FIA Race Discussion [Archive]

[RX8 Racer]

Well, I feel about as ready as I can be for Bathurst tomorrow. My best lap in Custom Race is a low 2:35, though I kept slipping up in the second half of the race. I don't feel particularly fast here, but hopefully I can profit off people slipping up past the Skyline or into the Chase.

This will be the livery I'll be running tomorrow, as an early celebration of my favourite character's birthday. Link to livery

 

[MIE1992]

I've been trying out some people's advice to keep it in 3rd as I go through those first and last turns - is it normal to feel like I'm a decent amount below the rev range? I really wonder if it's better, since I feel like my speed is well within 2nd gear's range as I go through those turns.

 

[Pigems]

I've been trying out some people's advice to keep it in 3rd as I go through those first and last turns - is it normal to feel like I'm a decent amount below the rev range? I really wonder if it's better, since I feel like my speed is well within 2nd gear's range as I go through those turns.

Just do a few laps using second gear there, then start using 3rd for a few laps, you’ll see how much you’re leaving your ghost behind by using 3rd.

 

[Ashthebash]

I'm gonna be so disappointed if my favorite road course turns out to be a wasted round due to FFs wiping the floor with everyone. Hopefully since it's my favorite track I can find a bit of extra pace to take it to those guys.

On the other hand, it might not be such a runaway, because just like we're all stuck with our non-FF cars for this championship, so are a lot of other people. It's not like Nations where everyone can go and spontaneously pick the META for a given race, so the only FFs that'll be in the actual races are from people who've already chosen them beforehand.

There is that hope, I've already seen one guy I race against on occasion say on here he's boycotting Gr.4 though! The wider split is my bigger worry. If a few don't take part (and judging by the lack of time trial laps on my friends list, it might be more than a few) then what is normally quite a tight split will be spread out.

I'm not concerned about not having the META car, I used the Merc in the TT dominated Nations race at Dragon Trail Seaside (but the multipliers worked better there!). What I am concerned about is not many of the usual suspects entering because they don't run FF and me risking losing a lot of DR against lower ranked drivers that I normally wouldn't race against, simply because of the current Gr.4 imbalance

I might actually enter it, my Manu scores have been crap, but I do think that while I wouldn't have much chance of a win at the best of times around that track (hardly drive it) I'm on a hiding to nothing in the Merc

I've been trying out some people's advice to keep it in 3rd as I go through those first and last turns - is it normal to feel like I'm a decent amount below the rev range? I really wonder if it's better, since I feel like my speed is well within 2nd gear's range as I go through those turns.

Very normal. It feels like you're going too slowly, it works though

 

[Razgriz2118]

I've been trying out some people's advice to keep it in 3rd as I go through those first and last turns - is it normal to feel like I'm a decent amount below the rev range? I really wonder if it's better, since I feel like my speed is well within 2nd gear's range as I go through those turns.

As @Pigems said, do some testing with times through there to see if you are slower or not. As they say, "slow is fast," sometimes the fastest you go feels like the slowest lap.

 

[LVS_1986]

Evening! If anybody interested I set a lobby "Nations rd22", starts 21

 

[LeGeNd-1]

Small rant while testing for Yamagiwa.

The Alfa 4C has less power than the Scirocco and Audi TT, but is 230kg heavier. That isn't including the RCZ either.

I think I will upload a lap later this week because it has no acceleration, and is an unstable mess that shreds the outside rear tyre.

I am prepared to say that the FF cars in the past 2 Gr4 races are much more OP than the 4C was, before it had it's BoP nuked after Round 8. The Alfa needed a nerf but this is taking the p*ss.

I feel for you and McEwen. The Alfa Gr.4 is absolutely demoralising to drive right now. The FFs are supposed to have a speed advantage to nullify their extra tyre wear late in the race, but right now all the races have low multipliers anyway so they're consistently OP. The Alfa's main strength which is tyre saving never even comes into play.

IMO, people keep saying FF cars need to be removed from Gr.4. I agree but I also feel the Megane Trophy and Alfa 4C should be removed because currently the BOP is trying to satisfy two extreme groups and everything in between. There's no way it will ever be balanced.

My thoughts for replacement:
Audi - either TT 4WD or R8 GT4 https://www.audi.com/en/experience-audi/audi-sport/audi-racing-models/r8-lms-gt4.html
Renault - either Megane 4WD or adapt the Renault-Alpine A110-50 to Gr.4 regs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_A110-50
Peugeot - make the RCZ MR like its Gr.3/B sibling
VW - Golf TCR converted to 4WD
Alfa - add this fantastic Giulia Touring Car https://www.topgear.com/car-news/motorsport/glorious-alfa-giulia-touring-car-ready-ring

 

[05XR8]

We can have that debate thru GT7. All GR.4 cars should have just been RWD like their GR.3 models.
Atenza RWD, WRX RWD, Lancer RWD, GT-R RWD, Beetle GR.4, GR.4 R8, GR.4 M6, etc.

