FIA Race Discussion [Archive]

[Groundfish]

I gotta say my race yesterday was super fun.
My style of racing suited the event perfectly. I’m never fastest over one lap but I am consistent and I noticed in race players losing a lot of time with their lines covering too much distance opposed to staying tighter and rotating, also using no tcs and wearing their tires out prematurely.
Everything about it favored my style and I got an all time best personal result.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Wasn't intending to take part in Manufacturers today, but a Free Practice time of 1:27.507 - just two-tenths shy of what @Mistah_MCA set in his guide - tempted me to get one more outing in the Mustang. Might as well use the opportunity to see how it fares in the current Gr.4 climate...

15:00 Manufacturers
Lucky to have a second Mustang beside me in the 15:00 alongside 'wifi password' (one of three Alfas). Only two Audis on the roster, which also included:

• Cayman GT4 (x3)
• F-type (x1)
• GT-R (x1)
• M4 (x2)
• Megane Trophy (x1)
• SLS (x1)
• V8 Vantage (x2)
• WRX (x2)

I won't talk about qualifying too much, as once again it was riddled with mistakes on my own part. A 1:28.723 looked an encouraging place to start, but the second attempt ended up with me getting greedy with the kerbs and going off through Westfield and Dingle Dell. Understeered into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend on my next run with only 1:41 on the clock. Made it round for a fourth attempt, but was too tentative in the final two sectors to maintain the two-and-a-half tenth improvement I initially built up. The result was a 15th-place grid position and an easy decision to - yes, you guessed it - start on Hards. As somewhat expected, both TTs locked out the front row, but I was pleased to see that the once-neutered Alfas started 5th ('wifi password'), 7th and 8th!

Pulled away from the backmarkers on the supposedly weaker compound, then decided as a gamble to pick Softs on Lap 1. I knew from the test lobby I did yesterday that the Mustang would be fairly quick on them with a fullish fuel load, even if it would probably put me at a disadvantage in the second half. Despite making a few mistakes early into the stint - and losing time trying to pass the blue SLS for 14th - progress was steady. On Lap 5, the German Aston quits after going off at Surtees, and the first of the later pitstop cycles begins. We're up to 12th and gaining ground on the Italian Cayman before he too pulls over into pit lane. A top-10 finish seems remote, but as I've seen with previous 'Hard first' strategies, fairly doable depending on how the remaining cycles play out.

Yellow flags come out at Graham Hill Bend; after running wide and over the grass on Lap 8, the Megane in 5th bins it at Surtees and is reset on the straight. Scythed past on the undercut to take 10th, staying out in front of the Megane until my second stop two laps later. Mediums 'til the end, no refuel. Rejoined less than two seconds in front of the Dutch BMW and kept pulling away throughout what was ultimately a rather leisurely stint. Followed one of the WRXs, then the Megane, as both served their stops; the latter twice touching the grass at Sheen as the laps passed by. On Lap 17, the other WRX has a big tankslapper at the bottom of Paddock Hill Bend, giving me a free 10th place position. This became 7th when the Megane and a couple of others made their final stops, and all I had to do from there was to bring the Mustang back to the stables.

A few points to take away from that race:

• My 499th start in Sport Mode; 500th could very well be another FIA Stage 3 run.
• First, second and fourth were taken by a Porsche, Alfa and Alfa respectively - Audis finished third and fifth with penalties.
• Fastest lap was also set by an Alfa - 1:28.316 by 'wifi password'!
• No fuel map adjustments other than on the grid formation and before the line at Clark Curve. By short-shifting selectively, the Mustang was able to complete the distance with 3% remaining.
• The new Michelin tyre stickers look great in motion, but inevitably clash with non-Michelin sponsored liveries on loading, formation and results screens. Guess my 2021 works liveries will have to take that into account.

Before the second half was completed, I was looking forward to making this my last Gr.4 Manufacturers race for the season. Though I still find it nice to drive, the Mustang still feels especially nose-heavy through tighter corners, which probably isn't a good trait to have in a lobby at 55-60K DR. After this performance, however - and with my eighth 200+ points score in the bag - there's a good chance I might take it round Suzuka. It showed promise in the test lobbies I did for Round 1 (which I ultimately decided not to enter), so perhaps the opportunity to go full circle is there. Whether or not the straight-line speed will be enough is another matter...

