Improvement on Dragon Trail

[Wubbel88]

Hi all,

First time posting so let me quickly introduce myself: My name is Martijn, 29 years old and I've been racing since the release of GT Sports. I've always been around B DR, but after just coming back from a long break I'm dedicated to finally reach A/A+. I was very close to reaching A last weak on the Nurburg GP but I've been losing some DR this week with Dragon Trail.

I've been reading the forums to improve myself but I tough the best way to get advice is to post my quickest lap on"Race B". I just can't seem to break that 46 barrier in 1 lap. There are obviously some small mistakes in this video, I'm thinking of the very last corner, the chicane not flat out and the uphill section at the start of sector 2 wasn't to clean.



I'm sure you guys can point out some more places where I can work to improve myself.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ryan Sandall]

Firstly what car are you driving?
I wasn’t listening when I saw the video if it’s the veyron you will gain time from shifting between 2 thirds and 3 quarters of the Rev bar on your screen

Also with dragon trail and especially a low powered car your corner speed/ maximising your exits are key

For example the first chicane you want to make sure you accelerate consistently as soon as possible ideally you can accelerate as soon as you’ve hit the apex on the left of the chicane
Then don’t back out the throttle once you get to full don’t release

The fast right t5 I think was great
T6 you want to be slowing up more and getting the car turned to allow you to have full power sooner up the hill will gain you time
So make sure the car is straight like V the corner

The fast corners after that were really nice you just needed to open them out a touch more and they would have been perfect and you wouldn’t have run wide
So take bigger sweeps bring the car back over to onside of the track to enable faster through the next

The chicane flat isn’t something I’d worry about, just make sure your consistent a comfort lift is better than a crash

Final turn was really nice shame the back end stepped out

 

[twitcher]

I’m still learn this circuit, so I’m sitting here anticipating all the advice people will give you

The only thing I can see from the video, I think in both T1, and the hairpin before the bus stop, you could go deeper on the brakes. Not by a ton, just a fraction of a second longer. For those corners, I brake juuust after the 150 board, it seemed like you were timing your braking for just before the 150 boards.

 

[Wubbel88]

Firstly what car are you driving?
I wasn’t listening when I saw the video if it’s the veyron you will gain time from shifting between 2 thirds and 3 quarters of the Rev bar on your screen

Sorry I should have included that, im driving the Lamborghini. Ive tried the Veyron but I feel its so hard to control/turn that car.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions! I actually tough T5 wasn't to great ;-) Your points will give me a solid base to improve on

 

[vvise]

You should be able to gain some time by braking later into the big corners. In general you seem to be braking a bit early and coasting in. It may not look like much but it's probably a tenth or two in each corner.

 

[Boedefeld]

I have no problem with this track with Gr. 3 cars, but Gr. 4 can go to hell. I’ve been trying to improve my 1:46:148 for 4 hours now, and still nothing. 500+ km of this damned track and I have nothing to show for it.

 

[phil_75]

Hi all,

First time posting so let me quickly introduce myself: My name is Martijn, 29 years old and I've been racing since the release of GT Sports. I've always been around B DR, but after just coming back from a long break I'm dedicated to finally reach A/A+. I was very close to reaching A last weak on the Nurburg GP but I've been losing some DR this week with Dragon Trail.

I've been reading the forums to improve myself but I tough the best way to get advice is to post my quickest lap on"Race B". I just can't seem to break that 46 barrier in 1 lap. There are obviously some small mistakes in this video, I'm thinking of the very last corner, the chicane not flat out and the uphill section at the start of sector 2 wasn't to clean.



I'm sure you guys can point out some more places where I can work to improve myself.

Thanks in advance!

Thought it was pretty good myself, just slightly off perfect angle into the esses and a bit too much hesitation getting on the power after braking on that dowhill bit after the esses.

 

[BigJimmy]

Turn off the brake marker and apex points... Go with the flow man!

 

[Knobgoblin72]

Interesting advice. I'm also seemingly stuck in the 1:46s. Been practicing and racing it today, can be like nearly half a second up then mess the bus stop up, or be slightly down and ace the bus stop and equal my best time. Just cant seem to string it all together with the veyron. I feel the huracan can be quicker but it's a tail out demon at times TC off on both.

