Struggling to improve...

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thestig911

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United Kingdom
United Kingdom
I am a C rated driver and have been there some time other than a quick move up to B that lasted about 2 days. I race with a DS4 controller. I am not very quick but I am very consistent. As a result on the daily race C which is the one I usually do (rarely bother with A, sometimes do B), I normally qualify midfield, maybe 10th to 14th, and always make up places in the race, usually about 7 or 8 places.
Due to time constraints today, I did a quick race B, and posted qualifying times of 2m13.6s, 2m13.8 and 2m13.5, about 2.5s off pole and down in 11th. I made up a couple of positions as faster drivers made mistakes.
Things is, I don’t think I’m improving anymore, I have tried fiddling with controller settings now, but that hasn’t made much difference. I got all gold on the circuit experience, so it’s not a case of not knowing the tracks.
Does anyone have any hot tips?
 
1 - If you have aids on, turn them off (except ABS). This forces you to build dexterity in your hands which is needed to be smooth.

2 - In the driving line option, turn on the driving cones. You will then see if you are braking in the right places and how close you are to the apex of the corners.

Doing this should gain you significant time.

3 - I like to put the brake balance a little to the rear on most cars. I find it reduces the lock up on the front a little and it helps me hit those apexes a bit better. This is not a steadfast rule. It differs with each car, but play with +/- 1 braking.
 
One thing that i think it's essential for DS users is braking.

It's where you will gain most time when you get the basics right. You can get so much faster changing your brake bias accordingly to your driving style and you really should learn to trail brake (if you dont already). It's immense.

Trail braking is basically the process of keep putting some pressure on the brake pedal while turning in. You have to be really gentle on it. On high braking zones, try to go 100% braking and when youre getting closer to the apex and turning in, begin to release the brakes a bit, not fully. This will make your car much more stable and you can accelerate quicker in the corners exits.

Some turns also dont need full brakes. The least amount of brake you use, the less it will unsettle your car.
 
there is knowing a track and knowing a track, the golds are too easy, doable without really knowing the track.
Don't rush in to sport mode, there is plenty of time for that once you are faster, then you will be able to exploit your low DR for at least a few races.

Best I can suggest is time trial against your ghost, experiment going into corners slower in order to be coming out faster.
I think that race is Suzuka? There is a different ways to do the windy bit, experiment which is the fastest way for your car.
If you are just practicing the same lines, then you will only find better or slower lines by making mistakes.
Set out to find new lines against your ghost.
 
thestig911
I am a C rated driver and have been there some time other than a quick move up to B that lasted about 2 days. I race with a DS4 controller. I am not very quick but I am very consistent. As a result on the daily race C which is the one I usually do (rarely bother with A, sometimes do B), I normally qualify midfield, maybe 10th to 14th, and always make up places in the race, usually about 7 or 8 places.
Due to time constraints today, I did a quick race B, and posted qualifying times of 2m13.6s, 2m13.8 and 2m13.5, about 2.5s off pole and down in 11th. I made up a couple of positions as faster drivers made mistakes.
Things is, I don’t think I’m improving anymore, I have tried fiddling with controller settings now, but that hasn’t made much difference. I got all gold on the circuit experience, so it’s not a case of not knowing the tracks.
Does anyone have any hot tips?
Click to expand...

Watch the fastest lap replays and study them, compare the lines they take to the lines you take.
See how much later they brake, how they trail brake, how fast they are going around the corners - compare them to your lines and speeds.

Your times on Suzuka aren't that horrible, but I guarantee your losing a good chunk of time on the first corner and the first right hander after the S bends.

Don't fiddle with the controller settings.

Take TCS off for all the GR.4 cars - it's not hard to learn to drive the GR.4 cars with no TCS and it will improve your exit speeds.

The last tip I have is to just live in qualifying for 30-60 minutes before you race. Even though you might not have much time - spending time racing your own ghost is often very helpful - it teaches you to push it around every corner, you learn where you're losing time and how you can make it better. Practice makes perfect.
I was having trouble breaking the sub 1.38 barrier for GR.4 on Interlagos (a track I love driving) so I spent about 30 minutes driving it in my M4 (my manufacturer car this week), and even though I know the track pretty well - I managed to take about a half second off my time until I got a time under 1.38, it also made it much easier to drive a consistent 1.38.5 or so - which I did in my FIA race.
 
Pick one or two tracks and only race on those tracks. It's hard to keep changing cars and tracks every day and expect to get better. By focusing on a couple specific tracks, you will learn them really well. This will also help you learn to drive different cars since you will feel how they differ on the tracks that you know. Watch the replays of the fast drivers to see what they are doing differently. It will take time, but you will get better results and see your Driver Rating increase. Once you are moving up, then branch out to learn another track.
 
Great advice everyone, thanks very much - even to the Arsenal fan! :) COYS.
On the group 4 cars I take the TCS off, but need to keep it on group 3. I have just changed counter steer assistance to weak from strong, but don’t think that has helped. I have just changed controller sensitivity from 0 to +2. Think that has helped me hit th apexes a bit better.
Will spend some time now focusing on braking on interlagos and maggiore which are my 2 favourites. I have had a win and second place at interlagos and seem to be quick there more so than other tracks. Will also watch some vids. Thanks.
 