 

[Jwptexas]

Wasn't intending to take part in Manufacturers today, but a Free Practice time of 1:27.507 - just two-tenths shy of what @Mistah_MCA set in his guide - tempted me to get one more outing in the Mustang. Might as well use the opportunity to see how it fares in the current Gr.4 climate...

15:00 Manufacturers
Lucky to have a second Mustang beside me in the 15:00 alongside 'wifi password' (one of three Alfas). Only two Audis on the roster, which also included:

• Cayman GT4 (x3)
• F-type (x1)
• GT-R (x1)
• M4 (x2)
• Megane Trophy (x1)
• SLS (x1)
• V8 Vantage (x2)
• WRX (x2)

I won't talk about qualifying too much, as once again it was riddled with mistakes on my own part. A 1:28.723 looked an encouraging place to start, but the second attempt ended up with me getting greedy with the kerbs and going off through Westfield and Dingle Dell. Understeered into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend on my next run with only 1:41 on the clock. Made it round for a fourth attempt, but was too tentative in the final two sectors to maintain the two-and-a-half tenth improvement I initially built up. The result was a 15th-place grid position and an easy decision to - yes, you guessed it - start on Hards. As somewhat expected, both TTs locked out the front row, but I was pleased to see that the once-neutered Alfas started 5th ('wifi password'), 7th and 8th!

Pulled away from the backmarkers on the supposedly weaker compound, then decided as a gamble to pick Softs on Lap 1. I knew from the test lobby I did yesterday that the Mustang would be fairly quick on them with a fullish fuel load, even if it would probably put me at a disadvantage in the second half. Despite making a few mistakes early into the stint - and losing time trying to pass the blue SLS for 14th - progress was steady. On Lap 5, the German Aston quits after going off at Surtees, and the first of the later pitstop cycles begins. We're up to 12th and gaining ground on the Italian Cayman before he too pulls over into pit lane. A top-10 finish seems remote, but as I've seen with previous 'Hard first' strategies, fairly doable depending on how the remaining cycles play out.

Yellow flags come out at Graham Hill Bend; after running wide and over the grass on Lap 8, the Megane in 5th bins it at Surtees and is reset on the straight. Scythed past on the undercut to take 10th, staying out in front of the Megane until my second stop two laps later. Mediums 'til the end, no refuel. Rejoined less than two seconds in front of the Dutch BMW and kept pulling away throughout what was ultimately a rather leisurely stint. Followed one of the WRXs, then the Megane, as both served their stops; the latter twice touching the grass at Sheen as the laps passed by. On Lap 17, the other WRX has a big tankslapper at the bottom of Paddock Hill Bend, giving me a free 10th place position. This became 7th when the Megane and a couple of others made their final stops, and all I had to do from there was to bring the Mustang back to the stables.

View attachment 942791

A few points to take away from that race:

• My 499th start in Sport Mode; 500th could very well be another FIA Stage 3 run.
• First, second and fourth were taken by a Porsche, Alfa and Alfa respectively - Audis finished third and fifth with penalties.
• Fastest lap was also set by an Alfa - 1:28.316 by 'wifi password'!
• No fuel map adjustments other than on the grid formation and before the line at Clark Curve. By short-shifting selectively, the Mustang was able to complete the distance with 3% remaining.
• The new Michelin tyre stickers look great in motion, but inevitably clash with non-Michelin sponsored liveries on loading, formation and results screens. Guess my 2021 works liveries will have to take that into account.

Before the second half was completed, I was looking forward to making this my last Gr.4 Manufacturers race for the season. Though I still find it nice to drive, the Mustang still feels especially nose-heavy through tighter corners, which probably isn't a good trait to have in a lobby at 55-60K DR. After this performance, however - and with my eighth 200+ points score in the bag - there's a good chance I might take it round Suzuka. It showed promise in the test lobbies I did for Round 1 (which I ultimately decided not to enter), so perhaps the opportunity to go full circle is there. Whether or not the straight-line speed will be enough is another matter...

