New Year Holiday Challenge: Suzuka Circuit 2014 10 Lap Survival Race

[Fuzzi0n]

I tried the Lister Storm, stage 3 tuning took it to 601PP so ticked it back to 600. But there's no saving that car it seems, feels very heavy, goes through tyres like they are pencil erasers (I had a very dry race though, not good for inters) and it seems to understeer. Wanted to get a few scalps at least but eventually gave up after 4 tyre changes. May look for a tune for this car though and pray for rain again

It's an old car without much downforce which doesn't help a lot against the Super GT cars.

This event is a real challenge for the heavy cars. Per kudosprime it is 1438kg. The tires simply cannot hold out with that much weight. Even GT3 cars, typically 1350kg, have a difficult time with only the best drivers able to win with them against GT500 competition, typically 1100kg.

GT3 isn't so bad against GT500, I can run the same sort of laptimes in each and in the wet GT3 is quicker because of TC/ABS. The Audi and the BMW are really quick, the SLS and Nissan have way too high PP for how quick they are so you'd have to detune them even to enter.

 

[Racin510s]

Finally got to run this one last night. I used a 2J and the Furai. I see what people are talking about how you can win by a large margin or loose by the same margin and how weird the weather is. It took 2 times to win with the 2J. It took me 3 attempts to win with the Furai. First attempt with the Furai with @praiano63 tune the final gear at 3.00 didn't give me the speed I needed and finished 3rd running Intermediate tires the whole race and no pit. I changed the final to 3.50, still not enough speed against a different lineup, started with RS because the track was 100% dry then started to rain at the end of lap 2 after I had passed the pit entrance and still didn't have the speed I was searching for so I exited the race.

I changed the final to 3.685, restarted the race. This was what I needed. Again started on RS and made it up to 9th place by the end of lap 2 so I pitted for RI, no fuel and ran the rest of the race on RI. Took the lead when the lead Xanavi Nismo pitted on lap 8. Before the middle of lap 8 the track was back to dry and it appeared the Nismo must have changed to RS because he was catching me pretty quick so I had to run lap 9 and 10 wide open and finished with a margin of 9.5 seconds. I had had a 21 second lead but the Nismo was flying and he went off at the Casino triangle. if he hadn't of made that mistake it would have been a very close race.

I have 3 different suspension setups on my Furai. A I have no idea where it came from. B is from I believe @sw_10 and C is @prainano63. The B setup handles a little better than @praino63 IMHO, not that there's anything wrong with @praiano63 tune.

just in case anyone is interested here's the other tune:
RH 50/50
SR 7.95/11.25
Dc 6/4
De 4/8
ARB 6/6
Camber 0.0/0.0
Toe -0.08/0.04
LSD 5/5/15
Aero 300/500
Ballast 195kg @ -25

 

[Rotorist]

+1
Don't really like the NSX cars, maybe a tune that gets rid of the oversteer...

Now you said that, ARTA NSX '00 JGTC car in GT6 has lots of oversteer while not on gas or brake in low speed corners with turning the wheel just over 40-50 degrees. Never saw that again. In previous GTs it was just a train on wheels. I like that difficulty but it was a great surprise when I saw that first time yesterday. Tried to tame that by camber, caster, springs but not so much of a difference.

 

[YuRiPa]

Thanks for the tune!👍 I will give it a try!

My first attempt with the Mobil 1 NSX:
----------------------------------------
Lap1...1:54.993.....25 secs back
Lap2...1:59.412.....27 secs back
Pit for IM tires
Lap3...2:30.139.....48 secs back
Lap4...2:07.942.....40 secs back
Lap5...2:00.961.....41 secs back
Lap6...2:02.867.....37 secs back
Lap7....tires begin to wear out, so I do a 360 spin and get stuck in the sand and abandon race.

My second attempt with the Mobil 1 NSX:
--------------------------------------------
Lap1...1:55.161.....25 secs back
Lap2...1:55.609.....23 secs back
Lap3...2:11.833.....24 secs back (I had decided to try the 1st three laps on RS tires)
Pit for IM tires
Lap4...2:30.461.....48 secs back
Lap5...2:00.165.....44 secs back
Lap6...2:00.962.....40 secs back
Lap7...2:06.497.....24 secs back
Lap8....tires begin to wear out, so I slide off the tarmac and get stuck in the sand and abandon race.

That's my progress so far..... I will try again tonite.

@YuRiPa 's tune is great!👍 On a practice run, pushing even harder without any concern about tire-wear, I've been able to run a 1:53.347 for the first lap.

Its just my driving that needs improvement.

I'm wearing out the tires too quickly so the last lap before the pit-stop is unbearable.

See you at Suzuka!
GTsail

Wow, you're quick. I did a 1:56 in practise with that car. So, I can still win like 3 seconds, quite a lot. Maybe that's why I can do 6 laps on inters and you can't, because I'm too slow.

Very happy that my tune works for you too.

I won with that Supra the other night, was pretty close as I only caught the leader at the chicane on the last lap after I went off earlier on. Think it's possible to get into the lead with nearly a lap to spare if you have a really good run. Quickest lap was a 1:55 on lap 10 with worn tyres. Ran a two stop strategy, RS until the end of lap 2, then inters until the end of lap 8. No way I can one stop it without losing a huge amount of time.

