Wanna learn how to drive - where to start?

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Hi!
Some of you know me especially from the Wheel part of the forum, most of you probably don't know me :D
Anyways, I pretty much suck at driving.
Just for reference I tried iRacing and where the best lapped at low 59s I played for 6-8 hours and got down to low 1 min 3 seconds, couldn't really below that and I realised I have SO much to learn.
4 seconds is quite much (around 6% slower, mind though that I haven't been driving competitively before.

This post is for advice on GT5 though.
Which cars/tracks should I focus on?
Since my main goal is to improve I think it would be best to start out with low HP cars?!
I kinda like Nürburgring, don't know if it's a good one to start learning though.
Would be really nice to of all you awesome drivers here to share your knowledge.

This is very serious from my part so please refrain from trolling/bashing.
 
There are many different ways to start learning how to drive and get better but I'll give you my two cents on it.

Start off with like you said low horsepower cars on stock tires. I would suggest the Honda Civic Type R '97 from the NCD, it is a very good car to start learning the basics of driving and racing. It is very important that you leave the stock tires on because the more stickier the tires get the "less driving" you have to do. I would suggest taking the Honda like I mentioned or any other low horsepower can on stock tires to a map like Trial Mountain Circuit. This map offers a nice mix of slow turns, fast turns, a nice straightaway, and elevation change to test your ability to keep the car under control. The Nurburgring is a good map but you can't really see an improvement in your lap times unless you completely master the long and technical track, so all in all I wouldn't recommend it. Aside from Trail Mountain Circuit any map that isn't that big where you can get some consistent times out of is a good one.

iRacing is also a hardcore simulation game which takes a ton of skill to get really good at while GT5 is a bit more laid back but still obviously nothing like an arcade game.

I hope I could help you out a bit! 👍
 
I'm not sure what car is a good "learner" car, but starting off in a low-horsepower car will give you a basic learning curve, while equipped its default tires, as higher-grade tires will provide too much grip (take note that drivetrain & engine layout is also important, as the car performs differently with each type, like an FF provides neutral steering, but demands more steering than most). A good learner track is Trial Mountain, for its nice corner combos and varying degrees of elevation. The licenses can also help as well to introduce some useful driving techniques, e.g. "Slow In, Fast Out" (don't try too hard on 'em, though). Nordschleife is a good track, but it is very complex & technical, so it wouldn't be a good place to train on. However GP-Strecke, or Nurburgring GP/F, is a little brother version of Nordschleife, so it is too a good track to train on.


Good luck & I hope I helped you out!
 
My 2 cents.... concentrate on the licenses, watch the license demos. That's exactly why they are there... to teach you lines, braking, throttle control etc.

I'm not a good GT5 driver... most of my licenses are bronze, and I feel a real sense of achievement getting a gold. That "experience" rubs off in races.

I really miss the GT4 (?) teaching aid where you follow another car....!

Good luck!
 
Don't practice too much offline if you want to race online. Open a lobby for practices to get used to the handling and don't use overly wide tracks as you don't need to be as accurate.
 
Let me toss a couple of coins your way.

IMHO the Toyota AE86 is the best car to learn on. It was my first car in real life and deserves its reputation.

Trial Mtn (as mentioned) is probably the best track. Deep forest, Grand Valley Speedway, and maybe Rome are good to learn on.

Drivingfast.net is an excellent source for learning to drive. Learn your lines and know how to use them. Learn your corners and their parts.

And practice, practice, practice.
 
Rally and rain.
If you can master those.
You're pretty much good.
Practice on dirt and wet tracks. Perhaps even snow.
Do your best to master this sort of driving, then apply that knowledge to the dry tracks.
Remember, turn the car with the throttle, not the wheel.
 
Crazed_Coupe
As some said license test are another good way to learn proper driving techniques.
Click to expand...

If you can get it GT 4 had much better license tests.
 
By better I mean they actually teach you instead of just throwing almost random tests your way.

I feel GT4 licenses were to teach you, progressively, how to handle a car. GT5 shows that after you pass a license you know how to drive.

(Porsche Unleashed had the best instructions, unbelievable for its time, but the physics aren't even close.)
 
Ronald6
By better I mean they actually teach you instead of just throwing almost random tests your way.

I feel GT4 licenses were to teach you, progressively, how to handle a car. GT5 shows that after you pass a license you know how to drive.

(Porsche Unleashed had the best instructions, unbelievable for its time, but the physics aren't even close.)
Click to expand...

Oh I see. 👍
 
I bought a Mini Cooper, NCD, when I first started, tuned it up, soft racing tires, the works and won lots. Another good one is a Nissan Skyline or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolotion for the Japanese races. Tune them up if you can afford it. Make sure the driving line is on, that will give you your braking points. Also use "skid recovery" , ABS about 8 and Traction control about 8, that should help you get going.
 
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As the others have said, spend time on the licences. Additionally, there is a general tendency for people to go into turns too fast which means the car then has to scrub off speed and delays the point when you can get back on the throttle.

Watch videos of other drivers.

You also might want to enter the WRS. I don't think your 4sec difference on iRacing is as bad as you think, and you won't be at the back. The advantage is an active forum and plenty of people willing to help and offer advice. There are usually lots of videos to look at as well. Many of the Division 1 drivers are GT Academy finalists, so you know that the lessons learnt will be good ones.

WRS forum
 
chris speed
I bought a Mini Cooper, NCD, when I first started, tuned it up, soft racing tires, the works and won lots. Another good one is a Nissan Skyline or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolotion for the Japanese races. Tune them up if you can afford it. Make sure the driving line is on, that will give you your braking points. Also use "skid recovery" , ABS about 8 and Traction control about 8, that should help you get going.
Click to expand...

This seems like quite bad advice...?
All those aids makes GT5 into an Arcade game basically.
 
My opinion is sports hard tyres. And try stick to one car at a time. Also decide on what drivetrain you want to use. FF, 4WD and RWD all drive quite differently.

Learn to drive the car stock before tuning it. Drive slow first, then increase your pace. Learn to walk before you run.

Learn braking points. Drive with heavy damage, although it's frustrating, but it'll force you to drive more carefully and force you to learn the car's limits faster.
 
I drive a lot of shuffle races.
Most of hem feature low horsepowered cars with crappy comfort tires.

Make your own room with damage on to keep the idiots out.
Best races I swear. Plus it's more fun to do than to practise solo on some track.
 
First Tip: Reduce the Aids to a minimum. TCS is at the beginning a helpfull aid but if you drive with low-powered Cars you´ll not need it.
SRF is a fictional aid => don´t use it
ASK will slow you down enormous.
Only ABS should be on (can´t explain why but I use a DS3 => it´s probably impossible to not lock the Brakes when off)

The shuffle races will help you allot.
Differnt slow cars with low-Tires on various Tracks against similar Cars and not against AI ;)
Well if you do this often you´ll see a major improvement even if you drive fast Cars on grippy Tires.

If you want to train offline take different drivetrain Layouts to a Track of your liking.
Tracks (Some I would Test on):
Laguna Seca
Trial Mountain
Deep Forrest
Cape Ring (inner Circle)
Grand Valley
Nürb GP/D and GP/F
Suzuka (East and Full Track)

Cars:
FF:
Trial Celica
Ford ST170 (or use the premium ST or the RS :D)
Integra Type-R
Dodge SRT-4

FR:
Toyota FT-86 Concept and the G-Sport version
TVR Griffith (I love that Car)
Z4 M
MX5
RX7

MR:
Honda Beat ´93
Lotus Elise (any Standard or Premium)
TommyKaira ZZ-S
NSX Type-R (or any other Version)

4x4:
Lancer
Impreza
Audi TT
Skyline or GTR´s (R32-R35 any Version)
Audi R8 or Lamborghini Gallardo for the MR-4x4 versions ;)

RR:
RGT
Alpine Renault (both)
Delorean
and finally the biggest test-car for your abilities: YellowBird.


Well if you can do consistant with low- and mid-powered Cars you can "Upgrade" to the Supercars (Zonda etc), Racing-Cars (DTM, superGT) and LM Cars (787B, Audi R10 etc)

[Cars are just examples variety is big in GT5 xD]
Like New Kids on the Block sang: Step by Step xD
 
I play with a wheel, all aids of besides ABS 1-3 (usually on 1).
The plan is to get deeper into iRacing but learning from GT5 too since there many more cars/tracks for "free".
What should I focus on, FF, FR...?
 
Option 1:
Buy an AE86, put a cup of water in the cup holder, and deliver Bunta's tofu to the nearby hotels on lake Akina without spilling the water and without falling off Mt. Akina.

or

Simple Option:
Focus on FR driving which is the hardest to master. The better you get FR driving, the better you get everywhere. Don't do the licenses so much, all they do is aggravate in a non-real racing environment, which is why I always hated them. Pick an older FR, no aids on at all (not even ABS) and drive alone on the Nurburgring over and over. To me this is the best training, because;
- you improve at your own pace
- the track is the most challenging with ever curve known to man on that course
- you find your mistakes on your own, and improve after each lap
- you learn your own driving style and tricks of the trade
- you're more relaxed and don't have to worry about time, which is the state of mind that's proven best to be in during all types of racing.
Start with a less powerful FR car, like the Initial D AE86 or an MX-5, and once you thinked you mastered that car, go on to a more powerful, and more powerful car (The limit will probably be an LM car or F1 car). In the end, only you alone will know how to and when you improve, no else can tell you how you yourself can improve. Whichever way you choose, good luck!
 
A few tracks to progress to
HSR
London
Trial Mountain
Deep Forest
Grand Valley
La Sarthe
Nurburgring Nordschleife (the ultimate track)

Cars
FF
Nissan March/Micra
Civic R
Intrgra RM

FR
Sil80
Silvia s15 spec-r RM
Corvette C5 Z06
Viper GTS or SRT-10
Viper ACR or TVR Speed12

MR
PDI Kart
Lotus Elise
Elise 111R RM
Honda NSX
Ferrari 430 Scud
Ford GT
McLaren F1

RR
Delorian DMC-12
Then work your way throughout the RUFs
BTR
RGT
CTR

4wd
Lancer Evo
Impreza STi
Nissan GTR R35
Rally cars
Audi R8 V10
Lambo LP670-4
Veyron 16.4
Suzuki Escudo
 
Check out Shakedown on YouTube. They did 4 or 5 "Shakedown University" episodes that focused on the basic skills of race driving...ie the line, late apexing, passing, cornering, etc.

As they mention speed comes down to 4 things: 1. the performance of the car, 2. the set up of the car, 3. the drivers knowledge of the track and car, 4. the drivers skill. All are important for fast times. Good luck.
 
First, forget a-Spec. The best imo would be the following challenges:

1.) Online Seasonals
2.) Licence Tests
3.) Special Events (exl. the S.Vettel Challenge Gold)
4.) Nürburgring GT-R Throphy
5.) S.Vettel Challenge Gold
6.) Complete a-Spec

Try to use as less driving aids as possible. You need only ABS: 1, SRF (extra grip), steering sensitivity to 5-7 & the driving line (if you need it).
The other aids will mostly slow you down, but in some tests they are useful if the car or the car/tire combination is not the best.

After that, you are basically a pro driver & ready to own online. :D:tup:
 
Never EVER use SRF it just makes you think your car has more grip and ability than it does. The only aid worth using is ABS at 1.
 
if you master the ring, you will be good at all the tracks. it's not an easy track to learn but doing so will make the other tracks look like child's play.
 
esoxhntr
if you master the ring, you will be good at all the tracks. it's not an easy track to learn but doing so will make the other tracks look like child's play.
Click to expand...

I have to both agree and disagree with this.
As much as I love the ring, there's no guarantee that you will perform much better on other tracks if you're good at this one.
Sure, if you drive around it a lot, you will get better by simply driving more, but the ring is such an unique track that it doesn't just transfer over to other tracks, since it's so different from your usual city courses, gt and gp tracks.

In short, the track's flow and lack of low speed corners is, imo, making it too diverse to be a general learners track. However, you should be able to track your progress if you drive a few laps every one and then.
 
Learn how to control a FR car on CH tyres once you are able to take a conner with out going off the track ( even if you go sideways then recover ) then step it up.
 
What I found useful, when making the transition from ds3 to wheel was a premium Integra, tuned to 525pp I think, racing medium tyres. I drove on Grand Valley East with a friend who at the time was a fair bit faster than me. We also tuned it to have a pointy front end, to te extent that you sometimes got oversteer on some corners! GVE is a nice short track, and it has a combination of high speed corners and low speed corners which covers most grounds.

With that car, on that track, being smooth with steering inputs, and throttle and brake control gained you soooo much time as you didn't scrub the tyres. Also racing with someone who is better than you helps a lot as you learn from them :)
 

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