Post up replay in game so I can cheat off you bud

 

[Tidgney]

Streaming as always !

 

[Windfire1010]

Time for fun times.

 

[Ashthebash]

Wasn't intending to take part in Manufacturers today, but a Free Practice time of 1:27.507 - just two-tenths shy of what @Mistah_MCA set in his guide - tempted me to get one more outing in the Mustang. Might as well use the opportunity to see how it fares in the current Gr.4 climate...

15:00 Manufacturers
Lucky to have a second Mustang beside me in the 15:00 alongside 'wifi password' (one of three Alfas). Only two Audis on the roster, which also included:

• Cayman GT4 (x3)
• F-type (x1)
• GT-R (x1)
• M4 (x2)
• Megane Trophy (x1)
• SLS (x1)
• V8 Vantage (x2)
• WRX (x2)

I won't talk about qualifying too much, as once again it was riddled with mistakes on my own part. A 1:28.723 looked an encouraging place to start, but the second attempt ended up with me getting greedy with the kerbs and going off through Westfield and Dingle Dell. Understeered into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend on my next run with only 1:41 on the clock. Made it round for a fourth attempt, but was too tentative in the final two sectors to maintain the two-and-a-half tenth improvement I initially built up. The result was a 15th-place grid position and an easy decision to - yes, you guessed it - start on Hards. As somewhat expected, both TTs locked out the front row, but I was pleased to see that the once-neutered Alfas started 5th ('wifi password'), 7th and 8th!

Pulled away from the backmarkers on the supposedly weaker compound, then decided as a gamble to pick Softs on Lap 1. I knew from the test lobby I did yesterday that the Mustang would be fairly quick on them with a fullish fuel load, even if it would probably put me at a disadvantage in the second half. Despite making a few mistakes early into the stint - and losing time trying to pass the blue SLS for 14th - progress was steady. On Lap 5, the German Aston quits after going off at Surtees, and the first of the later pitstop cycles begins. We're up to 12th and gaining ground on the Italian Cayman before he too pulls over into pit lane. A top-10 finish seems remote, but as I've seen with previous 'Hard first' strategies, fairly doable depending on how the remaining cycles play out.

Yellow flags come out at Graham Hill Bend; after running wide and over the grass on Lap 8, the Megane in 5th bins it at Surtees and is reset on the straight. Scythed past on the undercut to take 10th, staying out in front of the Megane until my second stop two laps later. Mediums 'til the end, no refuel. Rejoined less than two seconds in front of the Dutch BMW and kept pulling away throughout what was ultimately a rather leisurely stint. Followed one of the WRXs, then the Megane, as both served their stops; the latter twice touching the grass at Sheen as the laps passed by. On Lap 17, the other WRX has a big tankslapper at the bottom of Paddock Hill Bend, giving me a free 10th place position. This became 7th when the Megane and a couple of others made their final stops, and all I had to do from there was to bring the Mustang back to the stables.

View attachment 942791

A few points to take away from that race:

• My 499th start in Sport Mode; 500th could very well be another FIA Stage 3 run.
• First, second and fourth were taken by a Porsche, Alfa and Alfa respectively - Audis finished third and fifth with penalties.
• Fastest lap was also set by an Alfa - 1:28.316 by 'wifi password'!
• No fuel map adjustments other than on the grid formation and before the line at Clark Curve. By short-shifting selectively, the Mustang was able to complete the distance with 3% remaining.
• The new Michelin tyre stickers look great in motion, but inevitably clash with non-Michelin sponsored liveries on loading, formation and results screens. Guess my 2021 works liveries will have to take that into account.

Before the second half was completed, I was looking forward to making this my last Gr.4 Manufacturers race for the season. Though I still find it nice to drive, the Mustang still feels especially nose-heavy through tighter corners, which probably isn't a good trait to have in a lobby at 55-60K DR. After this performance, however - and with my eighth 200+ points score in the bag - there's a good chance I might take it round Suzuka. It showed promise in the test lobbies I did for Round 1 (which I ultimately decided not to enter), so perhaps the opportunity to go full circle is there. Whether or not the straight-line speed will be enough is another matter...