 

[machine1121]

Interesting advice. I'm also seemingly stuck in the 1:46s. Been practicing and racing it today, can be like nearly half a second up then mess the bus stop up, or be slightly down and ace the bus stop and equal my best time. Just cant seem to string it all together with the veyron. I feel the huracan can be quicker but it's a tail out demon at times TC off on both.

I'm in the same boat. I just returned to the game after about a 7 month break. I've run plenty of laps where I've got a mid 1:09 at the end of the second sector, but I'm stuck at a 146.898 and my optimal is a 146.338. I know there's time to be found in the chicane, but I just can't get the Veyron to turn in consistently at high speed.

 

[Barry R]

Firstly what car are you driving?
I wasn’t listening when I saw the video if it’s the veyron you will gain time from shifting between 2 thirds and 3 quarters of the Rev bar on your screen

Really? i will need to have a look at this after work, looks like im shifting too late
Also stuck in the 1.46 group :/

 

[Alpha Cipher]

Here's a 1:45.7 reference lap

In general, you seem to be focusing more on apex speed than exit speed. Your braking points are mostly spot-on, but you release them too early and let the car coast through the corner. Your steering rhythm through the esses seems to be a bit off as well- try turning in a bit later

In general your lap is pretty good already, it's just small imperfections that builds itself up

I'm also using a Lambo so all the lines are applicable to you

 

[Ryan Sandall]

Really? i will need to have a look at this after work, looks like im shifting too late
Also stuck in the 1.46 group :/

If your driving the veyron do the test for yourself
So do your first laps maxing out all the gears
Then run a lap with short shifting about 2 thirds/ 3 quarters of the way up and see if your delta shows your gaining time on your lap we’re you revved it out
You should see an improvement

There are a few cars in the game which are actually faster when you shift earlier

Here's a 1:45.7 reference lap

In general, you seem to be focusing more on apex speed than exit speed. Your braking points are mostly spot-on, but you release them too early and let the car coast through the corner. Your steering rhythm through the esses seems to be a bit off as well- try turning in a bit later

In general your lap is pretty good already, it's just small imperfections that builds itself up

I'm also using a Lambo so all the lines are applicable to you

I’ve always wondered, how do you upload these videos? I would like to be able to help but don’t know how to save these and upload them
Nice lap and you still got time to find for sure with the little slides you had especially at that hairpin after the fast right kink

 

[Barry R]

If your driving the veyron do the test for yourself
So do your first laps maxing out all the gears
Then run a lap with short shifting about 2 thirds/ 3 quarters of the way up and see if your delta shows your gaining time on your lap we’re you revved it out
You should see an improvement

There are a few cars in the game which are actually faster when you shift earlier

Thanks, I will be take a look after work

 

[Knobgoblin72]

Your Ps4 records so if you replay a replay or even after finishing a race press the share button on the ps4 controller. Will open a screen to share video screenshot etc. Go video and it will let you trim down what its recorded. I use sharefactory to upload to YouTube. Ps4 uploader often fails. Then link it here.

 

[Alpha Cipher]

I’ve always wondered, how do you upload these videos? I would like to be able to help but don’t know how to save these and upload them
Nice lap and you still got time to find for sure with the little slides you had especially at that hairpin after the fast right kink

Yup. I'm seeing maybe a 3/10ths improvement at most if I fix that tiny slide on the hairpin and by braking a fraction earlier at the second one. Thanks for the compliment
just press the share button and it will bring up a menu whether you want to take a screenshot or save the video. Under the same menu you can find the settings to configure it, but by default it saves the last 15 minutes of gameplay

 

[jules283]

Here's a 1:45.7 reference lap

In general, you seem to be focusing more on apex speed than exit speed. Your braking points are mostly spot-on, but you release them too early and let the car coast through the corner. Your steering rhythm through the esses seems to be a bit off as well- try turning in a bit later

In general your lap is pretty good already, it's just small imperfections that builds itself up

