We had some discussion with some of the guys after the race about being smart/fast in traffic and I was thinking of maybe making a Multiclass 101 video, but I'm too lazy to make it, so i decided to write something here. I'm not perfect with this either and have a lot to learn, but i thought it would be good to share what I've learned so far. I'll maybe write a longer one and later may be put it to 'Paddock club' including some tips to the GT guys aswell with some additional video clips. There TLDR at the bottom.
CAR SETUP LMP
First of all you wanna get really comfortable with your setup, you want it to be stable and predictable. There's a lot of moments in the race when you'll off the ideal racing line so then need the car to not kill you instantly when trying to switch-up your lines when approaching a slower car. I usually practice driving wierd lines when i'm making my setup to be sure the car behaves correctly and there's no wierd 'snaps'.
But the tricky part is to still keep the car fast enough raw pace-wise 'cause at the early parts of the race
when the gt-class is still bunched up and there's not a lot of traffic going on, so then is the best time to try and go fast and
create a gap.
RaceCraft LMP
So the qualifying is done and you're in the grid. What now ? For me, the first 10 laps or so are most crucial part of the race.
There's not a lot of traffic going on and you'll be fighting for track position as hard you can.
Not too hard tho' Remember its a long race(Multiclass usually is
), so there's no need to rush anything.
But, at the early parts of the race you wanna try to create the biggest gap you can to the guys behind you whilst keeping up with the guys in front to try and pressure them, before the traffic eventually comes.
So why the early parts of the race are so crucial ? When you have gap behind you, you don't have to focus behind and worry about them making a move on you whilst lapping
which allows you to focus in the cars ahead and try to take advantage
on slower cars slowing down your opponents. And if you're somehow first, then you can just grow the gap behind, focusing on being efficient and maybe relax a little.
Like you've probably heard before: Patience is key. But being patient doesn't necessarily mean being slow. Remember that. If you know you don't have the time and space to pass a car before a corner:
Take your time, ease off the throttle, Increase your braking distance(You will regenerate more energy if you're braking longer), Start to think at the corner
and how you're gonna take it efficiently and which line you're gonna take. That line part, its crucial,
You never wanna follow the trail of the car in front(through the whole corner) and the late apex is your best friend.
You always wanna keep it tight after the apex, cause the slower which takes the ideal line(in a perfect world) and drifts wide leaves room on the
inside, where you wanna go. I always try to start turning into the apex when the slower car hits its apex and just when car in front leaves enough room at the apex
you wanna shoot out of the corner as fast you can, which is the safest and fastest way. Try to think where the gt car is going and go where its not. Ex. @Pouhon you the gt car will try to hit the left-side kerb
on the second part of the corner, so when the gt car starts go drift towards it , then is you're time pass on the outside
(Thanks to
@Buster, for realizing what was gonna happen and lifting to allowing us to not crash)
Scary usually equals slow, but some times things go closer/scarier than you would like to, and then you need to do these things: COMMIT AND BE PREDICTABLE! I cannot stress this enough,
nothing will piss off a gt car more than a half-assed move just before the corner and
going awkwardly through the corner side by side, whilst you both losing a ****-ton of time and nobody knowing whats going on.
If you're starting to realise you may not get to the corner before the gt car safely, then either you slow down
or you take the inside line early, while flashing your lights(maybe warning him through TS). If you do those thing, you'll maximise the chances of both you getting through safely,
because then the gt car will have time to react appropriately.
Racing in traffic is difficult and takes a lot of time to master. But if you try to be a bit smarter with, you'll start to realise that you can be faster and at the same time be safer(which I learned after Nurburgring).
Both sides will benefit if the guys in the LMP's know what they're doing.
TLDR;
-Scary -> Slow
-Late apex is your best friend
-Commit and be predictable
-Setup the car to be stable and predictable
-Practice
-Safe -> Fast
-Be Smart !
PS. I publicly apologize for the TS comments during the race. It's a gentleman racing club and those things shouldn't happen. Like most of know I'm a genuinely nice guy(at least most of the time), but sometimes i get into the 'Red mist' and have a momentary melt-down, which shouldn't come to your hearing.