Did the SLS come in last?! Absolute bag of 🤬 that car is since the update!

Nice to see you back 👍

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Did the SLS come in last?! Absolute bag of 🤬 that car is since the update!

DNF, I think (will have to check the replay). Was struggling a fair bit when I came round to pass it.

 

[Adam Barber]

Did the SLS come in last?! Absolute bag of 🤬 that car is since the update!

Nice to see you back 👍

DNF, I think (will have to check the replay). Was struggling a fair bit when I came round to pass it.

I do wonder how the SLS Group 4 is so bad when the AMG GT3 is so good at everything.

 

[05XR8]

That's a shame. Car felt good in Race C. Why that didn't translate to Manu?

 

[Patclash]

I do wonder how the SLS Group 4 is so bad when the AMG GT3 is so good at everything.

The SLS Gr4 lost 1s per lap since BOP update
(the gearbox ratio is crap , the 6th is useless)

 

[Fennario]

Are the 4C and Megane Trophy still nerfed? Sounds like the 4C still is from earlier comments. Wondering if either of the lightweight MR's are competitive at this point.

 

[Patclash]

That's a shame. Car felt good in Race C. Why that didn't translate to Manu?

In Daily tire wear is x7 ; in Manu it is x3
The SLS is good with there tires (I could do the Manu no stop with Soft tires.....
if permitted .....)

 

[Ashthebash]

I do wonder how the SLS Group 4 is so bad when the AMG GT3 is so good at everything.

The AMG GT3 is just solid everywhere, not really META anywhere but you can always get a good result. The SLS was a decent car pre-update, not as solid as the GT3 but had good tyre wear so was ok once it came to the race - I'd have said very similar to the GT86. The last update probably hit the SLS harder than most. Not necessarily the 1% weight increase (maybe quarter of a second on an average length lap?), but most other cars had either an improvement or less of a handicap and it's hit the SLS really badly as a result. People just aren't bothering with the Gr.4 races with it and I don’t blame them

Could just be Wong Baguette's (Beauvois) fault for winning the series!

DNF, I think (will have to check the replay). Was struggling a fair bit when I came round to pass it.

When you say "pass it", surely you mean "lap it"??!!

 

[MCL1974]

did not have the confidence to do this Manu round, lobby practices showed that i had a lack of pace and stability.

At the last moment i decided to go anyway....almost hit the off button.....

Was door number 1 to add to the pressure. First Qualy lap went very well, was well over half a second faster then in any lobby. was second after that lapand decided to finish my beer and relax. In the end i was fifth and happy!

decided to start on softs. start went well, gained 1 place and lost that place after two laps to an Austrian fellow that was just faster then me so i did not put up much of a fight. From then kept doing steady laps, changed to hard tyres after 12 laps, then to medium to finish the race, came on track as 8th, number 7 made a mistake and went into the gravel. 6 en 5 pitted and i cruised to the finish in 5th place.

Audi TT in 1st and 3rd. Very pleased with the result and having a steady race, keeping the distance with the car behind me at pretty much the same all race. Think it was a very clean race by all, did not have any incidents what so ever and saw no comments after the race. Going to sleep now, got the early shift tomorrow.

 

[deviln3]

Porsche Door: #3
Quali: #8

Race start on Medium
Pit end of lap 1 for Hard
Pit end of lap 2 for Soft
Pit end of lap 10 for Soft​

Finished: 10th
DR -41

Went off the track about 5 times, not a great result. Had a few fun battles along the way, and can't complain about a top 10 finish too much


@Mistah_MCA thanks for the guide. It helped me improve quite a bit on my free practice times.

 

[Keith2324]

I just got 2nd in the JAG. WHAT! And I finally got my "A" DR. To be fair, the guy in second pitted on the last lap for the obligatory hard tires and he didn't take the fuel he needed, so he had to trim fuel for the lap. But the JAAAAAAAGGGGGGGG!

 

[SlowDriver87]

Did the SLS come in last?! Absolute bag of 🤬 that car is since the update!

Nice to see you back 👍

DNF, I think (will have to check the replay). Was struggling a fair bit when I came round to pass it.

