2021 FIA Series Race Discussion

[ii_Biggles_ii]

We should race in the rain more often, no ramming or trying to take out people at Spa because you lose so much time if you go off yourself. On the other hand I don't think I could handle it, I did 2 races, 1 on main account in WRX and second in Alfa C4, first race started 16th finished 12th but kept the car pointing in the right direction the whole race but still found it so hard that I'm sure last time we raced in the wet it was on intermediates not full wets. I qualified 4th in the C4 but dropped in on the 2nd lap and took forever to get is pointing in the right direction and down to 18th, it was my mistake for watching the car behind and not the track so no complaints, after that it was a disaster as tried to push it but every time I ran wide the tyres took forever to come back and even managed a 180 at 20kmh so it felt like it was overkill in the rain. Roll on Bathurst for more pain.

 

[KosmoKazi]

2021 FIA Manu Exhibition Round 4 - Spa in the Wet GR3

Slot 1 - A/A+ Lobby, Door 16
Well, I love Spa and as someone who has to autocross IRL in the rain I feel like the GTS physics is a bit on the icey side...but, its the same for everyone so I hopped in the Aston and sent it. My qualifying was trash. I just pushed too hard after getting passed by the eventual top qualifier which dropped me all the way to P16 to start. Looking at the final qualy times, I should have been around p4 or so. BUT, coulda shoulda woulda. Time to put your big boy pants on and set some lap times...it didn't take long for folks to make mistakes and I was set up well early on to do well. However, I had MKM behind me and he did MKM things. Race ruined. So, on to race 2...

Slot 2 - A/A+ Lobby Door 18
As the night goes on and folks drop out of this not well attended race, I will continue to be paired with higher ranked A+ drivers as apparently I was one of the few A drivers participating. I was paired up in the lobby with a familiar GTP name @Jwptexas who absolutely slayed it in qualifying. Had like a 2:44 or low 2:45 (can't remember but it was a great lap). I ran my best qualifier that I've had (practice lobbies included) with at 2:47.0xx. However, this time my good qualifying was only good for p12. I figured if I stayed clean, I could probably pick up at least 3 or 4 positions so I put my head down and got to it. This lobby had concentration on high as fewer mistakes were being made. I slowly worked up to p10 then got smashed in LaSource (Turn 1). Back to p13. Just no luck tonight. I didn't make any mistakes or penalties in 26 laps in the rain but was unable to keep from getting hit from behind.

Hung up my driving gloves and started cutting video. Really enjoyed the racing, just disappointed in the results. I missed an opportunity for a good result. Kinda want that 1st race back...grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Hi Greddy... I saw in your comments somewhere, maybe your YouTube page, that you are an autocrosser IRL! That's awesome. I used to do a lot, 25 years ago or so. Ran my own s--tbox, but more fun was to drive home test cars from Ford, when I worked there, and run them through the course. Co-drove some friends' Mustangs from time to time, too, but when I'd beat them in their own cars, it got awkward! Autocrossing is a great way to learn car control and compete with little investment, though. I wish GTS had a viable autocross mode to play in, I think it'd be a nice addition. Only the challenges that kind of approximate it, but a full on competition mode with legitimate autocross courses would be cool, better than drifting, IMO.

 

[MCL1974]

I agree with you. I like the strategies that come with tire choice and when to pit. If Tokyo is a tire-saver then that means 5 out of 6 races in this exhibition season are no-stoppers with the exception being Interlagos which was a required 2 stop. It would seem that the change to pit times in the last update was less about strategizing pit stops and more about discouraging them in favor of tire saving.

It was a bit silly to have a race where you would pit, put on hards and then pit the next lap to get rid of them, so can imagine that PD changed the pit stop times. But then they should have included a mandatory pitstop just like in most real raceclasses. So many players are no good at tyresaving, especially those with a pad, I think. Add the new penalty system, that pretty much allows all contact on track and you have a recipy for disaster.

