First FSR race...I suck

[Deleted]

So due to moving I had to take a break from iRacing for about 6 months.  Just prior to leaving though I finally got my D license after running the Mazda series. 

So I get back on iRacing and decide I want to do the FSR series and eventually get into open wheel later on.   Last night I practiced for a bit and then joined an FSR race ad Mid-Ohio. 

The start was pretty good, I was towards the back which is where I wanted to be for my first race back at iRacing.  The first 3 turns had cars going all over the place and I was able to make it thru without incident.  I started doing pretty good til about the 5th lap.  For about 4 laps it seemed like I could not get thru the laps without spinning out atleast once or twice.  I dropped 4 positions in one lap alone.  I finally caught up with the car in front of me but for some reason I just couldn't get the speed when needed to pass and would end up loose in a couple of the turns.

Anyways I had fun even though I ended up losing rating and safety.  I see where GBR has a couple of road races so I'm hoping to practice and get compentant with the Caddy so I can run with you guys.   I promise to try and avoid hitting you

Also I'm Randy Burke on iRacing if anyone wants to send a friend request.  Always looking for people to join up with on races.

[zedarchitect]

The SRF takes some getting used to. Try using Helios' tune that he created for Okayama. It is a good starting point. Keep some throttle on throught the turns. If you lift mid-turn, it's over Johnny.

[zedarchitect]

BTW, there is a list of member name to GBR tag in the server forum (which is locked). Send me a request if you're doing SRF...That's my iracing focus right now. I think I am missing the next few tracks though.

[Deleted]

I'll have to watch my throttle control. After thinking about it I think that was part of my problem I would start to feel the car getting loose and would back off the throttle out of instinct. I'll have to practice that some after dinner.

[Jarhead]

Totally agree with Zed here.

1st of all get the Helios tune, it is in the iRacing setups section. Just download it and put it in the SRF folder which is in the My Documents iRacing folder.

2nd, and this is very important, slow down before you think you have to when going into corners. You want to make sure you can be on the throttle slightly when going through the corner. Only brake in a straight line and get back on the throttle slightly when you start turning.

Helios tune will help a lot, but you still have to have good throttle control. As you get more comfortable you can start braking a little later into corners, but you still must have some throttle on when turning. The SRF does not like trail braking into corners at all.

[zero7159]

Don't worry ammo, that is a tough car to drive. Just stick with it, you will be fine.

[Deleted]

Well I went back and did some testing last night and it went much better. I did notice that when I held power thru the turn it didn't get loose as easily. I have to work on slowing down just a little bit more on my turn in as I still had a few spins. Overall though on the Mid Ohio track I dropped my times down.

I did another race last night but I really need to work on my racecraft. I noticed that when I am around others I try to push to hard and sometimes forget to watch my race line and I end up missing turns and either spinning or really having to slow down.

[Jarhead]

It can be overwhelming at first trying to race, but still thinking about your SR. Have you watched the iRacing Driving School videos yet? There is some good information in those videos. You can find them on the iRacing home page by hovering over the Reference tab, then clicking on the Driving School link. The thing that I really got out of them is to run your own race. Practice, learn your lines and braking points, then stick to them during the race.

If someone is obviously faster than you, best is to just let them by or let them go if they are already in front of you. If you are obviously faster than someone in front of you, you can ask them to let you by, I have done it and had them slow slightly on the straights. Otherwise just follow them, and look for the best place to get by or just keep the pressure on. Either they will screw up or get tired and let you by. Except for the occasional jerks and a lot of rookies, I have found that most people just want to have a good clean race.

Make sure you have a microphone setup and use the in-game chat. It can make your race go a lot better. If you are being followed by an alien, you can let them know which side to pass you on. If you are behind a slow driver, you can ask them where you can get by. If you are running the higher license class oval races that have cautions, you will usually hear about the wrecks over the chat before your spotter tells you or the caution comes out. You can also ask for tunes from the faster drivers. I have received a lot of good tunes this way.

[Deleted]

Okay quick update. I started just doing some private testing and adjustments to both the game and my wheel settings. I can really see how this car needs the power to stick to the corners. When I would lift off the throttle I would understeer pretty bad. With just a little bit of power I was able to get through the turns alot better. Also applied that to being able to carry more speed into a turn since I could lift off the power let the car start to turn in and then apply power and get through the turn.

So today I decided I would run a race at Watkins Glen. Previously I had only managed a 1.36 and my first attempt at a race ended with me departing the track several times and plowing into a wall.

Today though I started in p11. I had one incident on the first lap that dropped me to 14th. A few laps later I was in 11th again and gaining on 10th. After one more incident in which I slid off the track I was able to get to 10th and finish the race. I also set a new personal time of 1.31.

Starting to enjoy it again!!