Racing tips/pointers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter phil bell
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PepsiMaxCrew
As the title implies,I would like to ask the advice of the members here regarding tips on driving/racing/car control.

But after a horrid result in today's GT3 series I can't hide it to be honest.The key issue is consistency because I always have the pace as shown when I qualified 3rd.

I suspect one of the issues leading to inconsistency is also that my line through corners will change lap by lap,wonder how to prevent that.

Tire wear is well controlled despite lack of abs (I don't disable it to show off but I really like modulating the pedal myself) and they actually wear very even.

Another issue is braking,I cannot stop the car consistently and lock up every now and then,so does anyone have tips on threshold braking and braking in general?

My style is I go reasonably hard but not all the way on the pedal then modulate it and trail it off as I reach the apex,my current setting is 4:2 on a Lexus LFA in race trim.

So overall I think if y'all have any pointers on consistency and braking I would be very grateful.:)
 
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The only things that come to mind is just to practice a lot and trying to drive smooth. if the car seems edgy then you might want to drive with the mentality that you expect the car to go over the limit from time to time so it would be easier to react to the situations as they arise. In general you would want to predict and not to react. Don't kow if this Yoda-talk is of any help... :p
 
I will keep it in mind.And I hear the Finnish have a reputation for driving well so I trust ya.;)
Just feel so terrible that I punted another guy while I was on the shallow line avoiding another car.
 
I'm no Häkkinen or Tommi Mäkinen. Actually i don't even have a driver's licence! (At age of 30+) :D
In the 2010 GT Academy i placed in top 200 of scandinavia but even so i was maybe 2 seconds slower than the fastest guy. :)
My main experience comes from GT4 and little bit of rFactor and GTR2 and couple of leagues i have raced in. I have also read some books about the subject and would recommend the Ross Bentley's Speed Secrests (the bit about predicting and not reacting is from there). :)
 
For a start, skim-read here for some good (but basic) tips.

This thread is your best bet on GTP for tips; the Going Faster series is worth a watch. The book is even better.
 
I think you should go as hard as you want in the qualifier but in the race you should slow down a bit. Take every corner smoothly and brake a little earlier. If you end up finding yourself in a position to win then its up to you to go for it but remember, "to finish first, first you must finish."
 
Forget the clichés!

The answer is in your question!

You will not get consistant laps without using ABS - not saying its impossible but its very hard especially when under pressure in a race!

Put ABS on 1 and I guarantee you will be more consistant.

If you don't want to do it, get used to coming 2nd!
 
The answer is in your question!

You will not get consistant laps without using ABS - not saying its impossible but its very hard especially when under pressure in a race!

Put ABS on 1 and I guarantee you will be more consistant.

If you don't want to do it, get used to coming 2nd!

I agree. If it isn't against the rules and others are using it then why shouldn't you. It would be 10 times easier and you are guaranteed more consistent lap times.
 
I actually have got consistent laps without it,I switched it off in my Viper "ACR-X" and ran the full 24hrs Nurburgring circuit.The time difference was less than a second a lap of that 8min+ track with abs off.

Perhaps I might be in abit of a slump lately...

Plus it's less fun to me as a driver and,well,can pretty much have the pedal to the floor.Not bad but just not as fun to me.

Looks like I've got alot of content to comb through.:)
 
Sounds to me like maybe you are driving too aggressively?
Different lines each lap is not good.
Remember that every time you come into a corner a little bit to fast, and have to make adjustments, you'll wear you tyres excessively AND loose time.

Brake a little earlier, ease off the brakes a little, and pick up the throttle a little earlier and smoother. This will allow you to get higher exit speeds and will give you a higher race-tempo. It's all about flowing through the apex.

Is this specific for the LFA or a general tendency?
Have you concidered the possibility that the problem may be with the car setup?
 
Happens most of the time,especially race car's.Can't seem to find that happy place between the comfort zone and going over the limit.
 
Here's a tip mate.

After the next race, save your replay and watch it from inboard / bumper cam and analyze your own driving style.
Also watch the other drivers and analyze their lines, braking points, brake / throttle inputs.

Objective observation can have profound effects!
 
