2021 FIA Series Race Discussion

  • Thread starter GTPNewsWire
  • 9,031 comments
  • 1,685,671 views
What are some cars for Nations that don't handle like they have water sloshing around in it? They don't necessarily need to be fast, just stable and grippy. I much prefer driving higher-downforce cars and the S-FR and 86 GRMN are the only ones I can get a grip on with Sports Hards.
 
Last edited:
With the new Z finally revealed, I'll have a try of all three Z cars. The 350Z is smooth. Should be fine around the 'Ring.

Edit:
Fugu Z - 8:02.532
300ZXTT - 8:05.409
350Z - 8:02.137(messed up and went another lap: 7:57.110!)

The FuguZ is fine. Suspension could be tighter. Love revving it though. One of my favorite cars in the game.

300ZX is too soft. Has a nice lift-off tuck-in, to help the rear rotate. Understeers a bit much for me. I'd like it to be quicker. Maybe someone can get it working.

The 350Z is "stable and grippy". I kept slowing too early, because I drove the other two beforehand. Really nice. The VQ35 is strong. Gearing allows good accelration. Race conditions will be the test as always.
 
Last edited:
Re: Nurb N300 race, I did 1 lap race with each car in custom race with fuel consumption, to simulate the extra weight. You can't set the exact multipliers as the race settings but neither fuel/tyre are a limitation in this race so it doesn't matter. Also took note of top speed at the end of Dottinger, because that's probably the only realistic overtaking spot in the whole race.

BMW M4 - 8.07.9 / 255 kmh
Supra 2019 - 8.12.5 / 260 kmh
Supra 2020 - 8.09.1 / 258 kmh
GT40 - 8.06.3 / 264 kmh
F50 - 8.06.7 / 254 kmh
996 GT3 - 8.06.8 / 264 kmh
SFR Racing - 8.06.9 / 245 kmh

BMW and Supra feels wobbly and difficult to drive. Also I was probably leaving 1-3 secs on the table being the first few laps.
GT40 and SFR has the most downforce and easiest to drive. GT40 still has high top speed unlike SFR, but the gearing is shockingly tall and leaves you vulnerable coming out of the slower corners. Also in a race with dirty air it could make the handling unpredictable.
F50 very nice and neutral to drive, just lacks the high speed grip as it has no DF.
996 is basically a faster F50 with slightly more understeer (surprisingly quite easy to drive for a Porsche, I was expecting oversteer).
The last 4 cars basically pull identical laptimes in my hands, but they gain time in different ways. The GT40's awkward gearing doesn't gel with my driving style though, so in the hands of a capable driver it's probably the fastest car (as the leaderboards show).

Of course, if you're a man of culture there's always the F150/Tundra :P

P.S. The laptime might seem slow because the laptimer starts as soon as the countdown reaches "GO". If you minus 10 seconds from when I actually cross the start/finish line it's a lot more respectable 7.56s (top leaderboard Oceania 7.39 atm and I'm usually 13 seconds slower at Nurb + 5 seconds fuel weight time).
 
Last edited:
D_Dragline
Is anyone else finding the N300 cars on Sports Hards at the ‘Ring to be an infuriating experience?

I just cannot keep most of them balanced and on track. The slightest bounce or roll and I’m into the barrier.

I’m starting to think this round won’t be worth my while.
Click to expand...
Not at all.... I'm finding it more enjoyable than racing on race tires. You can catch a slide. There is a lot of room for big steering inputs. Classic lines in and out of the turns pay off big time. Not overdriving the car will pay off. I've really enjoyed the few practice laps I've put in. The classic GT40 is a joy to drive... there is gobs of front end grip and the car is much more balanced than I imagined it would be. Was able to get to 7:5x in just a couple of laps, having never driven the car, and it was fun every turn.

(Edit: the GT40 has terrific brakes as well... they aren't the same as a Gr4 or Gr3 brake system, as it takes a bit from high speed, but once you are in the process of braking, there is a lot of reserve available as the speed comes down. It's very confidence-inspiring to drive... again, surprisingly.)
 
