Something that bears mentioning. Beating your opponent not only requires speed, but also some thinking on your part. Sometimes, you can plan ahead, although things can always change on the fly. Using your head can improve your finish, or even get you a win.
Here's an example:
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To fill you in, that's me going against Jason
(R1600Turbo) on a custom track using Spec Miatas. For a while, 3rd place was catching up, but after the mandatory pit stop, I allowed RT to run in first uncontested. Together, we pulled a gap large enough that we could do no worse than 2nd. My plan was simple. Attack on the straight on the last lap as that was the only reliable overtake spot on the circuit.
Before the 15 second mark - Wow. I got a really good run. It's not the last lap, but I've been having issues getting a good exit from the final corner. Decided to overtake.
At 1:32 - Uh, oh. Car's not turning. This exit will be poor.
At 1:50 - Big trouble. Remember the point about taking that inside line away on the last lap? Jason got such a good run off the last corner, that option went out the window. I still have some hope, though, because in practice, I've been able to hold my position from the outside.
At 1:52 - Oops. One mistake someone can do on the last lap is push your braking point too far. That's exactly what I did here. A common error, even among seasoned drivers. You can actually trick opponents into an overshoot if you're conservative with braking points during a race.
At 2:05 - Dang. If I had played it smart earlier, I probably would've held onto 1st. Now he's ahead, and there's no reliable overtake positions. I'll have to think on the fly.
At 2:16 - What a run I got off that corner. I have enough for an overtake. However, remember what I said about sticking your nose in? Yep. I'm about to do something unwise. The next kink is quite treacherous, with many crashes happening there in practice. There is only one fine line through there, and Jason doesn't expect me to move inside.
At 2:20 - Despite my silly move, we made it through without much consequence. Good heads-up by Jason, and some miraculous holding-on-for-dear-life from me. The battle continues.
At 2:51 - That corner was my worst, and for Jason, it was one of his best. However, it was a role reversal. Now I'll get a run.
At 2:55 - I could attempt an overtake, but it's going to be very tricky. I'll stay tucked on his bumper, and put pressure on him.
At 3:00 - Two different approaches to a corner. He dove it in, while I aim for a late apex. We have our own ways of driving these last few corners, something that I paid attention to during the race. This will be paramount.
At 3:03 - I got another run, and I knew where to go. Jason had been hugging left and staying there until the last corner. I, on the other hand, was going right, aiming the apex on the first left-hander, and drifting left for the final corner. That right side was going to be open for me, so I went in that direction.
At 3:07 - I got a straighter approach so I can hit the gas to get ahead. The trick will be whether the car will grip for the last corner. Otherwise, I'll drift all the way out, and Jason will likely use a crossover on me.
At 3:09 - Yes! The car's turning as well as I could've hoped. At this point, I knew I had it won. Why? Because, by chance, during a practice race, I learned that because of that incline, the behind car can't get a run on the leader at the top, so it's better to be in the lead position exiting the corner.
At 3:14 - Jason pulls out to no avail.
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To sum it up, what you may lack in raw speed can be mitigated by brainpower.