FIA Race Discussion [Archive]

[YRS2703]

That's the plan, depending on how well I qualify. I'm not good enough at saving tires, and in the Corvette against better-handling cars, tire-saving is probably a fools errand. I plan to 1-stop and use softs the whole way. It should still be quicker than doing it the "proper" way and using all compounds.

So it seems like I have to focus on quali as much as I can. I got the F-Type into the 1:27.6 on my second flying lap, I'm sure I could eek out at least a 27.1 out of it.

I imagine at levels below DR B it's well worth going for the no-stop run if you can save fuel and tyres, because so many people will go flat out, shred their rubber and waste their fuel, pit for more of both and still get the 20s penalty because they didn't read the tyre regs.

Well, I'm literally on the edge of DR A, so I guess I must make a stop to try and race the Meganes. Obviously seems like qualifying will play a very big part in this race...
Is fuel saving a necessity or is it just a "filler" that does nothing on this race?

 

[TeddyWestside]

Nations, Red Bull Ring

N. America

Slot 2:
Slot 2 in 3 incidents:

Spoiler: Summary & result

P3 became P2 at the first corner, became P16 at the second. 🤬 A bad luck spin dropped me from P8 to P16 on Lap 2. On Lap 5, an idiot took exception to having been passed and rammed me at Turn 1, from P13 to P17 (plus 0.5s penalty!). Tehn, on Lap 12, someone who turns up in my races like a bad penny struck again, turning into the pit lane from the far left ofthe track despite me being on the inside. Took me out, into the pit entrance, from what would have been P14 to P17. After the race, he failed to comment on what he'd done and even said "Nice to see you again" when he inevitably turned up at the next race too! P15 promoted to P14) for 32pts.

Slot 3:

A clean race and great result!
Highlights (7 minutes):

Spoiler: Summary & result

Much more satisfying result. Started P5 (Door 5). Clean race bonus and P2 as the driver ahead didn't use both required tyres. I used M (8 laps), H (6 laps) & S (6 laps). 62 points.

Full race (you can probably skip from 8min to 21min if you don't want to see me largely driving round with nothing in front of me!):


And for fun, with the same advice as above, the full race from the cockpit:


Not so much 'one and done' as 'two and I'm through'!

 

[TeddyWestside]

What does a 20s tyre penalty to to DR/SR though? My Alfa is so uncompetitive (as am I, clearly) that I can't qualify well, let alone make the pace in the race.

Edit: I was so slow, trying to full save so as to only do tyre changes, that I finished in 19th, and only then because the guy in last place just looed like he couldn't be bothered!. We were both lapped, and only my strategy stopped me doing that to him too! 6 cars had 20s penalties.

 

[Pigems]

What does a 20s tyre penalty to to DR/SR though? My Alfa is so uncompetitive (as am I, clearly) that I can't qualify well, let alone make the pace in the race.

The Alfa is really good around Laguna Seca, it’s one of the better cars to be in for this race. 👍

For me in the Alfa, going 8S/7S+20s Pen = 22:50 and 12S/2M/1H = 22:56 in practice lobbies.

I didn’t fuel save much at all, just took the needed fuel in the first stop to finish the race.

 

[SpecMiata-JSW]

The Alfa is really good around Laguna Seca, it’s one of the better cars to be in for this race. 👍

For me in the Alfa, going 8S/7S+20s Pen = 22:50 and 12S/2M/1H = 22:56 in practice lobbies.

If you use the the penalty option, it will be suspenseful to see where you land as the cars are crossing the line. Kind of like playing roulette.

 

[Groundfish]

Seems to me they tried to build in strategy, but there’s little, if you go by using the required rubber it’s gonna be flatout on each stint...

 

[MIE1992]

With the tire and fuel consumption being what it is, what strategy do you suppose would be good for tonight’s Manufacturers Series race? I was thinking of starting on Hards, then using them until I need to put for fuel. At that point, I’d switch to Mediums, and then go to Softs a few laps after that, without further fueling.

But overall, I’m not entirely sure how long each tire compound would take me, or how many laps of fuel are offered with the given consumption rate. I’m really just guessing, here. It is interesting that they’re both at 6x, though.

 

[TeddyWestside]

The Alfa is really good around Laguna Seca, it’s one of the better cars to be in for this race. 👍

Speak for yourself! Just put Hs on for an intended no-stopper P19 start... Me and the Alfa don't get along at certain tracks, and this is one!