I'm an advocate for all the proper GT3 and GT4 category cars. The simplest thing(game development from 2015-2017 I'm talking about), would have been to make the Gr.4 versions of the all GR.3 cars. PD did about half the cars as such.

GR.4 R.S.01 would have been fine. Match with the 650S, 4C, 458, etc. It'd just be FR vs MR.

 

[Rangeraus]

I feel for you and McEwen. The Alfa Gr.4 is absolutely demoralising to drive right now. The FFs are supposed to have a speed advantage to nullify their extra tyre wear late in the race, but right now all the races have low multipliers anyway so they're consistently OP. The Alfa's main strength which is tyre saving never even comes into play.

IMO, people keep saying FF cars need to be removed from Gr.4. I agree but I also feel the Megane Trophy and Alfa 4C should be removed because currently the BOP is trying to satisfy two extreme groups and everything in between. There's no way it will ever be balanced.

The Alfa doesn't even save tyres any more, that is the worst part.

It always did have a bit of body roll and lean on the outside rear tyre, as it was not as planted as the Megane Trophy for example. It allowed you to get great turn-in and carry higher corner speed than most, which was somewhat offset by the lack of speed down the straights. It still needed a nerf mostly because of tyre life, though it would still easily get overtaken by faster cars in a straight line.

Add 200+ kg and there pretty much aren't any redeeming features (though it looks cool when you overtake one).

The only time it was reasonably competitive in the past 7 weeks was at Spa (which doesn't really have any fast changes of direction), but only if you were lucky enough to be able to sit in the tow for most of the race.

With VW and Audi getting 36/40 points across the board in the past few Gr4 rounds Alfa won't finish in the Top 12 manufacturers (especially with Mazda getting a free pass to any event that may or may not happen).

 

[HaydenFan69]

I feel for you and McEwen. The Alfa Gr.4 is absolutely demoralising to drive right now. The FFs are supposed to have a speed advantage to nullify their extra tyre wear late in the race, but right now all the races have low multipliers anyway so they're consistently OP. The Alfa's main strength which is tyre saving never even comes into play.

IMO, people keep saying FF cars need to be removed from Gr.4. I agree but I also feel the Megane Trophy and Alfa 4C should be removed because currently the BOP is trying to satisfy two extreme groups and everything in between. There's no way it will ever be balanced.

I understand why PD used FF cars in the category, but in it's attempt at being inclusive, PD failed to in what Gr. 4 should have been. While in physical motorsport you have GT3 and GT4. Though the issue with those cars is much about being a cost effective formula, in a game like GTS, why try such a formula? In terms of the FIA Manufacturer's Cup, there are many companies who made Gr. 3 (GT3) cars, as well as what should have been Gr. 4 (Touring Cars).

Plus, like BOP in Gr. 3, using touring cars would have been much more consistent.

 

[05XR8]

I understand why PD used FF cars in the category, but in it's attempt at being inclusive, PD failed to in what Gr. 4 should have been. While in physical motorsport you have GT3 and GT4. Though the issue with those cars is much about being a cost effective formula, in a game like GTS, why try such a formula? In terms of the FIA Manufacturer's Cup, there are many companies who made Gr. 3 (GT3) cars, as well as what should have been Gr. 4 (Touring Cars).

Plus, like BOP in Gr. 3, using touring cars would have been much more consistent.

Kaz did mention "converting" cars like the FF RCZ to GR.3 spec, took a long time to create/develop. How much time would have been needed, to convert other FF cars to RWD GT4 spec? I don't know.

 

[HaydenFan69]

Kaz did mention "converting" cars like the FF RCZ to GR.3 spec, took a long time to create/develop. How much time would have been needed, to convert other FF cars to RWD GT4 spec? I don't know.

I was saying going another route. Drop under what we already have in Gr. 4. Stick with the Audi TT's and RCZ's. The Renault (non-Trophy), and run Gr. 4 as more of a touring car class. The issue steams from the FIA Manufacturer's Cup. You want to include two categories of cars in the championship, but then you end up with some true duds. Which is why, like you said, unless PD's throws huge money at development, the category will always been a BOP argument.

I personally feel that championship should just switch to a single category series. I know sim racing is filled with GT3 style championships, but it seems to me that it would be the best way for PD to go.

 

[Razgriz2118]

Is the Nations race tomorrow (or today depending on your time zone) not very popular? My friends' leaderboard is pretty sparse, and the Top 10 in NA has a larger lap time range and pretty spaced out day/time the lap was done than I'd expect. I really don't feel like being placed in a 40k - 80k race yet again and waste time and DR.

