Setting up Multi Class Races

  • Thread starter twitcher
  • 18 comments
  • 8,550 views
6,293
Canada
Canada
Short back story, I gave PC2 a go out of the box, it was garbage, put it down for 8 months, have come back, and quite like it. Mostly I race online, but recently I’ve been trying to set up some multi class endurance races offline.

I’ve been really, really struggling to find settings that work. I’ve tried a number of different races, and have been quite disappointed each time.


• First, I tried LMP2, GTE, and GT3 at Leguna Seca. AI difficulty at 88, Aggression at 90. I started back of the grid in a GT3.

Here’s what went wrong;
- massive crash in T1, cars everywhere...it happens, not big deal. However, the order got really jumbled, with several GTE cars at the back. The GTE cars COULD NOT overtake the GT3 cars. It really ruined the race...the immersion was dead, and unless I would have gone full divebomb mode and just picked cars off into the Cork Screw lap after lap (AI was very slow out of T6, consistently), there was no racing or overtaking

- I was disappointed to see that the gaps between almost all the cars remained uniform for pretty much the full race.

- The LMP2s...oh god. I did a 45 minute race, and got lapped ONE time :(. And all the LMP2 cars came through in one long line, nose to tail. They were also VERY cautious, basically refusing to overtake me in corners. Even if I left them the inside, I would have to nearly park the car on the outside in order for them to get by me. They refused to pass me on the outside of any corner.


I suppose I could turn up the AI difficulty, but other than being slow at T6, the GT3 AI was running a decent pace for me. It’s just that the supposed “fast” categories were really slow. Is there any way to make categories you are not racing in, race faster? Would turning up the Aggression help out at all?


Just a side note, I tried doing a GT3 only race at Spa, with the same AI settings (88/90). With the Difficulty at 88, I was getting left in the dust by the AI (whereas at Leguna, I could hang with them easily, and even toy with them, on the same settings). I’ll admit Spa has never been my strongest circuit, but I went from being on par with the AI at Leguna, to 2-3 seconds off the pace at Spa.


•. 2nd race I tried was LMP1, LMP2, and GTE at Fuji. Again I was at the back in a Vette. Same AI settings, 88/90.

Again, the pace of the GTE cars was reasonable. They were notably fast through 100R, notably slow through the final sector (I could make up almost a full second just by taking later apexes and getting better drive off the corners).

Again, the problem was the “fast” cars. It took more than 15 minutes for the LMP1s to come around to lap me. They were all in a line, nose to tail, and again, were redicously timid. Fuji is about as wide as it gets, and the AI pretty much refused to go side by side through corners. I was leaving gaps that an LMP1 car should easily easily get through, and the AI would just refuse to take the gap, unless i pulled right off and backed right out of it. There was one instance where myself and another GTE car overtook 2 LMP1 cars by going around the outside at T1.

In a 30 minute race, I wasn’t overtaken by a single LMP2.

Fastest LMP1 lap was 1:31.266

Fastest LMP2 lap was 1:35.677

Fastest GTE lap was 1:40.260

My best was 1:39.779


So, am I doing something wrong in setting up these races? Is the relative performance of these categories waaaay off? Any help would be appreciated.

With the Classic Le Mans circuit coming in the next pack, I really want to figure out these AI settings so I can run some endurance races there....but I’m getting a little frustrated/discouraged by the AI. I’m not looking for AI perfection, but something at least that a) works, b) doesn’t kill the immersion.
 
Hmm..
Not sure. I've only done WEC style races (lmp1, lmp2, gte). In a gte the lmp1's blew past me quite easily on 75 difficulty/55ish aggression (can't remember exactly). The lmp2's took a little while to get past me, I would have to lift off to avoid an incident with the lmp2's. These races were done on Fuji, Zhuhai, and Dubai.

Sidenote: I'm also having issues with a.i. at Spa. They're always a couple seconds a lap quicker than me. I can learn and dominate a.i. at every track, but Spa for whatever reason is my kryptonite.
 
