Let's talk about Lancia Stratos....

[AshyGreen]

Okay...in hindsight, it might not be the best idea for me to leave the FWD 60s rally and jump straight to one of the most legendarily overpowered, RWD rally car in the history of rallying.

To put it bluntly: IT IS SCARY AS ♥♥♥♥.

I feel my balls slowly escaping back into my groin every time I cut a corner with this thing. Even the slightest push on the pedal would immediately cause oversteer. My palm is sweating all over for each stage I complete with it - I don't even care about winning now, as long as I don't crash this thing half way through, it's already lucky for me.

And worst of all, you simply can't turn on drive assists...because it takes away all the feedback from the road, and trust me, you'll need that precision control.

Now I understand why all retro rally events in real world with Stratos present are all held on tarmac. Because driving this thing on gravel is absolute insanity.

This thing is glorious.

[static]

A brilliant writeup! Shows just how how much attention to detail the devs have been putting into the game so far.

[AshyGreen]

It's also about twice as loud as that little Mini. Intimidating little car.

[Ironass]

Talk? I don't think it likes talking.
It only likes to scream, and it tries to make you join it.

[Nick_whip]

Oh man, and on the tarmac tracks it just LOVES to go into uncontrollable oversteer around even some moderate corners, no idea how to deal with it at all.

I find it easier to handle on dirt actually.

[TIZZLA]

How much hp does the stratos have?

[AshyGreen]

Originally posted by scrublord69:

How much hp does the stratos have?

240hp/960kg

[TIZZLA]

The 80's cars are also quite scary, RWD with 300hp and not much more weight.

I think the Stratos is so twitchy because the engine is mounted behind the driver so more weight on the rear wheels. It's one of the best cars though for sure.

[Luigi Vercotti]

I agree :-) while I am driving it I only tickle gas pedal and I concentrate to finish the stage :-) At the beggining I thought it is undriveable but I try to be patient :-) and I am getting better :-) Overall funfun :-)

[Old Skool Raver]

I agree with almost everything however isn't the Escort RS200 considered to be the stupidest rally car of all time? I mean the thing was banned from racing cause it kept on crashing and killing people. (2 drivers, one co driver and 3 spectators in believe)

[Arya]

Originally posted by scrublord69:

I think the Stratos is so twitchy because the engine is mounted behind the driver so more weight on the rear wheels. It's one of the best cars though for sure.

You're right about that; mid-engined cars have a natural tendency to oversteer, especially under a brakes. That's magnified in the Stratos because it has such a short wheelbase and wide rear wheeltrack relative to the front.

The handling reminds me a little bit of early '70s F1 cars I've driven in Assetto Corsa, which is nice considering my limited rally experience. The driving style is different, but the basic handling feels similar; very twitchy nose, somewhat loose rear, extremely short wheelbase.

[No Signal]

I just bought the Stratos... I don't think I'm ready by the sounds of this, I did the exact same thing just a few mins ago. On another note, is everybody else creaming their pants over this or am I just in a particularly good mood suddenly? Also who else is kind of amazed at how quickly they improved/got a feel for things? I bombed my first 2 runs and from then on over the course of maybe an hour and a half it just got better incredibly quickly, now I'm just bombin' through stages, went from 6th/7th to 2nd/3rd on average?

I haven't been this stoked over a game in years, I swear It's almost manic how much I'm enjoying myself. Now just awaiting a FFB overhaul... or at LEAST an update to make it acceptable without needing to custom tweak things as a workaround.

Anybody aware of a way to import replays? Not that "put it on Youtube!" crud, but to have raw files for personal use as I please. Didn't see any such feature mentioned in the game yet, but are they even save-able or no? I'd check the forums but I've already spent too much time typing this, time to try out this new car...

[Arya]

I know how you feel.

A few days ago I'd never driven a rally car before; I bought the game out of curiosity more than hype. It's pulled me in, though. I love a challenge, and what could be more challenging than learning a completely new skillset. Rally couldn't be any different to my previous Sim experience, and I think that's why I'm so interested.

As for the new Stratos drivers, remember that it's mid engined. Brake as hard and as late as possible: this pushes the nose down, creating grip. It also loosens up the rear, allowing you to throw the car through slow and mid-speed turns without much effort.

Also consider moving the brake bias rear-ward a little, especially for tarmac. It'll make it even twitchier, but it'll also help you stage times. Your rear tyres will be hotter than the front, and have a larger radius meaning they're less likely to lock up.

[ChrisCS]

A video of Steve Perez driving his stratos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztuTBhgX1hg

[AshyGreen]

Originally posted by Vindekar:

I know how you feel.

A few days ago I'd never driven a rally car before; I bought the game out of curiosity more than hype. It's pulled me in, though. I love a challenge, and what could be more challenging than learning a completely new skillset. Rally couldn't be any different to my previous Sim experience, and I think that's why I'm so interested.

As for the new Stratos drivers, remember that it's mid engined. Brake as hard and as late as possible: this pushes the nose down, creating grip. It also loosens up the rear, allowing you to throw the car through slow and mid-speed turns without much effort.

Also consider moving the brake bias rear-ward a little, especially for tarmac. It'll make it even twitchier, but it'll also help you stage times. Your rear tyres will be hotter than the front, and have a larger radius meaning they're less likely to lock up.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Originally posted by Smokin' Scream:

I agree with almost everything however isn't the Escort RS200 considered to be the stupidest rally car of all time? I mean the thing was banned from racing cause it kept on crashing and killing people. (2 drivers, one co driver and 3 spectators in believe)

And now I'll have to starting making game-money towrd RS200...:P

Seriously though those group B days were crazy. People were literally standing in the track and stepping aside when the cars approach.

[Sean]

After a few goes with it I sot of have a handle on it. When you're turning and it does that telltale slip you have to steer the opposite direction and brake+release throttle for half a second to stabilise it. There might be better ways of doing it as I'm no expert but it prevents me from spinning out 5 times a stage.