"Daily" Race Discussion [Archive]

[RacingGrandpa]

A weekend, finally! Had a free morning and participated in five races B. Had a great fun and some really close racing, even I raced ok for a change.
Got on pole twice, from P6 and P8.

Most drivers were pretty clean, but in the last race I ended up in tail and people there were brutal, my "favourite" move I saw these people do is to go into COD side by side. Wanted to address them all in the post race chat but they all left in an instant.

Had a fun little moment in another race where I passed two drivers who had a little bit of contact between them. Happened on the last lap, too, so finished fifth from P7:


I also wanted to ask a question about one incident that happened in the same race. I didn't hold the inside on the hairpin before the COD, so let some drivers through (my mistake clearly). As we reach the entrance of COD I try to move into the line just to end up touching the guy who was following that line just half a car behind me. From my point of view I didn't really noticed him and I had to get into the train. From his point of view I pushed him. Who had the priority? I was first, but he had the inside line. There are both mine and his POV in the video:

I say he is taking a chance and goes for a gap. Then the gap closes and he lost out. Racing incident.

 

[kjeldsen]

What a great week of racing at one of my favorite tracks, death to the chicane a few times to much, but that is how it is.. Among my many races i had this one, a real chance of winning. But i got dive bombed, or am asking to much of my fellow drives? In any case.. action to the end

 

[NoStopN]

I must be Irish. That or I had Eddie Murphy's lucky cricket, from Mulan, riding shotgun.

I will not doubt your luck. The RCZ getting what he has been giving the whole race was hilarious. And that the payback was purely accidental was just icing on the cake.

 

[fisheye]

I think I did like 11 hours today lol gettin a little fuzzy

The last time I did that I saw Tetris blocks everywhere.

 

[Groundfish]

The last time I did that I saw Tetris blocks everywhere.
View attachment 1005290

There were other things I could have been doing but it was pretty addictive yesterday.
There were an awful lot of really fun squeaky clean :::replays look real:::
Close close races.
It’s one thing that made that dirty player stand out so much.
I’ve got an even 20 replays and I didn’t record it all. I love the replays in gts.
I may enter a few more times. The thing that helps me is with this system you can race as much as you want without fear of big sr loss screwing up the matches, and, if you use an alt there’s no worries of dr so you end up just trying to have fun and get great races.
I must admit I did laugh so hard I almost couldn’t drive several times when that dirty guy tried me. He was in RCZ and vs Stang it’s very very very difficult to come out on top if there’s contact in a little RCZ.
The last time I had this Stang vs RCZ was at a St Croix C race. I got so tired of the RCZ players hit and runs I decided to use Mustang. I haven’t looked back. The car is competitive most everywhere and very hard to win a physical battle against.
He managed it only twice but he kept trying me every time lol. It was funny.
I warned him each pre race (the psychological warfare part) to stop but it only seemed to infuriate him more and trigger him more, which triggered more of my lolol.
Part of me feels slightly bad, but it’s a small part

Edit after a couple good races, B race munchkins woke up and started ramming.
I’m done after a C race. Had a few fun races tho before South America decided to turn it into wreckfest AGAIN

 

[Mc_Yavel]

@Groundfish I think we lost you. How will you ever come back to the light after this week?

 

[cosme]

Hey everyone, wanted to ask your advice.

I'm now trying to understand how to do the one thing I've probably never done successfully yet, a switch-back. Every time I see different youtubers do this it looks so easy. It also looks like a much more civilised way to overtake than my usual late-braking on the inside which sometimes end up with an unpleasant contact for other drivers which I'd rather avoid. I understand how it works, but when I try to do this I end up on the outside side by side with another car with no space to go for the inside. Mind you, I'm pretty sure that it's not the drivers defending that way but that I do something wrong.

Any tips on how to do this the right way?

 

[KosmoKazi]

Hey everyone, wanted to ask your advice.

