Learning to drive...fast!

I'm sure anyone here that can get it would be more than happy to forward it to you. You might have to cover the postage costs, a community that cares also shares.

 

This book is excellent! It changed the way I look at the road and cornering.

 

Most Speed Secrets series books are a must have.

 

Nice sentiments mate.

I have done some online racing with Project Cars, but often found it difficult to find races where there was clean racing...especially as I am not the world's best driver.

I agree that PCars is good, but AC is better in all the ways that matter to me.

What I need is to find a lobby where it's ok not to be awesome!

 

So after dropping the AI level on Monza last night to easy and ensuring that it was all the same car 599 Evo I romped the race 1st by a country mile I upped the AI to medium today and although didn't finish the race due to time constraints I was up in first after 3 laps and I have to say my driving was on it. The thrill of hitting the corners and overtaking manoeuvres was immense. This game rocks

I also had a go at some of the career events and will be on the Ktm next time I fire it up. The elevation changes on Nuremberg gp circuit are a joy. Well done Kunos you've set the bench mark high.

 

Well done mate!

I just spent an hour and a half losing races...and absolutely loving it!

Still have a 'smile on the dial'

Well done, indeed, Kunos!

 

PCars definitely required you to join private lobbies which is what I did as early as possible. Another reason why it is so important for Kunos to address this omission with AC. Likeminded individuals respectful of others on the track not only make racing so much more fun but improves you as a driver, you learn from others and soon you will find that you will be fighting for middle places rather than second to last, just as I did!

I am not the greatest either and struggle to keep up most of the time but sometimes it seems to work and have had some podiums and on occasion fastest lap. AC offers amazing racing and I can't wait for some of us to get on the track together!

 

I've just got the clip of easy race 1st lap and I'm actually thinking its a bit easy, up to first by last corner. Thought I'd saved the medium outing but will sort that out later on another run. Any excuse really. Anyway let me know what you think guys.

 

Nice work mate. Some good braking right there!

 

I don't understand why you would need such a book to learn to drive in AC. I mean, YT has a lot of material relating on how to drive, apex, braking points, track acclimatisation, and so on. After understanding those basics, it's just a matter of training, training, training. Like all (e)sports really.

Other than that, I totally agree! I was under the impression too that I was a decent racing driver (mostly in pCars, although after driving in AC, pCars' physics aren't nearly as realistic as AC, so haven't driven pCars anymore).

AC just forces you to drive concentrated and consistent. I like that.

 

Who said anything about needing it? Maybe you misunderstand the book due to it's title focused on AC. But everything in there is true to driving real cars, not just cars in AC.

There is a ton of info in there that could help you become a better driver. There is a ton of info in there that will teach you about car setup, and how to start tuning the cars.

Reading books on racing/driving is the difference between being good, and working towards mastery.

 

You're right, to be fair. But, I'm guessing that'll be a real niche, only for the real die hards.

From what I saw with pCars, people just waited until different car setups were posted online, and copied them. I think the case with AC will be the same, to be honest. And there's nothing wrong with both either, not implying that.

What I meant was, when you just want to get better lap times, you only need to watch a few YT videos, because the most driving improvement will come from hitting the apex right, using the correct braking point.

Car setups usually will shave off a few 10th's of a second, which isn't interesting for the average beginner, I guess. While driving a correct racing line will sometimes help you gain more. Correct me if I'm wrong, not a racing pro here, far from it actually.

 

It's always good to have a theoretical background, so you know what you are doing.
And some points of driving fast are not very intuitive.

 

Also true, but you're missing my point I'm afraid.

I'm saying that the average console gamer will be a more casual gamer. Most of them have the consoles hooked up to a TV for instance. So with that in mind, you can't expect that the average console gamer is interested in a lot of theoretical backgrounds here.

You can see this in the everlasting discussions about consoles vs pc's. The average pc gamer is more die hard, cares more about graphics, modding, being able to -optionally- use more 'professional' equipment than the average console gamer. So, overall I think that the pc gamer is more serious, that's why you get all these annoying confusions between these groups. The pc gamers don't understand why not everyone (even on consoles) is as serious as them, and the console gamers don't understand what the fuss is about.

Still, only my point of view.

 

I made the transition from console to pc almost 2 years ago now. I thought I was a hotshot on Gran Turismo, finishing in the top 100/200 in numerous TT's, once in the top 50 when I put some effort into it. AC was a real rude awakening. The first few days were tough. I spun a lot, I missed a lot of gear changes and blew a lot of engines. I had no pace or consistency whatsover. So I went back to brass tacks and just focused on being smooth, making good shifts and getting around the track cleanly and forgot about laptimes. I quickly realized that I couldn't brute force my way around the track like I could in Gran Turismo, I had to understand the subtle differences between the car models and how they drove, tire selections, era of the car, the tracks and everything else. It was a real revelation to say the least. All due respect to Gran Turismo fans (I'm still one by the way), but AC finally showed me this difference between a simulation and a game that everyone was raving about.

One of the most rewarding things about AC is the ability to apply real world driving techniques and be successful. You don't have to look for driving glitches and game the system to be fast. Tune your car, use the whole track, be smooth on entry, early on the throttle and you're going to be fast in this sim. And it works with a controller or a wheel. I saw this video today of an XBox controller user and was amazed at how smooth and precise he was. That lap time would be 4th on the RSR leaderboards for that combination with 49 entries:

 

Dawg, I can understand where you are coming from my friend and I am glad that you used the word average console gamer. I love my racing but cannot afford the fiddle factor of the PC. I am coming on 49 with a wife and two children and do not have the spare time to mess with stuff. I personally want to jump on and enjoy a good racing session but I am passionate about racing and drive to the best of my ability whilst being respectful to my fellow respectful racers.

If I had the time and money, yes I probably would have a PC rig but it's just down to convenience.

I do hope that those that care on the console side of this can be taken seriously rather than a whiny child who just quits or crashes all the time because they have a console rather than a PC.

All due respect to you Dawg and not a personal dig my friend.

 

As the creator of this thread, I must interject and say that I love the theory of driving fast...always have.

I also have always played on console...and I am a serious, though average, racer.

My dad used to say that knowledge is never wasted, he was right, so bring on every learning tool available!

Like BistoKid I am a little older, 53, and with all of my commitments, the console, TV, wheel and racing seat will do me just fine.

Except of course, getting in and out of this wretched racing seat is killing me!

Always respect the difference!

Play hard

 

Excellent comments! I too came out of the Gran Turismo series (still like it too...but yeah, to date, a game) via PCars (also good) to AC.

As you've said, it rewards patience, effort and race-craft.

Cheers!

 

Not from me either, no worries.

You, and basically everyone is right, and also wrong. One isn't better than the other. Besides, the main goal for both pc gamers and console gamers is the same; to have lots of fun! So let's go with that.

Although I'm a bit younger, 37, I'm in the same position as you are, so I understand where you are coming from as well.

 

Glad you're having fun dude but.....

......racing others will blow yer mind.