2021 FIA Series Race Discussion

[Groundfish]

I see no point to saving tires or fuel much for Interlagos. Imo best to sprint, because of this I may not bother.
Catalunya was a great advantage to me since it was a tire wear race. This Interlagos looks to me after a custom run to be a one stop no matter what.
Fuel saving is too slow, tires could make it but no reason, you’re already stopping...
If I run it it’s one stop all day flatout, but that’s not where my strength is so meh.

 

[05XR8]

I see no point to saving tires or fuel much for Interlagos. Imo best to sprint, because of this I may not bother.
Catalunya was a great advantage to me since it was a tire wear race. This Interlagos looks to me after a custom run to be a one stop no matter what.
Fuel saving is too slow, tires could make it but no reason, you’re already stopping...
If I run it it’s one stop all day flatout, but that’s not where my strength is so meh.

In my case, I started 8th. Fuel 2 for the first two laps. Got passed by a few cars. Dropped to about 11th. From there, the SLS that finished 8th, was coming up from the back. Looked to be conserving as I set Fuel 1 and just banged out 1:41s.

It pit Lap 10 with 29%. I had 34%. Went one lap more and topped up from 2.9Laps left to 5.5 laps and tyres. Came out 12th.
Sat behind ShiftingGears and the other RC F that pit way too early. It was one of the cars I let pass. Passed both cars and either needed to pit earlier or get past the other two cars to get the Mustang in 9th.

A Cayman ran no stop and ran out of fuel before the pit entry on the last lap. One and done for me.

 

[Groundfish]

In my case, I started 8th. Fuel 2 for the first two laps. Got passed by a few cars. Dropped to about 11th. From there, the SLS that finished 8th, was coming up from the back. Looked to be conserving as I set Fuel 1 and just banged out 1:41s.

It pit Lap 10 with 29%. I had 34%. Went one lap more and topped up from 2.9Laps left to 5.5 laps and tyres. Came out 12th.
Sat behind ShiftingGears and the other RC F that pit way too early. It was one of the cars I let pass. Passed both cars and either needed to pit earlier or get past the other two cars to get the Mustang in 9th.

A Cayman ran no stop and ran out of fuel before the pit entry on the last lap. One and done for me.

Fuel savings gonna cost imo 1.5 to 2 sec per lap in the race I’d be in at a say 39 pace with minimal saving. If I DO bother I certainly won’t be getting mugged, that much I know!
I think basically for me this will not be a respectful event, those happen when people are scared for tires. Jmo been wrong before..
I’ve no interest in a dirty race at Interlagos at all I’ve done a million of those. Tire wear there though is my specialty.
Who knows maybe I’m wrong.
.

 

[Redneckchef]

So pretty much looks like a 1 stop then?

 

[ShiftingGears]

In my case, I started 8th. Fuel 2 for the first two laps. Got passed by a few cars. Dropped to about 11th. From there, the SLS that finished 8th, was coming up from the back. Looked to be conserving as I set Fuel 1 and just banged out 1:41s.

It pit Lap 10 with 29%. I had 34%. Went one lap more and topped up from 2.9Laps left to 5.5 laps and tyres. Came out 12th.
Sat behind ShiftingGears and the other RC F that pit way too early. It was one of the cars I let pass. Passed both cars and either needed to pit earlier or get past the other two cars to get the Mustang in 9th.

A Cayman ran no stop and ran out of fuel before the pit entry on the last lap. One and done for me.

I thought I picked the right pit strategy to be honest, I had no pace so the undercut is how I made up places. Got baulked by the other Lexus but would've made no difference to the result

 

[05XR8]

So pretty much looks like a 1 stop then?

I guess if you want a CRB. At fuel 2, I could have no stopped. Around 14 laps left on Lap 2 or 3. I just watched players drive away. Patience ran out once a Huracan passed me and then, it kept getting loose directly in front of me. That slowed my pace even more. Finished with .3 laps left.

My pet peeve with players passing me and then jumping in front of me, in the braking zone.

