9 votes

Does anybody have advice for getting better at racing sims? (Both circuit and rally)

I’ve always enjoyed rally games but only recently decided to buy a wheel (just a used Logitech G29) and also decided to give F1 22 a shot. I feel like I’m okay-ish at DiRT Rally 2.0 and WRC 10 but atrocious at F1 22. How do I actually learn to be better instead of constantly making mistakes?

2 comments

  1. scrambo
    Link
    Short answer: Play more. Longer-ish answer: Play deliberately, and watch how others play as well. Join some discords or forums, ask around get to know some people, and talk about the problem at...

    Short answer: Play more.

    Longer-ish answer: Play deliberately, and watch how others play as well. Join some discords or forums, ask around get to know some people, and talk about the problem at hand. People LOVE to talk about their passions and help others learn.

    I'm in a couple Dirt Rally 2.0 discords for custom tournaments. If you're interested let me know and I'll send you an invite link.

    6 votes
  2. Pistos
    Link
    Practice more. For example, for a given location/track/circuit with, say, a 90-second lap time, I might do some 30 or 40 laps in a given practice session. To get comfortable with a track, and get...

    Practice more. For example, for a given location/track/circuit with, say, a 90-second lap time, I might do some 30 or 40 laps in a given practice session. To get comfortable with a track, and get some competitive times, I might do 100+ laps (not all in one sitting, though). Usually these games provide practice or tutorial modes. Make use of those. They let you focus in on just one section of a track. Or, they let you zero in on one particular skill at a time. In the Gran Turismo series, for example, you would do little exercises or mini tests, and a series of them would comprise one of several licences. For each test, you could move on if you got just a bronze level score -- but push yourself to aim for silver or even gold. It'll translate to better racing.

    Besides that, experiment with different lines through a given track section. Record and track your checkpoint times to compare one line with another. For a given corner, you could try early brake vs. late brake vs. partial brake + coasting.

    For a given track that you're trying to master, consider watching YouTube videos of people completing that track with a good lap time. Watch where they take a different line than you, or brake at a different time than you.

    Vehicle tuning also can play a role, depending on the game and game mode. Depending on the game, usually the easiest, most effective tunings will be: tire type, weight reduction, and gear ratios, including zeroing in on the gear ratios that will set your max speed appropriately for the track. No sense in tuning your vehicle to have a top speed of 200 mph if you only ever top out at 170 mph on the longest straight before needing to brake for the coming corner.

    Of course, it's assumed you've done your homework and have all your fundamentals down. Taking corners out-in-out; smooth steering wheel and pedal operation (not sudden or jerky); etc.

    1 vote