Is the Racing Line "Dynamic" ?

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BasherB59

BasherB59

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BasherB59
Huge Apologies if this topic has been raised before, but I couldn't find it.

Whilst I realise that a lot of hardcore GT types switch off the Racing Line option almost as soon as they start the game :scared: I'm one of those that keeps it on until I've completely memorised the Course. :dunce:

(Still trying with the Nurburgring !!!!) :guilty:

I believe that the Racing Line never alters its actual position on the Course, no matter where your car is situated... fair enough as the quickest route shouldn't alter. But some threads seem to point out that PD haven't got the line 100% correct on any course you name. :crazy:

But my Question is really whether the red / braking zone ever changes & if so, why. Theoretically it should alter depending on your Speed approaching the corner, the sharpness of the bend, the camber, the incline/decline of the track, the track surface, the grip level (tyres & suspension) & the vehicles overall performance (ie are you driving a kart/ skyline or kubelwagen ?) etc.

Have PD taken all these (and more?) into account, or is it for instance, just your speed & tyre grip ?

Also, how do you think it could be improved.

Many Thanks

Basher
 
There's nothing as a 100% correct racing line, since the line alters with the car and setup, they way you drive and sometimes strategy.

I don't think the racing line has to be improved, afterall it's just a suggestion, a driver has to find his own line, always.
 
Turn the line off and learn the track yourself - Probably the best way to become quick around there and you'll learn the track faster. I know it is 73 corners but the Nurburgring is now imprinted in my brain. Take a slower car around, Lupo GTI or something like that, and then build it up, you'll then start to experiment with new lines and you'll learn it much faster :)
 
Racing line is pretty crap most of the time. It tells you to break when you don't need to when you mod your car and lower it stiffen it up etc.

And the indicators you get on screen, the number displaying what gear you should be in for the upcoming corner, and in the manual it says when it flashed you should break! Lol. If you did, you'd stop about 20metres short of every corner!
 
I find that quite useful and pretty accurate the flashing gear symbol, I don't use it now but I did at first and I still pulled pretty quick times with it. Now I have to know the track well enough to race with HUD switched off which I can do with the Nurburgring. I think I know the gear I should be in for every corner tbh lol!
 
Its position doesn't change on the track however the size of the braking zones is dynamic, it is fairly obvious if you watch it closely that they extend as you accelerate toward them. However they are only a guide and are fairly ordinary at best so, as Hig-GT and RODDUZ stated above, you are far better off turning it off and learning your own lines and braking points. Much quicker lap times await you if you do it!
 
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To answer your question, it does become dynamic (for braking distance only) depending on your speed, distance, surface and corner sharpness but doesn't differentiate between the type/performance of the car. Therefore grip (tyres), suspension, transmission etc. or even if aids were on/off doesn't change the braking zones as you approach it.

Like others have mentioned the driving line is generally only a guide of when to brake or release throttle, not always a bad thing to leave on.....but the best way is to follow skids marks, distance markers or remember landmarks on the track.

Edit: If it did change depending on the performance of your car, both AI and Bspec wouldn't be so dumb in the 1st place.
 
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The driving line itself isn't dynamic but the braking points do change depending on entry speed.

I found during the AMG academy events that simply following the driving line will easily fetch gold. When I tried braking later what the driving line suggested, I felt faster but I was actually quite a lot slower in my final laptime. Of course, if you're supertalented, you can take your own line and beat the golds by huge margins.

BTW, when driving with the driving line on, you have to gently move around the line and hit the curbs slightly, instead of just trying to keep your car centered on the line.
 
but the best way is to follow skids marks, distance markers or remember landmarks on the track.
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Yes. One problem is that the driving line obscures the skid and brake marks; the other is that it's possible to become fixated on the line and not notice other signs and signals, or look far ahead.
 
If the racing line changed depending on where you entered the corner, youd never learn the correct line. Its there to show you the best way around the corner

Whether the lines are right or not thats a different issue.
 
The racing line is a 'guide' only - not an absolute representation of the quickest way around the track. I will admit to using it, but not necessarily to follow it, but as a frame of reference. I guess I've simply grown accustomed to using it as a type of landmark.
 
I usually use the racing line. I did turn it off and ran Laguna Seca and used track landmarks and an SCCA track guide to make my own line one day. Well, I was curious and turned the line back on the check its accuracy and, surprisingly, it was right on the line that I had made without it. It seems to fit my racing style and I use it to keep consistent times as it helps me stay more focused.
 
I recommend against using the racing line for one simple reason. You won't be looking far enough ahead to truly drive fast. Any racing book, racing school, track day instructor, etc. will tell you to get your eyes up.

I had one driving instructor who explained that when an elite racer (like F1 stars) crashes, it's usually because they shortened their vision. When fatigued, your vision shortens to 12 feet; a natural body function. You should be looking 10 car lengths ahead, not 1.
 
I use it often (not always), but don't follow it religiously. Only for the sake of not having the time to learn every corner on tracks (yet!). The only thing dynamic about it is the braking distance. I say use it to get a hang of a track, then use it as a reference on braking distances to see which sections you can push harder.

Hig-GT's advice to remove it entirely and learn the track yourself is ideal. If you have the time to do that, it's your best bet. 👍
 
I find that you'll actually learn the track quicker without using the braking line because you'll actually need to find your own braking points on the tracks instead of keeping your eyes on the ground to spot the red line.
 

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