Best track for learning/practice?

[SilentMonkey117]

Just picked up a thrustmaster T150, I'm pretty competent with the wheel but I have a lot of work to do in terms of precision, speed, braking, etc. What track in the game with what car would be best for raw practice in improving? Very, very new to simulators with a wheel. Previous experience is just console games with gamepad like Forza or Gran Turismo, with some assists. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

[PeskyHalfling]

Laguna Seca with an E30 GRA BMW. Good track with a variety of corners you can learn most of your race craft at in my opinion. Try and be consistant and smooth rather than fast at first, let the car settle before you get on the brakes (off the gas, give it half a second or so, then brake) start braking at the same point, lifting at the same point, turn in (and be in the correct gear when you turn in), hit your apex, gas out, find the sweet spot of throttle and steering input to let the vehicle flow to race line without breaking traction. Learn and consistantly do that at each corner, have your lap times consistant and then slowly start adding a bit more speed.

But also remember each car is different, you can't approach a track the same way in a FWD car as you can a RWD car. Also mid or rear engined cars also need to be raced different.

[SilentMonkey117]

Originally posted by PeskyHalfling:

Laguna Seca with an E30 GRA BMW. Good track with a variety of corners you can learn most of your race craft at in my opinion. Try and be consistant and smooth rather than fast at first, let the car settle before you get on the brakes (off the gas, give it half a second or so, then brake) start braking at the same point, lifting at the same point, turn in (and be in the correct gear when you turn in), hit your apex, gas out, find the sweet spot of throttle and steering input to let the vehicle flow to race line without breaking traction. Learn and consistantly do that at each corner, have your lap times consistant and then slowly start adding a bit more speed.

But also remember each car is different, you can't approach a track the same way in a FWD car as you can a RWD car. Also mid or rear engined cars also need to be raced different.

Thanks I'll try it out, I did the same thing with the E30 on spa and slowly increased speed, I was able to cut 25 seconds off my time, definitely need to try Laguna Seca. I see what you're saying though, it was taking me a few laps just to learn how the E30 responds to certain things, so I'd assume for each car I'll have to adjust.

[SpeedKiller.txt]

Spa is too long, select any track somewhere at 5km or lower is my suggestion

[PeskyHalfling]

Yep. Once you get the general feel of a car, you can apply most of that to all the others. They just each have their little attitudes you need to adjust to. It's extremely satisfying once you 'click' with a car.

[Phil Mabole]

My 'go-to' track of choice for trying out cars/setups etc is the Highlands road circuit.

[Max_Payne]

Magione is where i learned the game. Very good mix of hairpins, 90-degree corners, long sweeping corners and a long straight for learning braking. Not very fast either

[Rummy1963]

When I am introducing a new sim racer to the hobby, I start with Monza because there are only a few corners to remember. My older brother struggled with sim racing because he said the corners would surprise him and he couldn’t visualize or memorize the track.

[Sven]

Magione, a car like the BMW M3 E30 (rear wheel drive, pick the stock one or S1) or Alfa Romeo Giullieta (front wheel drive). From Magione, you can easily upgrade to Silverstone International and Nürburgring Sprint. Good entry level race cars are of course the Mazda MX-5 Cup or BMW M235i Racing if you have the DLC, or the Lotus Evora GX if you don't (loads faster than the others, but easy to drive).

[SilentMonkey117]

Originally posted by Rummy1963:

When I am introducing a new sim racer to the hobby, I start with Monza because there are only a few corners to remember. My older brother struggled with sim racing because he said the corners would surprise him and he couldn’t visualize or memorize the track.

I've give Monza a go, I definitely love racing and I'm competent on the wheel I just need it refined a lot. It's hard for me going from real life to the computer mainly with perceiving the distance but I am getting used to it

[Rummy1963]

I added you to Steam Friends. I noticed you are in Arizona. I would like to introduce you to our Rummy Racing League. We are a group of about 12 that are friendly, respectful, and competitive racers. We have members from all over North America. We have experienced racers but we also help train new racers to get to the level that they want to be. We offer racing tips and share setups. You might find that being in a racing community helps you improve and you might enjoy the camaraderie. Anyhow, let me know if you’re interested. By the way, we race every Tuesday at 7:00 pm PST. We do a 15-minute Qualifying and then about 20-25 laps or a 30-minute race. We use a Discord for talk before and after races but we remain silent during races so we can concentrate. We are racing a 1991 F1 15-Race series right now but at then did every season we vote on the next car series. Possible choices for next season are Australian V8 Supercars, GT3, or DTM. We are in our 3rd year of operation and I consider these guys my friends. It’s a great bunch of guys. Come join us if you’re interested.

[Goliath]

Spa-Franch and Nurburgring.. Those tracks im using in all different games :) Laguna is nice!

[Goliath]

Originally posted by SpeedKiller:

Spa is too long, select any track somewhere at 5km or lower is my suggestion

To long? Nah, it's perfect.. I wouldnt stress myself with a 1-2 km track :P Spa length is perfect to get used to the car, game or whatever you practicing :)

[Mr Deap]

Silverstone.

Reason: exploit the trail braking mechanic.

[rola]

Monza is pretty easy. A nice chicane, long, small turn, and you can see all the corners.
After that, Laguna Seca.

[Petaitor (Spud)]

I also wanna add, first get used to the game on the tracks suggested previously and then, whenever you feel like you're consitent on lap times and how often you crash, I'd recommend you to give Nordschleife a go (with map turned on unless you've driven it on GT before :P) and see how you do. That track is probably the hardest one in the game, and, if you are consisent there, you'll be wherever you go really