Last edited:
Basically, look at the suspension settings on the cars and you'll see which ones have a bit more control than others.
The GT40 is set to a higher frequency than most road cars. Near GR.4 settings. It's ride height is pretty low as well. Dampers mimic GR.4 settings too. Downforce is 50/100. Plus, it's lightweight(a Supra is BOPd at nearly 1500kg compared to the GT40 at under 1300kg).

This is why the 996 is formidable. Similar BOP to the GT40, same rear downforce, but 0 front downforce, slightly softer suspension (2.05 f/r). A good alternative.

S-FR has softer suspension than the GT40, but race car downforce settings(100/200) and similar Camber & Toe angle as the Gr.3 & GR.4 cars.

350Z has a good BOP, nice LSD settings. A well balanced car for those that don't mind not going as fast as the METAs.
 
Free Practice in the 930 "widow maker": 8:05.938. Actually, I didn't try to kill me. It's just a classic 911, doing it's classic characteristics thing. Drive it like it's your only car and if you crash it, you're taking the bus for a long while. Cool car.

Next, the 993: 8:03.451. tight suspension like the 996. Surprised I couldn't get it to be as quick as the 350Z. Really surprised.

Hopped in the R34 Nur(burgring). Might as well.
Did an initial 7:59.032. If I went around again, should be able to match the 350Z. Very exciting car to drive! Has a bit of rear downforce. Toss the thing around(which would be bad for tyre wear), lift-off to steer, mash the throttle to steer, use the steering to steer. The 4WD doesn't intrude with understeer. Four wheel drifting nearly the whole lap. It's good. Sounded good. Looks good in the replay. I bet a fast player can make it hustle.

Think I found my ride.
1629360919433.png


4 seconds slower than my Gt40 time, but Man O MAN... it's like driving on racing tyres. Grip for days. Once I saw that first time, .3 off the 350Z, I had to go around again. Not one mistake both laps. The brakes, road holding, suspension settles inthe whole way 'round the curves, soaks up the bumps and curbs/kerbs. Stable and sure-footed.

I'm driving this thing hard, but it's so easy on the DS4. The inputs are precise.



Look at the rear. Sticks like glue.

 
Last edited:
05XR8
Free Practice in the 930 "widow maker": 8:05.938. Actually, I didn't try to kill me. It's just a classic 911, doing it's classic characteristics thing. Drive it like it's your only car and if you crash it, you're taking the bus for a long while. Cool car.

Next, the 993: 8:03.451. tight suspension like the 996. Surprised I couldn't get it to be as quick as the 350Z. Really surprised.

Hopped in the R34 Nur(burgring). Might as well.
Did an initial 7:59.032. If I went around again, should be able to match the 350Z. Very exciting car to drive! Has a bit of rear downforce. Toss the thing around(which would be bad for tyre wear), lift-off to steer, mash the throttle to steer, use the steering to steer. The 4WD doesn't intrude with understeer. Four wheel drifting nearly the whole lap. It's good. Sounded good. Looks good in the replay. I bet a fast player can make it hustle.

Think I found my ride.
View attachment 1075173

4 seconds slower than my Gt40 time, but Man O MAN... it's like driving on racing tyres. Grip for days. Once I saw that first time, .3 off the 350Z, I had to go around again. Not one mistake both laps. The brakes, road holding, suspension settles inthe whole way 'round the curves, soaks up the bumps and curbs/kerbs. Stable and sure-footed.

I'm driving this thing hard, but it's so easy on the DS4. The inputs are precise.



Look at the rear. Sticks like glue.

Click to expand...

I'm a massive fan of the Z8. I strongly approve of your choice. :cheers:
 
KosmoKazi
Not at all.... I'm finding it more enjoyable than racing on race tires. You can catch a slide. There is a lot of room for big steering inputs. Classic lines in and out of the turns pay off big time. Not overdriving the car will pay off. I've really enjoyed the few practice laps I've put in. The classic GT40 is a joy to drive... there is gobs of front end grip and the car is much more balanced than I imagined it would be. Was able to get to 7:5x in just a couple of laps, having never driven the car, and it was fun every turn.