Hmm..
Not sure. I've only done WEC style races (lmp1, lmp2, gte). In a gte the lmp1's blew past me quite easily on 75 difficulty/55ish aggression (can't remember exactly). The lmp2's took a little while to get past me, I would have to lift off to avoid an incident with the lmp2's. These races were done on Fuji, Zhuhai, and Dubai.

Sidenote: I'm also having issues with a.i. at Spa. They're always a couple seconds a lap quicker than me. I can learn and dominate a.i. at every track, but Spa for whatever reason is my kryptonite.
The AI behave quite unrealistically in high speed corners. They have super grip. For me, the issues at Spa are Eau Rouge, and Pouhon. Especially Pouhon, the AI carry crazy speed through the entry, and then the car just magically pivots on some centre axis of some sort.

Most circuits have at least 1 corner like this, where i cannot March the AI no matter what. Reigner Curve at Leguna Seca would be another one. I can easily beat the AI on 90-95 difficulty here, but I cannot match their speed on the run down the hill after the Corkscrew. I spend the rest of the lap making up the time I lose here...but the AI is really slow through T6, so I always catch back up and then some.

The biggest problem I have is staying tight to the AI for a full lap. I can set the difficulty in a way that our lap times are similar...but we’re making the time in very different ways. Some corners I’m 2x faster, others, I’m 2x slower. Tough to race wheel to wheel like this.
 
So does anyone have any Multi Class setups that sort of work? I’m looking to do about 1 hour long races, and I’d like to get at least 2 cycles of lappery.

I’m looking for one setup where I’m in the fast cars, another setup where I’m in the slow cars.

So far, WEC (LMP1, LMP2, GTE) seems to work the best, although the LMP2s are a bit of an issue.

ELMS and IMSA seem to be no goes, as the LMP2s are not fast enough (can’t imagine where the LMP3s would fit in).

I’ve tried a Conti setup, with GT4, TC, and TC1. The TC cars are almost as fast as the GT4s (after watching mid Ohio last weekend, this seems accurate enough), but even the TC1s were too fast. I did a 45 min race at Sonoma Short, with me in GT4, AI in TC1. The GT4s only managed to lap the TC1 cars one time, and it was only about 1-2 laps of action where we were working our way through traffic.

My next attempt will be GT4, and then Road F (the one with the Civic). I’d thought about Road D, but the old school Ferrari kind of ruins that class for me (for this purpose at least).


I had hoped to give a go at TC/TC1, like the ETCC, but I don’t think there’s enough pace difference.


I’m also looking for something to run historic multi class races. Something with Group 5, Group 6, Group 4, Vintage Prototype, Vintage GTA, or Vintage GTB. Without doing any testing, the biggest issue I foresee is using the GTA cars (which I really would like), since many of them have no headlights, and id like to do some sims of 24hrs of Spa and Le Mans with these cars :(


So, anyone have any multi class setups that work? 30-60 minute races, preferably with at least 2 cycles of lappery, somewhat realistic car selection. Any help is appreciated.
 
I remember replicating the British GT Series at Oulton Park. GT3 and GT4 together for 30 minute races, GT3 would start overtaking around 20 minutes in. It also went from wet to dry which was fun.
 
hi m8 I made myself a little list of car times around one of my fav tracks and use it for setting up quick multiclass races its not finished but have a look you might find it useful ;)

FORUMLA.A.......44
LMP.1...........45
INDY.ROAD.CAR...47
GR.C1...........47
FORMULA.RENAULT.50
LMP.900.........50
GT1.............51
LMP.2...........51
LMP3............52
GR.6............53
GTE.............54
GTO.............54
GR.5............54
GT3.............55
VPT.A.917K......56.6
TRACK.DAY.B.....56
MEGANE.V6.......56
SUPER.TROFEO....56
FORMULA.C.......58
ROAD.B..........58
CAT7.260R.......58.6
GR.4............59
WRX.............59
TC..............59
ROAD.C..........59
VPT.B...........1.00
GR.A............1.01
GT4.............1.01
VGTA............1.02
FORMULA.ROOKE...1.04
RX.LITES........1.04
TC1.............1.04
GT5.............1.04
VRX.ESCORT......1.09
ROAD.G..........1.10
G40.JNR.........1.13
 
hi m8 I made myself a little list of car times around one of my fav tracks and use it for setting up quick multiclass races its not finished but have a look you might find it useful ;)