I'm now trying to understand how to do the one thing I've probably never done successfully yet, a switch-back. Every time I see different youtubers do this it looks so easy. It also looks like a much more civilised way to overtake than my usual late-braking on the inside which sometimes end up with an unpleasant contact for other drivers which I'd rather avoid. I understand how it works, but when I try to do this I end up on the outside side by side with another car with no space to go for the inside. Mind you, I'm pretty sure that it's not the drivers defending that way but that I do something wrong.

Any tips on how to do this the right way?

I'm not an expert, and I could say the same for my own switch-back skills... I agree with you, it looks easier on the YouTube videos than it ever feels for me. But I will share what I've noticed recently, as I've tried to get better at it... I've had to be much more deliberate about it, than I thought before. Brake and hold the outside line in a much more exaggerated way... then take a much more severe apex entry than I would have expected works. You're typically going to conduct this maneuver when someone is cooking the entry a bit, so trust that the exit speed will be there, and it seems to pay off well. Also, need to really swear by the radar, to see whether you've cleared them on that drag race off the turn.

I've noticed it does get a bit easier when you trust it to pay off, committing to it with the extreme early braking and sharp turn in, then getting on the throttle earlier with less steering input required on the exit. DTS hairpin at the coastline, at the end of Sector 2, is a perfect place to practice it- there is a TON of tarmac on the inside of that turn... much more than you realize when running the racing line, and if you shortcut the entry onto that straight after, by staying way inside, you are in the best position for the CoD sequence (though you still may have to rely on someone backing off, if stuck to your left side rear quarter panel after the switch-back move...)

 

[Groundfish]

@Groundfish I think we lost you. How will you ever come back to the light after this week?

At this point I’m not sure I was ever in it!
The same guy from yesterday’s races is back again today on another acct. Confirmed.
Next one is my last entry. I just can’t play like this.
I much prefer strict penalties because we see what happens when there’s not. It’s either get ahead waaay ahead or get into an idiotic scrum.
I’m going full Veyron one race then that’s it. It’s ridiculous.

 

[fisheye]

It was a dirty race with two cars in front of me banging each other and holding up the entire field, but...

 

[cosme]

I'm not an expert, and I could say the same for my own switch-back skills... I agree with you, it looks easier on the YouTube videos than it ever feels for me. But I will share what I've noticed recently, as I've tried to get better at it... I've had to be much more deliberate about it, than I thought before. Brake and hold the outside line in a much more exaggerated way... then take a much more severe apex entry than I would have expected works. You're typically going to conduct this maneuver when someone is cooking the entry a bit, so trust that the exit speed will be there, and it seems to pay off well. Also, need to really swear by the radar, to see whether you've cleared them on that drag race off the turn.

I've noticed it does get a bit easier when you trust it to pay off, committing to it with the extreme early braking and sharp turn in, then getting on the throttle earlier with less steering input required on the exit. DTS hairpin at the coastline, at the end of Sector 2, is a perfect place to practice it- there is a TON of tarmac on the inside of that turn... much more than you realize when running the racing line, and if you shortcut the entry onto that straight after, by staying way inside, you are in the best position for the CoD sequence (though you still may have to rely on someone backing off, if stuck to your left side rear quarter panel after the switch-back move...)

Thank you! Sounds like a solid advice. Will practice this when I have the chance.

Also totally forgot to say thanks to everyone who shared their opinions on the incident which I posted yesterday, so - thanks a lot!

 

[Little_Guppy]

Hey everyone, wanted to ask your advice.

I'm now trying to understand how to do the one thing I've probably never done successfully yet, a switch-back. Every time I see different youtubers do this it looks so easy. It also looks like a much more civilised way to overtake than my usual late-braking on the inside which sometimes end up with an unpleasant contact for other drivers which I'd rather avoid. I understand how it works, but when I try to do this I end up on the outside side by side with another car with no space to go for the inside. Mind you, I'm pretty sure that it's not the drivers defending that way but that I do something wrong.

Any tips on how to do this the right way?