I thought I picked the right pit strategy to be honest, I had no pace so the undercut is how I made up places. Got baulked by the other Lexus but would've made no difference to the result

I figured you'd come up through the field in the MR. If players can make the tyres last to about Lap 8 on a sprint strategy, Maybe an overfill can help jump a few places by pushing those on a short fill.

 

[Norrin Radd]

My Aussie had such a hard lobby I decided to go for a no stop. Really it was pointless, I came 15/16 with 2 drop out and had I driven fast (for me) I would probably made a place with the possibility of being with the 3 in front fighting for 11th. Also the tyres were bad enough at the end that I couldn't fight even given the chance. Good luck to anyone that can do this successfully, but my Brits going hell for leather I don't think I'll bother even thinking about saving just pit on lap 5 and fill her up.

 

[Redneckchef]

My Aussie had such a hard lobby I decided to go for a no stop. Really it was pointless, I came 15/16 with 2 drop out and had I driven fast (for me) I would probably made a place with the possibility of being with the 3 in front fighting for 11th. Also the tyres were bad enough at the end that I couldn't fight even given the chance. Good luck to anyone that can do this successfully, but my Brits going hell for leather I don't think I'll bother even thinking about saving just pit on lap 5 and fill her up.

Pretty much similar for me. I was in a lobby where even the guys ranked behind me were usually faster in most races. So gambled on the no stop hoping for miracles. None came. In fact 2 cars that spun out came back to pass me anyway. My pace wasn't lightning, but I wasn't dead slow. Just wasn't worth it. Going to run last slot anyway since my points were about 25 lower than my other worst result. Not like I have anything other than SR to lose

 

[D_Dragline]

Door 3, Q13, Finished 10th. FL.

Completely uneventful race in which I went flat out, pitted at the end of lap 11 and set the fastest lap on lap 13. All on the podium (TT, WRX, Viper) managed a no stop.

One and done.

 

[LeGeNd-1]

Went from 10th to 5th in top split with no stop. Damn I knew the TT is good on fuel but I'm surprised the tyres lasted relatively well compared to other cars around me. Only one other FF in the race who finished in 7th, also with no stop.

1st Cayman - no stop (easy choice because good on fuel & tyres)
2nd GT-R - no stop, amazing tyre saving by this guy
3rd SLS - Nik Makozi did a 1 stop taking fuel & tyres, he was running in 1st at one point so still not worth it
4th Aston - no stop
5th ME
6th NSX
7th Megane
8th Ferrari - 1 stop, was running ahead of me at one point
Others consisted of Evo, Atenza, WRX, Corvette, Citroen, Genesis, can't remember exact order but those who pitted definitely dropped back.

I calculated the pit time for fuel & tyre is around 16 seconds, and you can go around 1 second faster a lap than saving, so it's just about even. With battling there's no chance unless you get lucky.

Pit for tyre only is 11 seconds, but you can only go 0.5 sec faster a lap since you also need to save fuel, which also doesn't cut it.

If you start on pole and run away from the pack, it might work to pit. Also if you start last and have nothing to lose. Otherwise just save. If the tyre munching Audi can do it, you can do it too guys!!! 👍

EDIT: Also gone back up to DR A+ finally after a few months. Ahh I'm gonna sleep well tonight

 

[Redneckchef]

Ran slot 3. Full half second faster on qually and starting p10. Manage to push a bit and make some solid moves to use the jag grunt on exit and move up to p6 by lap 4. Driving well, but get a 1 second track cut penalty letting the 2 behind catch into turn 4, then both run off wide so I keep the spot. Only 1 of them gets a penalty though?

Anyway, drive my pants off to pull a big gap pit lap 10 where I stupidly engage Ferrari strats and add tires too. Drops me to p12 exiting the pits. Behind people who followed me into the pits.🤬

Manage to pass a couple, but now slipstream keeps them closing in down the straights even when I dig a big gap because I cant gap them that big. Lot of back and forth with @SweatyC And another driver. Heading into last lap someone has my inside into turn 4, I give them space and the car following us sends it in anyway. But they didnt brake enough and off I go. Spin a bit in the outfield, collect it and slink home in p15.

