I've no idea where I'm going so wrong in my qualifying attempts for race B. I have TCS off, so can't use that slowing me down as an excuse. I'm mostly managing to not spin out on corner exits, certainly my optimal time doesn't have any badly messed up exits. But that optimal time is 3 secs down on the number 1 time, and I'm just not seeing where I can gain anything like that amount of time. I think I need to capture my replay and the number 1 replay from cockpit view to play them back side by side to try to see the difference, including wheel angle at each point. It's annoying you can't see more data in replays like throttle, brake, gear and settings such as brake bias and what assists were used, if any. Also annoying that you can't drive against leaderboard performances as ghosts like you can in, I think, pretty much any other driving game?
Edit: noticed on a youtube video that someone was showing all the data in a replay, so pressed every single button till I found the one that did it!
Braking is critical (so is brake balance obviously). So is the car, of course. I use the R8 with brake balance set to +1
I use the driving cones. it's a constant reference and it even helps to describe where you should brake, so turn them on for this advice.
The brake point for turn 1 is the white line immediately after the double cones. When your car gets tot he white line, brake fully and aim for that apex. try not to go over the little hump on the inside or it will upset the car. I use second gear for this, but some cars are ok in third.
The brake point for turn 2 is similarly the white line after the cones, but brake when it's close, before your car gets there. You need to shift all the way down to first and again, go for that apex, try to carry some speed around the turn and pour on a little power until you are pointed straight, then giv'r.
Turn 3 follows suit. Look for the line after the cones and start braking as soon as it comes into view (but after the cones), Go down to second and follow the same instructions as turn 2.
Turn 4 and 5 are obvious.
Turn 6 and 7 is more difficult than it appears. This is the chicane where the small track and big track meet. You need to be tight to 6 and carry a lot of speed. Get on the gas early, but you can't just stab the throttle.
The top times are often set by just BARELY missing penalties for running off the track. I've watched the replays, and to be honest, when I try to run those lines, I get penalties. So, take the top times with a grain of salt. I personally think that mid 1:28's is the best that can be done without testing the track limits.
Hope that helps.
The 1330 race looked like more of the same, until I bottled it spectacularly on the final lap and lost my 17 second lead to finish P2 
Getting 5 seconds for crashing into the tire walls should be fixed, PD... Incidentally, that was the race that got me to A+, but I wanted to end on a high note. In the next race, I was being pursued by a German throughout the first stint. We came out of the pits with his front bumper touching my rear bumper. However, he got stuck in traffic while I pulled 18 seconds to bring home my 44th win 
Calling it a day now because my arms are in noticeable pain 
I might try out some others when I've the chance.