I'm not an expert, and I could say the same for my own switch-back skills... I agree with you, it looks easier on the YouTube videos than it ever feels for me. But I will share what I've noticed recently, as I've tried to get better at it... I've had to be much more deliberate about it, than I thought before. Brake and hold the outside line in a much more exaggerated way... then take a much more severe apex entry than I would have expected works. You're typically going to conduct this maneuver when someone is cooking the entry a bit, so trust that the exit speed will be there, and it seems to pay off well. Also, need to really swear by the radar, to see whether you've cleared them on that drag race off the turn.

I've noticed it does get a bit easier when you trust it to pay off, committing to it with the extreme early braking and sharp turn in, then getting on the throttle earlier with less steering input required on the exit. DTS hairpin at the coastline, at the end of Sector 2, is a perfect place to practice it- there is a TON of tarmac on the inside of that turn... much more than you realize when running the racing line, and if you shortcut the entry onto that straight after, by staying way inside, you are in the best position for the CoD sequence (though you still may have to rely on someone backing off, if stuck to your left side rear quarter panel after the switch-back move...)

On youtube it looks easy because they only show the successful executions. A switch-back is normally used:

• as a defense when some dives up the inside and you let them pass and then pass them back or,
• as a pass attempt when the lead driver has adopted a defensive line.

Like any pass attempt they are difficult to execute. As @KosmoKazi stated you are depending on the other driver to overshoot the apex and that happens a lot in the two above situations. Good drivers and sportsmanlike drivers will adopt a very tight line so that they do not hit you. If they take the tight line the switch back will not work and you will need to go around the outside. If they run the least bit wide... THAT is your opportunity. All other things equal, you should win the drag race as you were able to start your acceleration sooner.

Courtesy of @RacingGrandpa checkout chapter 6 here: https://f1metrics.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/the-rules-of-racing/

Enjoy.

 

[05XR8]

Jumped in the Audi in an alt. Is that car really FWD? Maybe on really tight tight turns, but no it's not. PD programmed Quattro once the thing clicks into 2nd gear.
The handling is silly too. No wonder people use the thing all the time( maybe not at Tsukuba though).

Anyway, video coming. Got the win from 5th. It's just a quick car.

 

[KosmoKazi]

Jumped in the Audi in an alt. Is that car really FWD? Maybe on really tight tight turns, but no it's not. PD programmed Quattro once the thing clicks into 2nd gear.
The handling is silly too. No wonder people use the thing all the time( maybe not at Tsukuba though).

Anyway, video coming. Got the win from 5th. It's just a quick car.

It's a phenomenal race car. So neutral, as long as you leave some throttle on at all times to keep it balanced, and if you don't load up the diff with WOT on exit, it's as easy to toss around as any car. Super brakes, great torque, and a cushy suspension that means the curbs don't upset the car. It's as forgiving a car that even when not META on pure pace, is more than effective in race situations. Not just at DTS, either... Monza, Lago Maggiore, I've had success with it everywhere Gr4 race.

 

[05XR8]

It's a phenomenal race car. So neutral, as long as you leave some throttle on at all times to keep it balanced, and if you don't load up the diff with WOT on exit, it's as easy to toss around as any car. Super brakes, great torque, and a cushy suspension that means the curbs don't upset the car. It's as forgiving a car that even when not META on pure pace, is more than effective in race situations. Not just at DTS, either... Monza, Lago Maggiore, I've had success with it everywhere Gr4 race.

Exactly. I'm in the race and thinking this thing is smooth like the RC F. Definitely neutral as you say and like a RWD in its stability. Crazy.

 

[BigSarj]

Next week's Daily Race C is going to be at Tokyo East Outer Loop. Does anyone know what the meta cars will be? I think the McLaren will be one but I want to make a livery for a Japanese car that may do well on this track. Will it be the Supra concept again?

 

[Mistah_MCA]

Next week's Daily Race C is going to be at Tokyo East Outer Loop. Does anyone know what the meta cars will be?