Had a good qualifying. Very good drive in the race. Just let myself down with a couple bad track penalties and Ferrari strategy. Luck finished me off. Happy with my massively better driving, just nothing to show for it.

Good luck and smooth driving

 

[Rangeraus]

Not really enjoying this manufacturer season. A BOP update especially for Gr4 is seriously overdue. I am sure PD already know this, but nothing has been changed for over 6 months now.

Started 4th and spent the whole race short shifting and swapping between FM1 and FM6, still got caught and passed like I was standing still.

That being said P6 was as good as I could do, unfortunately also half spun into Cody who had stopped for fuel, and he got a penalty he did not deserve.

 

[SweatyC]

In with @Redneckchef and qualified a few positions behind him in 13th.

Horrible race really in the RCZ and shouldn’t have entered. Once tires start to go it’s useless here. Amazed so many other FFs did so well! Had moved up a couple of places first few laps but then just got passed again easily a bit later when tires began to wear. There was a large gap behind though so was in 13th still when pitting lap 8. Was back in a group of cars thanks to fresh tires, including @Redneckchef for remainder of race. Second to last lap saw @Redneckchef pick up a 1 sec pen for what I could see was no reason. He served it last last and that’s when it went a bit crap.

Mate, I felt awful like it was my fault but watching reply I can see it wasn’t entirely me so feel relieved. NSX went down the inside of you as you unghosted and you turned in and hit the side of him sending you out wide. I went to the inside and your rear wheel running on the curb started you spinning and you went right across the front of me. I had no where to go and ended up pushing you. Total accident on my part so can only apologise! And yes ridiculous how an RCZ with worn tires that sounds like a small family shopping car can out drag a V8 Jag!

The NSX that started it ran out of fuel up the final straight so I finished 11th.

Hope to have a better race with you soon!!

 

[Redneckchef]

In with @Redneckchef and qualified a few positions behind him in 13th.

Horrible race really in the RCZ and shouldn’t have entered. Once tires start to go it’s useless here. Amazed so many other FFs did so well! Had moved up a couple of places first few laps but then just got passed again easily a bit later when tires began to wear. There was a large gap behind though so was in 13th still when pitting lap 8. Was back in a group of cars thanks to fresh tires, including @Redneckchef for remainder of race. Second to last lap saw @Redneckchef pick up a 1 sec pen for what I could see was no reason. He served it last last and that’s when it went a bit crap.

Mate, I felt awful like it was my fault but watching reply I can see it wasn’t entirely me so feel relieved. NSX went down the inside of you as you unghosted and you turned in and hit the side of him sending you out wide. I went to the inside and your rear wheel running on the curb started you spinning and you went right across the front of me. I had no where to go and ended up pushing you. Total accident on my part so can only apologise! And yes ridiculous how an RCZ with worn tires that sounds like a small family shopping car can out drag a V8 Jag!

View attachment 980759
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The NSX that started it ran out of fuel up the final straight so I finished 11th.

Hope to have a better race with you soon!!

It was all good. I knew there was nothing dirty involved with any of it, just rough luck so that's how it goes sometimes. It wasn't a blame issue, had I not taken tires I wouldnt have seen any of you guys those last few laps. Just annoyed that I dropped so far after such a great race. It was good having such clean racing all race but definitely slowed us down.

Didnt think I had even touched the NSX so that's at least a good explanation. I thought i was leaving more room for that. Live and learn.

On to the next round.

 

[SweatyC]

It was all good. I knew there was nothing dirty involved with any of it, just rough luck so that's how it goes sometimes. It wasn't a blame issue, had I not taken tires I wouldnt have seen any of you guys those last few laps. Just annoyed that I dropped so far after such a great race. It was good having such clean racing all race but definitely slowed us down.

Didnt think I had even touched the NSX so that's at least a good explanation. I thought i was leaving more room for that. Live and learn.

On to the next round.

Cool Was mightily impressive seeing how far up the positions you had got so quickly!

