THE BEST WAY TO LEARN RACE TRACKS ? - Assetto Corsa - R3E - Project cars 2 - RF2 

The essence: "New players, please stick with AI and learn tracks before you take part in online races". Sneaky James, I like it.

I haven't sim raced since the good old days of GPL, but last year when I finally retired at 71 (yep you read it right, but now I'm 72), I started to watch more and more you tube videos on sim racing, and I was just blown away at how much more realistic it has become. ,But learning new tracks still took forever, and honestly I kept on loosing concentration. Then I just decided to start racing against the AI at 90%on R3E, and to my amazement learning a new track took a whole less time, helped me dial in a basic setting, and was a lot more fun, plus I'm closing in on the magic setting of 100%. Hopefully this will translate into being somewhat competitive in the club/league I just joined.

"alien" here who doesn't want to be executed. But I agree, it's a really good way for people to learn circuits, and some form of racing line and driving standard. It's all too obvious, even with some really fast drivers in iRacing's top splits, actually, especially with some really fast iRacing drivers, that they've done all their practice with the racing line on, or just hotlapping alone, and when out in front can clear off without bother, but the moment they get caught in traffic or get put under pressure by someone racing them, they can't divert from their racing line, they haven't got any other braking points, and they can't do close racing... (And are normally really quick to pass the blame on the person who dared take their line through a corner!)

Basically agree with you on everything, especially the part about it's better to learn tracks in races then in solo hotlaps. When I first started with sim racing I did the hot laps method of learning tracks and while I was able to set individual fast laps, I found it very hard to adapt if the race line was unavailable for whatever reason. In assesto corsa specifically, I have also found using the raceweekend feature and setting the practice time to 90 minutes and driving around the track that way to be helpful. Not quite as stressful as full on races, and you can jingle around with setups along with being to race around with the AI. though as always, race experince is always the best.

This is totally what I do. Sometimes AI, sometimes an online practice session (on a decent server), but following people to see what the layout and general speeds of the corners are like is so effective! Did it on VIR the other night and it worked a treat - i fucked up the race regardless, but that was me being tired and bad - I definitely felt like I had a handle on the circuit within an hour or so. I would say is you need to do it in conjunction with lapping on your own. When you're following you get a feel for the circuit, but on your own you get break points - invaluable information for racing (knowing when its too late to brake) and for qualifying. I usually go out on my own for a couple of laps, see the layout for myself, see the corners and the sight-lines etc - try to memorise it as best as I can. Then try and follow someone for a bit and see their lines and apex speed and try to keep up - that's when you get to know the flow of the circuit, and find out which corners and flat, which ones have weird lines to set up the next corner, etc. Then after that, use all of that knowledge to go out on your own for some solo laps, push those brake points further and further, and get on the gas sooner and sooner. The solo laps are super important, however, because otherwise if you find yourself in a race without someone ahead of you, you'll probably be slower. That's why people get locked in battles all race long online, because the leader is always slower than the follower - they don't know the track properly so they just try and go slightly faster than the guy ahead (which is kinda like driving with a racing line on). If you watch Motorsport, that can help as well, or even just watch a RU-vidr drive it in a sim - you can learn the layout and some basic brake points, that will help when you get on track and start learning it yourself. It is kinda a memory test though, remember. You have to remember how to drive every corner properly, so if you're just getting into it, maybe don't try and learn the Nordschleife...

Thanks for the video. I have to say that I find this method an excellent method and not only to learn the track but to get faster. With rFactor entering the World Fastest Gamer (WFG) competition I was able to use this method to get me faster. So you know, faster for me doesn't mean anything when it comes to the WFG competition :) But this is what I've done in WFG. I go to the track session in WFG. I set a lap time. Then I mess with some setup and set a faster lap time. Then here is the good part. I go off line and setup a race just like GamerMuscle describes it on the same circuit as the WFG competition. I do several of those races. Once I'm done, I go back to WFG. I can tell you that after doing this, my lap times improve by about at least 1 second. The reason is simple. I learned the track better (more laps) but I also learned how to push myself on that track to catch up to the AI I had setup to be better than me when I created the offline race.

