How to get good?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ogakio
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ogakio

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I've been a HUGE fan of the GT series ever since I got the first. Been playing prologue some and I've got to the S-class races.

However, in almost all the previous GT games I've just played easy races until I could afford a much faster car and then win by crashing at corners and overtaking on straights :D

I can do fairly decent laps now but for some reason I just can't do ones that are as good as the 1st and 2nd cars in the race. I use both the 599 and GT-R (better handling imo) but I'm just not as quick around corners. Sometimes I'm even going slower than the CPU cars but still can't turn a hairpin properly (understeer).

I honestly can't work out how to do perfect laps.

Am I at a massive disadvantage using AT? (I find it hard to change gears and brake/turn at the same time)
What is the best method to take corners?
When should I brake and accelerate?
What driver aids should I use?
Is it easier to use a steering wheel than the controller?
Any other tips you have on getting better at GT?


Hope you can help, thanks!
 
your slowest point through a corner should be before you start the corner. brake completely before turn in. (other techniques can be learned later.) make sure you ease into the corner. if you are using a controller try only using half of the range on the analog stick. (in your real car you would not suddenly turn your steering wheel a full rotation at 60 miles per hour. using the full range on the stick in gt is essentially doing that.) cars want to go in the direction they are already going. you have to work with them not force them. if you turn the wheel beyond a certain point, the tires will no longer be directing the car, as there will be too much force carrying the car through its current line.

same with the throttle. dont floor it. ease into it. you should be able to apply throttle all the way through a corner in most cases but dont go full throttle until you are on a line towards your apex and exit. on most corners the apex is more than half way through the corner. for a full 180 degree corner you wont want to be all they way inside until 2/3 - 3/4 of the way through the corner. you will also need to be easing off the "wheel" at this point as well.

go back to the earlier events with and practice with slower cars.

and generally, yes, steering wheels allow for a better feel for the car since you have a much larger range of motion than with a controller. 2 and a half full rotations vs. a quarter of an inch of range.

driving aids dont really help anything. i would say, even when learning, they are best to be kept off.
 
ogakio
However, in almost all the previous GT games I've just played easy races until I could afford a much faster car and then win by crashing at corners and overtaking on straights :D
Click to expand...
That's the problem. Remember, repeated play ensures success.
 
Am I at a massive disadvantage using AT?
You are at a slight disadvantage, but doesn't explain your particular trouble with corners.

When should I brake and accelerate?
You should start braking before you start turning.

What driver aids should I use?
None.

Is it easier to use a steering wheel than the controller?
I've never used a steering wheel, but I think that a steering wheel would probably help.
 
Learn from the best. DL replay from TT's (arcade) top ten of car/track of your choice. Watch in cockpit or HUD mode to learn brake markers, shift points, apex. when to get on the gas, etc. Most prefer MT, a good down shift can provide engine braking, weight transfer, and precise shift 'points'. Even read 'Car&Driver' inset in GT4 manual, priceless.
But watch the 'fast guys', race their 'ghosts', and never drive a car that's beyond your skill level. Start with less sexy cars, master them, then step up. Asking for help was first step, that took guts. Stay patient, focus, do lots of TT. Welcome to PROlogue, it's unforgiving yet rewarding.
 
ogakio
I honestly can't work out how to do perfect laps.

Am I at a massive disadvantage using AT? (I find it hard to change gears and brake/turn at the same time)
What is the best method to take corners?
When should I brake and accelerate?
What driver aids should I use?
Is it easier to use a steering wheel than the controller?
Any other tips you have on getting better at GT?


Hope you can help, thanks!
Click to expand...

1. Perfect laps are hard for everyone!!
2. No it's not a huge advantage but it is an advantage to use manual trans.
3. slow in fast out!
4. Braking points are different for every car & tire setup, also if you just drafted down a long straight your braking point will be different because of increased speed.
The best thing to do is find you a marker of some sort like a sign post, road or something you can easily pick out & know that is your approx braking point & then adjust depending on your car/tire choice.
Start accelerating just after the apex, in a car like the 599 you'll need to be completely straight before your at full throttle.
5. Use all the driving aids & as you learn the car & track start backing them off a little at a time till you don't need them anymore.
6. IMO a wheel makes a huge difference!

One of the best tips for better lap times is NEVER COAST! if your not on the throttle you should be on the brake, coasting costs time!

& of course the best way to get fast is, Practice, practice, practice!!
 
TheMoose
One of the best tips for better lap times is NEVER COAST! if your not on the throttle you should be on the brake, coasting costs time!
Click to expand...

Don't coast? I didn't know that. I've always been breaking then costing to the apex then accelerating out of the apex.

I knew about trail braking but I thought it wasn't good practice. So, trail braking is the way to go?

I found this article which seems to agree with the idea that you should always be either braking or accelerating never coasting.

http://www.microsoft.com/games/precisionracing/cart/racingschool1.htm
 
MowTin
Don't coast? I didn't know that. I've always been breaking then costing to the apex then accelerating out of the apex.

I knew about trail braking but I thought it wasn't good practice. So, trail braking is the way to go?

I found this article which seems to agree with the idea that you should always be either braking or accelerating never coasting.

http://www.microsoft.com/games/precisionracing/cart/racingschool1.htm
Click to expand...

Never coast was some great advice I got when I was first learning to autocross, when races are decided by hundredths of a second coasting can cost you big time!
 
People on a forum arent going to help nearly as much as actually turning on your game and practicing. The lisence tests in GT1-GT4 were always a great start, watching the demo and repeatedly trying for the gold (or better) would teach you tons. Another thing is practicing with a ghost and basically experimenting with corners, sometimes braking earlier, sometimes later, sometimes even doing seemingly crazy things like upshifting while braking (!), looking at where you are gaining and losing time to your ghost is key and thats how you can learn the track. Then through practice you can become good. Thats basically it, knowledge and practice. Once you understand the track (and car), you can only improve. :)
 
The key for must turns is the apex. Try to touch the apex with your tire and accelrate out of the apex. When your tire touches the apex your tires should be squealing because you're at the edge of traction. That's when you know you've made a good turn.

Another key is to find the straight aways. Then find the turn that flows into the longest straightaway. That's the key turn. You need to hit that apex just right and accelerate right out of the apex.

And you should NOT be using automatic transmission.
 
If finding the racing line is a difficulty for you, maybe you can try printing out a map of the circuit, and using a pen/pencil and draw the smoothest racing line you can.
 

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