(Edit: the GT40 has terrific brakes as well... they aren't the same as a Gr4 or Gr3 brake system, as it takes a bit from high speed, but once you are in the process of braking, there is a lot of reserve available as the speed comes down. It's very confidence-inspiring to drive... again, surprisingly.)
Click to expand...
Took the following around for comparison to the apparent META GT40 and S-FR...:

  • Porsche 996 GT3... mushy and the brakes are awful. Might be a little faster in perfect hands but would be much harder to 'race' than others I've tried. I can't recall now, but I think I set my fastest lap of any in this one, but I wasn't happy about it.
  • Ferrari F50... intriguing. I had to abort my fast lap but it seemed on track to be as fast or faster than the GT40 with nearly the same ease... I'm expecting that this one is relatively useful in race conditions.
I'm still leaning to the GT40... it's so relatively easy to drive and surprisingly forgiving when you get in a turn too deep, which I think is going to be useful for racing. Will need to park it on the apex to avoid being run down on the exits, but then the top speed will protect you if you can do that each turn.

The S-FR is SO grippy, it almost seemed like the race tires from the FIA race I last drove it (the FIA-spec tire decals/tampos are still on the car, since I last used it for an FIA event...) I almost wondered if the tires themselves were, because it feels so planted. But it's just really full of grip, (and lightweight) at the expense of being underpowered, so that's the challenge. I couldn't argue with someone that wanted to race this one, either. I'll be curious though, if it's a sitting duck on the Dottinger straight and even the run up after Bergwerk.

Am really surprised (and it's impressive) how close all my times have been in each car. Able to get to 7:56 pretty consistently in each one, just tenths separating them, despite the disparity in how each drives. BoP is pretty solid. Driving at 9.5/10 in order to keep it on the track, and settle into a good race pace during FP, as it's not worth it to push too hard and go off.
 
Last edited:
05XR8
Unfortunately it's an N400 car, but tried the E46 and did not like it during the first sequence of corners. Quit the lap, booted up the Z8 and it was on the money straight away. Last run in the E30, net an 8:05.531.
Click to expand...
But it can be down-tuned to meet N300 regs, so don't see any problems there! E46 would definitely have been my first choice, followed by the Z8. Yeah, I like BMW's...
 
MidnightRun85
But it can be down-tuned to meet N300 regs, so don't see any problems there! E46 would definitely have been my first choice, followed by the Z8. Yeah, I like BMW's...
Click to expand...
For sure. 'Unfortunately' just in terms of prferring to use standard N300 choices.

Edit: Okay. A 7:57.458 in the RX500. Runs out of steam(241kmh. Then,drops to 240kmh) before the Bilstein underpass. 245kmh before I hit the brakes. Handling wise, I'd say it's as good as the GT40. Just doesn't have the torque and 4th is a little short.
 
Last edited:
If anyone has 9 minutes to kill, I’d love some advice on where I’m getting it so wrong on the Nurburgring. Even on my best laps I’m tracking at least 5 seconds off where I should be for my level and I can’t work out how. Eg my current best time is an 8:02 in the 996. I should be running comfortably in the sub 8s based on my normal peers’ times.

The below is an FP lap in the Evo Final. I know it’s not a great option, but this represents as close to a “perfect” lap as I can currently do. So is there somewhere(s) I am losing all that time, or is it just bits and pieces here and there because my fundamentals aren’t good enough?

Any and all feedback welcome before I throw the PS4, wheel and stand in a large fire.

 
D_Dragline
If anyone has 9 minutes to kill, I’d love some advice on where I’m getting it so wrong on the Nurburgring. Even on my best laps I’m tracking at least 5 seconds off where I should be for my level and I can’t work out how. Eg my current best time is an 8:02 in the 996. I should be running comfortably in the sub 8s based on my normal peers’ times.

The below is an FP lap in the Evo Final. I know it’s not a great option, but this represents as close to a “perfect” lap as I can currently do. So is there somewhere(s) I am losing all that time, or is it just bits and pieces here and there because my fundamentals aren’t good enough?

Any and all feedback welcome before I throw the PS4, wheel and stand in a large fire.

Click to expand...