Hey GM, this is brilliant. As a pretty casual racer this has cut the Practice/Frustration/Fun cycle in half or more, now it's fun enough to get to grips with the track and great fun to dial in the AI. Thanks!

I go on a track alone, no AI, and hotlap over and over. Then I adjust the setup and hotlap again. repeat until rocket fast lap times. dont hate me plz

Thanks, I’m new to sim racing and have been pounding round and a round on my own in practice - keep pushing & crashing, but this method is way more fun and helpful!

This is a real good tip! It also happen to me, that racelaps are indeed faster than hotlaps. It is really regarding the pressure you have and feel. This is like working IRL, some pressure helps sometimes :D

Hm. Never thought of doing this. I'll try this. Thanks for the tips man.

Liked. Great advice. Only thing I'd add is to drive as though you're in an online race. Meaning don't go off the track, as you did more than once lol, and be sure to make a habit of rejoining the track in a sensible manner. Reason being is, as I've recently read, the Minorating system tracks such things - and a lot more.

Wow great vid!

I have a different approach that's worked very well for me (I'm new at Sim racing): first use practice with racing line until you memorize the corners, racing line and braking points to a reasonable level. The braking points on an ideal racing line can vary, so I largely ignore them and figure out my own limits for the given car. Then setup an AI race or 20 and practice playing against them till you really know what you're doing.

I go with whatever speed I'm comfortable with at first and slowly over time push the car harder

I loved the Richard Burns Rally school! I would love if a modern sim would go all out and create one with even more lessons and challenges to practice.

I have just picked up my first wheel and intend to devote my time to PC2. Some excellent pointers here and I'll be sure to refer back to this come 22nd Sept!!

Great advice and also how I do it, although I lean towards using a car (not too powerful) with big break lights, just an added little help to help see those break points initially. Just a wee added help.

Another way to set your AI settings is to look at the car that finished P1’s lap time. Set it so it’s a second or 2 faster than of your fastest practice time. This gives you a goal to not only get a bit faster but also works on your consistency. Another advantage of AI is you can pause the game and then pick it right back up without having to start from the pits or find a new race.

Brilliant video. Which wheel are you using please?

Nice, great vid! I'll def try it as hot lapping drives me craaaazyyy! lol One thing I'd do is pick a car that has brake lights so I know when AI brakes! :)

Ha ha. I use that tactic myself. The AI will always show you how to race the track. Cheers!

Thanx for good idea! Usually I learned a track and only after that get to racing. I would not recommend online, because you will be kicked out or even banned very soon and will have to learn a new track ... :)

Hi it's always a pleasure see your video thanks for your time I'd like to ask to you if you have mouse freezing using assetto corsa when you exit from the race thanks a lot Ciao

If the game supports loading ghost's from other online players you can try going solo against them. Then when you feel you really know the track well you can try going against the AI to practice the track for typical racing situations where you can't always keep your racing line and breakpoints.

I start as basic as possible in test mode, automatic gear shift and racing line for 10-20 laps with authentic assists (abs if the car has it etc) and a very wide fov. After that I do 10-20 w/o race line. Not as much fun but I get a lot of visual cues for braking

I start on 98% when learning a new track and car. It doesn't take that long because I just straight up push the car as hard as I can to learn the car and track limits.

Maybe this is good advice for new players. Most experienced sim racers should not forget that rookies face different challenges. Sim racing "veterans" have these things figured out for themselves already, each one doing their own thing. I always practice alone because the AI are inconsistent around the track, being very quick in some corners/braking zones and catching you out on others (I play RF2 BTW). And I like to concentrate on race pace with heavy fuel loads right away because consistency,overall pace and balanced tire degradation are the most important things for winning glory. Hot lapping can be done just prior to the actual event to get used to the light car and new braking points.

I tend to drive around the Track in 3rd to learn the track first, find breaking markers. If I can't take a corner at 3rd next time its 2nd, If i can take the corner easy then next time its 4th and so on. So I slowly build up the speed and try new breaking markers and lines Then I race with some AI to get the feel of racing with other drivers and seeing where they are fast/slow compared to me

Just getting back into sim racing after a few years absence. Essentially, starting all over again. When learning a new track I shift to chase view. I don't care about my driving technique in this mode, i'm just trying to get a bigger picture. No simracer should EVER race like this, but it's good way to learn your way around. Really only takes a few laps.

