When do you take your joker lap?

[fogmist76]

I try to take mine on the first lap, just get it out of the way. But sometimes your not in a good position to take it on the first lap, because of where all the other cars are, but i wont go more than 2 laps without taking my joker. If you take 2 joker laps but still win the race, you unlock an achievement.

[flatdarkmars]

If you're leading and pulling away from the cars behind, it's best to wait until the last lap, so there's no chance of dropping back into traffic that could hold you up.

Otherwise, the best joker strategies vary depending on the track and your specific situation. If you're behind other cars and being held up by them, it can be a good idea to joker early to get clear track and put in some fast laps. That way you'll get the undercut and end up ahead once the other cars joker.

[Kranky Pantz]

Originally posted by flatdarkmars:

If you're leading and pulling away from the cars behind, it's best to wait until the last lap, so there's no chance of dropping back into traffic that could hold you up.

Otherwise, the best joker strategies vary depending on the track and your specific situation. If you're behind other cars and being held up by them, it can be a good idea to joker early to get clear track and put in some fast laps. That way you'll get the undercut and end up ahead once the other cars joker.

Excellent strategy!

[Crash McWreakit VR]

and remember it's not about finishing first in the heats, it's about lap time/total race time. If you're behind cars as fella above says, joker and get clear track, unless another car heads into the joker ahead of you, so basically do the opposite of the car ahead, but always remember to joker once. Finishing position only counts in Semi final and the final.

[zefrancou]

It calls for strategic decision when you are racing.
In Lituania, it is very difficult to overtake the cars (in Master championship level). Hence the goal is to have the best start, hold the lead until the last lap, and take the joker followed by the best AI car, so that you maintain your lead position . In this country, the cars are following very closely, so if you take your joker in the first three laps, they will take the lead.
In Norway, you can afford taking the joker at first lap, as you can overtake cars at the first right turn 90 deg , then on the gravel area downhill turn then again in the ascent on gravel at full speed , or again at the right turn before the finish line.

In general, I always aim at clearing the path , so take joker early if you have cars in front of you at start and hunt for taking the lead, or mid race if you have sufficient distance with the 2nd car, or last lap if you were followed closely.