Incident 1
In the replay, from lap 8 onwards I am chasing Ivan Navarro and Rupe Wilson. It's all very close. The incidents began at replay time: 1038 in lap 11 when Rupe is right behind Ivan and overtakes him on the inside. Ivan was expecting it and was forced to the outside. I knew Ivan would be slow through the corner becaue of that and I was faster at that particular turn in the previous laps anyway so I planted my car on the inside too, after Rupe did. A little late maybe, but fast enough to get my nose ahead of Ivan's, at the apex. Ivan did not see me next to him - he was probably looking at Rupe who just overtook him, and understandably hit me in the side. Was it an OK move on my part?
Incident 2
Only a few seconds after this incident, there is already another. I am now behind Rupe Wilson (with Ivan behind me), at turn 8. Rupe does something different from the previous laps - he takes a different line, going to the outside and then comes back to the inside of the turn, but he doesn't have the grip to do it, so his car slides (look in slow-mo). Therefore he slows down quite a bit, without warning because his rear end didn't break out much, it barely moved, and there of course was no brake lights. It looks as if I try to overtake him on the inside, but that is not the case. I just keep true to my line and pace. He slows down, where I didn't expect it. Well, at least I got to use my "sorry" quickchat button. During the race I felt it was my mistake so I waited for him and let him back in front of me.
Now I am close behind Rupe for a long time. Five laps later in lap 16, this happens:
Incident 3
I finally see a chance to make a move. I had perfectly calibrated my brake bias and breaking strength and my braking at the end of the long straight was so quick, strong and stable that I knew I could brake late after the long straight. The mistake I make here is that I brake TOO late because I am afraid that I'll hit Rupe Wilson again, and I don't have the guts to get in front of him even though there is enough room, so I stay on the inside. I overshoot the turn and take some grass. I decide that I can make it back to the track quick enough without bothering anyone but I don't manage to do it quick enough and I hamper Kacper Kolodziejczyk.
Now Rupe Wilson has a small lead but 2 laps later (lap 18) I closed the gap gain and I am once again right on his tail. Remember, I've been trying to get past this guy starting from lap 8. I'm obviously faster on this track so it's gotta happen at some point, right? You can see me trying and trying and everywhere he is slower he just gets in the way of me, lol. Bumper to bumper driving again until lap 20 on the straight, when.......suddenly.....I run out of fuel. The End.
But not quite.... I turn in as normal for the kink in the straight, but my car slows down due to lack of fuel and I'm like wtf so I don't continue the turn in, which surprises Kacper Kolodziejczyk whom I had hampered just a few laps ago, but he sees it, changes plans, and barely misses me on the inside. After the initial shock I park my car on the outside and cry myself a river.
And here's the real kicker. In the lap that follows, continue to watch Rupe Wilson. Kacper Kolodziejczyk is now behind him and catches a lucky break. Instead of having to try to get past Rupe forever like I had to, Rupe decides to make way for Kacper by spinning off the track. Couldn't you do that earlier? lol
Your thoughts? It's hard to deal with the other player driven cars when you're not much experienced with it, so if there's anything to learn from these incidents, shoot.
