Learning to race online?

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atsinged

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atsinged
I've been practicing, license tests, driving lines, various tracks, races, seasonal events and trying to race reasonably clean against the AI and I'm really considering making the jump to online racing. I created the GTP_Singe account, and have been working on the right sections of the ring to submit a registry time before the deadline but now, I know it'll be a low placement but that is fine by me, hopefully it'll put me around other people learning what I want to learn.

Reading threads here, the racing rules, etc. I'm starting to get a little intimidated and wondering what the best way to proceed is. I've experienced public lobbies in other games and I'd prefer to avoid that scene if at all possible. At best I'll wind up developing the bad habits I'd like to avoid. I also know making friends online and jumping in with more experience racers is liable to frustrate them while I am still deep in a learning curve.

How does one get started learning how to run clean, quality races online? I'd like to learn correctly from the start rather than having to unlearn bad habits.
 
hey man, i just jumped into it all from the get go. dont worry about how you drive at first, cause i will say that we were all crap at first. here are some rules to look out for. dont wreck people on purpose. also please for the sake of god, HAVE A MIC. cause if you wreck someone and you dont have one. then who knows what that guy is going to think. having one helps everybody out that is on the track. also just have fun man. this is a game bro.
 
Just jump in and give it a try.

Don't be intimidated by other guys running faster cars. Drive what you have as best you can. Don't worry about winning. Turn steady laps and try to improve as you go.

Each time I've been online there has been a room that welcomes new racers.

A Mic will help, but not totally necessary.

akoala_89 already said the most important rule... DON'T WRECK PEOPLE ON PURPOSE! (usually some kid goofing off). It's been averaging about 1 goofball per hour, so not too bad actually.

CHEERS!
 
Hi Singe,

Welcome at GTPlanet and good to read you take the online racing serious. Unfortunately a lot of people in the open lobbies see it as 'just a game'. The result is that they are having a good time and the people of who the races get destroyed, don't.

Please don't feel intimidated by the races rules we have come up with. If you'd approach the game like you're racing your own car on a real track, you should be fine. You state you've been practicing a lot in GT mode already, so if you're familiar with most of the tracks and different types of cars and tires, you would have no problems racing online.

Simply try to follow our rules regarding overtaking and in case you unintentionally hit somebody, don't overtake but back off or wait for the other to continue his race. He or she will then know it was unintentional and both can forget the incident.

My advice: start being passive and don't try to overtake in corners or braking zones until you're completely familiar with the combo you are running. May feel boring in the beginning, but you won't negatively influence the races from other drivers and it's also the fastest way to become quicker. Just try to increase your pace step by step in stead of trying to keep up with more experienced racers.

If you're looking for people to race with, you can try the Racing chat or visit the WRS subforum to find people to add to your PSN friends list so you can join each other in private lobbies. I'm sure you'll find similiar minded racers there that want to get the hang of online racing.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask here or just contact any of the race admins 👍
 
IRO of all the posts above, I absolutely agree. The aim is to have fun and don't try to push against your limitations. Understanding what your skill level is, is a great thing to have.

You will find rooms that probably don't suit you at first but be persistent and you will end up racing against others at a similar level to yourself. Make sure you start adding them to your friends list then you can continue to easily find them and have competitive races as you both (all) improve.

This is what I did, and certainly learned quickly due to my errors, but overcame them, found a good group of other racers who all enjoy each others company - and try to ignore those that think they are above all the rest and happy to tell you it.

Bottom line is go online, and have fun, that is what the game is really about.

Good luck in your adventure :)
 
the biggest issues with the jump from single player to online is treating it like a sim rather than a game. Most notable, this comes in to play while passing or when you've had an off/spin.

When passing CPU cars, it can become habit to late brake and sometimes use the other car to slow you down or keep your line. This is a big issue in online races. You want to pass cleanly and give others room if they have mad a legitimate passing move. Bumps will happen, but with practice you will learn to pass cleanly.

If you go off the track or spin out, the correct thing to do is wait for the track to clear before moving, and especially before re-entering the racing line. In a single player race you just pull back out and who cares if the CPU hits you. Online, this could end your, and the other driver's race. It's hard to let the whole field pass before continuing, but it's the procedure sometimes. This is especially true since GT has no yellow flag to warn other drivers of your incident.

Work on those 2 things offline and you will be better than a majority of drivers online. Good luck.
 