FORUMLA.A.......44
LMP.1...........45
INDY.ROAD.CAR...47
GR.C1...........47
FORMULA.RENAULT.50
LMP.900.........50
GT1.............51
LMP.2...........51
LMP3............52
GR.6............53
GTE.............54
GTO.............54
GR.5............54
GT3.............55
VPT.A.917K......56.6
TRACK.DAY.B.....56
MEGANE.V6.......56
SUPER.TROFEO....56
FORMULA.C.......58
ROAD.B..........58
CAT7.260R.......58.6
GR.4............59
WRX.............59
TC..............59
ROAD.C..........59
VPT.B...........1.00
GR.A............1.01
GT4.............1.01
VGTA............1.02
FORMULA.ROOKE...1.04
RX.LITES........1.04
TC1.............1.04
GT5.............1.04
VRX.ESCORT......1.09
ROAD.G..........1.10
G40.JNR.........1.13
Thanks for that! I’ll definitely refer to it at some point.

Are those your times, or AI times? And what circuit, if you don’t mind me asking?
 
I had a LMP2/3/GTE race at Spa for 2h40. It was good fun. There was a disparity between each car. Added a rain period and somehow won it. It was incredible fun.
 
Oh did a little test and added the F355 series to my list just out of interest and it did a 1:00 lap so it ends up being a good match for the
VGTA/GT4/GR.A. series. Give it a try with 30 cars and start @ the rear(u might have to pull over and let some past) its good fun :) and I will repost my list with a few changes

FORMULA.X.......42
FORMULA.A.......44
LMP.1...........45
INDY.ROAD.CAR...47
GR.C1...........47
CAMAM.917/10....50
FORMULA.RENAULT.50
LMP.900.........50
GT1.............51
LMP.2...........51
RS01............51
LMP3............52
GR.6............53
GTE.............54
GTO.............54
GR.5............54
FERRARI SERIES..54
GT3.............55
ROAD.A..........56
VPT.A.917K......56.6
TRACK.DAY.B.....56
MEGANE.V6.......56
SUPER.TROFEO....56
CAT7.260R.......57.7
FORMULA.C.......58
ROAD.B..........58
GR.4............59
WRX.............59
TC..............59
ROAD.C..........59
VPT.B...........1.00
F355............1.00
GT4.............1.00
GR.A............1.01
VGTA............1.01
VGTB............1.03
FORMULA.ROOKE...1.04
RX.LITES........1.04
TC1.............1.04
GT5.............1.04
VRX.ESCORT......1.09
ROAD.G..........1.10
G40.JNR.........1.13
 
If you want to try multi-class in slower cars so that it is you getting lapped - I enjoy these combinations:

Select a Road G Ford Mustang Fastback and Vintage Prototype B. The Mustang is roughly the same speed as the GT350 which raced at Le Mans in 1967 so this combination sees you being lapped by the Ford MK4 and Ferrari 330 P4. Try it at night at Historic Le Mans and if you get lapped on the Mulsanne it is awesome! Next swap to the Ford MK4 or Ferrari and enjoy lapping the road cars (really needs a custom grid option to eliminate unwanted cars like the pickup truck).

Vintage Prototype A (Porsche 917K and LH, Ferrari 512M and S) v Vintage GTA - pick the Ferrari 365 GTB4 or Porsche 911 for ultimate realism. OR Vintage Prototype A plus Vintage GTB and pick the big Merc saloon which was a famed endurance racer - try this one at Historic Spa or Daytona Road at night or dawn. Try putting the AI at max (120/100) to get a competitive race against a different car from the class or set it in the normal way to go against the same model.