I'm thinking that the meta cars will be Ford GT, Peugeot VGT, and McLaren F1.

 

[BigSarj]

I'm thinking that the meta cars will be Ford GT, Peugeot VGT, and McLaren F1.

Ah, the Ford GT would make for a cool Evangelion themed livery. Thanks. I will play around with said cars.

 

[Groundfish]

I think the switchback has a definite psychological aspect.
It’s success depends on your opponent running deep in many cases, or bobbling a little.
So what I find is first apply pressure to force your opponent into defense. It works best if you apply some stress to them. Most players below mid A are piss poor at defense in general when they cover inside 75 percent of time they will brake too late and run deep. That’s like a gimme.
But if you stress the guy ahead to go defensive, but remember now you’ve been a threat to him for a while now you’ve succeeded by forcing him into defense.
The braking by you comes a tiny touch early, and it’s a watching him thing. His cars gotta just run past enough that since you’re wide you can get past his inside to apex AND get on power earlier than him.
It pretty much requires a little bobble or running deep in their defense. You can’t really create something from nothing.
One thing not a lot of players do but some really good ones do is calmly stay close behind, but with a little gap, stalking their opponent, probing, but not like so many idiots desperately looking left and right trying to stick in the nose wherever ASAP even if it’s a place that loses massive time, no.
Pressure. Applying pressure. That’s the key, imo.
Sometimes pull inside a bit to “take a look” and make em think, even if you know you’re not close enough...Pressure, stress...
If you are playing good players who can hold an inside line in defense you can bring holding round the outside into play as well. If they have control of their car and you are enough alongside you are owed room.
You can also do what’s very popular of late which is squeeze the guy in defense way way inside then swoop out wide just before braking, but it’s a garbage move imo.
There’s a point...If a guy doesn’t move over back to the racing line to brake and I’m fast approaching the braking zone, that I’m goin full brake early 100 percent, because I won’t be punted off easily.
You don’t like getting checked? Don’t attack like a fool.
If I get squeezed in defense I carefully watch and time moving over right with them. If you stay right up next to them nothing they can do, they have to wait for your turn in and you get on power first.
I’m really tired of every Tom Dick and Harry thinking they are being Mario Andretti with this squeeze the defender late swoop to outside bs. If things are getting ugly I’ll just use the radar and open up the steering a touch right when they turn in but you didn’t hear that from me.
Thing is with good racers none of this stupidity occurs.
Good racers read each other. If I’m defensive there’s no need to idiotically try to pin me to the inside wall on a turn. That’s initiating a sequence of dirty responses lol.
Good racers, you fade into defense on inside they see that and are thinking ahead, they realize the advantage they have and control they are exerting by placing you in defense. They don’t play the dumb stuff.
It’s truly epic when you face these cool racers and there’s lots of them in dailies. I just tend to remember the idiots sometimes too much.
The crossover can also be done if there’s a long straight after a turn by braking late and super wide and hitting a late apex on power very early to gather speed and attack on the straight.
The best thing in sim racing is having great battles. When idiots start barging though imo it’s time to start sending them off and will be until the next rules change.
It’s like dog training, they smash past it’s like a dog stealing food off a table. :::WHAP:::: lol
“Look at me I get past him here by using him as a brake haha he go deep see?!”
Next turn
“Why am I in the sand?!”

Lmao

Edit in all seriousness, thinking about it.
For me it’s important to know the standard braking points, know when to brake 5-7 meters early, or even 5meters late, depending on the situation, and where you want to be fast. Sometimes you might wanna be fast and late on entry, getting track position if you think it’s beneficial, other times you might wanna be very very careful to get on power perfectly to try to create a run on a straight...
Seems for me I’m braking a bit early almost always given draft given trying to give myself a small gap to build speed into etc. braking is not a fixed do it this way every time kinda thing for me. It’s situational.

