I got 1st place in the F3500 One Make on hard difficulty. Many, many times. Even one clean race bonus
My fastest run
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Do not ask how many times I've run this in the last 48 hours...
Did you know that this race has penalties? 👀
The penalty zone is somewhere around the final corner. 99% of the time, you don't need to worry. I only got it in my early runs when I was struggling and wanted to toss my controller out the window
On hard difficulty, the race is full of rubberbanding nonsense with the AI just
deciding to go faster after lap 12. The whole thing is scripted for the player to lose time to the AI in the S bends, then fight them off in the final corner for a photo finish. Every. Time.
My Setup
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I drive this like a 5-speed with a bonus gear. I only use 6 for drafting / overtaking. Can probably shorten the gears more for more efficient driving. I drive Group C cars too much
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VIDEO!!
See my suffering. You can use this as reference for braking points and racing lines.
Tips
- Draft the AI Cheaters
One of your few advantages here. It's also why a good gear setup is important. You need to get very, very close before breaking the draft to pass. You seem to lose A LOT of momentum when you try to overtake. Maybe the AI just finds an extra 50hp when they see you nearby
- Low Downforce recommended.
You will need some downforce for the fast left before the S bends. And downforce definitely helps your entry into the mentioned S bends. Also, slightly higher downforce will make the final corner less annoying to flat out.
-
Racing Mediums or Racing Softs recommended.
Racing Softs are the fastest and will help immensely getting you into the lead in the first half of the race, and when you need to defend in the S bends
- Racing Softs are OK even for aggressive drivers on controller.
My tires were 75% gone around the lap 14. I felt the tires were worn out, but I still had enough grip to run times similar to or faster than my medium tire builds
- Don't let the AI cheaters draft you
When you are in the lead exiting the final corner, move over to the far left of the track and stay there until you need to set up for the fast left before the S bends
- Final Corner is Critical
The AI will cheat to make this a close race. They dive in much faster than you, then brake hard at the exit (but still catch up to you down the straightaway anyway
). Always take the high line and abuse the banking.
Be careful drafting AI in this corner. You go faster, but it messes with your aero. Be ready to lift and modulate the throttle slightly, lest you get sucked into the wall.
NOTES
- Are the AI running low downforce configurations?
Sure. When they need to run away from you / catch up to you.
- Are the AI running high downforce configurations?
Always!!
Especially when they need to out brake and out corner you in the S bends
FINAL THOUGHTS - Rant
PD: The best driving experience is balancing a car within the tiniest window! Get more skill and you will learn to love it. And remember 98% throttle...
Me: I know what I need to do to drive this car properly. I've done that. I won. And I had no fun. The car is still hot garbage.
After this race and the time trial, just... no. When the weeklies are over, I discard this car from my garage - I don't care about the credits.
I will now take a much needed break. When I come back, I'm going to have a blast messing around with the other challenges.
but still well under the suggested PP levels. Ok, except the boat. Bathurst here I come !