The racing line aid may be your best friend for practicing with, gives you everything you need in 1 package, braking spots, where to hit the apex, and so on. It's not perfect, but it's a great starting-out point which you eventually remove when you have a feel for the track. After a few laps you should be good to go without the line, but keep it on and learn when you can and can't push, for example in Cote D'Azur, I know I can brake in the corner entrance from 120ish to 78 and be set up perfectly at the top of the hill, but if I try braking later, it's the wall for me; little things like that you then pick up. This is your key to consistency, or was for me anyway. After a while, off goes the line, and you're good to go.
 
As the title implies,I would like to ask the advice of the members here regarding tips on driving/racing/car control.

But after a horrid result in today's GT3 series I can't hide it to be honest.The key issue is consistency because I always have the pace as shown when I qualified 3rd.

I suspect one of the issues leading to inconsistency is also that my line through corners will change lap by lap,wonder how to prevent that.

Tire wear is well controlled despite lack of abs (I don't disable it to show off but I really like modulating the pedal myself) and they actually wear very even.

Another issue is braking,I cannot stop the car consistently and lock up every now and then,so does anyone have tips on threshold braking and braking in general?

My style is I go reasonably hard but not all the way on the pedal then modulate it and trail it off as I reach the apex,my current setting is 4:2 on a Lexus LFA in race trim.

So overall I think if y'all have any pointers on consistency and braking I would be very grateful.:)

1. If you are very experienced with a certain track then you will more than likely take the same or very close to the same line every turn but just because you don't follow the proper line over and over again each lap doesn't necessarily mean you are putting up slow and inconsistent lap times.

2. Driving without ABS is a good thing considering you're doing fine with tire ware, stick to it if you can considering it is better than using ABS if you know how to use it while it's off.

3. I'm not very experienced with ABS off but I can tell you from doing it in Forza 3 that it does take time to master and you must learn to ease on the brakes or pump them when trying to slow down.

4. I wouldn't be afraid to punch it in a straight line but if I were you i'd stick with a car I really like and find out how hard you can push it in a turn to maximize your lap times.

5. To be honest consistency and braking alike take time to master and it really all comes down to the driver and seat time.

I hope I could help you out a bit! 👍
 
You will for sure need ABS. Otherwise your braking becomes erratic and unpredictable. For example, try the first corner at Fuji Speedway GT/F and you will see that without ABS your line will be slightly different each corner therefore effecting your entire speed through the corner, and the run down the hill after it. After racing LMP's for quite a while in GT4 and 5, I can tell you, ABS is what you need to be competitive. That's my two cents ;)
 
The ABS isn't really that critical with the racing tires. The tires have so much grip that they don't really lock any more than you would see the brakes lock in a real world race where ABS is banned. Good pedals would help though... (I really want to upgrade from my bungee cord tuned DFP) :)
 
Here's a tip mate.

After the next race, save your replay and watch it from inboard / bumper cam and analyze your own driving style.
Also watch the other drivers and analyze their lines, braking points, brake / throttle inputs.

Objective observation can have profound effects!

I love doing that!:)
 
CarCzar
You will for sure need ABS. Otherwise your braking becomes erratic and unpredictable. For example, try the first corner at Fuji Speedway GT/F and you will see that without ABS your line will be slightly different each corner therefore effecting your entire speed through the corner, and the run down the hill after it. After racing LMP's for quite a while in GT4 and 5, I can tell you, ABS is what you need to be competitive. That's my two cents ;)

Our first race was at Fuji F in our GT3 series he was competing well but I have a very strong feel our LFA is not really the best choice for our driving style.

Also @Phil I know I haven't been in my driving zone lately but I can explain how I drive. First thing you notice if you watch me on an unfamiliar track. You sometimes driving thru a corner backward on the track at a set speed. I'm doing this to find the best speed to take that corner. The reason I do it backwards is because mentally I see can my corners better. I don't recommend this unless your with me or alone because it looks weird but this is how I find those tricky corners lines and apex.

Also phil your one hell of a driver to not use abs and be as fast as your are. Driving with out has greatly increased your skill over the last month from last season to now. I see vast improvement and I say just keep at it, practice, but make sure in the end your having fun. Don't get to frustrated it will end up like me. I feel like I'm out of practice and a mess. I'm still trying to clear my mind and focus.

Have faith and just continue what your doing. Your improving just find. You only need to refine your line a little but other then that your great 👍
 
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