When am I ready to start multiplayer

[Not Procrastinating]

Hey everyone!
Brand new to sim racing, I played about 20 hours of Dirt Rally 2 in VR but that's it.#

TLDR: When should I join multiplayer and at what point would I likely have fun and not ruin other peoples?

I've put about 10 hours into ACC so far using the V8 Aston on Barcelona. Got it setup based on some youtube videos and I'm hitting somewhat consistent lap times between 1.54.6 and 1.56.6.

I've got a just above entry level setup with a t248 and some pedals plus VR headset.
I have little real life driving experience, I'm actually trying to pass my license currently.

I want to have fun racing other people but also not ruin everyone's race by being too slow, getting in the way, messing up the lines etc. When should I transition to online?

[Andrew Hollom]

Race against the AI till you can do a 20-30 minute race without incident. Don't just hot-lap, because that doesn't teach you how to drive with cars around you. This will help you to be ready, but people aren't AI and it'll still be an education getting used to them, but real people do provide the best form of racing. Don't be one of those people who goes for every gap however unlikely and then justify it by quoting Senna. Instead, try to race people how you'd like them to race you, and above all, have fun!

[Wilczysko]

Originally posted by Not Procrastinating:

Hey everyone!
Brand new to sim racing, I played about 20 hours of Dirt Rally 2 in VR but that's it.#

TLDR: When should I join multiplayer and at what point would I likely have fun and not ruin other peoples?

I've put about 10 hours into ACC so far using the V8 Aston on Barcelona. Got it setup based on some youtube videos and I'm hitting somewhat consistent lap times between 1.54.6 and 1.56.6.

I've got a just above entry level setup with a t248 and some pedals plus VR headset.
I have little real life driving experience, I'm actually trying to pass my license currently.

I want to have fun racing other people but also not ruin everyone's race by being too slow, getting in the way, messing up the lines etc. When should I transition to online?

1. Don't worry about your speed. You will be faster with time.

2. Respect blue flags when someone is lapping you. Don't slow down, be predictable and give him a room on straight. You are not obligated to give a room on turns. But it's good to leave some space (look at 4th point).

3. When you start braking don't change direction. Keep your racing line.

4. If you are slow but not lapped try to defend position and keep inside line. If someone is faster it doesn't mean you have to give him a space without a reason (for free). He would pass you sooner or later (but he should know when to do it). It's a racing after all.

5. Don't do slalom/zig-zag moves to block. Keep your racing line and decide which side you will cover and try to do it at a 'right time'.

6. Avoid contacts at first turn or lap. Racing is more about consistency than divebombing.

7. Start on green light;) It's good to turn at the start to inside or outside. Public servers have many troll who just state in place (for 'fun).

8. Master a tracks. It will help you and others (it will come with time).

9. If you fail and you think it's because of you it's good to apologize after a race.

10. Remember that player behind you expect you will be consistent (with drive line and speed), so don't do a brake tests to him.

11. If you out of a track or have an incident be careful to rejoin the race. Do it safely for other drivers.

12. If there is a blue flag but you think you are faster don't slow down. Give a space when car behind is near. There is always a chance you have a better pace.

---

I think other players give you more tips and maybe point out my mistakes.

P.S. Because you need to have good rating before you start racing with 'normal' people (yes, it's a joke so no offence);) you will be forced to race on public servers and believe me, sometimes the fact you are slow will be your advantage. Just be careful after race start.

If you decide try be a competitive it's better to do hotlapping. But of course is my opinion and nothing more.

Have a good fun and remember you do it for fun because sim-racing games are generally hard to master!:)

[nono782]

About laptimes, you don’t have to be very fast to play online but I would advice you to be around 1,50 at Barcelona.
You will meet fast guys at 1,43 sometimes, it’s already a huge gap.
But as long as you care about the other players and you don’t block them on purpose, I’d say you can join a lobby.

[anton_Chez]

If you're already thinking about how your driving will impact others on track, you're already ahead of most people in online races. Well done.

[EF_Neo1st]

Originally posted by Not Procrastinating:

Hey everyone!
Brand new to sim racing, I played about 20 hours of Dirt Rally 2 in VR but that's it.#

TLDR: When should I join multiplayer and at what point would I likely have fun and not ruin other peoples?

I've put about 10 hours into ACC so far using the V8 Aston on Barcelona. Got it setup based on some youtube videos and I'm hitting somewhat consistent lap times between 1.54.6 and 1.56.6.

I've got a just above entry level setup with a t248 and some pedals plus VR headset.
I have little real life driving experience, I'm actually trying to pass my license currently.

I want to have fun racing other people but also not ruin everyone's race by being too slow, getting in the way, messing up the lines etc. When should I transition to online?

Barcelona "average" times are something between 1:46 to 1:49 so probably your speeds into and through turns are too slow and your braking points too early (hard to be predicted and prone to get hit because of it).

Try checking youtube for how others drive or get into a lobby, watch others and save replay.

I also would advise to use Brands Hatch as track to practice trailbraking
https://youtu.be/tvcuGoVhpxw?feature=shared
Until you can get consistently at least something at 1:27s (the average slow at Brands), it will help you at Barcelona and all other tracks.

[Wilczysko]

Originally posted by anton_Chez:

If you're already thinking about how your driving will impact others on track, you're already ahead of most people in online races. Well done.

[Not Procrastinating]

Thanks all! Bunch of nice people here and some good advice!

I'm going to try and hit at least 1.50 reliably, do a bunch of races against AI then try MP out.

[EF_Neo1st]

Originally posted by Not Procrastinating:

Thanks all! Bunch of nice people here and some good advice!

I'm going to try and hit at least 1.50 reliably, do a bunch of races against AI then try MP out.

I suggest not to race against AI because AI lines are often wrong and bad (so are the AI braking points).

Watching how others drive online or a youtube guide is better way of practicing solo (no AI) or praccticing online already when you feel more confident but definitely to pracctice at least trailbraking and how to identify your own braking points and racing line as given time you will understand how to do all that better even without any guide.

[EF_Neo1st]

Like this as example, it is some 3 years old but on Default Safe setup, only tyres pressure adjusted (not even BB or Engine Map was changed there .. I think it was not changed from the numbers displaying there)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUmS388BoXA
It is not a great driving neither anything of the kind but is possible to be replicated with the car for the default safe setup with 10L fuel by someone average like me.


Just pick default and practice.
Do 5 laps with it, not going offtrack or overdriving your car, pause and return to pits, enter setup and check your tyres pressure.
If the psi hot of a tyre is like 25.9psi increase +0,6psi (+6 clicks)
If the psi hot of a tyre is like 27.2psi decrease -0,7psi (-7 clicks)
Do it for each of the 4 tyres for the amount of clicks needed, do other 5 laps and if needed tweak it again.

Pay attention to the track and weather temperatures and save your tyres pressure adjustment per track and weather temperature also per fuel load, it helps you with your practices as when you adjust it you just practice to get consistency and improving your driving and lap times.

As you improve you may start to wear your tyres differently causing difference in the psi hot so you may have to tweak it "again" if that happens (may take a time tho).

Just practice following the explanations at these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-sGV2XXUeU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PAo4TF8918
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvcuGoVhpxw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ6i4INmISE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imEE3cGA9Oo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq33hwmUVRU
Starting with racing line and trailbraking (where trailbraking will also help you identify racing line b y yourself and understand better the braking points too).
Good luck there.