I do wonder how the SLS Group 4 is so bad when the AMG GT3 is so good at everything.

The SLS Gr4 lost 1s per lap since BOP update
(the gearbox ratio is crap , the 6th is useless)

I forgot about the BoP update. It's a decent all rounder and nice enough to drive, but I seem to struggle in it a little when racing similarly rated people, especially when compared to the AMG Gr.3. It felt bloody awful at Red Bull Ring, and I struggled to get within respectable times of the top guys at Brands Hatch. Having said that I did pretty well at Spa and Alsace, which were both after the update.

I'm looking forward to changing manufacturer at the next opportunity. I may go Porsche as the cars seem to be quite even in terms of their performance v the rest of the field.

 

[afc5150]

North America Mfg slot 1 - All A/S and probably the dirtiest FIA race I have been involved in in two years of playing. Not fun at all even though I wasn't directly involved.

Had door 16, qualified 18th and finished without incident in 14th for 92 points. Half the field had red SR after the race and even a red B to the biggest, and one of the most well known, POS you'll find in an A lobby. Just disgusting. I couldn't be bothered to try and even pass anyone. Too risky.

This isn't racing anymore, And it certainly isn't fun.

 

[Granadier]

The three four universal constants of Gran Turismo Sport

1. FF cars don’t belong in Gr.4
2. FIA points brackets are rubbish
3. DR calculation algorithm is horrific
4. Racing Hard tires are made of ice

 

[CJam]

North America Mfg slot 1 - All A/S and probably the dirtiest FIA race I have been involved in in two years of playing. Not fun at all even though I wasn't directly involved.

Had door 16, qualified 18th and finished without incident in 14th for 92 points. Half the field had red SR after the race and even a red B to the biggest, and one of the most well known, POS you'll find in an A lobby. Just disgusting. I couldn't be bothered to try and even pass anyone. Too risky.

This isn't racing anymore, And it certainly isn't fun.

That was not a fun race, and said POS was truly unbelievable. I watched the replay and he must have took somebody out every lap. He could have had the idiot of the week video all by himself. Rightfully abused in the lobby. If i can be bothered tomorrow I'll make a montage.

Qualified 2nd and finished 3rd, should have had 2nd in the TT (first guy was S rated and walked away in a Maclaren) but a mistake on lap 2 and dirtbag driver taking me out lap 3 messed that up. Had to fight through traffic but luckily my strat kept me in clean air most of the way and I was fast the last 7 on softs. 38K high DR after a 1300 slice and 179 points

 

[HaydenFan69]

Knew I didn't have a real quick car again, but still made the most of it. P14 on the grid, and on a one stop strategy made it up to 6th or 7th before pitting on the end of lap 17 to hards.

Messy race though. At least 3 incidents I was involved in. 2 second penalty for broadsiding a car as he skidded in front of me prior to ghosting. As well as another similar incident with no penalty (don't feel too bad about sending a Lambo into the shadow realm though). Don't recall any good racing though, but I had fun. After spending hours @ Brands on ACC in the last few nights, was a bit of an adjustment moving back to GTS, but felt I learned enough to ring as much speed of the Ferrari here as I think it is capable.

So ended up a decent 11th. I'm happy.

 

[csmirnoff]

Did Manufacturers slot 2 with the McLaren. Didn't put together a good lap in qualifying, but it was still good enough for P8. A few tenths slower and I would have been at the back.

As I started on mediums, a couple of guys passed me aggressively, but I gained a few places from other drivers making mistakes. Pitted at the end of lap 7, took the hard tyres and pitted again at the end of lap 8, taking softs to go to the end.

Coming out of the pits I gave a Honda driver a small tap which pushed him a bit wide, so I backed off to give back the position and then had to serve a 1 second penalty. I then had to spend a few laps stuck behind that driver who was on mediums I believe, without finding a way through. Then finally managed to make a move into turn 2 and pulled away easily with the softer tyres.

The laps I spent in traffic with fresh softs cost me 2 places as two drivers came out of the pits on hards right in front of me in the final lap. Almost get one of them in a drag race to the line with a Cayman, but he finished 0.023s ahead. Needed the finish line to be a few meters further forward.