Just had the best race ever on Suzuka, using the Denso Sard Supra '00. Won by 0.041 seconds, haha. Did a 2-stop strategy pitting on laps 2 and 8 (RS-IM-RS). Caution is needed though since laps 7 and 8 will have your front tyres at around 4 (rears at like 7 or 6), when you pit they're at 2 or 3 at the front. After my second pit stop I made my only mistake, went off the track after the second corner for a bit (the part leading to the Esses) so lost a few seconds there. I was still like 16-18 seconds behind the lead Xanavi GTR at the start of the final lap, still 6 seconds behind him at the last intermediate just before the 130R, but caught up with him at the last chicane. Since I had much better tyres I could accelerate faster out it and caught him just before the finish line (at the pit entry he was still in front). My fastest lap was 1:56.8 or something, slowest around 2:12 in heavy rain. How can you do a 1:55 on worn tyres? Can't even do that on new tyres, hehe.

I also won with the Calsonic Skyline GTR '00. Was a pretty decent victory, catching the lead at the hairpin in lap 9. The Xanavi GTR spun off at the second Degner curve so made it easy to catch up for me. My fastest lap was a 1:57.07 or something, slowest 2:12 in heavy rain.

For the people who are interested, here are the Denso Sard Supra '00 and Calsonic Skyline GTR '00 tunes that I made from scratch this time :

Denso Sard Supra GT '00
Ride height: 55 / 60
Spring rate: 13.80 / 17.10
Dampers compression: 4 / 6
Dampers extension: 6 / 4
Anti-Roll Bar: 2 / 5
Camber: 0 / 0
Toe: -0.08 / -0.02

Brake Balance: 4 / 3

LSD: 8 / 25 / 15 (you might want to increase the acceleration sensitivity since in the wet I had a lot of wheelspin while accelerating, especially in the Esses)

Calsonic Skyline GTR '00
Ride height: 55 / 60
Spring rate: 15.20 / 16.50
Dampers compression: 2 / 6
Dampers extension: 3 / 7
Anti-Roll Bar: 2 / 6
Camber: 0 / 0
Toe: -0.20 / -0.05

Brake balance: 4 / 3

LSD: 8 / 15 / 10

Downforce: 350 / 500

Downforce: 350 / 600

Haven't tried the set-ups for the Calsonic Skyline and Denso Sard Supra outside the Suzuka seasonal yet, so have no clue how good they in normal conditions.

 

[nowcontrol]

@Racin510s .. I believe that is my Mazda Furai tune that I initially setup for the past A-spec Expert Level Racing Car Challenge: Silverstone GP Circuit and have since then made a lighter weight revision with better cornering ability for the A-spec Expert Level Racing Car Challenge: Laguna Seca [Mazda Raceway] that works just as well for these two rainy holiday races with a few minor modifications. 👍

 

[Xposed2Play]

Wow, you're quick. I did a 1:56 in practise with that car. So, I can still win like 3 seconds, quite a lot. Maybe that's why I can do 6 laps on inters and you can't, because I'm too slow.

Very happy that my tune works for you too.



Just had the best race ever on Suzuka, using the Denso Sard Supra '00. Won by 0.041 seconds, haha. Did a 2-stop strategy pitting on laps 2 and 8 (RS-IM-RS). Caution is needed though since laps 7 and 8 will have your front tyres at around 4 (rears at like 7 or 6), when you pit they're at 2 or 3 at the front. After my second pit stop I made my only mistake, went off the track after the second corner for a bit (the part leading to the Esses) so lost a few seconds there. I was still like 16-18 seconds behind the lead Xanavi GTR at the start of the final lap, still 6 seconds behind him at the last intermediate just before the 130R, but caught up with him at the last chicane. Since I had much better tyres I could accelerate faster out it and caught him just before the finish line (at the pit entry he was still in front). My fastest lap was 1:56.8 or something, slowest around 2:12 in heavy rain. How can you do a 1:55 on worn tyres? Can't even do that on new tyres, hehe.

I also won with the Calsonic Skyline GTR '00. Was a pretty decent victory, catching the lead at the hairpin in lap 9. The Xanavi GTR spun off at the second Degner curve so made it easy to catch up for me. My fastest lap was a 1:57.07 or something, slowest 2:12 in heavy rain.

For the people who are interested, here are the Denso Sard Supra '00 and Calsonic Skyline GTR '00 tunes that I made from scratch this time :

Denso Sard Supra GT '00
Ride height: 55 / 60
Spring rate: 13.80 / 17.10
Dampers compression: 4 / 6
Dampers extension: 6 / 4
Anti-Roll Bar: 2 / 5
Camber: 0 / 0
Toe: -0.08 / -0.02

Brake Balance: 4 / 3

LSD: 8 / 25 / 15 (you might want to increase the acceleration sensitivity since in the wet I had a lot of wheelspin while accelerating, especially in the Esses)

Calsonic Skyline GTR '00
Ride height: 55 / 60
Spring rate: 15.20 / 16.50
Dampers compression: 2 / 6
Dampers extension: 3 / 7
Anti-Roll Bar: 2 / 6
Camber: 0 / 0
Toe: -0.20 / -0.05

Brake balance: 4 / 3

LSD: 8 / 15 / 10

Downforce: 350 / 500

Downforce: 350 / 600

Haven't tried the set-ups for the Calsonic Skyline and Denso Sard Supra outside the Suzuka seasonal yet, so have no clue how good they in normal conditions.