Are you using motion control (tilt to steer)? I've messed with this a lot and like the higher numbers best. Right now I'm using sensitivity 5. Like someone said, use the cones. Make sure ASM (active stability management) is off. And practice until you don't have to 'think' about driving, just do it. I'm a solid B DR and my goal is to finish in the top half each race or at least don't give up positions.
 
Your 2 favorite tracks both require a tonne of trail braking.
When I was Dr.D and Dr.C I was very competitive, and would really close the gap mid corner and corner exit... I was a early break's and throttle out guy.
As I got into Dr.B I was getting killed on the brakes... watched a bunch of the faster guys on my replays and could not believe how much braking they were still doing after turn in.
So, after a lot of practice... I'm no longer getting killed under braking, but, I've not learned quite how to transition and get off the corner like I was... so, guys are closing in at mid corner and exit... right where I used to be strong... Grr!
Now I am working on how I transition from trail brake to throttle through mid corner/as the apex closes in... I used to have the car set and dialed by mid corner/apex and it was so easy to get out hard, but now, I feel I can never quite get off the brake soon enough to keep mid corner speed up, or, I've trail braked just a little hard(pushed the front of the car) and missed the apex by a bit... and those little bits give the other guys that bit of track or "run".
It's not easy (for me), but I'm getting better... Racing is great fun, and will make you faster yes... but getting faster through practice allows much more concentration/assessment.
So, it all takes time, and there is no one little "thing" that does it... at least that's my experience.
If you enjoy challenging yourself, you'll keep at it.
I don't think I'll ever be a Dr.A driver, much less a Dr.S driver, but I think I can be a faster Dr.B driver.
So, be realistic with yourself too... Some have the talent to be S, some A, me, I just hope to be a better B driver.
Some will never get past D... maybe even E...
Life, we're not all the best at everything.
Thank goodness for match making :).
 
One suggestion I was given in the past is to save the replays of your races. (after the race, go to top bar, and one of the options should have SAVE REPLAY).
After leaving the race, access the replay, and focus on the top few cars. Notice what they do to get their lap times, and try to mimic that.
 
Watch some non-GTS videos explaining real racing theory. They were immesely helpful. There were a few about throttle and braking through corners that do a wonderful job with the visual aids.

They also have good ones about etiquette that I think every player should have to watch. Like at what point in an overtake can you contest a corner and when should you back off. What are the typical corner strategies for fast clean overtakes. Etc

Keep playing. You will improve.
 
hellZfirE
One thing that i think it's essential for DS users is braking.

You have to be really gentle on it. On high braking zones, try to go 100% braking and when youre getting closer to the apex and turning in, begin to release the brakes a bit, not fully. This will make your car much more stable and you can accelerate quicker in the corners exits.

Some turns also dont need full brakes. The least amount of brake you use, the less it will unsettle your car.
Click to expand...

100% agreement. You can hear the tires locking and skidding and when you hear that, slowly release and you find the car is slowing down more.
 
For qualifying:
Imitate, then grow. Download a replay from a top 10 star. Record it onto a USB stick so you can watch it as you run, even. Keep an eye on their brake/throttle meters and copy what they do as best as you can. You'll notice that they might have a different car or TCS/assist settings or something that might make their braking points different. On your next lap, adjust accordingly. You'll learn from the best - or at least relatively high skilled - how to approach each corner and then learn the line that works for you.

For racing:
Watch this video. Learn defensive driving without blocking. If you're good at qualifying, you can ensure a good position. You can carry that knowledge into the race, be consistent, and pass when you can.
 
Made some changes to braking, went 1 to the rear and tried different brake methods. Qualified 4th at BH today in a DRC/SRA race. My theoretical best lap would have been enough for pole, but who knows if I had achieved that may have been matched with a different set of drivers. Was running 3/4/5th and keeping pace with the leader until it turned into a destruction derby. Ended up 14th with DR and SR taking big hits. So have seen some improvements!
 
@thestig911

I am distinctly average so this lap should be achievable by anyone. Use the tips I stated in my reply post (post #2). All I am doing is following the cones as best I can. Granted, the braking cones at Bathhurst are a little hidden by the distance markers, but you'll see them.

DS4 - ABS only. Brake bias +1. Triggers for brakes and throttle. Right stick to shift gears. Btw, I think manual is better because the auto can sometimes but you in the wrong gear, but one change at a time. I say cones first, then turn TCS off when you feel you can follow the line well enough.

 
I posted a video on GTS of one of my qualifying laps at Interlagos with a DS4 a while back. You can find it under my PSN: BigDawg_1281. It is under Citreon GT Gr. 4 I think. I am by no means the fastest. Then, I was usually around 2 secs off 10th on leaderboard. I use a wheel now and am around 1 sec off, usually. Maybe it can help you some.
 
One more thing, use a mirror and your radar. Keep an eye on the time behind and ahead you are. Be consistent and drive smooth. You don't have to win every race, just improve. Slow down and win, enjoy the experience, have FUN and stop trying to be such a bad ass. If this doesn't apply to you, ignore..
 

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