All-Purpose Guide to the B-Spec Online Seasonal: La Sarthe
- Thread starter Famine
- 313 comments
- 38,758 views
- 5,428
- Midship_Express
I am currently trying my C60 Hybride 2005 spec. If that doesn't work I'll try one of my Audis or my Bentley.
Edit - That resulted in a 5th place finish a paltry 21 seconds down from first. If I had pitted a lap sooner I wouldn't have spun on the entrance to the main straight and probably would have won. 👎
Edit 2 - 2nd place in the Bentley by a pathetic 8 seconds.
Edit - That resulted in a 5th place finish a paltry 21 seconds down from first. If I had pitted a lap sooner I wouldn't have spun on the entrance to the main straight and probably would have won. 👎
Edit 2 - 2nd place in the Bentley by a pathetic 8 seconds.
Last edited:
- 20,798
- NJ/USA
- Blitzbay
- Blitzbay
Posted this in the other thread but I finally did this race firsthand so I can share my observations:
Ran this event for the first time and probably because I wasn't thinking I lost the event by pushing my lvl. 40 bob too hard into Mulsanne. Needless to say, if he didn't run wide on lap 10 (he did the same on lap 8 yet he was in 2nd on lap 10 on the leader's draft) I would have won.
Audi R8 2001 with 6/3 Brake Setting and 706 HP @ 700 PP. Hard to RI on lap 3 and then on lap 8 again RI. I can win this if I just don't push him late and maybe push him on the early laps.
One thing to note (probably everyone knows this) is that one of the Pescarolos will always be running for the win. The 787B will be up front early (in my case he short-pitted on lap 2 and then ran til lap 9) but for some reason fell off late (and fell off hard I should add). The Peugeot lost the leader's group @ lap 4. The Bentley was strange though. For the first 5 laps it was clearly as good, if not better than the Pescarolo and then on or about lap 6 it.... fell off badly. It just fell too far back to mount a challenge. On the other side, the 2005 Audi R8 was a late charger.
UPDATE: Ran this race a 2nd time and won by 9.451 seconds finishing in 40:29. Ran the Audi R8 2001 again with 706 HP 60/85 Aero, TS: 242 MPH, Brake Balance 6/3. My two drivers were level 40 (near neutral temper) and level 36 (fairly hot) with the level 40 driver running 2 stints. Took the lead on lap 5 but didn't hold it firmly til lap 6, upon which I didn't lose the lead til pitting on lap 8. Did go off slightly at Mulsanne on lap 9 but it wasn't enough to cause any huge problems (lost 8 seconds). Gained lead back on lap 10 and did not have to coach my driver at all on the final lap due to large gap of 10 seconds.
Some observations from my second race:
I made a mistake about the Mazda short pitting everytime. This time the car that short-pit was the Pescarolo Courage - Judd (Toyota GT-ONE did as well but was a non-factor) on lap 2 and ran 7 laps to the final stop. On lap 10, the Pesky Judd had one of the worst imaginable laps possible, going off 3 times and twice stopping. This caused it to fall from 3rd to 7th (the last of the cars running somewhat for the win).
The Audi R8 2001 is clearly going to challenge you for the win if its in the race. This car was battling my own R8 (yellow against red) from lap 4 until lap 6 (when I took the lead for good) and was in 2nd place without much challenge from anyone.
The Bentley finished 4th behind 3 of the 4 Audis, with 3rd place being the 2005 Audi R8 (the poor R10 failed to be any factor and finished 11th).
The Pescarolo Courage C60, if it shows up, will not be competitive at all. The car has a top speed of under 200 MPH and it kills any shot of it competing with the Hybrid (which is the best of the 3) and the Judd (which may have trouble with traction).
Ran this event for the first time and probably because I wasn't thinking I lost the event by pushing my lvl. 40 bob too hard into Mulsanne. Needless to say, if he didn't run wide on lap 10 (he did the same on lap 8 yet he was in 2nd on lap 10 on the leader's draft) I would have won.
Audi R8 2001 with 6/3 Brake Setting and 706 HP @ 700 PP. Hard to RI on lap 3 and then on lap 8 again RI. I can win this if I just don't push him late and maybe push him on the early laps.