Ok so here is my 2 cents . . . you are spending way too much time on the pavement. Try mowing some grass, running over some flowers, or at least hit a wall or two.

I liked your run and tagged it so I can study it. I saw quite a few areas that I am going to try to incorporate into my lap so maybe I can make it below 8:20. Sorry I could not offer any real advice.
 
D_Dragline
If anyone has 9 minutes to kill, I’d love some advice on where I’m getting it so wrong on the Nurburgring. Even on my best laps I’m tracking at least 5 seconds off where I should be for my level and I can’t work out how. Eg my current best time is an 8:02 in the 996. I should be running comfortably in the sub 8s based on my normal peers’ times.

The below is an FP lap in the Evo Final. I know it’s not a great option, but this represents as close to a “perfect” lap as I can currently do. So is there somewhere(s) I am losing all that time, or is it just bits and pieces here and there because my fundamentals aren’t good enough?

Any and all feedback welcome before I throw the PS4, wheel and stand in a large fire.

Click to expand...

Which cars have you tried? I was trying loads of cars to see how viable they are and I couldn't crack 8 minutes. Then I gave it a go with the F50 and that suddenly made a world of difference (for me). Maybe there's a car you haven't tried yet which could be your magic bullet?

The only thing I can suggest watching your replay is that whilst your lap is very smooth, it doesn't feel particularly aggressive. I noticed there's a fair bit of audio silence as your driving style involves a lot of coasting. I'm wondering if you might be losing the time coming out of the corners because of that? I found I was able to get my times down considerably by braking a tiny bit earlier into corners and then layering a small amount of throttle with the brakes to try steady the car's weight sooner.

If it helps, here's my best time (7:53.471) if you want something for comparison:
 
Last edited:
Zorz
Which cars have you tried? I was trying loads of cars to see how viable they are and I couldn't crack 8 minutes. Then I gave it a go with the F50 and that suddenly made a world of difference (for me). Maybe there's a car you haven't tried yet which could be your magic bullet?

The only thing I can suggest watching your replay is that whilst your lap is very smooth, it doesn't feel particularly aggressive. I'm wondering if you might be losing the time coming out of the corners? I found I was able to get my times down considerably by braking a tiny bit earlier into corners and then layering a small amount of throttle with the brakes to try steady the car's weight sooner.

If it helps, here's my best time (7:53.471) if you want something for comparison:
Click to expand...

Yeah, there does come a time that you have to attack the course. It's easy to get caught up in being 'safe' as to make sure to get a clean lap. The repetition should help with that. But then you do need to commit to some higher entry and exit speeds, taking as much of the track limits as you can, if you want to put together a faster lap than is comfortable.

Come race time, though, settling back into the 'safe but fast' pace is probably the wisest in all but the top splits... going off costs upwards of 10 sec and invaluable track position... that's not worth a few seconds extra pace on the attack mode when it's time to race.

The F50 did seem almost easiest to get the fastest time from, in my case, as well. Actually not really exciting to drive, but easier to get 9/10 pace out of it than the others I've sampled.
 
D_Dragline
If anyone has 9 minutes to kill, I’d love some advice on where I’m getting it so wrong on the Nurburgring. Even on my best laps I’m tracking at least 5 seconds off where I should be for my level and I can’t work out how. Eg my current best time is an 8:02 in the 996. I should be running comfortably in the sub 8s based on my normal peers’ times.

The below is an FP lap in the Evo Final. I know it’s not a great option, but this represents as close to a “perfect” lap as I can currently do. So is there somewhere(s) I am losing all that time, or is it just bits and pieces here and there because my fundamentals aren’t good enough?

Any and all feedback welcome before I throw the PS4, wheel and stand in a large fire.

Click to expand...

I'm no expert and not even close to the top times, but comfortably lapping under 8 minutes in each of the cars I've tried... I'll share this advice with you:

Back up the corners.

What mean by that is, settle the car down for the entry a bit earlier than you are, and get on the throttle again earlier as you approach the apex, to power off it.

It looks like you're getting behind the car a bit on corner entry, and it's costing a lot of exit speed each corner. That's critical at the Ring as you carry all that time gap for the long power-critical stretches between some of the curvier parts. And you never get to your max entry speed on the next corners in the curvier parts.

