Finally, I *beep*ing did it!!! WoOOOOoHOOOOO! This is by far the MOST CHALLENGING, MOST FUN, and MOST REWARDING TT
Being a beginner driver, I'm so damn proud of myself winning this one. I ran the Audi R8 Race Car 01 (with Praiano's tune and adjusted 7/3 brake balance) with 3:28.xxx on both laps with all clean passes. Few days before, I improved from frequent spinning out to consistently running 3:35.xxx and only got Bronze. Finish the lap without crash was hard for me (I don't know the track well) but the 7 seconds improvement was actually wayyyy harder lol.
I have learned so much about the AIs, the track, and driving. Here are my observations:
1. Do NOT pass, i say do NOT pass them right at the END OF THE STRAIGHT. If you do, they will rear end your a**.
If you do though, be prepared with the brake and the stupid 3-5 seconds penalties. Being rear ended and receive penalties, yeah right
2. Pass cars cleanly. If you ran into them, they will TAKE REVENGE somewhere down the road and ran into you and put you out of the track. In couple runs where I did not pass them cleanly, they accelerate like a rocket (with some kind of boost) and not only pass me but they intentionally ATTACK my car on the side and put me off track.
3. They brake way earlier and corner so much slower than us so this is the best opportunity to pass:
a. Right before the straight.
b. At the chicane.
c. On the straight (NOT the END of the straight).
4. The 2 fastest rabbits usually go together hand in hand and will usually wait for you at the very last corner provided you passed all other cars cleanly. Once you see them, they will race as hard as you push it. I had great fun racing side by side with these 2 at the very end. It is the damn best part because it is very human like racing. They block, they draft, they do all kinds of stuff to make it tough. Do NOT touch them, once you do, they will attack your car and put you off track. I spun out in few races like that which kills my good time.
5. The 3:18-3:23 seconds rule does NOT apply. The AIs will adapt to your speed and push as hard as you can. The cleaner you run (less contact with them), the better chance you will win. I had 2nd place with 3:26.xxx but I won 1st with 3:28.xxx with the same car with the same line up.
6. TRAIL BRAKE and LATE APEX especially before the straight
I improved 7 seconds with this!
7. Without traction control, be smooth on the throttle to prevent wheel spin. Progressively apply pressure on both the brake and throttle. Slamming them will ensure a spin.
8. For beginners like me only: the driving line aid is NOT optimal. I used it only to learn the track. I first tried running it but I quickly found out that many of the braking zone, you are better off being easy on the throttle a bit instead of braking. Also, it shows way too early braking, you can brake way later and still be safe. In some high speed curve, you don't brake while turning as the line indicate because I have spun out several time doing it (reason is simple: traction has a limit, turning wide + braking at high speed > available traction). I brake on straight and then slightly turn smoothly.