98% of the time i play Touristenfahrten Nurgurgring, and the 2% lake louise free drive (multiplayer ofc)

I get that ai is a dynamic way of learning, but I still prefer to learn the track solo until I can go trace distance, and then start filling around wth the corners to see what I can get by with, and then I race.

I normally do something similar to this, but if the track/car combination is completely new to me (a track i've never driven with a car that's in the general ballpark of what i'm driving) I do around 20 laps by myself with the visible racing line first, just to generally know where i'm going.

I don't like driving with ai's. Just doing laps around a clean track is the best imo, then you can concentrate on the brake/turn in points etc. and see what impacts the delta to get a good lap :D

It's a FUN way to learn a new track.

I feel you've missed something quite crucial. Using different cars with alternate characteristics gives you a greater depth of track knowledge. I also feel like driving in less than optimal conditions with a powerful, less grippy car will also give a eureka moment when you get into a semi competent grip car

I use the strategy of hotlaping till I'm somewhat consistant, than 1V1 an ai, learn where you can pass, best offence/defense techniques and where I need to improve. Then go on to 5-7 ai to get used to some pack racing and then bam ready to race. Also change difficulty up a bit, learn how to pass slow drivers as well as fast ones

Just recently got into simracing thru jimmy broadbent. Turns out i'm pretty good at it but I've hit that learners curve where I'm starting to plateau and I think it might be my wheel. I play AC and PC1 on PS4 using a G29. People seem to say they can feel when a car is understeering or oversteering. I can't feel any of that - I've mucked about with my settings for hours. My wheel either clips constantly in most cars or is so light that it just feels like you're driving on ice. It's a dilemma because I dont want to go and spend a fortune on an extortionate ps4 wheel from fanatec and then I get bored of sim racing like 2 months down the line.

Raceroom let's u pracrice with AI... very helpful. Gives you times to shoot for or drop into a pack and they race you somewhat. Ghost allows me to see what I can improve on too.

I just do hot laps and stuff. Since I don't have a wheel, I don't go against AI often and I definitely don't go online.

Go to practice, put loads of AI cars on at a decent level and play follow the leader 😆

Btw, sorry for probably asking for the millionth time, but what HUD is that? I can't seem to find it in the forums :(

I'd say GTR 2 is better if you're a novice to road racing. RBR's driving school is also great but GTR 2 is more appropriate for obvious reasons.

well not only have a reply, but also a subscribe :). Keep 'm coming! Thanks for the tip!

Lightning Raceway at the NJ Motorsports Park???????

My advice is don't restart, if you spin out, take the loss. If you're learning a track and spin out halfway through the track most times and restart everytime that happens, then the majority of your practice is only of the first or second sector, you'll want to lap the track every time and you'll learn much faster.

Hello guys,does anybody knows where i can get a Richard burns rally? Buy or download? Thanks for help!

what track you using in video?

I just bought the Rift thanks to you. Pretty sure I used your link too. Thanks for the drug addiction and ruining my life :P

I just got to 90%ai on asseto corsa and wining so yay happy (kinda)

Hey, thanks for your video, I am a fan of Project Cars Since I have my logitechG27 , I just buy F1, it ir worth Buying Project Cars 2, what is your opinion?

track name? looks fun and i want to play it

I really think the invention of the driving line assist is a horrendous idea. I do wish there was a better system for learning braking points though. I think using a tyre mark area would be a far more natural solution, kind of showing where other cars have been braking. That's the only thing you really need to 'learn' in a track as everybody can have different lines, depending on what's going on around you.