I'm also using a Lambo so all the lines are applicable to you

Just thought I'd add that you are trail braking and OP is not. Maybe you could explain it to him? ( I'm too lazy! )

 

[Riptide]

Here's a 1:45.7 reference lap

In general, you seem to be focusing more on apex speed than exit speed. Your braking points are mostly spot-on, but you release them too early and let the car coast through the corner. Your steering rhythm through the esses seems to be a bit off as well- try turning in a bit later

In general your lap is pretty good already, it's just small imperfections that builds itself up

I'm also using a Lambo so all the lines are applicable to you

I'm on same splits as you [in the Lambo] right to the bus stop, but there you leave me behind by a long way by going full throttle. Have not tried that yet, but doubt if I will have the guts with the DS4 to do that in a race unless I can do it at least for 10 laps in a row during practice [which I very much doubt]. Gonna give it a go tonight though.

 

[Alpha Cipher]

Just thought I'd add that you are trail braking and OP is not. Maybe you could explain it to him? ( I'm too lazy! )

Ah yes! Thanks for the observation How could I have forgotten this?

Trail braking is when one keeps braking while turning into the corner. A perfect example of this is when I trail brake into the first corner of the esses. There's a lot of reasons why you want to do this over coasting:
1. Because you are maximizing all the grip that the tires are capable of giving you
2. It allows you to finely balance your car during the corner. "Brakes aren't used for slowing down", a famous man once said. You are using your brakes to keep the weight in front of the car to help the front tires turn.
3. This isn't that much applicable to you in this scenario, but it also allows you to brake later, since you aren't trying to finish all of your slowing down during the straight. Your braking points are mostly ideal, but keep that in mind in other tracks

However, like you can see in the reference video, when I start turning in I decrease my braking to around 10-25%. I do this because if I brake too hard while turning, it would cause not only heavy understeer, but also scrub too much momentum. Being able to trail brake successfully takes time and practice, no other way around it, but it will all be so worth it since you'll be able to go much faster

I'm on same splits as you [in the Lambo] right to the bus stop, but there you leave me behind by a long way by going full throttle. Have not tried that yet, but doubt if I will have the guts with the DS4 to do that in a race unless I can do it at least for 10 laps in a row during practice [which I very much doubt]. Gonna give it a go tonight though.

I don't recommend going flat out during a race- it's too risky. I also lift during the race- 1-2/10ths a lap is smaller than 5 seconds a lap in the case of a crash after all

 

[Lord Protector]

Here's a 1:45.7 reference lap

In general, you seem to be focusing more on apex speed than exit speed. Your braking points are mostly spot-on, but you release them too early and let the car coast through the corner. Your steering rhythm through the esses seems to be a bit off as well- try turning in a bit later

In general your lap is pretty good already, it's just small imperfections that builds itself up

I'm also using a Lambo so all the lines are applicable to you

He is just not cutting corners and abusing track limits like he should

 

[xxxman1]

Here's a 1:45.7 reference lap

In general, you seem to be focusing more on apex speed than exit speed. Your braking points are mostly spot-on, but you release them too early and let the car coast through the corner. Your steering rhythm through the esses seems to be a bit off as well- try turning in a bit later

In general your lap is pretty good already, it's just small imperfections that builds itself up

I'm also using a Lambo so all the lines are applicable to you

@Alpha Cipher Just found your name on the table again. Good lap

 

[dabz343]

This is how one should breakdown a lap.

 

[Knobgoblin72]

This is how one should breakdown a lap.

Interesting. I'm not to far behind this guy and I've been trying out different lines into the right at the bottom of the hill, theres gains to be had plus the last right before the start finish, braking a little early is somthing I've been trying, see a lot run wide here. Thanks for posting. More practice required for me..

 

[Mat73]

This is how one should breakdown a lap.

Damn that's a good lap.

This will not only be my first FIA race since first dipping my toes in DR A, this will be my first race in a rear wheel drive car with no TC.

Good lap times by all.

I can only manage a 47.1 in the Aston in the FIA race.

Have done much better with the more relaxed track limits in race B.