I just wanted to confirm... Are you using the stock transmissions in all these tunes? I been having a heck of a time keeping up with the pack using the Mobil 1NSX tune and trying to figure out if I'm still just learning to drive it or if I should tinker with the tranny...

 

[YuRiPa]

I just wanted to confirm... Are you using the stock transmissions in all these tunes? I been having a heck of a time keeping up with the pack using the Mobil 1NSX tune and trying to figure out if I'm still just learning to drive it or if I should tinker with the tranny...

Used stock transmission, only put the top speed at 290 km/h instead of 310 km/h. Still need to figure out how to exactly set up a good transmission setting. What lap times are you running?

 

[GTsail]

I just wanted to confirm... Are you using the stock transmissions in all these tunes? I been having a heck of a time keeping up with the pack using the Mobil 1NSX tune and trying to figure out if I'm still just learning to drive it or if I should tinker with the tranny...

I've modified the stock transmission. I have the top speed at 193mph but I've lengthened 2nd gear and 3rd gear a decent amount and shortened 4th, 5th and 6th just a couple of ticks.

When the rain is coming down in buckets, I'm using my longer 3rd gear for the Suzuka esses (except for the first left which I take in 4th gear).

When the track is dry, I stay in my slightly shortened 4th gear for all of the esses.

Good luck!
GTsail

 

[Xposed2Play]

Used stock transmission, only put the top speed at 290 km/h instead of 310 km/h. Still need to figure out how to exactly set up a good transmission setting. What lap times are you running?

Dang it... I didn't write the lap times down. First race I used the one stop, all RI strategy, came in 3rd. 2ed race I used the standard 2-stop, RS-RI-RS strategy, came in 14th, 3rd try went back to the 1-stop, RI only strategy and came in 6th. Was using the heavy rain scenario (at one point it hit something like 83% in a spot) Frustrated, I raced the car in a A-Spec race to see if it was just me but I won that. Then I went to bed... so, will try again this evening... Thanks for asking!

 

[YuRiPa]

Dang it... I didn't write the lap times down. First race I used the one stop, all RI strategy, came in 3rd. 2ed race I used the standard 2-stop, RS-RI-RS strategy, came in 14th, 3rd try went back to the 1-stop, RI only strategy and came in 6th. Was using the heavy rain scenario (at one point it hit something like 83% in a spot) Frustrated, I raced the car in a A-Spec race to see if it was just me but I won that. Then I went to bed... so, will try again this evening... Thanks for asking!

With this set-up you should be able to do 1:57 laps at least (maybe 1:56 if it's a good one), these were my best times anyway and I'm just average, so if I can do it 99% of the people here can do it. In the rain lap times should be around 2:02 in light rain to 2:12 in heavy rain (60-70% wetness). Using the RS-IM-RS strategy, you should enter the pit in 11th or 12th place, depending on which cars have spun off at the Degner curves, and come back in 14th place (with only the Epson NSX and the YellowHat Supra behind you). Then in lap 3 you should be able to pass the Petronas TOM's SC430 at around the 130R and at the start of lap 4 (ideally at the start/finish straight) you'll then reach the group of cars that all run on slicks (Weider HSV, Keihin HSV, Eneos SC430) and the Motul Autech GTR and Raybrig HSV who are being held up by the slowpokes on slicks. Mostly around lap 6 you'll get close or pass the Xanavi GTR. At the start of lap 7 I passed the lead Calsonic Impul GTR in the Dunlop curve (the one leading to the Degner curves after the Esses). Then you will enter the pit with a lead of around 6-16 seconds (depending on your own driving and the AI) in lap 8. Then you come out again in place 2 (mostly, but I think I ended up just behind the Denso Dunlop SC430 in third place, you can also end up behind the Xanavi Nismo Z and one of the other GTRs). You should be around 20 seconds behind at the intermediate under the bridge. Then just keep pushing, mostly you'll be around 12-16 seconds behind at the start of the final lap but you'll make good progress in the last lap. Mostly you'll then catch the lead Xanavi GTR around the 130R.

 

[Fuzzi0n]

Denso Sard Supra GT '00
Ride height: 55 / 60
Spring rate: 13.80 / 17.10
Dampers compression: 4 / 6
Dampers extension: 6 / 4
Anti-Roll Bar: 2 / 5
Camber: 0 / 0
Toe: -0.08 / -0.02
Brake Balance: 4 / 3
LSD: 8 / 25 / 15 (you might want to increase the acceleration sensitivity since in the wet I had a lot of wheelspin while accelerating, especially in the Esses)
Downforce: 350 / 500

Here's what I ran with:

Ride height: 55 / 65
Spring rate: 15.45 / 15.80
Dampers compression: 5 / 5
Dampers extension: 5 / 5
Anti-Roll Bar: 4 / 4
Camber: 2.4 / 2.0 (can run 0, I just like using camber)
Toe: -0.05 / -0.05
Brake Balance: 5 / 4
LSD: 15 / 15 / 15
Downforce: 350 / 350
Transmission: 180 MPH

For anyone having trouble with the NSX's, run the diff braking sensitivity quite high, somewhere like 40 is a good place to start. Also try and get the spring rates front to rear quite close, will stop the on power oversteer then.