I’m not driving FF again after this season!

 

[Redneckchef]

Cool Was mightily impressive seeing how far up the positions you had got so quickly!

I’m not driving FF again after this season!

I was on mission, but yeah, I was pushing it while trying to shift a little early. But was a bit stunned myself how fast I was picking people off. Wondered if I had gambled wrong on strategy. My wife loved your name by the way. She decided to try livening up the race with music and laughed when she saw your name in the intros.

 

[SweatyC]

I was on mission, but yeah, I was pushing it while trying to shift a little early. But was a bit stunned myself how fast I was picking people off. Wondered if I had gambled wrong on strategy. My wife loved your name by the way. She decided to try livening up the race with music and laughed when she saw your name in the intros.

Haha at least I gave someone a laugh!
Slapped on some awful Barbie livery just before entering as a one off Xmas special!

 

[Stephan]

So after months of not being able to do an FIA race, I'm able to do those again because I managed to renew my PS+ sub.

With that being said, I renewed my contract with Porsche despite only like 2-3 Manufacturers Series races left for the season so I did the Manu series race around Interlagos.

I must say that on the straights, my Cayman had no hope like the 458 Gr.4 driver is just beating me on straights thus being stuck on P5/P6. The battle for P5 was good but that small mistake on the last corner allowed the GTR to overtake me for P5 and thus I finished P6.

Not bad of a race.

 

[Baka_Marimo]

Would anyone care to tell me why I am being matched with S-Rank players? I'm currently at the upper end of B/Borderline A.

 

[barak181]

Would anyone care to tell me why I am being matched with S-Rank players? I'm currently at the upper end of B/Borderline A.

They could have been signed with a relatively weak manufacturer last season. If you're in Asia, as long as they finish last season in the top 150 overall or in the top 5 for their manufacturer, they can apply for S rank. The S rank has nothing to do with DR, it's how they finished in the standings for their manufacturer/region for the FIA season. They can easily have an DR.A ranking under that S.

 

[stpatty]

I also wouldn't worry too much, you will finish ahead of the Nissans on that grid.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Brit gets a hard lobby too, but I'm committed to my 5/10 strategy. Bottom of the table, but Q13 so off to a promising start. After the struggle at the start I'm in 10th and still clean. Then it all turn to *****, I'm just trying to stay clean and get to lap 5 and everyone wants to pass me even though it's just a traffic jam so bang bang shove bang. I worked hard to get back to S and this is the way they play. It's a joke. So I pit and then a couple of laps later it's the same crap. I lost it and started retaliating ended up in 18th with one quitting and one no being able to cope with me getting him back. I gain no points and lose a little over 1k DR and surprisingly only 11SR and I'm still S?????
Was hoping to gain a few points here, but I'm not playing bumper cars again. Back to race C I think.

 

[Lost Sheltie]

God the Toyota GT86 is a bad car. No power so you just get overtaken on every straight, and because it is so slow you have to rev it to try and stay in slipstream and therefore it drinks fuel.

It is good on tyres though, but not sure why the back end steps out so much on acceleration (isn't like the car is massively powerful) . Anyway started 10th, ended 17th. Most people no stopped but the winner did a one stop. No point in trying that again.

 

[TBR 427]

Not really enjoying this manufacturer season. A BOP update especially for Gr4 is seriously overdue. I am sure PD already know this, but nothing has been changed for over 6 months now.

Started 4th and spent the whole race short shifting and swapping between FM1 and FM6, still got caught and passed like I was standing still.

That being said P6 was as good as I could do, unfortunately also half spun into Cody who had stopped for fuel, and he got a penalty he did not deserve.

The classic GT Sport Penalty is a cancer onto good racers Always ruining the races for no reason.

And I'll gladly second the pleas for a BOP update. The corvette desperately needs some salvation from the understeer when not on hot, 0-lap-old front tyres. And maybe use a bit less fuel use. It was completely useless on that track.


So, I ran all 3 races. Had a terrible time of it. Not only is this track hot garbage that discourages racing, but the pit strat (or lack thereof) really kills any chance of fun racing.

