Personally, I think this is because PD seem to give the controller input lag, so changing direction is a lot slower than you can physically do it, which makes a very technical track a bit of a pain
After coming from PCARS for almost 2 years, I can definitely feel something funky going on with the controller feeling in GTS.
I’ve triple checked I have all the aids turned off, but I still feel like I’m getting some type of steering assist. I drive with cockpit cam, so what’s throwing me off is the hand/wheel movements don’t seem to match my inputs. It’s like there’s an automatic speed sensitivity or something - in corners with long exits, as I pick up speed, I can see/feel the game unwinding the steering lock for me.
Also, when trying to catch oversteer moments, I’ve had several times where the game has corrected the oversteer for me, causing my corrections to be unnecessary and end up flinging myself off the circuit in a rediculous looking way.
Not really complaining per say, it’s just something I’ll need to get used to. But it definitely feels like I’m getting help from the game, dispite having all the driving aids turned off.
The stigma around PD original tracks: Exhibit A
La Sarthe is honestly a bit of a hassle to race on at the first half of the track. I race there just to get to the second half. It's not like I'm awkward through that section that's why I hate it either, it's just that I can't find the thrill of going through that section at all. Then there's the two obligatory Mulsanne Chicanes that has barely any semblance of character. Second half of the track is slightly better, mostly because of the iconic Porsche Curves. If didn't exist the track's literally just a plug-track that has all the stereotypical corners in the world with no real defining characteristic
St. Croix (Config C) on the other hand is full of character. It has a very technical downhill right-left that requires you to trail-brake into the chicane leading from the bridge right after the exit of the former S curve, which requires you to be able to balance your car within the split-second transition between this high-speed downhill to the tight slightly uphill turn. And then there's a flowing right-hander just before the big straight that's a half-blind corner. You may know where the entry is, but you need to trust yourself on the apex and exit. Turn 1 is deceptive with its wide track that isn't intended to be used, as is another couple of turns. The last 3 high speed corners, comprising of 2 left handers and one right, is very flowing and requires a delicate steering rhythm, not much unlike the Porsche Curves. Your entry on that section will prove to be your exit on the final one
I don’t have a stigma against PD circuits. I LOVE Grand Valley, Trial Mountain, Deep Forest, Autumn Ring, Midfield, High Speed Ring, Apricot Hill, Seattle, the original Rome, Sierra, SSR5, SSR11, SSR7, and more.
I was just saying that the arguement of “if La Sarthe was PD created, people would hate it,” isn’t very valid. I’m not even arguing that La Sarthe is the most intriguing layout ever - it’s the history that makes La Sarthe special.
I’ve been able to get more laps in on the C layout, and it’s growing on me. I still think T1 and T2 are an abomination, worst first corner on any circuit I can think of. The second half of the lap after the bridge is growing on me.
However, as I spend more time on the circuit and start to like the layout a little more, I’m noticing more and more things about the scenery and background that I find hideous or completely immersion braking. The 2D tree walls, the generic barriers around the whole circuit, the lack of proper road markings and signage on large portions of the 1st half of the lap, things like that.
Even the bridge itself pisses me off. You have a massive bridge which is part of a public road, that leads to a T intersection with a racing circuit....wtf. If the roads before the bridge had proper road markings, it’d be ok, but as is, it drives me bonkers.
I still maintain that the A layout is garbage