 

[YuRiPa]

Here's what I ran with:

Ride height: 55 / 65
Spring rate: 15.45 / 15.80
Dampers compression: 5 / 5
Dampers extension: 5 / 5
Anti-Roll Bar: 4 / 4
Camber: 2.4 / 2.0 (can run 0, I just like using camber)
Toe: -0.05 / -0.05
Brake Balance: 5 / 4
LSD: 15 / 15 / 15
Downforce: 350 / 350
Transmission: 180 MPH

For anyone having trouble with the NSX's, run the diff braking sensitivity quite high, somewhere like 40 is a good place to start. Also try and get the spring rates front to rear quite close, will stop the on power oversteer then.

Gonna try this one on my Castrol TOM's Supra '00. Think your set-up is slightly better than mine. Yours is a bit softer, should improve stability, especially in wet conditions. Also notice your spring rates are much closer to each other.

For your NSX comment, getting the spring rates closer to each other, won't that increase oversteer? Or have your countered this problem by increasing the braking sensitivity of the LSD?

 

[Fuzzi0n]

Gonna try this one on my Castrol TOM's Supra '00. Think your set-up is slightly better than mine. Yours is a bit softer, should improve stability, especially in wet conditions. Also notice your spring rates are much closer to each other.

For your NSX comment, getting the spring rates closer to each other, won't that increase oversteer? Or have your countered this problem by increasing the braking sensitivity of the LSD?

With the NSX the stock spring rates are much higher at the rear, if you get them closer it'll balance the car a lot better. On my '08 NSX I run the front a little stiffer than the rear just to stop the oversteer.

 

[GTsail]

I decide to give the Toyota Denso Sard Supra '00 a try:

I start the race on RS tires

Lap1...1:54.942.....24 secs back
Lap2...1:58.184.....22 secs back (pushing hard since the tires don't need to last)
I pit at the end of lap # 2 for Inter's and 8 liters of fuel
Lap3...2:30.200.....44 secs back
Lap4...1:59.768.....36 secs back
Lap5...2:00.586.....37 secs back
Lap6...2:02.510.....33 secs back (on lap#6 I caught and passed the 6th place Treluyer/Xanavi GTR who I am expecting will be my competition at the end of the race)
Lap7...2:18.065.....11 secs back (I blew the Casio chicane and lost about 6-7 seconds)
I pit at the end of lap # 7 for another set of Inter's
Lap8...2:35.948.....36 secs back and in 4th place
Lap9...1:58.981.....28 secs back and still in 4th place but pushing hard to try to catch the leaders who I hope will pit
Lap10...1:59.944....26 secs behind the race winner and in 3rd place

Finish order:
--------------
1st...Motoyama/Xanavi Z...Race time....21:23.xxx
2nd...Oliveira/Woodone GTR....Race time....21:30.xxx
3rd...GTsail/Denso Sard Supra...Race time....21:49.xxx

I got well and truly spanked by Motoyama driving the Xanavi Z

I took a look at the replay after the race and saw that both the Xanavi Z and the Woodone GTR started the race on RS tires, and neither pitted until the end of lap # 6 (when they took on IM tires). They both went 6 laps on RS tires and kept up their fast lap times so I had no chance!

Must try again, but I'm going to need a more favorable weather pattern.

My second attempt with the Toyota Denso Sard GT '00:
--------------------------------------------------------------
I start the race on RS tires again:

Lap1...1:54.788.....25 secs back
Lap2...1:59.637.....25 secs back
I pit at the end of lap # 2 for Inter's and for 7 liters of fuel
Lap3...2:34.970.....38 secs back
Lap4...2:06.252.....16 secs back
Lap5...2:00.195.....11 secs back
As I begin lap # 6, I draft past the Treluyer/Xanavi GTR as we accelerate up the S/F straight so I take over 3rd place in the race only 11 seconds behind the race leading Oliveira/Woodone GTR.
Lap6...2:02.852.....about a 8 second lead
On lap # 6, I catch and pass the first place Woodone GTR going thru the Spoon curve and take over the race lead. The Oliveira/Woodone GTR pits at the end of lap # 6 so its the Treluyer/Xanavi GTR who takes over 2nd place in the race and chases after my streaking Toyota.
Lap7...2:09.931..... about a 10 second lead
I pit at the end of lap # 7 for another set of IM tires
Lap8...2:38.908.....6 secs back
Lap9...1:59.272.....2 secs behind the first place Treluyer/Xanavi GTR
On lap # 10 I've caught the 1st place Xanavi GTR as we get to the tight Degna right-hander. The Xanavi GTR must lose his concentration because he slides off the track out in the sand, making it easy for me to get past and take over the race lead.
Lap10..2:00.713.... Win the race by 11 seconds

A much better result!!
The AI gave me an even chance this time!