Drivers who are coasting their laps to save tyres are chased by drivers who do not do do anything about tyresaving and are seen as a mobile chicane. There is a massive difference in laptimes and you will often see that the tyresavers will be shoved aside to avoid timeloss. (pretty much ruined my last FIA race where I started 3rd but on mediums to avoid the pitstop while a lot were on softs and wanted to get by fast and were not afraid to use force)

Plus constant tyre saving is boring, nobody likes to watch racecars driving seconds slower just to save tyres don't we?

Do hope that PD will have a better update after the exhibition series and do many more races with different compounds required. Till then I don't think I would like to compete in the races with the current set up. (but that's just my opinion, maybe a majority actually likes the new set up?)

 

[D_Dragline]

Next Nation GR1 race , Blue Moon Bay Speedway - Central B , i think i'll use the PEUGEOT 908 HDI 2010 . Tested today.
13 laps on soft 16 on medium , laping 40:8xxx regular on both compounds. Even some sub 40:000" seconds whith draft.

Edit: brake balance -5
.

This is interesting. I’m a bit faster hotlapping in the R92CP but my race time is about 5s lower in the Pug. I’ve only tested in custom race without slipstream though.

It seems that @Mistah_MCA is only considering the R92CP and the Sauber as options which makes me worry that I’m missing something with the Peugeot.

 

[praiano63]

This is interesting. I’m a bit faster hotlapping in the R92CP but my race time is about 5s lower in the Pug. I’ve only tested in custom race without slipstream though.

It seems that @Mistah_MCA is only considering the R92CP and the Sauber as options which makes me worry that I’m missing something with the Peugeot.

I'm not very performant lately , after almost 1 year not playing GT. I've lost my A+ , back to A .... because of this , my pace is better with the peugeot. Less mistakes.

 

[D_Dragline]

I'm not very performant lately , after almost 1 year not playing GT. I've lost my A+ , back to A .... because of this , my pace is better with the peugeot. Less mistakes.

I think I am making the same (high) number of mistakes in both. It’s the tyre wear difference that is making the Pug faster for me. I can do 15s in it and still be comfortable, by 12 the Nissan is slowing down considerably.

 

[The359]

This is interesting. I’m a bit faster hotlapping in the R92CP but my race time is about 5s lower in the Pug. I’ve only tested in custom race without slipstream though.

It seems that @Mistah_MCA is only considering the R92CP and the Sauber as options which makes me worry that I’m missing something with the Peugeot.

You have to test in an online lobby. The Arcade mode physics are different from the Online mode physics.

 

[Mistah_MCA]

This is interesting. I’m a bit faster hotlapping in the R92CP but my race time is about 5s lower in the Pug. I’ve only tested in custom race without slipstream though.

It seems that @Mistah_MCA is only considering the R92CP and the Sauber as options which makes me worry that I’m missing something with the Peugeot.

908 can work, but you'll need to live under someone's slipstream to keep up.

 

[05XR8]

Someone using the R92? Might have to bring out the ear splitter.

 

[GTWolverine]

Someone using the R92? Might have to bring out the ear splitter.

As short as this track is, if someone uses the 787Banshee, I don't think there will be a single spot on the track where it won't be heard.

You have to test in an online lobby. The Arcade mode physics are different from the Online mode physics.

Found out how true this is when the Jag that was easily the fastest for me in Custom Race was an understeery mess in FP and lobbies...

 

[05XR8]

Hey, I'm knocking on the door of those R92s. If everyone uses the Group C cars, it's going to be a loverly race.

 

[RacingGrandpa]

Hey, I'm knocking on the door of those R92s. If everyone uses the Group C cars, it's going to be a loverly race.

Yesterday there was a 787b on the top five in EMEA. Hasn't checked today.

 

[OJBrit]

As short as this track is, if someone uses the 787Banshee, I don't think there will be a single spot on the track where it won't be heard.

I think the people across the bay in San Fran will think Godzilla has returned.

 

[D_Dragline]

You have to test in an online lobby. The Arcade mode physics are different from the Online mode physics.