One thing to note (probably everyone knows this) is that one of the Pescarolos will always be running for the win. The 787B will be up front early (in my case he short-pitted on lap 2 and then ran til lap 9) but for some reason fell off late (and fell off hard I should add). The Peugeot lost the leader's group @ lap 4. The Bentley was strange though. For the first 5 laps it was clearly as good, if not better than the Pescarolo and then on or about lap 6 it.... fell off badly. It just fell too far back to mount a challenge. On the other side, the 2005 Audi R8 was a late charger.
UPDATE: Ran this race a 2nd time and won by 9.451 seconds finishing in 40:29. Ran the Audi R8 2001 again with 706 HP 60/85 Aero, TS: 242 MPH, Brake Balance 6/3. My two drivers were level 40 (near neutral temper) and level 36 (fairly hot) with the level 40 driver running 2 stints. Took the lead on lap 5 but didn't hold it firmly til lap 6, upon which I didn't lose the lead til pitting on lap 8. Did go off slightly at Mulsanne on lap 9 but it wasn't enough to cause any huge problems (lost 8 seconds). Gained lead back on lap 10 and did not have to coach my driver at all on the final lap due to large gap of 10 seconds.
Some observations from my second race:
I made a mistake about the Mazda short pitting everytime. This time the car that short-pit was the Pescarolo Courage - Judd (Toyota GT-ONE did as well but was a non-factor) on lap 2 and ran 7 laps to the final stop. On lap 10, the Pesky Judd had one of the worst imaginable laps possible, going off 3 times and twice stopping. This caused it to fall from 3rd to 7th (the last of the cars running somewhat for the win).
The Audi R8 2001 is clearly going to challenge you for the win if its in the race. This car was battling my own R8 (yellow against red) from lap 4 until lap 6 (when I took the lead for good) and was in 2nd place without much challenge from anyone.
The Bentley finished 4th behind 3 of the 4 Audis, with 3rd place being the 2005 Audi R8 (the poor R10 failed to be any factor and finished 11th).
The Pescarolo Courage C60, if it shows up, will not be competitive at all. The car has a top speed of under 200 MPH and it kills any shot of it competing with the Hybrid (which is the best of the 3) and the Judd (which may have trouble with traction).
- 5,428
- Midship_Express
My bentley has now become terrible after I did the chassis brace since the last race. I guess I'll have to give the Audi a go then after this one.
Cano
Premium
- 20,758
- Cephiro
This also happened to me but I was in the Chaparral with no tire change and a single run. I ran him brutally hard and for lap 8 he had nothing left on him. In lap 10 the 2nd place car passed me at the start of the straight. I ran my Bob hard enough to keep pace... and then the first placed Audi spun in the final braking zone out of the long straight! I could not believe my luck. The guy stayed behind and I was able to win by 2 seconds or such. I really had that one lost, but I was amazed that the AI could also make such a stupid mistake right at the end. He even had fresh new tires, for God's sake.
- 373
- Ridge State
- TakatsukiYayoi
Did it with Bobs at level 26 (A.Nakano, slightly hot) and level 22 (S.Furukawa, fully cold) in a Bentley Speed 8. High level turbo, power down to 730 horsepower, stock weight, lowered suspension and longer (261 MPH) gears.
Started off with Nakano, who moved up to seventh on the first lap.
Managed to move up to fourth by the end of the third lap (pitted in), handed off the controls to Furukawa. Battled for the lead with a leading pair consisting of the '04 Pescarolo and a yellow '01 Audi R8, realized this was stupid.
Morning comes on Lap 9 and the dogfight between the R8 and Pesky ends in tears at the Mulsanne corner. Furukawa gets a "take the lead for free card", takes full advantage it.
I gamble a bit and decide not to let Furukawa pit with the other Bobs, since there's only one lap left and those who pit have to put up with cold tires.
It works. Sort of. I hold by breath, hoping it does. Really.
In the first half of the final lap, the lead pair struggle to keep under control, buying time for the now-exhausted Furukawa to finish the race. By the time Furukawa has passed the Mulsanne Corner however, the rear tires are basically fried.
Forced to crawl slowly through Porsche Curves, the yellow Audi's lights become more visible... alas, Furukawa stayed docile and scraped a win, beating yellow Audi by less than two seconds.