Race time was: 21:55.551

AI Finishing order:
---------------------
2nd...Xanavi GTR....11.7 secs back
3rd...NISMO Z........21.0 secs back
4th...Woodone GTR...29.0 secs back
5th...Denso Sard......34.1 secs back

See you on the track!
GTsail

 

[GTsail]

For a change of pace I decided to try the Ford GT LM Spec II Race Car:

I started the race on IM tires and intend to only pit once:

Lap1...1:59.850.....30 secs back
Lap2...2:00.544.....31 secs back
Lap3...2:09.438.....11 secs back (I guess the leaders all pitted. The rain became too much for them)
Lap4...2:12.102..... 4 second lead over the Philippe/Calsonic GTR
Lap5...2:07.818..... 8 second lead over the field when I pit at the end of lap # 5 for a new set of IM tires. No fuel
Lap6...2:35.174.....16 secs behind the Philippe/Calsonic GTR
Lap7...2:06.699..... 2 seconds behind the Philippe/Calsonic GTR
Lap8...2:06.003..... 2 second lead over the Philippe/Calsonic GTR. The Calsonic GTR pits at the end of lap # 8 giving 2nd place in the race to the Xanavi GTR.
Lap9...2:01.686..... 6 second lead over the Treluyer/Xanavi GTR
Lap10..2:02.468.... 16 second lead over the Treluyer/Xanavi GTR

Race time was: 21:49.815

AI finishing order:
-------------------
2nd...Xanavi GTR....16.9 secs back
3rd....Calsonic GTR....35.8 secs back
4th....Denso Sard......49.3 secs back
5th....Raybrig HSV....53.2 secs back

Easy win!
The AI was very considerate to me with only Treluyer in the Xanavi GTR really giving me a worry for a few laps, but by the end it wasn't very close.

2nd race:
-----------

The Ford GT LM Spec II Race Car can win the race with a two-stop strategy as well:

I start the race on RS tires:

Lap1...1:55.837.....25 secs back
Lap2...1:59.847.....26 secs back
I pit at the end of lap # 2 for IM tires and 4 liters of fuel.
Lap3...2:35.221.....38 secs back
Lap4...2:05.184.....10 seconds behind Motoyama and I've climbed thru the field into 3rd place.
Lap5...2:00.005.....11 seconds behind Motoyama who is still really fast at this point
Lap6...2:03.238.....8 second lead over the Treluyer/Xanavi GTR since Motoyama has pitted.
Lap7...2:08.847.....27 second lead over the Treluyer/Xanavi GTR
I pit at the end of lap # 7 for another set of IM tires. The rain is coming down at 60% so everyone is moving pretty slowly at this point in the race. I consider stretching my IM tires for another lap, but opt for the safer strategy of stopping earlier and installing another set of IM tires.
Lap8...2:32.088..... 9 second lead over Treluyer
Lap9...2:00.233.....12 second lead over Treluyer
Lap10...2:02.607....16 second Win

Race Time was: 21:50.973

AI Finishing order:
--------------------
2nd...Treluyer.....16.3 secs back
3rd...Motoyama.....26.2 secs back
4th...Oliveira.......36.7 secs back
5th...Izawa.........42.0 secs back

Another comfortable win!
The Ford GT LM Spec II is fast enough to win with either a one or a two-stop strategy.

See you on the track!
GTsail

 

[Blacktop]

Just finished 2nd in a race where the track wetness never got above 15%. I was using the base HSV on rs, pitted on lap 6 for rs and 8l of fuel. I was sorta freaked because I kept waiting on rain that never came. I never really pushed, i don't know why and landed 2nd 8.6sc behind. I've ran the race at least 15 times and this was the only time I saw it this dry..Has anyone else seen this.

 

[Teflonicus]

Using the GT-R GT500 Stealth and IM & IM, I ran third in what Was a fairly dry race. I think the Xanavi Nismo was 50 seconds in front.

So I retried it with RS & RS and won. Overtook the Xanavi Nismo on about the 8th lap, but this time a new rabbit took over instead of pitting. Ended up with a three car tussle in the last lap for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. As soon as I got past 1st and 2nd though, they dropped well off the pace that was previously sprint-like.

Odd because in the previous "survival" race, RS were uncontrollable for me.

 

[Gasolina]

I went through all the ideas and suggestions here. Kept failing big time.
Went back to the original thing I did - TS0030 + IM/IM (pit end lap 5).

Won by a good 30 seconds. Appears Calsonic GTR pitted twice - once lap 3/4 and then lap 8.

After so much trial and error, slightly frustrating I beat it so easily after failing trying the exact same thing before.

 

[JBF77]

Got gold yesterday using the TS030. This car is probably a bit OP though, although I only won by 20 seconds because I didn't pit on the penultimate lap for fresh RS tyres (silly strategy call!). The last lap was horrible - my worn IM tyres were at 0 at the rear and 1 at the front. I think I spun on every corner! Good thing I had a 50 second lead going into the last lap!

