Bunford 6 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 Hi people! I have always enjoyed played racing games, but leaned more towards the arcadey games. I am now looking to move into PC-based sim races. I have invested in a Logitech G25 setup and my PC is high spec enough to play any game. I have a few games in my Steam account such as F1 2013, Dirt 3, Grid and just bought Race WTCC cos it was next to nothing, RaceRoom cos it was free, Simraceway cos it was free and Assetto Corsa as I had credit in my Steam account. I am one day hoping to get into iRacing as I like the idea of a virtual career, but will wait before subscribing. In the games I have previously played, and my fanatical interest in watching, reading about and loving them, I am mostly into F1 and Touring Cars. I have spent the past couple of days playing F1 2013, Simraceway and Assetto Corsa non stop. With assists on, I am not too bad and have a fairly good idea of racing lines, learn tracks pretty quickly etc. However, as soon as I turn the assists off i begin to spin, lose traction and struggle to hook up one good lap. Should I carry on with the assist, turning them off in time to keep me interested and keep me going or should I turn everything off and just put the hours in now to learn, at the risk of losing interest and getting demotivated? Any tips on being a beginner in sim racing? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ApexVGear 207 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 You should try to get to the point where you can drive without assists as soon as you can. However, I do understand the frustration that could bring to someone that's new to this. Though there are some "aliens" out there that can jump in an unfamiliar car, set out on an unfamiliar track, and start posting incredible times in two or three laps... the majority of us still have to take the time to "learn" new cars and tracks. For me, I may have days where I can get "up to speed" very quickly, but there are others where it may take me an hour or 20 to 30 laps to get "warmed up." On those days, I may even run off the track or crash the car a few times. Watch first practice runs at a real race, and you'll see many "real life" drivers going through the same thing--at least slight mistakes and slower lap times. If you're serious about developing your "race craft," assists will hurt you in the long run. You must learn how to regulate your wheel and pedals to get the most out of each car--and assists hinder this. When driving Formula 1 cars, this is extremely crucial to get the best results. Run hot laps or practice runs to constantly find those "tenths" that will cut down your lap times. I would also suggest driving slower cars first, such as Mini Coopers or Mazda Miatas, and drive the wheels off them on specific tracks until you can't get faster split and lap times. A very common mistake, or method that can hinder you, is braking and shifting improperly. MOST of the time, you want to brake to slow the car as you approach a turn, then begin regulating and increasing throttle as you're entering the turn, BEFORE hitting the apex and taking your exit line. Some turns or complexes of turns make this a little more complicated, but it makes a big difference in car control and lap times. It's a learning process, and to really get good at it, many that are new to this have to redefine what is "fun" about it. Winning every race without much effort or development can only go so far, while running the same laps five times and finding another 0.5 of a second on a troublesome turn can be more rewarding, and the rewards are even greater when you start stringing everything together and know you're hitting all the right marks on a track. If you have some time, watch this... http://youtu.be/xQRmYMlmdqM iRacing "Driving School" playlists on Youtube... Basic Training (10 Videos) Racing School (18 Videos) This is one of my laps in F1 2013 with all assists off. http://youtu.be/7Retl7coDDE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunford 6 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 Nice Monaco lap! I do want to try and learn asap without the assists. I think my issue is probably a common one, in that I try to run before I can walk. I do see then "fun" in doing lap after lap to get that extra tenth or two out of the car, but I also dont get the concept of starting off slow I try and attack corners with aggression, but am not ready for that technically so end up spinning or crashing and getting demotivated by it. I think I have some issues with my braking into corners as I tend to brake too harshly/too late, lock up, while shifting down at the same time and then the car inevitably spins on me. I am ok with riding the accelerator through the apex and out of the corner, but it is entering corners I have issues with it seems. I cant work out if it is my braking too late, too harsh, technique of braking/steering/shifting down all wrong etc and cos I cant work it out I don't know how to start to fix it I will have a look at all those vids you put up tonight/over the weekend though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricky Davies 326 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 You may be slower without assists to start with but when you get better you will be faster then an assisted car. I've tried assists jyst to see how i can push the car and i found myself slower. You will find in frustrating learning to drive with no help but thats what makes sim racing fun. Catching a slide is more fun when "you" do the catching . just put the time in staying on the track dont push to be fast just try keeping ayour times close and you will find yourself getting faster. CHEERS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunford 6 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 How accurate are racing lines as 'assists'? By that, I don't mean in the accuracy of the line direction, but more the dynamic colouring. When the green line goes red, is that a prompt to brake as soon as you 'see' the red up ahead of you, or to brake when you arrive at that red point? I am only asking as I have been doing the latter, and seem to have have to slam the brakes, locking up in the process and usually missing the corner. Am I meant to be braking as soon as I see the red or when I arrive at the red? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunstar 615 Report post Posted June 14, 2014 Turn off the line and brake by feel. It's more realistic, more fun, and will help you develop better control than trying to follow an arbitrary line developed by someone who might take a totally different line than you might prefer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunstar 615 Report post Posted June 14, 2014 As for beginner tips, just get out there and drive drive drive, the more you practice, the better you'll be when it's finally time to get your race on, no matter what game you play. I'm still a beginner myself, and I've been doing this for years! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricky Davies 326 Report post Posted June 14, 2014 As mentioned above turn off, maybe use it if you need to learn a track but i also suggest just learning the track and driving line with no help. Yet again you will drive faster without it, you can easily brake later then what the driving line shows depending on track of course. CHEERS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunford 6 Report post Posted June 14, 2014 Turned every assist off, including racing line, and ran about 30 minutes in Melbourne in a Red Bull on F1 2013 and got it hooked up I think. Best lap time so far in that 30 minutes is about a 1:28ish and they were consistently coming down and yet to fully work out optimum gear for each corner. My first full lap with no penalised lap was a 1:34.196 so came down 6 second or so in 30 minutes in my first true attempt without any assists whatsoever. Is that reasonable progress and timing for a beginner? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