Phew. The amount of drama in this race warrants a fan-fiction or something.
Started off with Nakano, who moved up to seventh on the first lap.
Managed to move up to fourth by the end of the third lap (pitted in), handed off the controls to Furukawa. Battled for the lead with a leading pair consisting of the '04 Pescarolo and a yellow '01 Audi R8, realized this was stupid.
Morning comes on Lap 9 and the dogfight between the R8 and Pesky ends in tears at the Mulsanne corner. Furukawa gets a "take the lead for free card", takes full advantage it.
I gamble a bit and decide not to let Furukawa pit with the other Bobs, since there's only one lap left and those who pit have to put up with cold tires.
It works. Sort of. I hold by breath, hoping it does. Really.
In the first half of the final lap, the lead pair struggle to keep under control, buying time for the now-exhausted Furukawa to finish the race. By the time Furukawa has passed the Mulsanne Corner however, the rear tires are basically fried.
Forced to crawl slowly through Porsche Curves, the yellow Audi's lights become more visible... alas, Furukawa stayed docile and scraped a win, beating yellow Audi by less than two seconds.
Phew. The amount of drama in this race warrants a fan-fiction or something.
- 5,428
- Midship_Express
Finally won by 2.5 seconds in my 2001 Audi. My prize? A second Peugeot 905. I had been looking for that car forever before having just bought one recently. 
Also won a 3rd X1. How exciting.
Also won a 3rd X1. How exciting.
- 23,892
- It/It
- GTP_TheCracker
Finally won this last night. Same Playstation R8, slightly different pit strategy. Ran on the tail of the lead pack (5th) until they pitted at the end of the 3rd lap. Came in myself a lap latter exiting in 6th or 7th. Work my way up to 2nd, closely following the 1st place Bentley until he pitted on the 9th. Nursed Bob along for the final lap on a well-worn set of RI's but held out for the win!
Wished i'd won the 905 - it's the one LMP car i don't have yet. I won a 3rd BMW V12 LMR for my troubles
Finally won by 2.5 seconds in my 2001 Audi. My prize? A second Peugeot 905. I had been looking for that car forever before having just bought one recently.
Wished i'd won the 905 - it's the one LMP car i don't have yet. I won a 3rd BMW V12 LMR for my troubles
- 179
- UK
- flyingkillercob
Got bored of seeing which cars can win and decided to see which drivers can win. Took the GT-ONE and a couple of low level (12 and 14 I think) Bobs. No chance. Despite the AI turning in a particularly slow 40:5x.xxx race, the nooby Bobs still lost by 30 secs with no spins or gravel trap excursions.
- 904
- York Virginia
- chilybee
After applying a tune from GTP to my Toyota GT1, I finished second. This after finishing no higher than 5 and as low as 10 using other cars with no specific tunner mods.
My first driver was a 30 with "down" arrow. My second was 29.9 with "up" arrow.
Start with RH and pit in just prior to lap two. Kept driver, and change to Racing Intermediates. Ran him hot until the Rain was over 23 percent. And yes, you have to watch him and keep him from spinning at chacanes and hair pins. Took the lead after the first AI pit. Never lost touch with the leaders.
Kept "Bob" going until his strength indicator was a sliver of green. I think about start of lap 8.
I then changed to "Bob" 2 and another set of intermeadetes. Left that pit stop in position number 2. Had plenty of rubber left on lap 10 by keeping "Bob" 1/2 to 3/4hot. Lost by 3 seconds. Reason?
Off track way back on lap 3 and Mulsanne hair pin. Lost about 14 seconds.
Other than that, the Toy GT1 was awesome. Make sure gears are spaced well to keep wheel spin away. And long 6th gearing. Stage 3 blower.
Try Praianos GT1 tune.
- 20
- West Virginia
- NYJETSFANZ14
whats the best for 2 cool drivers lvl 30 & 32 and dont have the 2J car
- 20
- West Virginia
- NYJETSFANZ14
yea but they cant get up there
- 354
- Netherlands
- YuRiPa84
Like this challenge, though it took me four tries to finally win it.