 

[GTsail]

Since I have previously won the Nurburgring Challenge with the Chaparral 2D '67, I figured I should give it a chance at Suzuka as well so I adjust my tune a little and start the race on IM tires.

Lap1...1:59.262.....30 secs back
Lap2...1:59.928,,,,,31 secs back
Lap3...2:06.986.....16 secs back. The front-runners have started to pit because I've climbed up thru the field into 3rd place
Lap4...2:10.456..... 1 second lead over the Motoyama/Xanavi Z
Lap5...2:04.770..... 1 second lead over the Motoyama/Xanavi Z who hounded me for the entire lap
Lap6...2:06.253.....15 second lead over the Philippe/Calsonic GTR
I pit at the end of lap # 6 for another set of IM tires. No fuel is needed. The 2nd place Motoyama/Xanavi Z follows me into the pits which allows the Philippe/Calsonic GTR to drive past both of us and take over the race lead.
Lap7...2:38.900..... 2 secs behind the Philippe/Calsonic GTR
Lap8...2:09.458..... 6 second lead over the Treluyer/Xanavi GTR
Lap9...2:06.650.....17 second lead over the Motoyama/Xanavi Z
Lap10...2:02.330....23 second lead over the Motoyama/Xanavi Z

Race Time: 21:53.143

AI Finishing order:
---------------------
2nd...Motoyama...23.5 secs back
3rd....Treluyer.....25.1 secs back
4th....Philippe......30.0 secs back
5th....Coute.........41.8 secs back

Comfortable win! The Chaparral 2D does a fine job!👍
The Chaparral accelerates a little too slowly coming out of the tight hairpins, but everywhere else it can hang with the rest of the GT500 field.

Here is the tune that I was using for the Chaparral 2D:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Ride........82/82
Springs...9.70/8.20
Compr....3/4
Exten......4/4
ARB........3/3
Camber... 0.2/0.3
Toe......... -.04/.10
Brakes....4/4
LSD........8/20/12
Wing......400/600
Ballast....9kg @ +3
Auto trans at 186mph:
1st.....1.287
2nd....0.935
3rd.....0.741
Final...4.285

Another race using the two-stop pit strategy:
--------------------------------------------------
So its back to Suzuka with my Chaparral 2D:

I start the race on RS tires

Lap1...1:54.293.....24 secs back
Lap2...1:57.055.....23 secs back
I pit at the end of lap # 2 for IM tires. No fuel is needed.
Lap3...2:35.357.....38 secs back
Lap4...2:08.220.....10 secs back
Lap5...1:58.495..... 1.2 second lead over Oliveira in the Woodone GTR
I scorched the track on lap # 5, going from 5th place into the race lead

Lap6...2:00.539.....15 second lead over Treluyer in the Xanavi GTR
Lap7...2:06.798.....26 second lead over Treluyer
I pit at the end of lap # 7 for another set of IM tires.
Lap8...2:38.416..... 4 second lead over Treluyer
Lap9...1:59.245..... 9 second lead over Treluyer
Lap10..1:59.408.....16 second Win!

Race Time was: 21:47.226

AI Finishing order:
--------------------
2nd...Treluyer..... 16.6 secs back
3rd....Coute........ 48.7 secs back
4th...Philippe....... 50.4 secs back
5th... Izawa......... 54.2 secs back

Another comfortable win!
The Chaparral 2D is quite fast in the rain, and I had a decent amount of rain throughout the race.

See you on the track!
GTsail

 

[Tired Tyres]

I've been using Praiano's excellent TS030 tune for the last couple of days to recover the money I've spent on Le Mans cars. I'll have to try a few other cars now.

Rain for me varies between 24% in some races to 68% in others. The last race I did, I started on RS and switched to inters at the end of lap 2.

I babied these tyres to the end and won by 30 odd seconds. What I really like about this event is the variation in the weather and the AI tactics. It seems to be a different race each time with different tactics required.

If only they'd get rid of Skid Recovery Force as a compulsory feature it would be perfect as an event.

 

[Donkerslag]

Since I have previously won the Nurburgring Challenge with the Chaparral 2D '67, I figured I should give it a chance at Suzuka as well so I adjust my tune a little and start the race on IM tires.

Lap1...1:59.262.....30 secs back
Lap2...1:59.928,,,,,31 secs back
Lap3...2:06.986.....16 secs back. The front-runners have started to pit because I've climbed up thru the field into 3rd place
Lap4...2:10.456..... 1 second lead over the Motoyama/Xanavi Z
Lap5...2:04.770..... 1 second lead over the Motoyama/Xanavi Z who hounded me for the entire lap
Lap6...2:06.253.....15 second lead over the Philippe/Calsonic GTR
I pit at the end of lap # 6 for another set of IM tires. No fuel is needed. The 2nd place Motoyama/Xanavi Z follows me into the pits which allows the Philippe/Calsonic GTR to drive past both of us and take over the race lead.
Lap7...2:38.900..... 2 secs behind the Philippe/Calsonic GTR
Lap8...2:09.458..... 6 second lead over the Treluyer/Xanavi GTR
Lap9...2:06.650.....17 second lead over the Motoyama/Xanavi Z
Lap10...2:02.330....23 second lead over the Motoyama/Xanavi Z

Race Time: 21:53.143

AI Finishing order:
---------------------
2nd...Motoyama...23.5 secs back
3rd....Treluyer.....25.1 secs back
4th....Philippe......30.0 secs back
5th....Coute.........41.8 secs back

Comfortable win! The Chaparral 2D does a fine job!👍
The Chaparral accelerates a little too slowly coming out of the tight hairpins, but everywhere else it can hang with the rest of the GT500 field.