Not gonna go balls out as don't want to spin it.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

In general, you seem to be focusing more on apex speed than exit speed. Your braking points are mostly spot-on, but you release them too early and let the car coast through the corner. Your steering rhythm through the esses seems to be a bit off as well- try turning in a bit later

Just echoing what Cipher is saying. The hairpin before the Bust Stop Chicane and the last turn hairpin are both late apex turns with massive gains on the straight if you nail your exit speed.

Just looking at OP's footage, he is turning in way earlier than the turn marker. Using the marker, I don't even begin to turn until my rear bumper passes the turn in marker and try to hit the inside apex two car lengths or so later than the apex marker.

Dial in trail braking and you can carry your braking line all the way to the apex and even begin to feather throttle and braking simultaneously across the apex to keep the car balanced. A balanced car can smash the throttle earlier without oversteer.

 

[Lord Protector]

How am I still not getting a penalty for cutting the bus stop so freaking much?????

 

[Qyn]

Here's a 1:45.7 reference lap

In general, you seem to be focusing more on apex speed than exit speed. Your braking points are mostly spot-on, but you release them too early and let the car coast through the corner. Your steering rhythm through the esses seems to be a bit off as well- try turning in a bit later

In general your lap is pretty good already, it's just small imperfections that builds itself up

I'm also using a Lambo so all the lines are applicable to you

Holy 🤬! I'm nowhere near that level ! Guess I got some work to do lol.

 

[dabz343]

Interesting. I'm not to far behind this guy and I've been trying out different lines into the right at the bottom of the hill, theres gains to be had plus the last right before the start finish, braking a little early is somthing I've been trying, see a lot run wide here. Thanks for posting. More practice required for me..

Tidgney also has great content, here's his guide back from Jan. Yes, the new 1.23 physics has definitely slowed things down.

 

[Alpha Cipher]

This is how one should breakdown a lap.

Great breakdown! I learned new stuff that I can't wait to try out

@Alpha Cipher Just found your name on the table again. Good lap
View attachment 759330

Yay!
Feels good to be back in the top 100

 

[Wubbel88]

First of all thanks everyone for all your help! I did not expect to get so many detailed and helpful responses.

Here's a 1:45.7 reference lap

In general, you seem to be focusing more on apex speed than exit speed. Your braking points are mostly spot-on, but you release them too early and let the car coast through the corner. Your steering rhythm through the esses seems to be a bit off as well- try turning in a bit later

In general your lap is pretty good already, it's just small imperfections that builds itself up

I'm also using a Lambo so all the lines are applicable to you

I'm really trying to spend as little time coasting and always being on the accelartor/brake but when watching the video I see the obvious mistakes you point out.
It's a great to hear that my brake marks are mostly spot on, I'm going to focus on braking a bit longer and then going right on the accelerator, instead of those seconds coasting while turning in.

Just thought I'd add that you are trail braking and OP is not. Maybe you could explain it to him? ( I'm too lazy! )

I've learned about trail braking, practiced it a lot on the nurburg GP but havent done it yet on this track. Definitely didn't get enough practice to get it correct on my DS4.
I mostly seem to apply to much "trail" pressure and come to a stop to soon. Can you maybe clarify this: Does trail breaking mean you just ease of the brake pedal when turning in, so basically slower release of brake pedal. Or would you more describe it as applying 100% in the corner, then 20% brake pressure when into the apex

Just echoing what Cipher is saying. The hairpin before the Bust Stop Chicane and the last turn hairpin are both late apex turns with massive gains on the straight if you nail your exit speed.

Just looking at OP's footage, he is turning in way earlier than the turn marker. Using the marker, I don't even begin to turn until my rear bumper passes the turn in marker and try to hit the inside apex two car lengths or so later than the apex marker.

Dial in trail braking and you can carry your braking line all the way to the apex and even begin to feather throttle and braking simultaneously across the apex to keep the car balanced. A balanced car can smash the throttle earlier without oversteer.

Thanks! another very useful point. I had the feeling I'm sometimes turning in to early just to get to the apex, and a wider line would benefit more.

Again thanks everyone for the support, I'll keep practicing!