Started out with the Peugeot 908 (Team Total) but ended up in 9th. Stopped in lap 3 (overtook the GT-One in the pit, was good) and then ran through to the end. But my tyres were gone, my lv 39 driver had no energy anymore and the last lap took him more than 5 minutes, started the lap in 3rd, lost 6 places...
Then my second time I used the Sauber Mercedes, that went so well, only my lead going into the last lap was just not enough. Only stopped for intermediates in lap 3, and ran it through to the end. Last lap was hard, was leading until the Porsche curves, but got passed in the last corner. My driver was slow to get to speed again so the 3rd place driver overtook me too (finished at 3.7 seconds or something). If only I pressed a bit harder and would be more careful at the Mulsanne corner, then I would have won. Contrary to the OP, I am convinced the Sauber Mercedes can win this event.
The third time I used the Bentley, stopped in lap 2 for inters, then stopped again in lap 8. That was one lap too late, lost too much time in lap 8 due to bad tyres and finished fifth I think.
Fourth time I used the Oreca R8. That's a great car for this race, stopped in laps 2 and 7 and I won by 15 seconds. The last lap, however, is still a bit tricky due to the track being too dry for inters, so they get bad really soon. But my driver won, which was good.
Now I wanna try some other cars, like the 787B, Minolta Toyota, etc. Maybe even the R390 GT1, since it seems to me that the car doesn't really make much difference, if I see my drivers having difficulty overtaking the Mercedes GT1 Race Car with a Sauber Mercedes, and all cars I used, to me it seems, have an equal chance to win.
Started out with the Peugeot 908 (Team Total) but ended up in 9th. Stopped in lap 3 (overtook the GT-One in the pit, was good) and then ran through to the end. But my tyres were gone, my lv 39 driver had no energy anymore and the last lap took him more than 5 minutes, started the lap in 3rd, lost 6 places... Then my second time I used the Sauber Mercedes, that went so well, only my lead going into the last lap was just not enough. Only stopped for intermediates in lap 3, and ran it through to the end. Last lap was hard, was leading until the Porsche curves, but got passed in the last corner. My driver was slow to get to speed again so the 3rd place driver overtook me too (finished at 3.7 seconds or something). If only I pressed a bit harder and would be more careful at the Mulsanne corner, then I would have won. Contrary to the OP, I am convinced the Sauber Mercedes can win this event.
The third time I used the Bentley, stopped in lap 2 for inters, then stopped again in lap 8. That was one lap too late, lost too much time in lap 8 due to bad tyres and finished fifth I think.
Fourth time I used the Oreca R8. That's a great car for this race, stopped in laps 2 and 7 and I won by 15 seconds. The last lap, however, is still a bit tricky due to the track being too dry for inters, so they get bad really soon. But my driver won, which was good.
Now I wanna try some other cars, like the 787B, Minolta Toyota, etc. Maybe even the R390 GT1, since it seems to me that the car doesn't really make much difference, if I see my drivers having difficulty overtaking the Mercedes GT1 Race Car with a Sauber Mercedes, and all cars I used, to me it seems, have an equal chance to win.
- 15
- suryad
So I have won a few times with a not so tweaked Audi R8 Playstation Oreca. Now looking to give the Bentley and the Judd cars a shot. Can all the peeps who have tweaked these cars and won with them be nice enough to share their settings? I am kind of unsure whether to keep the cars NA or to set them up with high rpm turbos and what not.
Cheers! And great thread!
I am kind of unsure whether to keep the cars NA or to set them up with high rpm turbos and what not. Cheers! And great thread!
- 408
- United States
The Toyota GT-ONE works great for me. I just ran this again with a level 40 and level 32 driver... I took the lead at lap 4 and that was basically the end. Won by 10 seconds, which would have been at least 20 had Bob not gone exploring and searching for gold on the side of the track at a snail's pace.
The lvl 40 made it easy.
The lvl 40 made it easy.
- 20
- West Virginia
- NYJETSFANZ14
Audi R8 '01 only pitted once won by 2 seconds bobs level 32 and 30
- 86,662
- Rule 12
- GTP_Famine
Guh. I got so close in the V12 LMR - held up for three laps by the GT-One and the 787B made me lose by 4s. I'll give it another whirl with slightly longer gears, as it seemed to suffer through not getting enough speed in the slipstream.