I’ve now run in a lobby, it didn’t seem very different. Maybe felt like a slightly heavier fuel load??? The Pug was still 15 laps on softs and lapping competitively.

908 can work, but you'll need to live under someone's slipstream to keep up.

So after some lobby trials, it seems the Peugeot is quick enough to keep up, but it’s strengths make overtaking a challenge. You have to either take your chances out of turn 4 or be close enough going into turn 1. Everywhere else you can keep up but not pass.

An undercut on mediums might work? Go in on lap 13 and see if the softs will allow you to outrun the Group 1 cars.

To be honest, I’m probably leaning towards the R92CP just to avoid being target practice into turns.

 

[foolsgold74]

I'm thinking 787b so long as tyre wear is reasonable and fuel isn't an issue. I can get into the high 39s with it and run 40s all day - which is hopefully competitive in DR B.

And the noise is a laugh

 

[RX8 Racer]

Here are the times in Asia TT:

My best time in TT is 39.507. Here's hoping I can muster a sub-40s time tomorrow, since getting close to anyone ahead is going to be difficult with dirty air going into turns 1 and 4.

I'll also copy-paste an addendum @Mistah_MCA added to his guide about alternate car options (times listed are with fuel and tyres on):

Dodge Tomahawk can fly through Turn 1, but needs slipstream to keep up. 40.3
Peugeot 908 HDi does well on Turns 1 and 4, but needs slipstream to keep up. 40.2
Porsche 962 feels ok. Good speed, but understeery. 40.1
Mazda 787B has great top speed, but feels understeery. 40.1 Also has better tire wear, but fuel is an issue (will need to refuel).
DO NOT USE THE NISSAN GT-R LM NISMO. You will regret it.

And as for my weapon of choice for tomorrow....

 

[foolsgold74]

"Mazda 787B has great top speed, but feels understeery. 40.1 Also has better tire wear, but fuel is an issue (will need to refuel)."

Bummer, refuelling feels like big no no. Let's say you can run consistent 40.1s in the Mazda but have to add even 5 seconds of fuel. That's roughly 0.2s per lap lost. Could I run 40.3s in the Nissan for example? And what is the fuel top up needed in the mazda? I'm intrigued, might set up a lobby tonight to test this out.

 

[GTWolverine]

I might test out the Sauber tonight since it's the closest to the Nissan in performance, and the people who've given me the most competition in lobbies have been driving them. If the difference is small enough, I'd rather go with something everyone else isn't already using.

 

[05XR8]

I'm thinking 787b so long as tyre wear is reasonable and fuel isn't an issue. I can get into the high 39s with it and run 40s all day - which is hopefully competitive in DR B.

And the noise is a laugh

"Mazda 787B has great top speed, but feels understeery. 40.1 Also has better tire wear, but fuel is an issue (will need to refuel)."

Bummer, refuelling feels like big no no. Let's say you can run consistent 40.1s in the Mazda but have to add even 5 seconds of fuel. That's roughly 0.2s per lap lost. Could I run 40.3s in the Nissan for example? And what is the fuel top up needed in the mazda? I'm intrigued, might set up a lobby tonight to test this out.

That's if anyone will be doing sub 40s after a couple laps. Even on light fuel and drafting.

In a long race, you can follow someone until either they pit for tyres or choosing to do an undercut or run long. 787B doesn't have the torque of the V8s, but it should be lighter and better on fuel.

I'll post my fuel results after the race. I'm not 2 seconds behind the leaders in FP. So, I think I should be okay in real life race pace.

The determine factors will be divebombs and being held up in qualy and the race.

 

[foolsgold74]

That's if anyone will be doing sub 40s after a couple laps. Even on light fuel and drafting.

In a long race, you can follow someone until either they pit for tyres or choosing to do an undercut or run long. 787B doesn't have the torque of the V8s, but it should be lighter and better on fuel.

I'll post my fuel results after the race. I'm not 2 seconds behind the leaders in FP. So, I think I should be okay in real life race pace.

The determine factors will be divebombs and being held up in qualy and the race.