Cheers

 

[Little_Guppy]

It's a phenomenal race car. So neutral, as long as you leave some throttle on at all times to keep it balanced, and if you don't load up the diff with WOT on exit, it's as easy to toss around as any car. Super brakes, great torque, and a cushy suspension that means the curbs don't upset the car. It's as forgiving a car that even when not META on pure pace, is more than effective in race situations. Not just at DTS, either... Monza, Lago Maggiore, I've had success with it everywhere Gr4 race.

@KosmoKazi,

What does this mean?

and if you don't load up the diff with WOT on exit,

And as a racer how can I control those things.

With respect to keeping the throttle on and balance, does that mean that you are trying to keep the turbo spun up? Others have noted that but I have not consciously applied it.

Since the nerf/BOP, I can make the VW Scirocco go fast, faster than the FF RCZ or TT almost everywhere. It is a bit perplexing because the RCZ was the FF choice at Spa and the TT was the choice at DTS but I could not make them work. It suggests that I can get better lap times if I can better exploit the META. Eventually, I got the META RCZ to work at RBR but it took until Sunday to get the good time (needed BB+3 not BB+5).

I noticed something odd at DTS with the VW. There was much discussion on the Esses and the entry. Eventually, I started experimenting with keeping the throttle feathered while braking and turning. It gave me more speed and I was able to complete the first curve with the correct line to the second but I was ill prepared to manage that speed into the next curve. There is something there but it needs more experimentation. The VW is a turbo car too.

Finding the last second of lap speed is orders of magnitude more complex than cutting the first few seconds. I guess, everyone here knows that already.

 

[dorkstar31]

@KosmoKazi,

What does this mean?

and if you don't load up the diff with WOT on exit,

And as a racer how can I control those things.

With respect to keeping the throttle on and balance, does that mean that you are trying to keep the turbo spun up? Others have noted that but I have not consciously applied it.

Since the nerf/BOP, I can make the VW Scirocco go fast, faster than the FF RCZ or TT almost everywhere. It is a bit perplexing because the RCZ was the FF choice at Spa and the TT was the choice at DTS but I could not make them work. It suggests that I can get better lap times if I can better exploit the META. Eventually, I got the META RCZ to work at RBR but it took until Sunday to get the good time (needed BB+3 not BB+5).

I noticed something odd at DTS with the VW. There was much discussion on the Esses and the entry. Eventually, I started experimenting with keeping the throttle feathered while braking and turning. It gave me more speed and I was able to complete the first curve with the correct line to the second but I was ill prepared to manage that speed into the next curve. There is something there but it needs more experimentation. The VW is a turbo car too.

Finding the last second of lap speed is orders of magnitude more complex than cutting the first few seconds.

WOT is wide open throttle.

 

[RacingGrandpa]

and if you don't load up the diff with WOT on exit,

WOT = wide open throttle. If you go wide open throttle on exit the diff in the drive axle is overloaded and you get wheel spin and oversteer.

 

[Little_Guppy]

Exactly. I'm in the race and thinking this thing is smooth like the RC F. Definitely neutral as you say and like a RWD in its stability. Crazy.

@05XR8,

So, you are an FF guy now... "welcome to darkside", as Little Guppy says in the lowest most somber voice that a fish can manage.

I am a big fan of PDs recent BoP changes to Group 4 and the whole Group 4 notion to mix all the different drive trains. All of the recent Group 4 B races (with the exception for RBR and the RCZ) had more than one drivetrain that was competitive. It makes the racing more interesting. The FFs are mixing it up each week with with Vantages, WRXes and Jags.

 

[Little_Guppy]

WOT is wide open throttle.

WOT = wide open throttle. If you go wide open throttle on exit the diff in the drive axle is overloaded and you get wheel spin and oversteer.

Thanks guys.

D'oh, I should have googled that one.

It is true. It takes patience at the DTS beach hairpin... you just want to max it but in needs a gentle, firm and continuous application to not jump the left curb.