First race, slowly went backwards going for the 0-stop. All the practice suggested it'd be faster, but everyone went for a 1-stop and it worked out while my fuel use seemed a lap worse than anything I could manage in practice? Did they put the wrong number into the fuel multiplier??

Second race in, got blocked in qualifying at the last corner, ruins both laps. By a player that ran wide, then jumped on the brakes at the corner exit on the racing line. PLEASE STAY OFF LINE! PLEASE, I BEG YOU! Starting ~18th. Got pushed wide T2, by someone dumb enough to go around the outside T1, run wide and bump me off after skipping T2 apex. Then when I come back on, the other guy jumps on the brakes, runs wide, and I get a 4s for it? WTF PD?

Third race, almost the exact same thing happens in Quali. Except the person was quitting out I think? The other car jumped on the brakes exit of the last corner, then disappears like it was exiting out? The driver apologized after quali. Then, at about lap 13, that same driver was literally swerving at me down both straights, trying to ram-bomb into me at T1, and wiped out a few cars at T4. Crazy stuff.

Bit shoutout to Cody the mad-lad for doing all 3 races, when winning race3 was worth 40pts less than his score from race 2. No idea why he's doing that. Maybe to pad his FIA win stats?

 

[Zorz]

I had a feeling the Mustang wouldn't mesh well with a race that has some of the field fuel saving for a no-stop on a track that can be tricky to pass on. Starting in the lower half, I think I ended up leaning too heavily into the fuel saving game trying to best handle the circumstances I was given and it didn't really work out because I pretty much had no choice but to pit.

I qualified P14, but ended P11 overall so gaining a few places isn't bad. I didn't really earn them though; a Porsche got turn 4 horribly wrong on the last lap and gained a 2 second penalty for taking the two people in front of me out as they were mid-turn.

One-and-done. The only way I'd be able to get a strong result out of this combo is if I qualify near the front and don't get caught in the fuel saving train. My best in free practice is a 1:38.4, but my consistency around Interlagos isn't great. Trying to nail a lap like that when I've only got 2 chances isn't likely!

As a small plus, I somehow got a clean race bonus in amidst the madness. 👍 I usually find myself getting spun out or the like at Interlagos, so that's a nice change from the norm!

 

[Baka_Marimo]

I also wouldn't worry too much, you will finish ahead of the Nissans on that grid.

Unfortunately not. I got past the Viper and the GT-R who qualified 4th but then in lap 4 another GT-R spun out in front of me at Pinheirinho. I couldn't avoid a collision and ran into him which allowed the other GT-R to go past again (Thankfully no penalty though). That incident opened a gap towards the two cars in front which only kept growing as the race went on. From there on out I stayed with that GT-R (Larouille_73) as the gap towards the back got bigger and bigger as well. I was on par with him until our pit stops in lap 8. We came out in traffic but managed to get through with minimal timeloss. After that he ignited the afterburner and pulled away from me. As the second screenshot shows the gaps were enormous at the end of the race, so there's really not much else to say. Ended up coming 4th yet again. (No seriously, click those links. Is this conspiracy?)

 

[MCL1974]

Did not have high hopes for this race, in all lobby practices the Peugeot ate tyres like my cat eats her dinner, quick and messy. I Read similar experiences from other Peugeot drivers so was thinking of passing this round, knowing I could be fast for just a few laps only to be overtaken by most others when the tyres were gone.
But was a bit bored this afternoon and thought "what the hell..."

Was door number 4, and qualified 8th with an okay lap. Better then expected so far... (expectations were low though)
Start went okay and was immediately in a duel with a Russian Cayman who started in 7th and at the end of the first lap i overtook him going around the outside at the first corner (see picture below) . One of my better moves ever, felt pretty good about myself there ...

This overtake was the start of a constant fight with the Russian fellow. At the straights I had superior pace but in the corners he came so close at my tail that I could officially consider him as a bumpersticker. This continued for about 8 laps till i decided to pit.