Edit: Nvm, I'm trash at this combo lol, I'll just stick to Manufacturers tomorrow. Hopefully the FF gang won't be too OP.

 

[05XR8]

I was saying going another route. Drop under what we already have in Gr. 4. Stick with the Audi TT's and RCZ's. The Renault (non-Trophy), and run Gr. 4 as more of a touring car class. The issue steams from the FIA Manufacturer's Cup. You want to include two categories of cars in the championship, but then you end up with some true duds. Which is why, like you said, unless PD's throws huge money at development, the category will always been a BOP argument.

I personally feel that championship should just switch to a single category series. I know sim racing is filled with GT3 style championships, but it seems to me that it would be the best way for PD to go.

I definitely get that. Something some of us hope change in the next game.

I have also been, recently, posting about the real life Japanese Inter Proto Series. That series uses an MR spec racer, teams can assign preferred manufacturer liveries to.

It's funny/not funny, ever since this game debuted, the French GR.4 cars are more META than from any other country.

 

[05XR8]

Bogus.👎

Literally, can not pass. Especially when trying to capitalise on a minor twitch of the car.

Started 11th. I got a good start, but have to feather throttle due to T1. Of course players run in from behind. Dude that started 2nd, is behind me. Run to T2, I get tapped wide. Recover and again, players from the back have to make it three four wide into every other corner!

I'm in 10th, due to someone serving a penalty. All the way to Lap 4, single file. A slight gap ahead of me is disappearing. I have to be careful of the guy behind, because I know how he drives.

I get a slow exit out of one of the corners. Head to the Chase - seriously, these cars will not allow tight passing and quick cornering. I'm get a love tap on my right rear.

Back to the Cutting and thru the parks sections, here it comes. Just because I'm slowing a bit for the cars ahead, car behind wants to pounce. I get broad sided and sliding down the dipper. From then on, into The Chase, my tyres are toast. Can't pull up even though I'm braking early. Should have pit.
That was Lap 4!
Go around and losing time. My tyres are red. Pit and come out 15th.
13th goes wild at Skyline. Slides into the wall at the dipper. 14th is braking to avoid. 13th still out of control and collects 14th. I go thru. Lap 7.

12th is 4.7 seconds ahead. Lap 8 begins. I shaved 2 seconds by the time we get to Forest's Elbow. Another .6 at the line, going faster than my qualy time. One and a forgetful done.

 

[Redneckchef]

I'll probably donate points tonight but going to see how it goes with both races tonight. See if I get some dog luck. After having distracting discussions with my wife about a dog during the Gr3 DTS Nations round I spent 7 hours driving to pick up a rescued lab today. Now instead of talks distracting me I will have the actual dog here. And Bathurst is harder for me than DTS.

 

[05XR8]

Edit: Two FFs

TT on pole 1:39.340. The other is 5th 1:40.254.
Two Caymans set close times with 1:39.3s.

I'm 14th on a 1:40.6. tight qualy from 4th to 16th.

Starting on RM.

Edit: Guys at the back going three wide into the esses. Race just started.
Maybe I should start blocking when I'm on the slower tyre.

Switched to RS lap 8. Exited pits 18/18. Finished 15/18.

TT won flag to flag.

 

[LVS_1986]

I'll probably donate points tonight but going to see how it goes with both races tonight. See if I get some dog luck. After having distracting discussions with my wife about a dog during the Gr3 DTS Nations round I spent 7 hours driving to pick up a rescued lab today. Now instead of talks distracting me I will have the actual dog here. And Bathurst is harder for me than DTS.

Sorry but hahaha, made my day

 

[Redneckchef]

Sorry but hahaha, made my day

I dont know if you were there for the backstory, but mid Nations round at DTS my wife started forcing a discussion about getting a dog. Worst race I ever had there including walking the COD 4 laps in a row dropping from a top 10 to pretty much useless.

Now we have very needy and cuddly lab herself to distract me. Going to be a big debate on whether I head out at bathurst.

 

[05XR8]

I dont know if you were there for the backstory, but mid Nations round at DTS my wife started forcing a discussion about getting a dog. Worst race I ever had there including walking the COD 4 laps in a row dropping from a top 10 to pretty much useless.

Now we have very needy and cuddly lab herself to distract me. Going to be a big debate on whether I head out at bathurst.

It's single file racing. So you'll need to concentrate on shift points more than anything. Well, after making it through the first lap alive.

 

[LVS_1986]

I dont know if you were there for the backstory, but mid Nations round at DTS my wife started forcing a discussion about getting a dog. Worst race I ever had there including walking the COD 4 laps in a row dropping from a top 10 to pretty much useless.

