DRS (Drag Reduction System) in the DTM add-on

[Strummer]

I saw the prompt in the DTM splash screen reminding me to map a button for the cars' Drag Reduction System. I'm happy they implemented this (as the r/l DTM cars did in 2013) but what are the rules of the road? Is it allowed at all tracks and in all sectors? IRL, it's only in certain sectors and only when outside a certain distance from the car behind, etc. How does the sim manage this? And, finally, as the AI using it? Many thanks.

[effwon]

dunno about the AI. The way it works in multiplayer is it's activated at the start/finish line if you're within 2 seconds behind the car in front of you. You can deploy it wherever you want one time during the lap and it desactivates by itself when you brake, as it should. It's effective but they thankfully haven't overdone it. (though the sound of the wing moving is way too loud to my taste)

The first few times when driving in a pack of cars I didn't notice the wings actually moved! First time I saw it deploy on a replay I had a pretty big 'WOW!' moment, lol

[yusupov]

yeah ive just picked this up & i actually liked the sound effect (it is a bit loud now that i think about it, you wouldnt actually hear anything i suppose).

i wouldve preferred they used real life drs zones though. i dont really get why they didnt do that.

enjoying it so far, with the number of tracks & the MP i think its well worth the half-off price. like it enough that im def looking fwd to the adac gt3 experience now.

[effwon]

I find the activation zones aren't a big deal, most places there's only one sensible place to use it. I really appreciate the fact that the effect isn't exagerated like you'd possibly expect from a computer game. If the other guy doesn't make a mistake, it's really not a guaranteed pass to use the DRS. Even in optimal conditions, my experience with it is that it will get you a car length on a guy that has same speed as you, so effectively you're still beside him and you likely aren't on the optimal line.

The only real flaw I found is my gut feeling tells me it reduces drag but not downforce, or if it does it's very little. For instance I found I could deploy it before the last corner at zandvoort, you dont have to brake for that one and I could take the entire corner without my rear wing. I guess the aero model isn`t exactly on par with a BOEING simulator... but that's really nitpicking.

[HarrierDuBois]

From the DTM regulations:

"DRS The Drag Reduction System (DRS) is a wing flap that allows a higher top speed to be achieved for a short time. This system was introduced in 2013 to make for better overtaking possibilities. It is activated when, at the start and finish line, the gap to the preceding vehicle is less than two seconds. On the subsequent lap the system may be used once in any optional section of the race track and is automatically deactivated when the driver depresses the brake pedal."

So the way it works in DTM Ex is like it works in rl DTM, they can use it anywhere on the track, there are no DRS-zones as in Formula 1.