Till then my laps were going fine, I was faster and more consistent then in all my practice races and although the tyrewear had an influence on my laptimes, it was much less then in my previous lobby attempts.
Also some drivers before me made some mistakes and got penalties, allowing me to move up a bit. As said, Lap 8 i pitted and came out 8th place and immediately pulling away from the driver in 9th. So still going okay, my aim was top 10 so all going well!

Guess who came out of the pits a lap later, right behind me?

yep, the fight continued, we both overtook each other once, each time a bit forceful but nothing to bad.
Meanwhile the top 2 was far ahead of us, but two others were right behind us and we caught up with the numbers 3 to 5 who were engaged in a rather nasty battle.

Last lap was a dogfight, the Russian Cayman overtook me, a Subaru and another Peugeot started banging into me, both got in front of me but both got penalties and at the finish line i was given 5th place .
Russian Cayman won our duel and finished just ahead of me in fourth.

That was much better then expected. 5th place, one of the few without a penalty so also a CRB.
Thanked the Russian driver and he returned his thanks. We both had fun.
Think all drivers used the one stop strategy.

Merry Christmas to you all!!!!

 

[das89ca]

First of all, Merry Christmas!!!

Second, I hope the idiot who thought to put this combo in the Manufacturer's Cup is racing it also and has the same experience as me. Hyundai is not the car to be in this combo.

1st Slot: Did a mediocre quali to start in P10 with 39.2. Had a decent start, gained 2 positions because of penalties and really thought it was going to be a good race. Was part of a train if 6 cars and we ran for a few laps in a decent shape and pace. Then, one of the cars in front took a penalty, served it and kept the inside line, had to keep on the outside in the left hander, had a bit of a compromised run and the pack behind started to dive in both the following right handers. Of course, a Mazda touched me and I got a 1s penalty. I served it, lost about 3 positions and the slipstream so the last laps I just drove easy and finished P12 - 136 points. Should have taken them.

2nd slot - messed 1st sector of a very good lap, and the 39.3 I was able to do was only enough for P17 at the start. Cars behind were all pushing so pretty much had to let them by and I spent half of the race in P20. As soon as people pitted I got up to P15, and 2-3 fights after to finish in P17. 81 points

3rd slot: For once, put a decent quali with 38.9 and started in P4. Decent start until the right hander at beginning of sector 2 - the blue Aston behind tried something that looked like a dive, was forced to take avoiding actions and being on cold tires made me slide a bit and got outside the track getting a 0.5s penalty. To make it better, next corner my cold dirty tyres were not grippy enough to stop the car before hitting the Aston in front and although it was a slight tap that did not have any sort of impact I got a 1s penalty. Of course that threw me back of the pack, in P14, in the land of people without any patience. Two or Three laps a blue GT86 makes the same move like the blue Aston in lap1, again have to take avoiding action, and get the 0.5s penalty. He dives on the inside, I shut the door, cause I was angry , touch him and get 3s penalty. This was deserved, but I got really angry and tried to punt him in the next corner before I quitted.

Result of today - Lost about 4k DR and my enjoyment of the game. The combos from this season are not fun at all - I don't mind the odd fuel save race from time to time but for the love of God choose a different track - not Interlagos where the mid-section is an wide open invite for dive-bombs when the pack is close. And the problem is that this is at 50K DR, A+ lobby. I don't want to imagine how it would be in lower rated lobbies.

 

[Benay79]

Well, Interlagos is usually a strong track for me so looked forward to this one but it was far from fun.
Disappointing qualifying as got held up in my flying lap so had to settle for 12th. Race was going ok and had moved up to 9th by lap 4. Then yep...penalty system had other ideas again. Aston in front completely lost it, spun around and the slightest of touches from me as I attempted to avoid it a split second before it ghosted gave me 4 seconds blaming me for forcing it off track. Fell right back again. Ended any chance of a decent finish. I was also the only driver to get a red SR just from that incident too. It’s a joke sometimes.

 

[Tidgney]

I'm sure this will go well ! At least I'm not in a TT for interlagos Group 4 for once!