See you on the track!
GTsail

I tried the chaparral 2D to, but as successful it was for me at the Nurburgring just as horrible did I drove this oldie around on Suzuka. I think I became 9th or even lower..
What tune do you use? I definitely want to give this car a second chance.

 

[GTsail]

I tried the chaparral 2D to, but as successful it was for me at the Nurburgring just as horrible did I drove this oldie around on Suzuka. I think I became 9th or even lower..
What tune do you use? I definitely want to give this car a second chance.

I found that the Chaparral 2D was better suited for the Nurburgring track. The Chaparral 2D wasn't as happy negotiating the track at Suzuka so it was harder to win at Suzuka., but I figured that it could win so I gave it a few attempts. I will find my tune and post it back in my race post just above. Its my own basic tune, so its not anything special (I'm not a tuner).

Good luck!
GTsail

 

[cmt]

Had a few goes with my Ferrari 330 P4 '67 after finally succeeding at the Nurburgring 10 lapper, but best I can do is 2nd on a 1 stop (RS-IM) strategy (see pic). Tried 2 stops (RS-IM-RS) but far worse as it dries out just after putting on the IM's - dry at start, raining by end of first lap, 20%+ by end of 2nd lap, 40% in 3rd lap, then down to 0% again in the 4th lap & raining again by the 6th lap, with dry last lap. Will just keep trying until the weather fits my strategy and capabilities!

 

[Xposed2Play]

I tried the chaparral 2D to, but as successful it was for me at the Nurburgring just as horrible did I drove this oldie around on Suzuka. I think I became 9th or even lower..
What tune do you use? I definitely want to give this car a second chance.

I used Otaliema's tune, found here:
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/tunes/chapparal-2j-70.855/

Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[soupcan]

I used Otaliema's tune, found here:
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/tunes/chapparal-2j-70.855/

Shouldn't be a problem.

That's a 2J, @Donkerslag was asking about a 2D.
2D is on the right.

 

[Xposed2Play]

That's a 2J, @Donkerslag was asking about a 2D.
2D is on the right.

View attachment 283632

Opps... thanks. I guess I was reading faster than I can drive.. Sorry...

 

[Donkerslag]

Opps... thanks. I guess I was reading faster than I can drive.. Sorry...

No problem..I think I'm going to buy the 2J and it a try..

 

[GTsail]

For a change of pace, I thought that I would give the McLaren F1 GTR BMW '95 a try:

One-stop pit strategy:
-------------------------
I start the race on IM tires:

Lap1...2:01.633
Lap2...2:00.280
Lap3...2:06.111
Lap4...2:08.220
Lap5...2:06.038
I pit at the end of lap # 5 for another set of IM tires and add 2 liters of fuel
Lap6...2:29.339
Lap7...2:06.010
Lap8...2:15.987
Lap9...2:02.087
Lap10..2:00.766

Race Time was: 21:44.5xx

AI Finishing order:
--------------------
2nd...Motoyama/Xanavi Z.....37.1 secs back
3rd...Treluyer/Xanavi GTR.........38.1 secs back
4th...Oliveira/Woodone GTR.......39.4 secs back
5th...Philippe/Calsonic GTR........44.0 secs back

Very easy race!
The AI were very slow and seemed to be battling amongst themselves and they must have decided to let me have a easy race win.

Two-stop pit strategy:
-------------------------
I start the race on RS tires:

Lap1...1:54.217.....24 secs back
Lap2...1:59.646.....24 secs back
I pit at the end of lap # 2 for IM tires and 4 liters of fuel.
Lap3...2:34.775.....30 secs back
Lap4...2:12.652..... 8 secs back and now in 3rd place.
It was raining like crazy on lap # 4 so the AI was very slow and I drove thru the field with ease.
Lap5...2:01.399..... 1 second behind the Philippe/Calsonic
Lap6...2:01.649.....11 second lead over the Philippe/Calsonic GTR
Lap7...2:09.660.....23 second lead over the Phillippe/Calsonic GTR
Lap8...2:13.248.....31 second lead over the Philippe/Calsonic GTR
It was raining like crazy during lap # 7 and lap # 8 so I was catching all the back-markers. I think I caught five of the back-markers during these two laps. Since its still raining as I near the end of lap # 8, I decide to stay out for one more lap on the IM tires, delaying the switch to the RS tires (this was not my intention at the start of the race but instead a snap decision since I had such a big lead at this point). The IM tires still had quite a bit of life in them so no worries.
Lap9...2:03.607.....37 second lead over the Treluyer/Xanavia GTR
I pit at the end of lap # 9 for RS tires.
Lap10..2:23.834.....18 second Win!