Try GTC and GTD. In GTC the 250 GT laps slightly slower than the 250 TR and Aston so for extra challenge pick the 250 GT. Try selecting the 250 GT and set AI to max (120/100) - for me this makes the GTD Merc the main challenger and the GTC cars lap me - you may be a faster driver so this might not work for you, but I find that if I set the AI to max I can sometimes race the lower class cars competitively in a multi-class field, which makes a nice change. Try the Merc at Rouen Les Essarts, Bannochbrae and Sugo.

GT1 v LMP900 or LMP900 v GT1 is another great combination also Group 5 v Group 6 - try Watkins Glen with these.
 
My problem with multiclass racing is that the AI is faster in some of the cars and slower in others. Like GT1 for example, the AI is always fast in the Toyota, Ferrari, Mercedes and Panoz cars only. In GTO, the AI is fast with the Nissan, Ferrari, Audi and Ford cars, Porsche and poor little Lambo is always in the back (and according to my testing it is 2-3 seconds slower around most of the tracks). GT3 and GT4 seems to be balanced though, and most of the LMP field is also pretty even.
 
Short back story, I gave PC2 a go out of the box, it was garbage, put it down for 8 months, have come back, and quite like it.

I had never seen this thread, read the first sentence just now and huh? :odd:

Must speak volumes for SMS post release patches.
 
It's my first week of playing so I can't add much to what's been said. However, I set up a Le Mans race with 4 classes (LMP1, LMP2, GTE and GT3). It all worked as it should, lap times for each class were realistic. Only problema is I am too slow :P Went in with a LMP1 and lost the pack of them after 3 corners. My aim (not to have a bruised ego) was, to the end of that race, to stay ahead of the LMP2 pack.

So far, I find this game very good. In fact, it might even make me go back in time 10 years and return to my old "addicted to racing games" status! :lol:
 
@Hun200kmh - Set the AI strength to 79 or below. Above that the AI cars can use car setups that are track specific, which could make a lot of difference on a circuit like Le Mans. ;)
 
Thanks for the reply IfandOr. I noticed this the other day because I was having fun with Caterhams at Portimão. I found these settings to be the ones that have my heart pumping from start to end
- 10-lap race,
- 32 car field
- Rolling start
- Last grid position
-110 skill level (it is the setting that gets my best laptime just a little better than the front of the field)

So far, my best finishing position has been 8th. Of course the aim is to win (done that at skill level 100) but I'm quite content to battle it out for 10 laps regardless of finishing position.

However, I'm still struggling with setups. It became obvious, past the "80" skill level mark, that the AI cars were faster than me on the straight, but now at 110 I'm a sitting duck in top speed. Having no downforce options in the Caterham, all I can do is to mess around with the gear ratios, especially 5th and 6th. I'll get there.

One BIG question, for me, regards the setting of AI aggresiveness (aggressivity?) After getting frustrated with the mess big fields make of themselves in the first few corners of every race (it's almost funny, but it detracts … a lot … from the realism of the simulation, and therefore hurts the immersiveness of the experience) I tried to see if by changing this setting things would improve. And I think it helps to reduce their aggressive level. So, now I'm trying this combo with the said 110 skill but only 25 agressive level. Make no mistake, even at this setting they do divebomb me for corner one.
 
but I'm quite content to battle it out for 10 laps regardless of finishing position.
My thoughts too. I must also try the Caterham again.

One thing you'll notice is that the AI settings aren't consistent between tracks, and sometimes between cars, so you might need to tweak them as required. Which is a bit of a pain but at the same time it's good that the settings are available.

even at this setting they do divebomb me for corner one.
Quite realistic to some online races then. :)


If you're available and fancy some competitive, clean and fun online racing at any time try @Sick Cylinder's race rooms. We often have multi class races.

Mondays > Historic Racing Wednesdays > Classic Racing

Looking at your location you wouldn't feel out of place, there's been up to 4 Portuguese guys racing. Currently there still are 2 regulars.
 
Last edited:
Back