I can say it is really intimidating at 1st, but it's just so much fun at the same time. My 1st real simracing experience was Iracing. I was so nervous just trying not to hit and spin anyone, I just started laughing out loud. Most rooms are really helpful and ppl are real cool. My advice is to turn off the driving line if you use it and most of the other aids. Pick a track and a type of car you like and practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. And just when you think you are fast you start racing in leagues and realize quickly- No matter what I do I can't keep up with Acanek!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhh! :)

Rsection8
 
atsinged
How does one get started learning how to run clean, quality races online? I'd like to learn correctly from the start rather than having to unlearn bad habits.
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Drive within your limit. If that means being at the back of the grid, than so be it. Move out of faster car's way and you'll do fine. Focus on improving your own results. Stick to a specific type of car and series and you;ll improve.

Dont compare to others, focus on improving your own times. Dont be wreckless like the others say, pass like your driving a real car. Treat it like its your car and will cost money if you wreck it.
 
Hello everyone.
I think this will be a good thread to ask some of my newbie questions...
Been playing GT for years and during GT3 even went to a few LAN-meetings... but never played any game online before, in fact I bought the PS3 specifically when GT5 came out and it is my only game.
Last week I went online few times, but always found myself unprepared as far as my car compare to my competition, so here are few questions:

  • Do I need to stay in my region (US)? or what is the down-side going to other regions? (I have a good wired 10mb connection.
  • Can I only choose cars from my 'favorite list'? is there a way to add car to my 'fl' while in a lobby?
  • Can I add or remove parts from my car while getting ready to race?
  • How can I see what other cars I'm racing against...? in the top right corner all I see is PSN names.
  • I bought a headset (with a mic) with my PS3 that is still sitting in the box, is there anything I need to know about how to set it?

That's all I remember for now, I appreciate any and all your help.

BTW, my PSN tag is same as my user name and I can usually race between 11:00pm and 2:00am EST. thanks again
 
Rich S
Drive within your limit. If that means being at the back of the grid, than so be it.
Dont compare to others, focus on improving your own times. Dont be wreckless like the others say, pass like your driving a real car.
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Good info. Other things to keep in mind: most the drivers around here are really good, take note of how they can run the Seasonal Events with little to no mods. So be prepared to get smoked by them especially in equal cars. Try to find events here with cars you like and feel good driving, too many jump into high powered monsters they can't control.

Don't feel bad if your slow, people here respect clean driving above pure speed as the posts above show.
 
Good info. Other things to keep in mind: most the drivers around here are really good, take note of how they can run the Seasonal Events with little to no mods. So be prepared to get smoked by them especially in equal cars. Try to find events here with cars you like and feel good driving, too many jump into high powered monsters they can't control.
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I don't mind getting smoked, everything I've ever been decent at involved getting smoked over and over until I got better. Generally I think folks improve faster when against stiffer competition.

Good point on the lower powered cars, I didn't post it but I was thinking specifically about lower end cars at first.

Second related question: I know there are restrictions on HP, weight or tires, which is easy to understand. Is modding the suspension or transmission generally acceptable or generally frowned upon if you meet the other stated restrictions?
 
TouringBubble
the biggest issues with the jump from single player to online is treating it like a sim rather than a game. Most notable, this comes in to play while passing or when you've had an off/spin.

When passing CPU cars, it can become habit to late brake and sometimes use the other car to slow you down or keep your line. This is a big issue in online races. You want to pass cleanly and give others room if they have mad a legitimate passing move. Bumps will happen, but with practice you will learn to pass cleanly.

If you go off the track or spin out, the correct thing to do is wait for the track to clear before moving, and especially before re-entering the racing line. In a single player race you just pull back out and who cares if the CPU hits you. Online, this could end your, and the other driver's race. It's hard to let the whole field pass before continuing, but it's the procedure sometimes. This is especially true since GT has no yellow flag to warn other drivers of your incident.

Work on those 2 things offline and you will be better than a majority of drivers online. Good luck.
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I know I've developed some bad habits from off-line racing. I always brake later than the AI and more times than not end up running into the back of them. I'm hoping with real drivers the braking points will be more realistic, but I'm still going to have to be more cautious with overtaking.
 
Do everything that everyone here was kind enough to share, as well as work on improving your situational-awareness. It helps to keep a level head, but that can be difficult, because racing online can be a thrilling experience. Breathing helps. I'm serious. Breathe.

Be aware of what's in front of you, and be prepared to brake and / or get off the throttle, if you notice cars slowing drastically into a braking zone. Glance to the sides for cars moving inside or outside of your line to pass, and maintain your line to help limit avoidable contact. Check your rear-view mirror and mini-map frequently, to keep an eye out for incoming traffic that may be using your draft and moving to pass.

In some of the longer races, try to understand that you don't need to be in 1st-place by Turn-1. Sit back, and weave through the carnage wrought by impatient folk, for an easy jump in track-position.