 

[Groundfish]

The Alfa on the corkscrew might be a bit sketch

 

[Pigems]

If you use the the penalty option, it will be suspenseful to see where you land as the cars are crossing the line. Kind of like playing roulette.

I think I’m just gonna do it properly, I know it’s not cheating to runs softs only, but it just feels wrong doing it.

With the tire and fuel consumption being what it is, what strategy do you suppose would be good for tonight’s Manufacturers Series race? I was thinking of starting on Hards, then using them until I need to put for fuel. At that point, I’d switch to Mediums, and then go to Softs a few laps after that, without further fueling.

But overall, I’m not entirely sure how long each tire compound would take me, or how many laps of fuel are offered with the given consumption rate. I’m really just guessing, here. It is interesting that they’re both at 6x, though.

If you haven’t done any practice then I’d start on softs, use them till they die and then switch to mediums, take on your fuel when you switch to mediums, enough to finish the race. Then switch to Hards at the end of lap 14 so you only have to use them for one lap. 👍

 

[Tidgney]

As usual I'm streaming the FIA stuff for those wanting a giggle, plus marbles after to!

 

[Pigems]

The Alfa on the corkscrew might be a bit sketch

Just a wee bit!

 

[dlshearon]

DR B will definitely do it. I’m doing it because of that fact. What can you do?

I’ll most likely miss the first slot due to the sun shinning and warm weather here.
Hope to see ya in the same lobbies tonight!

 

[YRS2703]

Yeah I might miss out on the rest of the races... didn't really work out, and Laguna doesn't seem to be a good track for me
Finished 17th for a few points, but not really a round I should continue in

 

[GTWolverine]

Just watched Kie25's stream, and everyone in his 2nd race did it the "proper" way using all the compounds. While I still don't consider it cheating, I'm having 2nd thoughts about not changing compounds if everyone is expecting others to follow the rules based on the "honor system".

 

[Trone_Colby]

Just watched Kie25's stream, and everyone in his 2nd race did it the "proper" way using all the compounds. While I still don't consider it cheating, I'm having 2nd thoughts about not changing compounds if everyone is expecting others to follow the rules based on the "honor system".

Meh. Don’t feel bad about it. Do whatever you want. Its just a game at the end of the day.

 

[05XR8]

This game really needs the X-Bow GT4. Just so players have an option.
It's another reason why I believe we should be racing for two championships, in Manu. Not combining them.

 

[mthomas_95]

The most amusing thing is the top split EMEA drivers moaning about no stopping on Twitter all used mixed compounds to exploit the tyre requirements before it was patched out. Almost everyone did it and rightly not an eyebrow raised.

I didn't see any complaints among the top drivers in Oceania or Asia either. Just a 'non-established' name won the first timeslot in Europe after seeing the earlier races and those who take off-season way too seriously missed a trick.

Just a sign Polyphony don't test the races much as they should, just like with Daily C at the start of the week!

 

[RacingGrandpa]

If you do the crime, do the time! 20 seconds...

 

[MIE1992]

If you haven’t done any practice then I’d start on softs, use them till they die and then switch to mediums, take on your fuel when you switch to mediums, enough to finish the race. Then switch to Hards at the end of lap 14 so you only have to use them for one lap. 👍

If I do qualifying on softs, do they get replaced when the race starts? Also, couldn't I alternatively swap to Hards (and take on fuel) after the Softs start dying out, do one lap around, then switch to Mediums for the rest of the race? How long do you think the Softs will last, anyway?

 

[chuyler1]

Just a guess, but I imagine it's entirely pointless me trying to do Manufacturers in the Atenza Gr.4?

Specific to Laguna Seca? Yes.
For all the other Gr. 4 rounds? Also yes.

Yeah - I love the atenza Gr3 so chose Mazda for my first manufacturers season and then was amazed how off pace the gr4 variant is. Definitely switching for next season.

Looking at the leader boards, the top Mazda drivers got all their best points from Gr.3 races. It's not hard to control the Gr.4 Atenza but it is just slow and too easy for other drivers to draft pass you. You have no chance of qualifying up front in a decent lobby but anything can happen in a race. It's good on gas though, I haven't touched the fuel map all season. I'll likely be considering the 20s tire penalty once I see where my qualifying puts me on the grid. Just because you can't attack for positions doesn't mean you can't get another driver to pull you around the track and wait for them to make a mistake or pit. Anything can happen, you're guaranteed 0 points if you don't show up.