Now we have very needy and cuddly lab herself to distract me. Going to be a big debate on whether I head out at bathurst.

Yep, I remember it, now its even more funny

 

[LeGeNd-1]

Nations:
-Got pushed wide at first turn - no penalty
-People smacking the wall at the top of the mountain - no penalty
-People running wide at last corner - no penalty
-Me getting hit from behind at the chicane - 1 second penalty for "cOlLisSiOn wItH aNotHeR cAR"

Penalty system IQ = 9000

Car is nice to drive but as others have said very difficult to overtake even if the guy ahead makes a mistake. There is just no room, and you can get blocked very easily. Oh and grid start + T1 = carnage. I'd give this a miss personally (and usually I love road car races).

------------------

Manu went a bit better. The FFs in my room weren't as OP as I thought. Quali 10th, finished 7th with no stop RM in the WRX. Only 1 other car no stopped and we both gained places. Everyone else who did 1 stop either held station or fell back getting various penalties battling through the field.

The difference between 10S+1M and 11M is only 3 seconds, and battling costs so much time around this track it's not worth it unless you're on pole or start last with nothing to lose. Just drive smart, keep battling to a minimum, draft and try to survive the last few laps as best you can 👍

 

[Redneckchef]

Funny that, only got 1 FF car in my manu lobby. A Scirocco on pole.

Update. So I pitted. Qualify p10. Okayish lap. Going well, get to p6 and decide I need to pit lap 8. Coming out I am p12 but cleanly pass 2 cars through the first lap back to p10. Heading into the second sweeping left I catch someone who had been racing nasty earlier but had missed me. He goes middle to prevent p9 from passing him, I take a wider entry and clear the both on the cutback. At the bottom of the hill he simply doesnt brake and launches me. I am lucky on that I was just turning so I only clip the wall, but car destroyed and end up p15. Fight back to p13 to finish. No points.
Wanker wrecked like 5 people through the race. Has now been nicknamed Karen by a number of the people I race frequently.

Off to get mauled at Bathurst.

 

[Rangeraus]

Two manufacturers races, put in the wall both times. The second one I was running P4.

Outstanding stuff from top split.

Also, if you tip someone into a spin, don't tell them "you could have saved it" - wrong answer.

 

[Redneckchef]

And as a new low I.got punted twice in qualifying at Bathurst by the same guy. Starting last myself so will be funny if I catch them since they crashed on 2 of 3 flying laps.

Update. It was bad, end result what I expected, but not how I expected it. Started p18, dead last off the pace. After tiptoeing through lap 1 I am p10. Where the field has already split and we are fighting for scraps. Then get pushed wide into the hard left. Pushed into the wall at Mcphillamy, punted at forest elbow, run off at the chase, and a few others over the next 5 laps until I am p17. The faster people apparently dont believe in this clean passing myth. Anyhow. I end up screwing up forest elbow lap 7, and stop dead. I had 1 penalty all race, for cutting the dipper when I got pushed through. Other people ramming off, cutting the chase, nothing. It is a total 🤬 show there. I was dirt slow anyway but that doesnt excuse me getting destroyed like that with no penalties for others.
Brave souls who go for it.

Thus ends my totally 🤬 might of racing. Had some good times in Manu, but punter took away my chance at points.

Good luck to the rest of you out there in EMEA and NA.

 

[RX8 Racer]

Today was alright. I qualified 10th, with yet another last corner blunder costing me 8th or 9th place.

My starting position didn't matter though, thanks to this trainwreck:


It was a good start, but then this incident happened into The Chase:


I'm not sure what to make of this. I though the braking point was at 200 and was completely focused on taking the corner. The other guy braked at 150 and I'm not sure whether it was him taking the corner normally or a divebomb. Either way, this incident gave me a 2 second penalty and my rejoin certainly didn't help matters. The rest of the race was uneventful. As others have said, overtaking is near impossible unless the guy ahead really messes up. I made a serious error in the mountain section on the final lap, but was able to just barely hold 6th off at the line, finishing just 0.1s ahead with a dented SR from The Chase incident.

Pictures:

I also took photos of the obligatory NFSMW livery and someone running @Adam Barber's livery:

 

[ShiftingGears]

M3 was nice, too bad we won't see it in sport mode again.

 

[Ashthebash]

Here we go then, gonna go for the double header (against my better judgement!) but I do have a nice beer-themed livery for my M3 courtesy of @Adam Barber... I think!!

Offer me two top ten finishes now and I'd snap your hand off!

 

[ivann]

here goes nations, love standing start sooo much

 

[Adam Barber]

Not doing Bathurst again, a predictable T1 and idiots from there on out totally screwed my DR, Down 47 SR. Should have known really with some people's awareness. That was in an A/S lobby BTW, lord knows what other lower DR lobbies are like.