I know I am not the right audience for the vid, but still. As someone who races in leagues, I disagree a bit. Ai racing is a way to learn a track the quick and dirty way, but not a way to be the fastest around it. Obviously different drivers have different techniques, but most of the time it is a better idea to lap on your own until you think you know the track well enough. The AI is distracting, and dangerous. Usually it is up to you to find the proper racing line and to test the capabilities of your car: you might be able to do something the AI is not capable of, and racing against the AI from the very beginning can make you not explore at all. Also many drivers will start to use other cars as a braking reference point which leads to disasters in the first lap of many races. If you find yourself leading with no car ahead to guide you, you usually back off and lap slower in this case. Once you think you know the track, then you can race against the AI to see if they are able to perform tricks they can perform and you cannot, and then test them. It is also the best way to test different racing lines and know how much grip they have, and test how good slipstream is for your raceday. Just to know where you can overtake easily, where you have to defend, and where you have to leave space to preserve your tyres. At this point yes, they will not be as good as racing against a human, which is better for this task, but they are fine. In general people lap slightly faster during qualifying and the race than during practice as there is more rubber on the track btw. This is my feedback on it, I am not saying that it would never work. Thanks for sharing your way of doing it!

Best way to learn is just doing 10-20 laps until you understand the racing line while learning from mistakes, the AI will just distract you. Extra Tip: you should use a car you already know well

what do you think about adaptive AI in R3E..?

what pedal / steering input app do you use?

I think the career mode in AC is good for new players, as it forces you to drive slower less down force cars first. then slowly build up.

you can turn on "racing line" in Assetto Corsa it is good way to learn circuit but braking points are useless and not good at all so it can be tricky . People should start with easy race tracks like Monza ony few corners 80% flat out and not with Nurburgring.

Try to break harder but later!

It's weird xD When i go to a new track, usually my second lap is the fastest.

So AI aren't brakes..... oh, now I have to start all over again.

It's JakeXVX

What do I do ? Well i got on akina downhill and didnt knew the track. My technique to learn the track ? CRASH. EVERY TURN. No but i try to take each turn as fast as i can by pushing the gas to full, then i work around that data of "you crash too fast" and get to "you crash slower then when you were crashing fast af" and until i get to "you made the turn". Yeah. Literally me. Derp.

Why so much hate against the racing line? I mean you can leave it on even in multiplayer games, I just dont' understand why so many people are against it. The way I see it, I can't feel the G forces even with my VR headset (no motion rig)... so to counter that I will turn on the racing line and leave it on even in multiplayer.

I've mastered Spa

Why would I take advice from someone who doesn't use full track width and missing apexes?

IS HE GASKINGS?

Has sim racing ruined my life?

what are you on about mate, best way to learn a track is join a public lobby and keep going until you dont wreck everyone else

Today iRacing AI is far better than AC and ACC, only rF2 and Raceroom match it.

Damn if you got paid for talking without breathing you’d be a rich Dude.

"anything with reasonable to decent ai" So no project cars? 😏

3:30 How unethical

best way to learn a new track? Drive it and dont watch YT videos.

I think an average driver shouldn't be coaching people in how to race or learn a new track.

to learn a track fast do not drive like this guy one day he may learn but 90 percent dont realise how easy it can be with some discipline to be fast ... always always stick with the racing basics which he obviously doesn't know or understand. the first basic and most vital for learning a track is corner preperation and using all the track meaning use every inch of it so you enter every corner the same every single time the brain has a reference point then and learns everything very quickly otherwise you enter the corner different every time with different braking turn in exit learning 12000 corners instead of 12 .. so never be 1 foot from side of track then 2 foot then half a foot etc ... always use every inch tire 1 inch from grass on white line. Never use driving line aids you learn nothing ever. This guy could be seconds faster a lap and start actually learning if he used the basics just watch him enter the same corner absolutely different every time and expecting he can learn a brake point when its different every time ... nm turn in and exit .. just prepare for next corner immediately on last exit and learn track very fast its simple stuff but hard to get rid of bad habits and discipline yourself not to be lazy wiggle around on the straight etc then try and just throw yourself in a corner thinking you have your brake points ...everyone thinks there great driver ... just forget all that you thought you knew and get back to basics get them nailed down and watch your times reach the top drivers within a second at least. Better still just watch fast drivers from behind there car to remind you how simple it is to line your car up before a corner everytime the exact same way, any idiot can do this and everyone has a decent chance to be fast or at least realise any talent they have by letting there brain have a chance to learn.