McLaren's pace wasn't great here, so I'm relatively happy with P7 and 147 points. 👍

 

[05XR8]

In Daily tire wear is x7 ; in Manu it is x3
The SLS is good with there tires (I could do the Manu no stop with Soft tires.....
if permitted .....)

That's what I figured. The reason why I said the tyre wear didn't affect the RC F. The better balance of the SLS has to work in its favour.

I understand about the gear ratios, but at Brands Hatch, cornering speed would counter that. Interesting reading the reviews.

 

[Ashthebash]

Spa in the rain incoming, I think I'm getting overly excited by it! (I SO adore that track, been there for an F1 race and the place is nothing short of magical) and I know it's early days but a 2:42.7 in a lobby race in the Merc? I can't be THAT far off the MR cars surely?!

 

[KosmoKazi]

Trying my best to outdo my low expectations...

FIA Manufacturers Series - Rd 25 / Brands Hatch / Gr4

I wasn't feeling good about this one, but wanted to grind through it, as a matter of course. I used to have a handle on Brands Hatch, I thought, but it's felt foreign to me this week as I tried to practice. It's funny, because I think statistically it is my best track, considering Daily Races and my FIA racing. But I just wasn't feeling it.

Was 5th in qualifying after the first sets of hot laps... whoa, maybe I need to recalibrate my expectations... got pipped in a really close session, with only hundredths separating ahead and behind, in multiple instances... was up a good third of a second in my last chance at it, but threw it away in Hawthorne... should have learned my lesson there, as we'll see in a moment.

So started on M's in 12th, just ahead of @Lewmatic and on the grid with @afc5150 again this race. Was planning a simple one-stop, on account of my less-than-blistering pace, given that the Porsche is great on tires and that I was the slowest Porsche in the field. Just keep it on the track and see what happens! (the usual strategy at BH, in my experience)

On the first lap, it seemed to take forever for the tires to warm up. I wiggled badly in Hawthorne, which allowed Lewmatic and AFC to close in and overtake me in to Westfield, which I readily conceded, but then, the apex obscured by AFC's AMG, I totally blew it at Sheene... which I NEVER do... and worse, I didn't realize it in time to whoa-up, and kept the throttle on with that left tire on the slippery stuff, looping it like a noob and ruining the start of my race. All of my own undoing.



Anyway, kept calm and talked myself into keeping the strategy, which in reality was probably even more appropriate now, though if I was capable of getting more out of the S's I might have given that strategy a go to play catch up... as it is, I stuck with it, and just banged out lap after lap at my comfortable pace, until I was up in the top 10 again. Pitted for the required Hards with two laps to go, thinking I may be able to undercut the small pack ahead of me, if any of them needed H's and I was able to push it harder on warmed up Hards for that last lap.

But wasn't able to do better and cruised home in 10th, behind Lewmatic, who was the only one who started behind me, who finished ahead of me. So I recovered pretty well after the gaffe on L1. No useful FIA points, a handful of DR, and a missed opportunity when I didn't think I was going to do well. In reality, I think I could have been 8th or 9th, as the spin only cost me a little over 10 seconds, and I was held up for a few laps as I tried to recover my position, but going to live with the pain of it rather than retry the race again later. Especially since going in, I didn't even think I would compete for a top 10 finish... I was just lost. So one-and-done is fine. I think I need a bit of a rest anyway...

Really disappointed in myself for the dumb mistake. 1) because it probably cost me a points-paying finish all else equal, 2) cost the three of us GTP members a chance to really race for a change and 3) it "made me look bad" (spoken in a nice English accent) (though no penalties were levied!) ...but just an amateur mistake, when I was specifically trying to not make one.

My bobble in Hawthorne did allow for this GREAT picture, though! @Lewmatic @afc5150 and me, all in frame!

Recovered to finish behind Lewmatic... I do like how that NSX looks! ​

 

[Groundfish]

Seems like this might be an elbows out affair...
Maybe best to one stop...
Hmmm I’m wondering if I dare go in...

