Racing at a new track
Discussion
I'm thinking of expanding my racing next season to a few tracks a little further afield but I wanted to see how people dealt with racing at a new track. I have a fairly busy life (two young children) and so don't get a huge amount of time outside the race weekends to be driving 150+ miles for a practice session. Up until now, I have been racing at circuits where I already have some prior experience and so - barring a few shakedown sessions at the beginning of the year - I can pretty much just turn up on the morning and jump straight into it.
I'd now like to do a few other circuits (Snetterton, Brands, Donnington) and so need to begin planning accordingly.
So...do you feel that it is essential to get a few track/test days in beforehand or do some of you just turn up on the day and learn the track during qualifying/race?
I'd now like to do a few other circuits (Snetterton, Brands, Donnington) and so need to begin planning accordingly.
So...do you feel that it is essential to get a few track/test days in beforehand or do some of you just turn up on the day and learn the track during qualifying/race?
If you have the money for a really good setup, then dewey's suggestion might be workable. I have done a few trackdays at Donington, but on a sim I can barely make it around the circuit without crashing into a wall. The lack of feedback and lack of real sensation of speed just doesn't work for me. This is with a fairly basic wheel and pedal setup. I have never been terribly good at any kind of driving game, but I have done plenty of trackdays and get along just fine. So if you have the money, then it might save you time, which you say is in short supply. Are the circuits you want available? Are the simulations of high enough fidelity/realism? Do they have cars similar to what you are actually racing? Try before you buy, I guess.
That said, I found Donington to be a fairly simple circuit. A single trackday there should be enough to get you oriented so you can at least be running 80-90% right out of the gate on a race weekend. Showing my age, but I haven't done Snetterton since it was modified, and I have never done Brands Hatch. But the original Snetterton layout was only 6 corner complexes, and not hard to master.
Personally, I think you would be better served doing a trackday at each circuit before you race there. If you are going the sim route, I think you are going to have to spend a fair bit of money to build a setup that will actually be of value to you.
That said, I found Donington to be a fairly simple circuit. A single trackday there should be enough to get you oriented so you can at least be running 80-90% right out of the gate on a race weekend. Showing my age, but I haven't done Snetterton since it was modified, and I have never done Brands Hatch. But the original Snetterton layout was only 6 corner complexes, and not hard to master.
Personally, I think you would be better served doing a trackday at each circuit before you race there. If you are going the sim route, I think you are going to have to spend a fair bit of money to build a setup that will actually be of value to you.
Sims are great for learning which way a circuit goes etc. After that you just have to race them to learn them. Driver 61 did some good guides earlier on for some circuits which I have found useful
Dony - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4v6wchRwU
Snett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voSn4MasTsQ
Dony - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4v6wchRwU
Snett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voSn4MasTsQ
mko9 said:
If you have the money for a really good setup, then dewey's suggestion might be workable. I have done a few trackdays at Donington, but on a sim I can barely make it around the circuit without crashing into a wall. The lack of feedback and lack of real sensation of speed just doesn't work for me. This is with a fairly basic wheel and pedal setup. I have never been terribly good at any kind of driving game, but I have done plenty of trackdays and get along just fine. So if you have the money, then it might save you time, which you say is in short supply. Are the circuits you want available? Are the simulations of high enough fidelity/realism? Do they have cars similar to what you are actually racing? Try before you buy, I guess.
That said, I found Donington to be a fairly simple circuit. A single trackday there should be enough to get you oriented so you can at least be running 80-90% right out of the gate on a race weekend. Showing my age, but I haven't done Snetterton since it was modified, and I have never done Brands Hatch. But the original Snetterton layout was only 6 corner complexes, and not hard to master.
Personally, I think you would be better served doing a trackday at each circuit before you race there. If you are going the sim route, I think you are going to have to spend a fair bit of money to build a setup that will actually be of value to you.