I do it when I'm karting, too... I repeat to myself in my head: back up the corners. Bring them closer to you on entry and get the speed on earlier as you hit the apex... it pays off in dividends in karting and in GTS too, I've found. (It's my worst habit, so I have to tell myself this, or I'll make the same mistake... still do.)

A mechanism that I've tried, to make sure I do it, is to coast a bit in transition before braking, making sure to first balance the car on throttle off, then applying the brakes, then working back into the throttle on the apex... just forces me to bring the entry out a bit more from where I might normally dive on the brakes, and helps to stabilize the car that when I do get on the throttle earlier, I don't have to make adjustments again with any remaining weight transfer.

(and apologies for not multi-quoting in a single post... didn't realize I had done it until it was too late)
 
Last edited:
Timm Sheehan
Ok so here is my 2 cents . . . you are spending way too much time on the pavement. Try mowing some grass, running over some flowers, or at least hit a wall or two.

I liked your run and tagged it so I can study it. I saw quite a few areas that I am going to try to incorporate into my lap so maybe I can make it below 8:20. Sorry I could not offer any real advice.
Click to expand...
Let me reassure you that this represents the best of my laps. Most of the time I am turning these cars into very expensive and inefficient ride on mowers.

Zorz
Which cars have you tried? I was trying loads of cars to see how viable they are and I couldn't crack 8 minutes. Then I gave it a go with the F50 and that suddenly made a world of difference (for me). Maybe there's a car you haven't tried yet which could be your magic bullet?

The only thing I can suggest watching your replay is that whilst your lap is very smooth, it doesn't feel particularly aggressive. I noticed there's a fair bit of audio silence as your driving style involves a lot of coasting. I'm wondering if you might be losing the time coming out of the corners because of that? I found I was able to get my times down considerably by braking a tiny bit earlier into corners and then layering a small amount of throttle with the brakes to try steady the car's weight sooner.

If it helps, here's my best time (7:53.471) if you want something for comparison:
Click to expand...

Great observations. So far, in approximate order of lap times, I have tried;
996, GT40, F50, SF-R, Pantera, Roadster TC, M4, Clio V6, z33, Mitsubishi GTO, Evo Final, WRX 14, Tundra, TTS, 88 Supra, 300ZX, R34, 20 Supra, amemiya rx7, 22B Impreza, Ferrari GTO, 180sx, Z28, NSX, RX7-GTX, s2000, Challenger, XNR Ghia, GT350, Super Bee, Focus ST, Speed 6, Mach 1, Civic Type R and Yaris. The last 10 or so were I completed laps because I couldn’t keep them on track.

KosmoKazi
I'm no expert and not even close to the top times, but comfortably lapping under 8 minutes in each of the cars I've tried... I'll share this advice with you:

Back up the corners.

What mean by that is, settle the car down for the entry a bit earlier than you are, and get on the throttle again earlier as you approach the apex, to power off it.

It looks like you're getting behind the car a bit on corner entry, and it's costing a lot of exit speed each corner. That's critical at the Ring as you carry all that time gap for the long power-critical stretches between some of the curvier parts. And you never get to your max entry speed on the next corners in the curvier parts.

I do it when I'm karting, too... I repeat to myself in my head: back up the corners. Bring them closer to you on entry and get the speed on earlier as you hit the apex... it pays off in dividends in karting and in GTS too, I've found. (It's my worst habit, so I have to tell myself this, or I'll make the same mistake... still do.)

A mechanism that I've tried, to make sure I do it, is to coast a bit in transition before braking, making sure to first balance the car on throttle off, then applying the brakes, then working back into the throttle on the apex... just forces me to bring the entry out a bit more from where I might normally dive on the brakes, and helps to stabilize the car that when I do get on the throttle earlier, I don't have to make adjustments again with any remaining weight transfer.

(and apologies for not multi-quoting in a single post... didn't realize I had done it until it was too late)
Click to expand...
This is great, thank you. I will see how I go by concentrating on earlier throttle application. It also gels with my experience in some of the faster cars where I am running too deep in some of the corners.
I constantly try and reinforce the “slow in, fast out” mantra with myself, but it’s good to hear a slightly different way of thinking about that.

