get on the throttle too hard, upsetting the balance. This is why you had to lift in the tunnel (twice!). Be gentler on the throttle, and you would have been able to exit the corner perfectly.

Wow I think Gar529 should do more track analysis like that!! It be nice to have a pro coach by my side to analyze my driving and tell me if I'm turning in too soon or braking too little. I think he made a good point here in Turn 6 about balancing the proper amount of braking. This basically sums up everything you need to know about braking properly.

Oh one more thing, I found a vid on youtube that may be helpful to some of you



Its basically a track tutorial guide from iracing sim that shows you how to drive a particular track successfully, being Laguna Seca in this case. Take note at the little HUD indicator at the bottom showing the amount of steering, throttle, braking, and clutch input. I find it very useful to look at that during the run so you can tell how much percentage hes pressing the brake pedal for certain corners and when he starts to ease off the brake pedal so on. I wish someone out there would do more of this tutorial kinda stuff but for GT5 instead so we have an idea of what to expect for each track

 

[georgiebest]

Is anyone else experiencing longer loading times than usual lately?
I don't know if it is in relation to the updates, but the game just seems to take an absolute age to load the simplest things.
For example loading the cursor at the home screen on start-up can take more than 3 minutes.
I've cleared my Cache, didn't help. I don't have custom music.
Would signing out of PSN help?

edit:
Was in the middle of a 3 minute load, signed myself out of PSN and the game finished loading instantly. Bizarre, I would rather see a fix for this than new DLC.

 

[McClarenDesign]

Is anyone else experiencing longer loading times than usual lately?
I don't know if it is in relation to the updates, but the game just seems to take an absolute age to load the simplest things.
For example loading the cursor at the home screen on start-up can take more than 3 minutes.
I've cleared my Cache, didn't help. I don't have custom music.
Would signing out of PSN help?

edit:
Was in the middle of a 3 minute load, signed myself out of PSN and the game finished loading instantly. Bizarre, I would rather see a fix for this than new DLC.

Check if your internet connection is causing the problem, or the PSN. Disconnect from the net and see if you're still having problems.

 

[georgiebest]

Check if your internet connection is causing the problem, or the PSN. Disconnect from the net and see if you're still having problems.

My internet is fine, it is highspeed and it has been working fine with GT5, the problem has only really come around in the last few days. I think it is something to do with the GT5 servers because PSN is working perfect for Battlefield.