Well I did a quick simulation in a lobby I set up earlier with the right fuel consumption and tyre wear.

And I seem to be just under 1 sec a lap slower than in free practice for the FIA race (which has no tyre wear)

Tear wear on the Mazda isn't great. I think it will be 12/17 or maybe 13/16 softs to mediums. I did manage an out lap plus nearly 30 laps on a single tank (coasted over the line at the end of lap 30). So I think fuel will be ok if you avoid fighting too much and catch some slipstream.

 

[KosmoKazi]

I’ve now run in a lobby, it didn’t seem very different. Maybe felt like a slightly heavier fuel load??? The Pug was still 15 laps on softs and lapping competitively.



So after some lobby trials, it seems the Peugeot is quick enough to keep up, but it’s strengths make overtaking a challenge. You have to either take your chances out of turn 4 or be close enough going into turn 1. Everywhere else you can keep up but not pass.

An undercut on mediums might work? Go in on lap 13 and see if the softs will allow you to outrun the Group 1 cars.

To be honest, I’m probably leaning towards the R92CP just to avoid being target practice into turns.

What are we calling Turn 4 at this track? The hard left before the return to the oval? (edit: confirmed)

I'm really not sure what to expect in this race... but I need to post another Nations result and I am not feeling real confident about the Corvette v Porsche race at Laguna, so I'm going to have to roll the dice! Was struggling to find pace in FP, though.

Also: re TCS... on high tire wear multipliers, I will occasionally run it at 1, MAYBE 2 for a few select laps, to minimize the wear and make sure that I don't abuse them early. In that case, I KNOW I am running slower, but it is strategic in order to save the tires for improved pace at the end of the run, when I am again on TCS 0. So it's another 'tool' for the trade, and I think a good one for us middling-A drivers to make sure we get the best out of our natural pace, in that instance. But I'm categorically faster with it off (even in the rain).

 

[Mistah_MCA]

I’ve now run in a lobby, it didn’t seem very different. Maybe felt like a slightly heavier fuel load??? The Pug was still 15 laps on softs and lapping competitively.



So after some lobby trials, it seems the Peugeot is quick enough to keep up, but it’s strengths make overtaking a challenge. You have to either take your chances out of turn 4 or be close enough going into turn 1. Everywhere else you can keep up but not pass.

An undercut on mediums might work? Go in on lap 13 and see if the softs will allow you to outrun the Group 1 cars.

To be honest, I’m probably leaning towards the R92CP just to avoid being target practice into turns.

Undercut can work really well. Dirty air will slow you down a lot, so ideally, you want to be under clean air to get the best times (and actually turn). I think there was one practice race where I went 12S/17M, and got the undercut on a few cars. I was under clean air for 3 laps before the pack from stint 1 pitted.

Here are the times in Asia TT:

My best time in TT is 39.507. Here's hoping I can muster a sub-40s time tomorrow, since getting close to anyone ahead is going to be difficult with dirty air going into turns 1 and 4.

I'll also copy-paste an addendum @Mistah_MCA added to his guide about alternate car options (times listed are with fuel and tyres on):



And as for my weapon of choice for tomorrow....

Good luck in your race! ^__^

What are we calling Turn 4 at this track?

I call it rage-inducing.

 

[The359]

I am liking the Sauber more than the Nissan. I think it is easier on tires and it can brake much later for the turns. It might not accelerate out quite as well, but I think the long game is more important.

 

[D_Dragline]

I am liking the Sauber more than the Nissan. I think it is easier on tires and it can brake much later for the turns. It might not accelerate out quite as well, but I think the long game is more important.

For this reason I have decided I am going to risk the 908. My best lap in it is only 0.002 slower than the Nissan and it is just so much better through turns and on tyres. I will probably regret it every time a Group 1 car screams past me on the straight, but I figure the satisfaction of repassing them late as they hit walls is probably going to outweigh it.