- 179
- UK
- flyingkillercob
Following on from my previous post about trying to win with low-level Bobs as opposed to low-level cars, I can report a win with 2 sub-30 level Bobs. I think one was 26 and the other 22 although I didn't write it down and they obviously levelled up after the race. I used the Audi R8 Playstation.
I was helped massively by the R8 '01 crashing on lap 2, and after the first round of pits, it was left to a straight shoot-out between my Bobs and the Bentley. Going into the final lap, we were still neck and neck, with the R8 '01 having fought back from his crash to 3rd place. Then, just as Bob had put a brilliant pass on the Bentley going into Mulsanne, the inevitable happened and the Bentley out-braked itself, sending both of us into the gravel. Thankfully, my Bob recovered first and the R8 wasn't quite close enough to take advantage, so victory was achieved.
I was helped massively by the R8 '01 crashing on lap 2, and after the first round of pits, it was left to a straight shoot-out between my Bobs and the Bentley. Going into the final lap, we were still neck and neck, with the R8 '01 having fought back from his crash to 3rd place. Then, just as Bob had put a brilliant pass on the Bentley going into Mulsanne, the inevitable happened and the Bentley out-braked itself, sending both of us into the gravel. Thankfully, my Bob recovered first and the R8 wasn't quite close enough to take advantage, so victory was achieved.
- 771
- garbuckle3000
You and I tried the BMW at the same time. Sounds like you were more successful. I pitted on lap 4, because I was stuck behind the other BMW and 787B, but that decision allowed the front runners to catch me after they pitted on 3. I wound up 7th after my pit, and was just chasing the BMW and 787B the rest of the race. On lap 9, my RI tires were down to 1/3, and I knew I couldn't finish without pitting... plus my bob spun twice, so I just gave up and quit.
The braking on the BMW was horrible, allowing the others to pass at the end of the straights
- 86,662
- Rule 12
- GTP_Famine
How odd... I thought the braking was excellent...
This may play into my other project - what's your Bob's braking stats (I measure mine with a ruler on the screen or pixels on the camera screen - so long as I know the level and what the total possible is in those units, it's golden).
This may play into my other project - what's your Bob's braking stats (I measure mine with a ruler on the screen or pixels on the camera screen - so long as I know the level and what the total possible is in those units, it's golden).
- 3,130
- HaylRayzor
- 354
- Netherlands
- YuRiPa84
I just won it with the Peugeot 908 yesterday. I won by 9 seconds (in I think 42 minutes and 27 seconds), which could have been around 7-10 seconds more if my driver wouldn't have gone off at Mulsanne in lap 9. The strategy that seems to work best (at least for me, but tried it with different cars, i.e. Peugeot 908, Audi R8 Team Oreca (which led to wins), Bentley Speed 8) is by pitting in lap 2 and 7 (or 8). Yesterday when I ran with the 908 HDI I pitted in lap 2, immediately after the Pescarolo (the green one) and in lap 3 I passed that one and managed to pull away thanks to the GT-ONE being slow on slicks. Then my driver pressed on and right before the Porsche curves I managed to catch up with the rest of the pack, I thought to be in the lead group of cars, but to my complete surprise I ended up being in front. Then my driver pulled away and since I was doing well I chose to select the safe option and pit in lap 8 (so I only have 2 remaining laps on new Inters instead of 3, slightly improves the quality of my tyres during the last lap). I exited the pit being maybe 10 seconds behind the '01 R8 and the Bentley, though I think they were increasing the gap. Then I made a stupid mistake right before Mulsanne by saying my driver should go faster, while I should actually have had to calm him down, so he went of the track (the only mistake in the entire race). I got passed by the Pesky and I think the other R8 and was mad at myself since I knew they would slow me down through the corners leading to the start/finish straight. Luckily I ended up in front again and the R8 was closing in pretty damn fast (but he was at slicks, I was on inters). In the end, I won by 9 seconds.
The tactics I used were to always tell my driver to go faster. Especially in the first few corners leading up to the Hunaudieres straight they won't make mistakes. Then at the chicanes at the Hunaudieres straight I did the same, and then exiting the second chicane of the Hunaudieres, leading up to Mulsanne I told my driver to cool down and go slower, otherwise, if they are in the red they will most likely spin off the track. Since they will only get back on the track with an initial speed of 80 km/h (I have no idea why) it costs a lot of time. Then for the remaining of the course I mostly told him to speed up, though sometimes with worse tyres and worse strength of my driver I told him to slow down for the Porsche curves too. Main points of attention are the Mulsanne and Porsche curves, for the rest the drivers can go all out.