Race Time was: 22:03.420

The overall race time was quite a bit longer due to having more rain during the race. I was actually driving faster during the 2nd race above (as compared to the 1st race above) especially when the track was dryer, since I had gotten used to the McLaren's driving characteristics.

AI Finishing order:
---------------------
2nd...Treluyer/Xanavi GTR.........18.1 secs back
3rd...Quintarelli/YellowHat GTR...31.7 secs back
4th...Philippe/Calsonic GTR.........35.9 secs back
5th...Coute/Denso Sard..............55.9 secs back
6th...Krumm/Motul GTR.............1 min, 3 secs back
7th...Hiranka/Epson NSX............1 min, 15 secs back

Interesting AI finishing order^^^^^ Nice to see some new faces!

The McLaren F1 GTR BMW '95 is quite fast and drives quite well in the rain.👍 It is a little touchy if you go off the racing line (a spin-out will ensure if you stray off the tarmac). Maybe my suspension is too stiff or maybe that's just how it is.

See you on the track!
GTsail

 

[YuRiPa]

Another car that grants an easy victory is the Petronas TOM's Lexus SC430, was way in front in lap 8 already when I pitted for the second time to switch back to RS from inters. Came back in first place after my stop and cruised to victory.

Of course, the Nissan GTR Stealth Model easily wins the race too, if even I can manage 1:53 laps with that one. Still, wouldn't recommend using this one, just makes a boring race that is way too easy.

Had some troubles at first winning with my Castrol Mugen NSX, used the tune I had for the Mobil 1 NSX but didn't work too well on that car. So, had to come up with another tune. First couple of tries I couldn't get lap times below 2:00, ending somewhere in the back at 7th or 8th place (not even receiving credits for these races ). For this car (same for the other '00 NSX's) transmission tuning is absolutely necessary, otherwise you won't be able to keep up with the rest. Though I won the Nurb race with my Raybrig NSX '00 with stock transmission settings (just decreased the top speed). Since I had won the Nurb race with my Raybrig NSX '00 I knew this one must be possible too. And so I did, I won with it, which meant I could win with my Castrol Mugen NSX too. Also had a win with my Loctite Mugen NSX using the same tune as with the Mobil 1 NSX.

Eventually, after many 2nd and 3rd place finishes, I won twice with my Castrol Mugen NSX, nice car to race with. Race didn't get too wet, first shower was like 65-70% wet, so switching to inters on lap 2. Then my tyres wore out again at lap 6 (with 5 at the front and rear) and pitted in lap 7. Because I knew the track would dry still before the bridge halfway through lap 8, I switched to RS tyres on lap 7. That meant I had to be very careful through the Esses, but at the Dunlop curve wetness was already at like 30% so could go a lot faster there already. Since the Xanavi spun off in the first lap, it was an easy victory. Then I wanted to have a fight with the Xanavi GTR, so did the race again, but again the Xanavi GTR spun off somewhere during lap 6 I think, so another easy victory.

First race I did with this weather pattern I changed to new intermediates on lap 6, and came just too short of winning. The Calsonic GTR was on my tail and we were both closing in fast on the Xanavi GTR. The Calsonic GTR passed me just before the 130R, tried to get him back in the corner, but since my tyres were at 2 and 3 I went off in the gravel, ended up as third at 6 seconds behind the Xanavi GTR who held off the Calsonic GTR.

I can really recommend switching to RS tyres at lap 7, if you know that halfway through lap 8 the track will be dry again. Makes you a lot faster and you can make up much more time. This is quicker, even if track wetness is still at 60% when you exit the pits. Although I haven't tried switching to inters at lap 7.

For the ones who are interested, here are the tunes (they are slightly different for each car):

Raybrig NSX '00
Ride height: 70 / 70 (too high, you should lower it for Suzuka, but this was the Nurb set-up that I couldn't be bothered to change)
Spring rate: 12.40 / 14.80
Dampers compression: 6 / 4
Dampers extension: 4 / 6
Anti-Roll Bar: 4 / 4
Camber: 0 / 0
Toe: -0.04 / 0.08

Brake balance: 4 / 3
LSD: 8 / 12 / 18

Downforce: 350 / 600

I'm not sure where I got the tune from that this one is based upon, might be based on Praiano's Loctite NSX '01 tune, don't remember.

Transmission (using the excel table file from Praiano):
1st: 3.424
2nd: 2.790
3rd: 2.201
4th: 1.791
5th: 1.502
6th: 1.274
Final: 3000 (this is too low, you should use 3.250 or 3.200)
Initial final gear I used was 5.000 with a top speed set at 200 km/h (roughly 120 MPH)

Castrol Mugen NSX '00
Ride height: 55 / 60
Spring rate: 13.35 / 15.60
Dampers compression: 4 / 3
Dampers extension: 3 / 4
Anti-Roll Bar: 3 / 2
Camber: 0 / 0
Toe: -0.04 / 0.08

Brake balance: 4 / 3
LSD: 8 / 12 / 18

Downforce: 300 / 600

Gear ratios are the same as for the Raybrig NSX '00, with the final gear at 3.250.