 

[GT5Power]

My final time trial lap for daily race C. As with DTS, Gr.2 was quite enjoyable on this high speed track. The lap ended up 5th worldwide, .130 off the WR with only 4 world finalists ahead of me. I would say that's a pretty good result

 

[05XR8]

@05XR8,

So, you are an FF guy now... "welcome to darkside", as Little Guppy says in the lowest most somber voice that a fish can manage.

I am a big fan of PDs recent BoP changes to Group 4 and the whole Group 4 notion to mix all the different drive trains. All of the recent Group 4 B races (with the exception for RBR and the RCZ) had more than one drivetrain that was competitive. It makes the racing more interesting. The FFs are mixing it up each week with with Vantages, WRXes and Jags.

Early Sport Mode, I had always chosen the Scirocco(it had and still has the best off-throttle turn in) and after the RCZ replaced the Megane as the fastest FF, I chose the Megane to go against the grain. I hated the TT because everyone used it. I also didn't like the engine sound(still don't). It has a tone I dislike.
However, the overall performance, I can't deny, is very good.

I think the RC F may be my most used GR.4 car, for the life I've been playing this game(since March 2018). I'd probably have to check the stats in the Gran Turismo app, as I keep restarting my game. It's the closest I can get to my avatar(the Saitama Toyopet GreenBrave Toyota Crown RS - before that, it was the Mark X).

Edit: don't know how the rest of my post didn't post.

About the Race C, DBR9 is also fast. I'll be using that. Love the sound of its V12.

 

[Baka_Marimo]

So, here are the new week's daily races.

 

[MidnightRun85]

FINALLY! A WIN! My first win since joining the B ranks - and that was a while ago! Stupidly forgot to save the replay (must have been too shocked by the win) but I'll give a quick run-down.

Race B last night, in the GT-R again, liveried up in stealth-mode BRE-style. I ran a bunch of practice laps before entering the race and worked hard on my speed through the first chicane and my line through the COD until I could run it flat consistently, or at least near-flat (no more braking!). I had earlier managed to get a 1:45:5 in the GT-R, which had put me 3rd on the grid in a race where I squandered a win on lap 3 on Saturday night, so I was confident I could place well this time around.

Q1 was a GT-R. Q2 was a Vantage. Q3 was me in the GT-R. The two up front took off and I tucked in behind, the GT-R going defensive on the first chicane and ruining his line in the process. The Vantage held a good line and I was just in behind him and we both slipped past, I'm now Q2. Through the esses, I'm close behind the Vantage but the GT-R is right on my tail and there's a Cayman behind him who's el rapido, and coming into the hairpin we're three wide so I back off (as they both had a stronger slipstream and more pace) and end up dropping back into 3rd, the Cayman not being placed quite right to get past me. The GT-R then manages to completely fluff the COD and clips the inside corner, bouncing to the outside wall, and I've managed to run it flat on a perfect line and leave him and the Cayman behind, closing in on the Vantage towards the final turn. I don't get a great exit out of the final turn and the Cayman is on my tail the whole way down the straight.

With the Cayman tucked behind me into the first chicane on lap 2, and a faint slipstream on the Vantage, we have a tight (but very civilized!) battle all the way through to the COD where the Vantage runs wide on the exit and scrapes the wall. I come flying past like he's parked and take 1st place to finish lap 2.

Lap 3, the Cayman slips his nose past at Turn 9, but has to back out because he's got a bad line, and I regain 1st again, and manage to run the COD flat - again - and pull a healthy lead over him. He must have had a bad exit because next thing I know, the Vantage is less than a second behind me at the start of lap 4. He's 0.3 behind me as we pass under the 1st sector timer and I'm starting to get worried. I get a good exit but then run deep into the first turn of the esses, trying to get greedy on late braking, and have to drop all the way to 3rd gear! But wait, he's 1.6s behind me?! Must have had a shocker up there at turn 4! I keep the rest of the lap clean, having to lift for COD after again being late on the turn-in, but don't lose much time, and end up coming home with a win 1.3s ahead of the Vantage in 2nd.

