One tip I have for Race C at the moment - just because you can pit late (lap 6+), doesn’t mean that’s the best strategy. I’m noticing a lot of people, mostly Megane drivers, will be in a very comfortable position until they pit too late, letting early stoppers undercut them.
For instance, in a race a few days ago I had a Megane right on my arse until I stopped on lap 5, had he entered the pits at the same time as me he would’ve leapt me due to the fact that he would have to take on less fuel than myself. Instead he held off until lap 7 and lost an easy podium.
But whatever, works for me.
I’d agree with an exception being, if you are in the top 3ish (or even just 1st/2nd), and you have a decent lead, pitting at the end of lap 6 or 7 can still work. Anything lower than 3rd though, that won’t work.
In race C, it’s all about the tire deg and managing undercuts.
At the start of the race, everyone is on fresh tires, so nothing to be gained here.
By the end of lap 4, tires are worn enough that if you pit, you’ll be able to do 1 or 2 laps on fresh tires, while others stay out on worn tires. This is where you can make up significant time. Of course, you do become vulnerable on the last couple of laps to someone who has fresher tires, but keep in mind, their tires are fresher, but not brand new (whereas when you exit the pits, you’ll be on brand new tires, while the others are on very worn tires - the lap delta is greater for you than it is for someone who stops late and has fresher tires at the end).
The main downside to stopping early, on lap 3 or 4, is if you are running in the mid top 10, chances are you’ll come out of the pits in traffic, and that traffic will be slower cars. You then have to waste your fresh tires trying to get passed people who have yet to pit (and often times don’t understand race strategy and racecraft).
The desire to avoid coming out of the pits amongst back markers is the main motivation for staying out longer if you are at the front, let’s say in the top 3. Yes, you will be doing laps 5, 6, and possibly 7 on very worn tires. However, if you are in clean air and don’t have to drive defensive (and perhaps have been able to drive in a manor which conserves your tires), often times you’ll still be going as fast or faster than people behind you who are battling for position. The worst thing to do when leading is pit early, and then get stuck in traffic when you exit the pits. This is the motivation for staying out longer - run in clean air, conserve the tires, and pit after most people have, so you don’t lose track position in the pits.
It’s all a balancing act, and it’s why races with pit stops and tire wear are so much fun
It starts with 10.7laps of fuel.
Was resetting itself all through the first lap.
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. Yeh, weird, but then the only reason I bought the PS2 was to play the anniversary edition of Space Invaders 
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