 

[Redneckchef]

For this reason I have decided I am going to risk the 908. My best lap in it is only 0.002 slower than the Nissan and it is just so much better through turns and on tyres. I will probably regret it every time a Group 1 car screams past me on the straight, but I figure the satisfaction of repassing them late as they hit walls is probably going to outweigh it.

I have tried the 908 a few times and there is honestly something about it that I cant figure out. My hat is off to anyone who does drive it well, but I'll be taking out the Nissan to do my best. I expect to bounce a wall or two as I'm good for fairly regular mistakes.

So I'm running @RacingGrandpa Pepto Bismol livery just in case I have a smashing race like my last few BMB outings.

 

[05XR8]

Hopefully, I'll make it in time for the 20:30 race.

Just realised tyre wear is 9x. Uh, maybe I'll use the TS050.

Edit: Just dropped my time to 39.450 in the 787B with a 39.417 optimum.

 

[D_Dragline]

I have tried the 908 a few times and there is honestly something about it that I cant figure out. My hat is off to anyone who does drive it well, but I'll be taking out the Nissan to do my best. I expect to bounce a wall or two as I'm good for fairly regular mistakes.

So I'm running @RacingGrandpa Pepto Bismol livery just in case I have a smashing race like my last few BMB outings.

You have to short shift it and it turns and brakes much better than the Group C cars. You can really throw it around without too much concern. However...

Hopefully, I'll make it in time for the 20:30 race.

Just realised tyre wear is 9x. Uh, maybe I'll use the TS050.

Edit: Just dropped my time to 39.450 in the 787B with a 39.417 optimum.

My best lap is a 39.7xx with a 39.6xx optimal. I do not know where you guys are finding the extra tenths.

 

[Redneckchef]

You have to short shift it and it turns and brakes much better than the Group C cars. You can really throw it around without too much concern. However...



My best lap is a 39.7xx with a 39.6xx optimal. I do not know where you guys are finding the extra tenths.

I was figuring that out last night. You can gain a tenth just entering the infield straight on exactly the right line. And any wiggle or missed step on that turn 4 and last oval turn seem to cost time. Got FP down to 39.5 but that was an exacting lap. Average around a 39.9 or 9 usually.
That infield entry is weird though. Just clip the left wheels on the inside curb and it seems to stop the car doing that sort of micro skid hop thing it likes to do there. Yeah, PD logic, running over a curb stops the car from bouncing.

Edit: posting on the race to avoid double post.

Got into the lobby with door 17, so no real big plans for it. Qualified p8 somehow with a slipstream and proceeds to watch some squabbling in post Q chat.
Decided to start on Mediums and hope slipstream keeps me up there. It works well and due to a wreck and me making an ill advised pass instead of bump drafting I am now p6. Regularly nipping the outside wall exiting turn 4 and 1 wide episode at turn 1 drops me back to p9 as pit stops start. I stay out until lap 16. Go for softs and come out p10 after the last guy pits. Get into a 4 way battle for p7 and promptly miss my braking and turn in and push @LeGeNd-1 off line into turn 1. I ease off to keep him ahead and then try to bump draft him back to the battle as I have a 1 second penalty. After serving that it was hold position until the end.

A solid drive. Could have been better but for a few silly mistakes, but got 151 points which is my Highest ever I think so it is all good to me.
Good Luck and Good Driving out there. Remember, the walls are Lava.

 

[SUPRASTAR0003]

I’m gonna see if I can outsmart the r92cps tonight with the Audi VGT cos those Group C machines ain’t very advanced compared to the LMPs. Racing now under way in Oceania.

 

[05XR8]

You have to short shift it and it turns and brakes much better than the Group C cars. You can really throw it around without too much concern. However...



My best lap is a 39.7xx with a 39.6xx optimal. I do not know where you guys are finding the extra tenths.

I kept scraping the wall. Just a hair and I was losing 1.45+ seconds.

Choosing different braking points into T1 decrease my times. Also, entering the infield, J run to the wall. I found taking a shallow entry was losing .hundredths the hat snowball into tenths by the exit of the infield. Really that much.

Well two minute warning. We'll see who I have in my race.