Totally agree re sensation of speed etc. That really only comes from VR. That said, I found Donington to be a fairly simple circuit. A single trackday there should be enough to get you oriented so you can at least be running 80-90% right out of the gate on a race weekend. Showing my age, but I haven't done Snetterton since it was modified, and I have never done Brands Hatch. But the original Snetterton layout was only 6 corner complexes, and not hard to master.
Personally, I think you would be better served doing a trackday at each circuit before you race there. If you are going the sim route, I think you are going to have to spend a fair bit of money to build a setup that will actually be of value to you.
Plus the seat of pants element cannot be replicated.
But where it helps though is examing lines, turn in / braking points, and simply whether a track goes left or right over a brow.
it depends on your experience, the car you drive and the competitiveness of the championship being entered. If you have the fastest car by a mile, and your rivals can't drive, then you can just turn up and win.
Having said that, youtube is your best bet, plenty of track guides out there. But if you are travelling a distance , quite a lot of circuits have a test day the day before. An afternoon's lapping on the Friday before the race, will probably put you in reasonable shape for the race.
Having said that, youtube is your best bet, plenty of track guides out there. But if you are travelling a distance , quite a lot of circuits have a test day the day before. An afternoon's lapping on the Friday before the race, will probably put you in reasonable shape for the race.
Sim helps you know the lines and braking points roughly but the feel is missing of course.
I like a test day day before and if possible (dependant on series) the morning of the race as hopefully weather is similar.
Testing day before also helps with car set up for the race.
As others said it depends how competitive you wish to be… you can certainly get hang of track in few laps on the day worst case scenario and if it’s a long race rather than sprint you could still be up there.
I like a test day day before and if possible (dependant on series) the morning of the race as hopefully weather is similar.
Testing day before also helps with car set up for the race.
As others said it depends how competitive you wish to be… you can certainly get hang of track in few laps on the day worst case scenario and if it’s a long race rather than sprint you could still be up there.
Hi
Had the same issue over the last couple of years, not enough time to fit in a test day, but wanted to do a championship round at a circuit I'd not driven round before.
Not got a suitable home pc/sim set up, so rather dubiously I decided to go along to a local gaming center and try their kit, to be fair the sim itself was quite impressive and for a few quid (2 'sessions', midday/midweek £20!) had a go round the track, seemed OK.. Got to the pukka track, out for qualifying and was then really surprised how good the sim was..
Been twice now, wouldn't hesitate to do it again, think I'd even go if I was doing the test day (at a new venue) as it does allow you to see the basics of how the venue works, where it goes etc, plus it's a good laugh too.. even if one is somewhat(!) older than the venue's 'regulars'!
Had the same issue over the last couple of years, not enough time to fit in a test day, but wanted to do a championship round at a circuit I'd not driven round before.
Not got a suitable home pc/sim set up, so rather dubiously I decided to go along to a local gaming center and try their kit, to be fair the sim itself was quite impressive and for a few quid (2 'sessions', midday/midweek £20!) had a go round the track, seemed OK.. Got to the pukka track, out for qualifying and was then really surprised how good the sim was..
Been twice now, wouldn't hesitate to do it again, think I'd even go if I was doing the test day (at a new venue) as it does allow you to see the basics of how the venue works, where it goes etc, plus it's a good laugh too.. even if one is somewhat(!) older than the venue's 'regulars'!
you can't go far wrong with a DD wheel, VR and Assetto corsa.
AC is the only game that gives a psuedo 'seat of pants' feel through it's FFB and with it's variety of cars is a fantastic tool, you can pick the car closest to whatever you race.
It's a little bit of investment but totally worth it. I did my ARDS test last year at oulton park having never driven the track before in real life. I knew the track already from the sim, did an hour the night before in the sim using the BMW M4 in AC, then went to oulton, jumped in their M4 and it was a breeze.
(whilst also finding the current gen M4 a dull car to drive :-D)
VR and DD wheel are critical if you want to use it as a genuine training tool.