 

[watto79]

I think I’m just gonna do it properly, I know it’s not cheating to runs softs only, but it just feels wrong doing it.

In all honesty I've seen legit runs be just as successful. The "problem" with the cheating strategy is you need a clear fast run. When you're in a lobby of drivers of equal ability being able to do that becomes much harder. And the ones running legit strategies will hold you up when they're on their medium stints.

I kinda wish I'd stuck to the proper strategy...

 

[Pigems]

If I do qualifying on softs, do they get replaced when the race starts? Also, couldn't I alternatively swap to Hards (and take on fuel) after the Softs start dying out, do one lap around, then switch to Mediums for the rest of the race? How long do you think the Softs will last, anyway?

You could, but if you wait till last lap for Hards the car is lighter on fuel and will get more out of the Hards that way. Always qualify on the softest tire, they reset when the race starts.

 

[Ashthebash]

If I do qualifying on softs, do they get replaced when the race starts? Also, couldn't I alternatively swap to Hards (and take on fuel) after the Softs start dying out, do one lap around, then switch to Mediums for the rest of the race? How long do you think the Softs will last, anyway?

The reason most do their one lap on hards at the very end (or the very start if they're at the back) is pitting twice in the middle of the race severely handicaps you. While in a time trial it would be similar, in a race it will put you way down the field, further down than you need to be, and will probably hurt your final stint if you're stuck behind other cars. Doing it at the end, you've had a stint on mediums and the field behind you should have spread out somewhat, with some of them also pitting, so it costs you less

 

[Famine]

It's not hard to control the Gr.4 Atenza but it is just slow and too easy for other drivers to draft pass you.

And it chews its tyres up as fast as the FWD cars (because weight) - soon to be faster than them too, as they get rebalanced next week.

 

[Pigems]

And it chews its tyres up as fast as the FWD cars (because weight) - soon to be faster than them too, as they get rebalanced next week.

Have you seen the new BoP yet?

 

[chuyler1]

There are always optimal strategies for those on the first few rows of the grid, be out front, stay out front, but everyone in the middle and back has wiggle room to improve their spot even if they aren't in it for the outright win. And lets face it, you're not going to win from 10th unless something bad happens up front. You're 10-15 seconds behind before you've made it through the first turn. It doesn't matter what tires you are on.

I think the strategy will be to run a strategy that no one else is on so you can put as many clean laps in as possible without battling and defending. One bad bump at T6 or the Corkscrew is enough to throw away any strategy.

And don't underestimate the ability for someone with better tires or a faster car to pull you around the track for a few laps.

 

[kjeldsen]

I am pretty certain that several players went for 1 pit stop and double softs, and gained more than the 20 second penalty.. the pit stops do seem long there.

 

[Famine]

Have you seen the new BoP yet?

I wasn't aware that there was one - there's only notes about rebalancing the tyre wear, fuel consumption, and "handling":

BoP (Balance of Performance)
・Tyre wear adjustments for Gr.4 FF cars (Front-engine/ Front-wheel-drive
・Handling adjustments for all Gr.2, Gr.3, and Gr.4 cars;
・Fuel consumption rate adjustments for all Gr.2, Gr.3, and Gr.4 cars;

As a result, the difference in fuel efficiency will be reduced among these vehicle types.

No mention of the front-engined 4WD Gr.4 cars...

 

[TeddyWestside]

After 2 rounds wasting my time in the Alfa, I'm going to skip the final slot so i can do the first one with the Ford in N America.

Manu, Laguna Seca

EMEA

Slot 2:
'Qualified' the only Alfa in P20 (Door ), though 'qualified' seems a stretch! 8 Laps on H, 5 on M,1 on S (as I was a lap down). Finished P19 for 18 pts.

Slot 3:
Started in P19 (Door 17) again, for a no-stop attempt. Lots of fuel saving! Finished P18 for 19 pts.

At least there was another funny pit moment for the poor sod who actually finished behind mein the first race. He spent most of it ghosted. Really not sure what he was up to. But he made a hash of his pit entry:

Bless, he even tried to reverse!