When you start to get more comfortable, and your skills improve, you'll find that you can begin to keep pace with faster drivers. Shadowing them -- but not always trying to pass -- can help you learn some fast racing lines. Try to give yourself a slight buffer between your front bumper and their rear. Close enough to draft, and enough distance to get off the throttle and / or on the brake.

Watch more motorsports on television. Visit YouTube. Save and watch replays. Most importantly, relax and have fun. Good luck!

👍

atsinged
Second related question: I know there are restrictions on HP, weight or tires, which is easy to understand. Is modding the suspension or transmission generally acceptable or generally frowned upon if you meet the other stated restrictions?
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It's generally safe to assume that -- unless stated otherwise in the room's title -- every car you go up against online will have the full complement of upgrades, ranging from weight-reductions, suspension, transmission, etc..

Even though it can be expensive, try to have different tire options on hand. Few things are worse than knowing you're as fast -- or faster -- than your opponents, but your lack of grip is holding you back in the corners.
 
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Just go online, you sound like a good caring racer, my experience of online is quite bad, I have yet to find a room with people with the same good/high expectations as yours.

Hardest part is finding a room where people want to race and not drift or cruise.
 
3thanol
Just go online, you sound like a good caring racer, my experience of online is quite bad, I have yet to find a room with people with the same good/high expectations as yours.

Hardest part is finding a room where people want to race and not drift or cruise.
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Best to join a racing series offered here, randomly searching for a "good" room online will prove difficult. Also by joining a series here you'll have the parts/tires regulated so you don't need a huge garage of speedy rides tuned to the max on race tires.
 
Does online damage carry over to offline?
 
Don't feel bad if your slow, people here respect clean driving above pure speed as the posts above show.
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Most important tip I think; oh and have fun!
 
At the risk of a "what they said" post, but everything above is spot on. I can't stress enough caution while learning your breaking points, as that is my biggest problem on line. Too often, it seems, I break late and hence strive to be very cautious when behind another. Practice, practice, practice.

It also sounds as if you know to start small. I don't like super high power cars because I am the first to admit I can't handle them, especially online. In them, I feel I am a threat to myself and others around me. So I tend to stick to the smaller stuff.

I will pop online often these days, since I have finished most of the "single player" game. Unlike most of the above, I have actually had a generally good experience. Almost no instances of the backwards racer and only one instance of a field full of people demolition derby-ing each other or other nonsense. Almost all have been just races, however, many may have had a bit more contact then I would have prefered, but the instaces of contact that took me out of a race were fairly low.

Just get out there and join some rooms, and if they don't have what you're looking for, find another. Keep popping around and you will find a few good hosts.
 
I'm in the same boat as the O.P. I've raced offline for years before GT even existed, from Activision Grand Prix and Pole Position to GTR2 & Live for Speed. Other than with Call Of Duty, though, I've never ventured online. I've found while browsing the Open Lobby, that the car I've selected is either over- or under-matched. If I go back to my garage and get another, when I rejoin, the races in the lobby have different requirements again. Aargh!

From the sounds of it, I'm best off joining a league here, but I'm never sure what time's I'll be available to race. I guess I'm spoiled by CoD, being able to jump in at any time & go. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to just jump in (to a REAL race) at any time?

3thanol
Hardest part is finding a room where people want to race and not drift or cruise.
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I noticed quite a lot of the races in Open Lobby are either drag, drift, cruise, or trading paint and/or X2010's. I'm not interested in drags or drifting, and I do all my trading here. What the heck is cruising? Is it like real life, just driving back and forth down main street? That's terribly boring in reality, nevermind a game. If so, count me out!
 
maybe do a couple of shuffle races in the online lobby, that way your racing against players with similar powered cars, I will admitt they sometimes can become stupid but for the most part its good clean fun racing, definantly giving it a shot, 9/10 times i only play shuffle races.
 
Leagues are propably the surest way of getting clean races online but one might sometimes want to drive outside of the schedule of the leagues. For open lobbies you should look for races without srf and with some kind of tire, weight and power limits and your chances of finding some decent company will get better.

About driving within your limit: Get a stable car that you are familiar with. Test driving the car intentionally over the limit (over- and understeer) and note when this happens, how it behaves and how you can recover from that. That should get the car within your comfort zone and you should be able to spare attention on other cars on the track easier. This will also make it easier to drive at the limit when you get more experienced but don't hurry it (Note: do tests when alone or during the free run when no one is around you :))
 
I organize a weekly 1-hour endurance race called Monday Night Endurances. Come race Monday, it's casual and fun. link
 
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