 

[KosmoKazi]

I just got 2nd in the JAG. WHAT! And I finally got my "A" DR. To be fair, the guy in second pitted on the last lap for the obligatory hard tires and he didn't take the fuel he needed, so he had to trim fuel for the lap. But the JAAAAAAAGGGGGGGG!

That's awesome! good to see you get a nice result in that car... when you're on it and the car suits the place, you're fast. Congrats. See you on the grid again soon sometime, I hope. Been a few races...

North America Mfg slot 1 - All A/S and probably the dirtiest FIA race I have been involved in in two years of playing. Not fun at all even though I wasn't directly involved.

Had door 16, qualified 18th and finished without incident in 14th for 92 points. Half the field had red SR after the race and even a red B to the biggest, and one of the most well known, POS you'll find in an A lobby. Just disgusting. I couldn't be bothered to try and even pass anyone. Too risky.

This isn't racing anymore, And it certainly isn't fun.

You know, something about the last several rounds in the first slot, the grids were full of some dubious characters... on a hunch, I decided to run my Alt account race to 'warm up' instead of running it after... glad I did, as I surely would have been matched with you again in this room. Sorry to hear that. Always frustrating and there seems to be no recourse except to hit the brakes and not race, which defeats the purpose.

The three four universal constants of Gran Turismo Sport

1. FF cars don’t belong in Gr.4
2. FIA points brackets are rubbish
3. DR calculation algorithm is horrific <---
4. Racing Hard tires are made of ice

I'm going to say it here: I think the DR system in GT Sport is one of the best things about it. As tough as it is sometimes, I think it works fantastic and makes for a great way to be matched in competitive races, and to see how you rank. Setting aside the idiots who ruin races, it is a real meritocracy of sorts, and I think it works wonderfully. I don't see that said much, but I'm appreciative of it.

Spa in the rain incoming, I think I'm getting overly excited by it! (I SO adore that track, been there for an F1 race and the place is nothing short of magical) ...

Me too! I loved the Nations event on the damp track, and I am excited to give it a go on the wet one in the 911 this weekend... really hoping for a strong result, too. I could use one or two more, and I don't want to jinx it, but I haven't had a podium in the Stage 3 rounds yet... so would be AWESOME at Spa.

 

[HaydenFan69]

Seems like this might be an elbows out affair...
Maybe best to one stop...
Hmmm I’m wondering if I dare go in...

 

[Ashthebash]

Me too! I loved the Nations event on the damp track, and I am excited to give it a go on the wet one in the 911 this weekend... really hoping for a strong result, too. I could use one or two more, and I don't want to jinx it, but I haven't had a podium in the Stage 3 rounds yet... so would be AWESOME at Spa.

Yeah this one isn't damp - it's full on wet! I did wonder at the last one, inters were only 1s slower than wets out the gate so maybe inters would have been better if we took a couple of laps to get them up to temperature. Hey ho, never tested it! 911 is a good car in the wet though, good luck

 

[24HuresdeLoL]

Been a while since I did an FIA race, but I felt that I can take Brands on in the JAAAAAAAG.

And this picture pretty much summed up my practice before qualifying...sideways and finding the errors before getting serious.

Onto qualifying! Was near the middle of the pack of emerging cars, and trying to find some space. The awkward part was that since Brands is narrow, it doesn't allow much of faster cars going through by slower cars/cars also looking for some space. That culminated in some bumps that weren't meant and/or cars blocking the racing line and not ghosting. Apologies and/or grievances applently ensued. Ended up in P6 with a lap in the 1:31s, right behind another Jaguar and 4 A+/S drivers.


The race started with me trying to pass into Surtees, and the back end wanted to slide out, so there was contact...

Then I was stuck in No man's land for pretty much the rest of the race. The 4 in front were way ahead of me, amd the other F-Type was the only one that could challenge. A couple of time I went off at paddock and Sheene, even then it was 2 seconds before they could reach, then I just drove away again. After the first stop for mediums, I was chasing the other Jaguar relentlessly, and we both went off at Sheene at the same time. They eventually went off by themselves at Westfield, and I consolidated my position then on out. 5th place for #5 was a solid result considering quali, the quick to 4, couple offs, and as I rushed to get practice for the only race I could do.

In-Race Replay: