2015 Round 3 - Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - Nissan Zytek Z11SN Greaves Motorsport LMP2

[Mikey24]

I really don't want to be that whiner

Stop whining.

 

[GTP_CargoRatt]

Wow, seems like I may have spoken out of turn with my advice/opinion. I sincerely apologize if I unintentionally steered people in the wrong direction with what I said. I guess what I should have said is that I myself seem to have no problems improving my time with each session, for whatever reason. I can't explain it any better than this. At the end of each session, I am only leaving around .100 out on the track. When I go back into another session, its as if I have some sort of magical grip because I end up improving anywhere between .100-.400. I'm sure I'll hit the wall at some point, but for now I always seem to be able to improve, big or small. Again, my apologies for my less than knowledgeable advice.

 

[Mikey24]

Wow, seems like I may have spoken out of turn with my advice/opinion. I sincerely apologize if I unintentionally steered people in the wrong direction with what I said. I guess what I should have said is that I myself seem to have no problems improving my time with each session, for whatever reason. I can't explain it any better than this. At the end of each session, I am only leaving around .100 out on the track. When I go back into another session, its as if I have some sort of magical grip because I end up improving anywhere between .100-.400. I'm sure I'll hit the wall at some point, but for now I always seem to be able to improve, big or small. Again, my apologies for my less than knowledgeable advice.

No need to apologize, mate! You give so much helpful advice for those struggling and I do like seeing that, I really do. Me and @Growling have just found to find the same thing, which was that we can't find improvements. But, more to the points, no need to apologize, all of your advice is greatly appreciated here, and I can guarantee that!

 

[Dan76]

I stuck on one sector/corner , the left hander after Rivage. I seem to be dropping close to a second in this sector when I match the data to one of you quick guys. I've tried 4th but loose acceleration and in 3rd I'm loosing momentum. It may be my exit from Rivage that I'm struggling with ? Any tips....

I'm no alien/expert, but you are correct, exit is extremely important. You have to get the car rotated and on the throttle as much as possible to maximize momentum leading to and all the way through the left hander.

I did a quick session earlier today, to mainly just work on this section. I worked on getting into 3rd quicker on exit...

Also, if your loosing a ton of time in the left hander, you probably need to go wider before turn in and start your turn in sooner and maximize the curb at apex and the run off curb on exit.

Hope this may help!

 

[Robbks]

I myself seem to have no problems improving my time with each session, for whatever reason. I can't explain it any better than this. At the end of each session, I am only leaving around .100 out on the track. When I go back into another session, its as if I have some sort of magical grip because I end up improving anywhere between .100-.400.

Same here with most of the seasonals, etc

I find it's a mental mind reset, the longer you spend the more laps you have in your head about where you screwed up last time, or where to get on the throttle earlier, but you end up costing yourself time elsewhere.
Put it down, walk away, have another beer then come back to it.
I always do a full "sighting lap" straight out of the box, early upshifts, coast through corners, etc get comfy in the chair again before doing a flyer.

I'm nowhere near as fast as 90% of the guys and I've only put in maximum of an hour to any GTA or Seasonal event
but I aim to gold the event, improve a little and I'm happy

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

2:07.431!

Notes relating to this clip:

La Source - I've gotten a lot better with trailbraking, although I came in a little too hot on this run. Ideally, I've have a more tidy rotation coming to the apex. The key is that you must start applying gas before the apex. It doesn't have to be a lot, just enough to have some momentum. At best, I've had exits for a theoretical .4xx split. You can still hit .7s without any sliding, though.

Eau Rouge - Frankly, that's the best I've done it. Didn't even drop below 156 mph. I have tested a line where I'm not even aiming for the right cone and the surrounding curbing; I stick on the left edge of the racing line going up the hill. It's a viable alternative to try if you keep scrubbing off too much speed.

Les Combes/Malmady - Not much change from before. I do upshift earlier than Tidgney since I usually turn in too early and I keep hitting the cone in 3rd.

Bruxelles (or Rivage): I changed to a less aggressive approach. Constant braking and coast the car in as far as you can. Don't accelerate until you're certain you can clear the corner without lifting.

Bus Bend (That wonderful left hander): Rubbish. A fraction too late with the turn in. Otherwise, I would've nailed the apex and made off like a bandit. Consequently, I hit the outside curbs with too much wheel and I was really lucky I didn't spin out.

Pouhon: I'm starting to miss on this corner. I keep hitting the inside curbing and/or slowing down too much because I can't trailbrake that well. Here, throttled up a bit too early and almost went too wide while fighting understeer.

Fagnes/Campus: A good run through I have had better exits. It requires being a little more methodical with the gas as you're finishing rounding the first section, maybe go 80-90%. Keep it constant going left until you reach the cone.

Stavelot - Did not want to clip the curbing. I hesitated on the gas a bit.

Blanchimont - Pretty good.

Bus Stop - I actually messed up the angle of approach but it helped me use every bit of track. I still don't know how but the car rotated so nicely right without any worries about hitting the cone. The exit, well, I literally mentally yelled at myself to just floor the Zytek and hold on for dear life. When I later checked the data logger between this lap and my .559, guess where I gained that extra tenth?

 

[bone_tone]

No need to apologize, mate! You give so much helpful advice for those struggling and I do like seeing that, I really do. Me and @Growling have just found to find the same thing, which was that we can't find improvements. But, more to the points, no need to apologize, all of your advice is greatly appreciated here, and I can guarantee that!

I, like others, am struggling to improve my time on this, but my struggle is just to hit the gold time! I did find the car easy to drive, and got the silver time easily, but am now completely stuck. Followed all the help and guides in this forum, and still no improvement - how embarrassing is that! Ah well, there's always next year........

 

[GuyMichetti]

New to GT6 and new poster.. ditto to what bone_tone just said...

 

[FordMKIVJ5]

2:07.899 now for me.

Have had a .568 first sector since though which is .116 faster than on my lap, have another tenth/tenth and a half left in sector 2 since I had to lift slightly coming out of 'no name corner'. Bus-stop was ok, but not perfect, easily another tenth there, maybe even more.

Easier said than done though.

 

[bone_tone]

New to GT6 and new poster.. ditto to what bone_tone just said...

Feel less embarrassed now that I know I'm not alone!

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

There was one more thing I wanted to add, something that I should've realized sooner after watching several alien laps.

Run your laps under sunny skies!

While you can run close to your best with clouds overhead, it's much harder. Now, I didn't get to test extensively but in one case, I exited out and went back in ten consecutive times and kept getting cloudy skies. I had to turn off my PS3 and back on again to get clear skies.

In short, whether you're a believer or not about variable grip levels, do yourself a favor and look up before you run laps.

 

[Growling]

That is ABSOLUTE BS!! People have been training a year for this and they might lose out because PD has messed up the competetition.. 👎

 

[GuyMichetti]

Feel less embarrassed now that I know I'm not alone!

My best time was 2:13.095.... so close yet... For these GT Academy rounds my only goal was to get Gold. I did for the first two rounds, and a bit better in the 2nd round.. this one, as much as I love SPA, I seem to have hit the limits of my abilities. I'll however, keep trying. Just started playing GT 6 back in Feb. of this year. Did everything with Automatic up to getting my Super. Then I decided to try MT, and it is great, but I'm still pretty much a newbie.. so keep trying.. never say die!!!

 

[SJC ALPHA]

Run your laps under sunny skies!


In short, whether you're a believer or not about variable grip levels, do yourself a favor and look up before you run laps.

Glad someone has noticed this, thought I was going mad. As I mentioned earlier in this thread I sometimes get sun glare approaching Blanchimont, though I cannot comment on grip levels as I am useless at this event as I still do not have Gold.

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

That is ABSOLUTE BS!! People have been training a year for this and they might lose out because PD has messed up the competetition.. 👎

If it is an issue, it might be fixed for the final round. We just have to check the skies.

Glad someone has noticed this, thought I was going mad. As I mentioned earlier in this thread I sometimes get sun glare approaching Blanchimont, though I cannot comment on grip levels as I am useless at this event as I still do not have Gold.

If anything, slower drivers may notice the difference even more. Run sessions under both conditions and see which one gives you better fliers.

 

[psychocrowley]

That is ABSOLUTE BS!! People have been training a year for this and they might lose out because PD has messed up the competetition.. 👎

I have always used a ds3 on gran turismo until about 5 months ago when I got a thrustmaster t60 wheel. I love it as I can be way better steering, accelerating, and breaking more consistently than the ds3. I have gotten into the top 200 in the world in several seasonal tt's and am motivated to see how I can do in my first real gt academy competition. Did ok in rounds 1 & 2 (gold easily) and fairly quick at getting gold. With this 3rd round though, I feel like I must just not be getting the car figured out or something as I have not yet even gotten gold. Starting to lose a little confidence in myself with this one. Can't seem to go full speed through eau rouge or blanchimont after many tries. Is it the t60 wheel not being good on this one or what? I just feel clueless on this round. I've felt up until now that I was actually doing pretty well with gt6. Still 7 seconds behind 1st in the world and as of right now it is hard to imagine even getting a 2 min.10 second lap. Can someone tell me what the secret is? Actually thought about trying with a ds3. Do I need a 900 degree wheel (expensive, which is why I have a t60)? Feeling sort of like a total amateur on this one. I am by far not the fastest driver playing and I know that, but feeling with this round like I just plain suck! Gonna try again now and I hope I figure this car out!

 

[GREASY SAM]

There was one more thing I wanted to add, something that I should've realized sooner after watching several alien laps.

Run your laps under sunny skies!

While you can run close to your best with clouds overhead, it's much harder. Now, I didn't get to test extensively but in one case, I exited out and went back in ten consecutive times and kept getting cloudy skies. I had to turn off my PS3 and back on again to get clear skies.

In short, whether you're a believer or not about variable grip levels, do yourself a favor and look up before you run laps.

Do you notice the cloudy sky right away? Barely played this one due to new baby but want to get a 2:07. Stuck at 2:08.09*

 

[Dan76]

Decent gain to: 2:09.594

Real happy with 1st sector progress. Killing it through Les Combes though!! Stavelot needs work...It's so critical, mis it and it kills!

...of course, I can't for the life of me think WHY I WOULD WANT TO GO THROUGH A BUS STOP!! I hate busses!

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

So this is my fastest lap so far - 2:09,677 .... (settings: TC: 3)
For those who have some advice, i'd love to hear it !

• I can't seem to get "Les Combes" right... everytime i brake, i fail to hit the apex on the first right hander....resulting in less speed to exit the left hander;
• The left hander after "Bruxelles" i missed the apex way to far...so surely got to get that one straight...
• Scrubbed off to much speed at "blanchimont" aswell i think..

I'd be more than happy to get some advices.

Traction control at 3? Well, there's your problem. If you want more speed, you gotta put that puppy to zero. Just need to practice working the gas pedal at spots other than full.

I stuck on one sector/corner , the left hander after Rivage. I seem to be dropping close to a second in this sector when I match the data to one of you quick guys. I've tried 4th but loose acceleration and in 3rd I'm loosing momentum. It may be my exit from Rivage that I'm struggling with ? Any tips....

If you keep the car more to the right exiting Rivage, you don't have to worry as much lining up the car for the corner (Bus Bend as I like to call it). If you want to use 4th, what I'd do is barely graze the curbing approaching the entry. Lift soon after the gear indicator flashes 3. Turn but do it gently. The car will turn almost on its own toward the apex.

If you decide on 3rd, you can turn in a bit later. Either way, you want to use minimal steering angle as you're only scrubbing off 15 mph to clear the corner. That means if you want to brake, it has to be the smallest of dabs.

I will note that there is a pointy brown... thing that appears on the left side of the screen. Right before the point lines up with the edge of the screen is a rough turn in point.

I have always used a ds3 on gran turismo until about 5 months ago when I got a thrustmaster t60 wheel. I love it as I can be way better steering, accelerating, and breaking more consistently than the ds3. I have gotten into the top 200 in the world in several seasonal tt's and am motivated to see how I can do in my first real gt academy competition. Did ok in rounds 1 & 2 (gold easily) and fairly quick at getting gold. With this 3rd round though, I feel like I must just not be getting the car figured out or something as I have not yet even gotten gold. Starting to lose a little confidence in myself with this one. Can't seem to go full speed through eau rouge or blanchimont after many tries. Is it the t60 wheel not being good on this one or what? I just feel clueless on this round. I've felt up until now that I was actually doing pretty well with gt6. Still 7 seconds behind 1st in the world and as of right now it is hard to imagine even getting a 2 min.10 second lap. Can someone tell me what the secret is? Actually thought about trying with a ds3. Do I need a 900 degree wheel (expensive, which is why I have a t60)? Feeling sort of like a total amateur on this one. I am by far not the fastest driver playing and I know that, but feeling with this round like I just plain suck! Gonna try again now and I hope I figure this car out!

Can't say for certain but if it's not a 900 degree wheel, you may be hampered by hardware. If you're really desperate, find a used Driving Force Pro for cheap. It's ancient but I can run 2:07s with it.

Do you notice the cloudy sky right away? Barely played this one due to new baby but want to get a 2:07. Stuck at 2:08.09*

If I understand the question correctly, the moment you start the lap, look straight ahead. If there's no clouds, you're good to go.

...of course, I can't for the life of me think WHY I WOULD WANT TO GO THROUGH A BUS STOP!! I hate busses!

Oh. Then you may not like the final round:



Drive around Le Mans... taking people to and from the track.

 

[Thomas__633]

in one of the threads there was a bet on that
anyway, would turning off TC from TC 1 gain 0.3 seconds? (my best time being a 2.13.255)

 

[GTP_CargoRatt]

There was one more thing I wanted to add, something that I should've realized sooner after watching several alien laps.

Run your laps under sunny skies!

While you can run close to your best with clouds overhead, it's much harder. Now, I didn't get to test extensively but in one case, I exited out and went back in ten consecutive times and kept getting cloudy skies. I had to turn off my PS3 and back on again to get clear skies.

In short, whether you're a believer or not about variable grip levels, do yourself a favor and look up before you run laps.

My, far from xpert opinion. All of my best laps have been set with clouds overhead. Went back and watched all the top 10 replays and some had clouds, some didn't. I myself have been keeping a close eye on this since round 1. I have not noticed any difference in regards to what I have bolded in your post. Clouds, no clouds.....I haven't noticed any difference. The random grip issue seems to come from something else and doesn't seem related to the cloud cover. Sorry and don't mean to disagree with you, but what are friends for anyway.

PS. I always look up before I start a session.

 

[Dan76]

Oh. Then you may not like the final round:



Drive around Le Mans... taking people to and from the track.

Nice Thanks for the preview

Uh well, round 3's been fun! Think I'll pass on the ol' Bus Tourist Trophy Grande' Finale See you all next year

 

[GREASY SAM]

My, far from xpert opinion. All of my best laps have been set with clouds overhead. Went back and watched all the top 10 replays and some had clouds, some didn't. I myself have been keeping a close eye on this since round 1. I have not noticed any difference in regards to what I have bolded in your post. Clouds, no clouds.....I haven't noticed any difference. The random grip issue seems to come from something else and doesn't seem related to the cloud cover. Sorry and don't mean to disagree with you, but what are friends for anyway.

PS. I always look up before I start a session.

I agree with you. I signed in had no clouds and could not keep up to my pb. Exit out like four times and got clouds. Was instantly up to pace again. I don't get it this is 🤬 for and international contest.

 

[dimassa19]

There was one more thing I wanted to add, something that I should've realized sooner after watching several alien laps.

Run your laps under sunny skies!

While you can run close to your best with clouds overhead, it's much harder. Now, I didn't get to test extensively but in one case, I exited out and went back in ten consecutive times and kept getting cloudy skies. I had to turn off my PS3 and back on again to get clear skies.

In short, whether you're a believer or not about variable grip levels, do yourself a favor and look up before you run laps.

8/10 is under the blue sky...Well, i will try tomorrow to improve my 2:08.2...

 

[GTP_CargoRatt]

Nice Thanks for the preview

Uh well, round 3's been fun! Think I'll pass on the ol' Bus Tourist Trophy Grande' Finale See you all next year

Sad to hear. I actually look forward to the bus.

 

[Tandem21]

I also feel as though I have better grip with the sun out. Eau Rouge is where I feel the difference the most.

Could just be a placebo effect, though. Something more scientific needs to be applied.

 

[psychocrowley]

I think Eau Rouge can be done full speed with a ds3 or my Thrustmaster T60 wheel but it just has to be done perfectly to achieve. I don't have a 900 degree wheel so I can't say for sure but I believe as other people with wheels have commented that it is easier done with a 900 wheel. I have never before had any trouble with getting a car through that section efficiently until now. Even prototypes. Sure some were extremely fast and tricky but could be done with little practice. I just now finally got gold with a 2:12.8.. Sheesh, I don't know when I last had any trouble getting gold in a time trial. I still can't take those two sections at full speed but cleaning up the rest of the lap and getting faster. Got gold all of a sudden and beat my time by a full second with cloudy skies! I will not give up on those two sections till I can take them at full speed darnnit!!! ...and with this T60 wheel also!

P.S. Question: To take advantage of the downforce of the car and get out of the low to mid speed turns the fastest, u have to keep at least a little throttle for most grip right?💡

 

[OutlawQuadrnt]

in one of the threads there was a bet on that
anyway, would turning off TC from TC 1 gain 0.3 seconds? (my best time being a 2.13.255)

In just about any car, you'll be faster with traction control off. The last thing you want is something out of your control interfering mid-lap.

My, far from xpert opinion. All of my best laps have been set with clouds overhead. Went back and watched all the top 10 replays and some had clouds, some didn't. I myself have been keeping a close eye on this since round 1. I have not noticed any difference in regards to what I have bolded in your post. Clouds, no clouds.....I haven't noticed any difference. The random grip issue seems to come from something else and doesn't seem related to the cloud cover. Sorry and don't mean to disagree with you, but what are friends for anyway.

PS. I always look up before I start a session.

I agree with you. I signed in had no clouds and could not keep up to my pb. Exit out like four times and got clouds. Was instantly up to pace again. I don't get it this is 🤬 for and international contest.

8/10 is under the blue sky...Well, i will try tomorrow to improve my 2:08.2...

I also feel as though I have better grip with the sun out. Eau Rouge is where I feel the difference the most.

Could just be a placebo effect, though. Something more scientific needs to be applied.

I think Eau Rouge can be done full speed with a ds3 or my Thrustmaster T60 wheel but it just has to be done perfectly to achieve. I don't have a 900 degree wheel so I can't say for sure but I believe as other people with wheels have commented that it is easier done with a 900 wheel. I have never before had any trouble with getting a car through that section efficiently until now. Even prototypes. Sure some were extremely fast and tricky but could be done with little practice. I just now finally got gold with a 2:12.8.. Sheesh, I don't know when I last had any trouble getting gold in a time trial. I still can't take those two sections at full speed but cleaning up the rest of the lap and getting faster. Got gold all of a sudden and beat my time by a full second with cloudy skies! I will not give up on those two sections till I can take them at full speed darnnit!!! ...and with this T60 wheel also!

Well, now I'm really perplexed. It does sound like what you get for skies every session is random as does which conditions is "better". I suppose the best advice is try both conditions and see if there's a noticeable change in lap times.

If there really is something going on, I want to say the track weather settings are not fixed and that's changing the overall grip. There's no way to check that, though.

P.S. Question: To take advantage of the downforce of the car and get out of the low to mid speed turns the fastest, u have to keep at least a little throttle for most grip right?💡

The car turns better than you think at less than full throttle. At Les Combes/Malmedy and Fagnes/Campus, work the gas pedal right and it becomes easier to carry speed.

 

[Dan76]

Sad to hear. I actually look forward to the bus.

Well, I may stick it out for the prize...a bus in the garage does sound kinda' cool!

I think Eau Rouge can be done full speed with a ds3 or my Thrustmaster T60 wheel but it just has to be done perfectly to achieve. I don't have a 900 degree wheel so I can't say for sure but I believe as other people with wheels have commented that it is easier done with a 900 wheel. I have never before had any trouble with getting a car through that section efficiently until now. Even prototypes. Sure some were extremely fast and tricky but could be done with little practice. I just now finally got gold with a 2:12.8.. Sheesh, I don't know when I last had any trouble getting gold in a time trial. I still can't take those two sections at full speed but cleaning up the rest of the lap and getting faster. Got gold all of a sudden and beat my time by a full second with cloudy skies! I will not give up on those two sections till I can take them at full speed darnnit!!! ...and with this T60 wheel also!

P.S. Question: To take advantage of the downforce of the car and get out of the low to mid speed turns the fastest, u have to keep at least a little throttle for most grip right?💡

I'm pretty sure I couldn't pull it off with a ds3, but I have a couple friends who pull it off quite well. Just keep at it...practice, practice...don't give up! 👍

Sooner you can get on the throttle the better. Make sure you go through this thread and watch some vids.

I was totally new w/ the wheel last year and it took several goes to Gold. But, with some practice, I moved up pretty good over all. Again, don't give up! 👍

 

[IBZ6L20VT]

Well, now I'm really perplexed. It does sound like what you get for skies every session is random as does which conditions is "better". I suppose the best advice is try both conditions and see if there's a noticeable change in lap times.

If there really is something going on, I want to say the track weather settings are not fixed and that's changing the overall grip. There's no way to check that, though.

For this Round I gave up on day two because I felt just as @Growling does, frustrated. So to avoid burn out for last Round I stopped playing.

But I noticed the weather changes and also noticed that under cloudy skies my times (and overall feeling) were worse than with fully clear sky.

Maybe, and just maybe, PD has set weather on 0% but as on online racing, this leads to some sessions with completely clear skies and sometimes some clouds pop up. When clouds appear, even with weather at 0%, some temperature or grip value varies. Or maybe I'm just maundering clueless about this.

In any case, this grip changes are a bad joke...