Looking at the results, he must have picked up a penalty in the first chicane on the final lap - he's the only car in the entire field who has a red dot. The GT-R who was on pole clearly had a bit of a tough time and ended up 6th. Meanwhile, I bagged my first win for what feels like forever, and I've managed to climb all the way back to where I was before the previous week's shocker that was Interlagos. Two races in the GT-R (a 2nd and a 1st) and I raked in almost 2300 DR points, back up to 17,316!

If only I had the time to put in some practice earlier in the week maybe I could have utilized that race to its full potential and maximized my DR gain...

Here's a vid of an early practice lap. Next time I'll save the damn replay!

 

[MidnightRun85]

I'm thinking that the meta cars will be Ford GT, Peugeot VGT, and McLaren F1.

My thoughts were Aston DBR, Corvette and McLaren F1. Ford GT and Peugeot VGT weren't even on my radar!

 

[05XR8]

FINALLY! A WIN! My first win since joining the B ranks - and that was a while ago! Stupidly forgot to save the replay (must have been too shocked by the win) but I'll give a quick run-down.

Race B last night, in the GT-R again, liveried up in stealth-mode BRE-style. I ran a bunch of practice laps before entering the race and worked hard on my speed through the first chicane and my line through the COD until I could run it flat consistently, or at least near-flat (no more braking!). I had earlier managed to get a 1:45:5 in the GT-R, which had put me 3rd on the grid in a race where I squandered a win on lap 3 on Saturday night, so I was confident I could place well this time around.

Q1 was a GT-R. Q2 was a Vantage. Q3 was me in the GT-R. The two up front took off and I tucked in behind, the GT-R going defensive on the first chicane and ruining his line in the process. The Vantage held a good line and I was just in behind him and we both slipped past, I'm now Q2. Through the esses, I'm close behind the Vantage but the GT-R is right on my tail and there's a Cayman behind him who's el rapido, and coming into the hairpin we're three wide so I back off (as they both had a stronger slipstream and more pace) and end up dropping back into 3rd, the Cayman not being placed quite right to get past me. The GT-R then manages to completely fluff the COD and clips the inside corner, bouncing to the outside wall, and I've managed to run it flat on a perfect line and leave him and the Cayman behind, closing in on the Vantage towards the final turn. I don't get a great exit out of the final turn and the Cayman is on my tail the whole way down the straight.

With the Cayman tucked behind me into the first chicane on lap 2, and a faint slipstream on the Vantage, we have a tight (but very civilized!) battle all the way through to the COD where the Vantage runs wide on the exit and scrapes the wall. I come flying past like he's parked and take 1st place to finish lap 2.

Lap 3, the Cayman slips his nose past at Turn 9, but has to back out because he's got a bad line, and I regain 1st again, and manage to run the COD flat - again - and pull a healthy lead over him. He must have had a bad exit because next thing I know, the Vantage is less than a second behind me at the start of lap 4. He's 0.3 behind me as we pass under the 1st sector timer and I'm starting to get worried. I get a good exit but then run deep into the first turn of the esses, trying to get greedy on late braking, and have to drop all the way to 3rd gear! But wait, he's 1.6s behind me?! Must have had a shocker up there at turn 4! I keep the rest of the lap clean, having to lift for COD after again being late on the turn-in, but don't lose much time, and end up coming home with a win 1.3s ahead of the Vantage in 2nd.

Looking at the results, he must have picked up a penalty in the first chicane on the final lap - he's the only car in the entire field who has a red dot. The GT-R who was on pole clearly had a bit of a tough time and ended up 6th. Meanwhile, I bagged my first win for what feels like forever, and I've managed to climb all the way back to where I was before the previous week's shocker that was Interlagos. Two races in the GT-R (a 2nd and a 1st) and I raked in almost 2300 DR points, back up to 17,316!

If only I had the time to put in some practice earlier in the week maybe I could have utilized that race to its full potential and maximized my DR gain...

Here's a vid of an early practice lap. Next time I'll save the damn replay!

Congratulations!