The stops in lap 2 and 7 (or 8) is my fave, since only stopping at lap 3 has never brought me victory yet (tried it with the 908 and Sauber Mercedes, with the Sauber Merc only lost in the last corner though) and with stopping in lap 2 and racing on inters during lap 3 will really win you a lot of time, always ending up in the lead pack of cars (doesn't really matter where you are when you stop) or even put you in front, enabling you to set the strategy. The stop in lap 7 or 8 is just because otherwise your tyres won't hold during the last lap, which could cost you the race. The change in lap 7 or 8 is to inters, though it might be beneficial to then already change to slicks, though I would think the track is then still too wet for slicks. However, it seems that if the track is 40% wet slicks are already the better choice, but I've never tried it since I didn't want to take the risk of losing the race. Changing to new inters is a safe solution, since the opposition will never win more than around 5 seconds on you during the last lap.
This victory was with the first grid (having opposition from '01 R8, the Oreca R8, Bentley Speed 8, 2 Pescarolo's (the green one and I think the blue & white one), 787B, BMW V12, GT-ONE, AMG Mercedes, R390 GT1, and the Audi R10. The set-up that I used was the same as that I used for the Spa time trial in the rain, only modified the ride height. Dunno if this is a good set-up, since I'm no good with set-ups but if someone is interested let me know. It was a very easy race, after lap 2 I actually never had to push anymore, which was good.
The next race I tried it with the Nissan R92CP, can't recommend that one, it seems that your driver will spin off the track at each and every corner. The car is insanely quick, but it doesn't work, too slow in the corners and the drivers are not able to drive it well.
The tactics I used were to always tell my driver to go faster. Especially in the first few corners leading up to the Hunaudieres straight they won't make mistakes. Then at the chicanes at the Hunaudieres straight I did the same, and then exiting the second chicane of the Hunaudieres, leading up to Mulsanne I told my driver to cool down and go slower, otherwise, if they are in the red they will most likely spin off the track. Since they will only get back on the track with an initial speed of 80 km/h (I have no idea why) it costs a lot of time. Then for the remaining of the course I mostly told him to speed up, though sometimes with worse tyres and worse strength of my driver I told him to slow down for the Porsche curves too. Main points of attention are the Mulsanne and Porsche curves, for the rest the drivers can go all out.
The stops in lap 2 and 7 (or 8) is my fave, since only stopping at lap 3 has never brought me victory yet (tried it with the 908 and Sauber Mercedes, with the Sauber Merc only lost in the last corner though) and with stopping in lap 2 and racing on inters during lap 3 will really win you a lot of time, always ending up in the lead pack of cars (doesn't really matter where you are when you stop) or even put you in front, enabling you to set the strategy. The stop in lap 7 or 8 is just because otherwise your tyres won't hold during the last lap, which could cost you the race. The change in lap 7 or 8 is to inters, though it might be beneficial to then already change to slicks, though I would think the track is then still too wet for slicks. However, it seems that if the track is 40% wet slicks are already the better choice, but I've never tried it since I didn't want to take the risk of losing the race. Changing to new inters is a safe solution, since the opposition will never win more than around 5 seconds on you during the last lap.
This victory was with the first grid (having opposition from '01 R8, the Oreca R8, Bentley Speed 8, 2 Pescarolo's (the green one and I think the blue & white one), 787B, BMW V12, GT-ONE, AMG Mercedes, R390 GT1, and the Audi R10. The set-up that I used was the same as that I used for the Spa time trial in the rain, only modified the ride height. Dunno if this is a good set-up, since I'm no good with set-ups but if someone is interested let me know.
It was a very easy race, after lap 2 I actually never had to push anymore, which was good.The next race I tried it with the Nissan R92CP, can't recommend that one, it seems that your driver will spin off the track at each and every corner. The car is insanely quick, but it doesn't work, too slow in the corners and the drivers are not able to drive it well.