Can pickup a quest 2 or the new quest 3 for £400, and a cheaper DD wheel with steering wheel for £6-700 now. It's a fair bit of cash but will allow you to master the basics so when you get to the track it's all about finding tenths rather than seconds....everything will feel second nature.
AC is the only game that gives a psuedo 'seat of pants' feel through it's FFB and with it's variety of cars is a fantastic tool, you can pick the car closest to whatever you race.
It's a little bit of investment but totally worth it. I did my ARDS test last year at oulton park having never driven the track before in real life. I knew the track already from the sim, did an hour the night before in the sim using the BMW M4 in AC, then went to oulton, jumped in their M4 and it was a breeze.
(whilst also finding the current gen M4 a dull car to drive :-D)
VR and DD wheel are critical if you want to use it as a genuine training tool.
Can pickup a quest 2 or the new quest 3 for £400, and a cheaper DD wheel with steering wheel for £6-700 now. It's a fair bit of cash but will allow you to master the basics so when you get to the track it's all about finding tenths rather than seconds....everything will feel second nature.
wioifoiee said:
VR and DD wheel are critical if you want to use it as a genuine training tool.
Can pickup a quest 2 or the new quest 3 for £400, and a cheaper DD wheel with steering wheel for £6-700 now. It's a fair bit of cash but will allow you to master the basics so when you get to the track it's all about finding tenths rather than seconds....everything will feel second nature.
Moot point given the OP has a sim setup already, but not sure on this.. I've used a Thrustmaster belt-driven 'TX Racing' wheel previously, and for less than half the price of a direct drive wheel it's a bloody good wheel. I've used direct drive wheels and no doubt they're good, but they are definitely a 'jump in with both feet' option, whereas for the OP's purpose of merely learning a track layout, braking points etc., the extra cost/fidelity of a direct drive wheel isn't going to be a lot of benefit imo. They are of more use if you're going to be competing in sim racing, particularly over longer durations.Can pickup a quest 2 or the new quest 3 for £400, and a cheaper DD wheel with steering wheel for £6-700 now. It's a fair bit of cash but will allow you to master the basics so when you get to the track it's all about finding tenths rather than seconds....everything will feel second nature.
FWIW I 'learnt' Road Atlanta on iRacing using the Thrustmaster TX wheel, as the sim had the same car I was due to use at the circuit, and after a couple of hours in-game I felt driving the circuit in real life was very similar (awesome circuit). It definitely helped abate my fears and showed me where I should be braking/turning in, without the guilt of having a £700+ computer gaming wheel sat around gathering dust for the rest of the time.
Aah technology, young people of today…when I was a lad etc., new circuits, if all you get is qualifying, make room for your self, go at a good pace (of course not flat!) straight out and try to make mental notes
I’ve done many UK circuits and they were all new to me once.
Did brands many times, but only the GP circuit twice (old dingle dell) in. FFord and tintop. Great experience.
Snetterton many times, and showing my age. First time. when Russell chicane was but a very quick flick.
Lots going on circuit. Technical…. cadwell.. really no let up. ..lots of corners, up and down, also seem a bit narrow, or at least the line was.
If you go anywhere You must go to Oulton Park the full circuit is glorious, some very fast corners, bouncy chicanes and a banked hairpin. Best in the country in my and many opinions.
I’ve done many UK circuits and they were all new to me once.
Did brands many times, but only the GP circuit twice (old dingle dell) in. FFord and tintop. Great experience.
Snetterton many times, and showing my age. First time. when Russell chicane was but a very quick flick.
Lots going on circuit. Technical…. cadwell.. really no let up. ..lots of corners, up and down, also seem a bit narrow, or at least the line was.
If you go anywhere You must go to Oulton Park the full circuit is glorious, some very fast corners, bouncy chicanes and a banked hairpin. Best in the country in my and many opinions.
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