Generally it seems like I need to work on small gains across the board rather than having a glaring sector(s) or lines that I’m screwing up.
 
D_Dragline
If anyone has 9 minutes to kill, I’d love some advice on where I’m getting it so wrong on the Nurburgring. Even on my best laps I’m tracking at least 5 seconds off where I should be for my level and I can’t work out how. Eg my current best time is an 8:02 in the 996. I should be running comfortably in the sub 8s based on my normal peers’ times.

The below is an FP lap in the Evo Final. I know it’s not a great option, but this represents as close to a “perfect” lap as I can currently do. So is there somewhere(s) I am losing all that time, or is it just bits and pieces here and there because my fundamentals aren’t good enough?

Any and all feedback welcome before I throw the PS4, wheel and stand in a large fire.

Click to expand...

I've had a look at your lap, and without having taken any of the cars out I just gave it a look over watching the lines. It just seems like someone else said earlier, you are braking early, but attacking the corners with a wide line. Missing what I would consider the apex and not setting yourself up for a faster exit. Nords is at heart a smooth driving rhythm track. Slowing it down to be as smooth and precise on the corners to get a tight apex and early launch for a faster exit is worth a good bit of time. And on this track without glaring errors it is those small bits throughout that add up to a big gain at the end.
I'm a bit blah on the races right now so will rin some laps later and see if I have the same issues. Definitely watched you overshoot quite a few corners that involved heavy braking, but not that bad in rhythm type spots.
 
Last edited:
I took the 993 out for a lap of the ring last night, but took it round the 24h circuit for extra track time. It's such a tricky car to drive - so sensitive to any lift-offs - but once you get the hang of it and get the rhythm going, it can be a bit of a weapon. Only just cracked the 10 min mark. Wondered why you guy were over 2 mins faster, then realised it's the Nordschliefe I should have been testing it out on... :D
 
Well, I went out and looped the ring doe a bit in the Tundra. I'm not good at advice there it would seem. I'm good for an 8:20, could drop to an 18 possibly, but the body roll in that thing is nasty. As I'm likely to get thrashed I'm going to meme it up. If anyone has any tips or knows if the Raptor is any better on the straight let me know. This current thing hits a wall at 124mph so needing extra speed if I can get it.
 
A couple runs with the MiTo(8:21.515) and Demio XD(8:22.343). Peg-leggin' in the MiTo is fun. :)

MiTo maxes out at redline 151mph/6th. Could get the XD to 141mph in 5th. MiTo gearing is too quick for the XD to match, but the XD has an LSD, for that ridiculous amount of torque.
MiTo dives and squats everywhere. XD is so composed and mature.
Both fun to drive. 👍 Shame the Fit can't come out to play(PD are so cruel with the Level Up for the Honda).

Edit: 8:17.284(crashed into the Armco at one point) in the Plymouth. 166mph before braking. It's like driving a bathtub. Tyres are soooo skinny. :lol:

Edit2: Aww, boooooooo. Was up 3 seconds in the Plymouth and went off at the penultimate corner.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

GTPNewsWire
Gran Turismo FIA Championship 2020 World Final Takes Place December 5/6
2
Replies
33
Views
5K
dimassa19
dimassa19
GTPNewsWire
Watch Live: Gran Turismo FIA Online Championships 2020 Americas Regional Final [Spoilers]
Replies
17
Views
3K
Adam41
Adam41
GTPNewsWire
Watch Live: Gran Turismo FIA Online Championships 2020 EMEA Regional Final [Spoilers]
2
Replies
38
Views
4K
LeGeNd-1
LeGeNd-1
GTPNewsWire
Gran Turismo Sport's FIA World Tour to Remain Online in 2021
Replies
0
Views
1K
GTPNewsWire
GTPNewsWire
GTPNewsWire
Watch Live: 2020 FIA Certified Gran Turismo Online Championship Manufacturer Series Final [spoiler]
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
LeGeNd-1
LeGeNd-1

Latest Posts

Back