Can't race well in GT, but average or better with others?

[RoadRunner36]

I've had GT6 for about a year and a half now, and I still am not competitive with any skill level of other players. I've played multiple other racing games, like Forza, Project Cars, etc. and seem to perform around or above average. When racing on GT, I'm lucky if I place above last, but with every other racing game, I usually place 5th or better. Any explanations?

 

[ThrasherDBS]

With most racing games, you have to get used to the physics engine. Practice is the best way to get better. I know with GT, doing the license tests, watching the demonstration of a gold time, and then trying to get a gold time myself has made me a faster/better driver. You might also be dealing with people who know the best way to tune and set up their vehicles. We've got a good database of tunes here on GTP that you can look at and use.

I'd think practice would be a good place to start. It's important to have a competitive car, but it's more important to have the skill as well. I'd recommend attempting to gold all the license tests, and try to pick up new techniques and skills.

 

[CBH]

I've had GT6 for about a year and a half now, and I still am not competitive with any skill level of other players. I've played multiple other racing games, like Forza, Project Cars, etc. and seem to perform around or above average. When racing on GT, I'm lucky if I place above last, but with every other racing game, I usually place 5th or better. Any explanations?

Just practise and practise and that is all you can do.

 

[RoadRunner36]

All right. Will do!

 

[Aggserp4]

The license tests and special events are great ways to improve yourself. Keep practising!

 

[Sick Cylinder]

I've had GT6 for about a year and a half now, and I still am not competitive with any skill level of other players. I've played multiple other racing games, like Forza, Project Cars, etc. and seem to perform around or above average. When racing on GT, I'm lucky if I place above last, but with every other racing game, I usually place 5th or better. Any explanations?

The advice already given in this thread is good. In addition I suggest that you join a club or league which does championship races - there are many good ones which are listed in the online racing section of this site. I would be happy to have you in my series, but the time zone difference would probably be a problem. Have a look at SNAIL - they have different divisons for different ability levels.

I think that you learn a lot from racing with other people. I find I can often pick up some time by following a better driver for a few laps. In addition to practise which others have suggested - this gets you to a certain speed / skill level - you will also need to develop the ability to concentrate so that you can run the same times lap after lap and run error free for a full race distance.

Unfortunately we cannot all be Lewis Hamilton or as fast as a GT Academy winner even if we had time for unlimited practise. My speed and skill level is relatively low compared with my online friends, but I am trying to improve my concentration, reduce errors and improve consistency so I can finish closer to the fast guys.

I suggest you also read some books by great drivers - I thoroughly enjoyed "The Unfair Advantage" by Mark Donoghue. He was a professional driver who was one of the first to approach his racing with a level of thought and dedicated preparation and professionalism to give him an edge - what he considered his "unfair advantage".

You might also enjoy reading about the opposite of good preparation - today all professional drivers are great athletes who dedicate every aspect of their lives to their sport, but I really enjoyed reading Duncan Hamilton's Book "Touch Wood" - the story of the 1953 le Mans winner - it was refreshing to read about the true amateur era. You can also read some books on race craft covering driving lines, turn in points etc - whatever you do, enjoy your racing and good luck online!

 

[Draggon]

I agree with @Sick Cylinder on joining a league or club. I joined the Car of The Week last year. I was routinely mid-pack or worse in the weekly races, but in the last 6 months or so can tell I am getting better. While I win occasionally, the biggest thing I notice is that now I can see our fastest driver ahead of me. He used to be so far in front I could only see him on the course map

I should add that we race cars right out of the dealership with only an oil change. That eliminates the advantages a super tune can give.

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/thre...the-week-131-05-volkswagen-golf-v-gti.295599/

 

[CBH]

I've had GT6 for about a year and a half now, and I still am not competitive with any skill level of other players. I've played multiple other racing games, like Forza, Project Cars, etc. and seem to perform around or above average. When racing on GT, I'm lucky if I place above last, but with every other racing game, I usually place 5th or better. Any explanations?

Do you tune up your cars or race them stock ?. A good car setup is a good for that track, I always do online seasonal Time Trials it is a good way to get better.

 

[Baron Blitz Red]

All the above is good and sound advice, and should be followed, but here's one that I use to help me improve as well...

If you have someone that's consistently faster than you, save replays of those races. Then at your own convenience, watch the replay in their car with all info displayed from the same view you race in. This way you can see when and where that person's shifting points, braking points, turning points and racing lines are being used. Using the hud to watch when they brake fully or trail brake and when they power out will help you understand what they see as optimum points on the track to achieve faster laps.

Don't be afraid to use your own visual reference points as well. One person that explains this very well is @Tidgney , and has a bunch of videos that I've watched repeatedly, especially those he produced for tracks being used during GT Academy. Those were an eye-opener, as his explanations were clear and concise, and made me wonder why I hadn't thought of that before... best tutorials I've found to be honest.

Cheers