iRacing Season 3 Star Mazda - Sebring (International) - May 4

[Simon Gymer]

Thanks Pops, I think that's a very sensible decision particularly for the first race.

[Kerr]

There is technique to launching the Mazda where massive gains can be had.

Max revs in neutral with clutch at about 40%, dump it into 1st and let the clutch slip. This keeps the revs up and no wheelspin and the gains can be huge. Let the clutch out once past the point of bog down.

Obviously the problem comes when the guy ahead makes a bad start and does not expect to be jumped all over.

First turn is always fun at Sebring. With the speed arrpoaching T1 if one goes usually a lot go with them.

[popabawa]

Thanks Pops, I think that's a very sensible decision particularly for the first race.

I just need to remember to select the correct option when I start the server tonight! lol

[mr_oily]

Have to agree with the Seriously Old ones, that was a lot of fun last night (best was a 2:00.6) - aside from the odd crazy moment we were able to run close lap after lap, it was quite intense between us at times with the gap changing by only tenths. I think I'm actually going to cry if I don't get a chance to do the same this evening in the race....it's got the potential to be a fantastic one. Like Martin I really didn't want to stop hot lapping last night!

For anyone who's interested, I'm in favour of the Mazda tweaks too - it feels to me like it's ever so slightly better balanced since the update and I was able to correct a couple of mistakes that would previously have definitely seen me swapping ends. I feel like I have just a fraction more confidence with the rear to attack and it's making for an even more enjoyable drive.

I think the rolling start is unnecessary personally, is somebody having problems getting a Mazda off the line? As Kerr says, T1 will be the prob and that's going to happen regardless - plus I reckon we're more likely to have problems negotiating that tight and bumpy last turn as part of a clumsy train without limiters than losing it getting the power down from a standing one but in for a penny as they say!

As for the resets, yes they'd be nice in some circumstances, last week I would have happily driven around enjoying the car (Late Model) after my shunt but I don't think that's really what our league races are about. That said, I don't think the lack of them does anything at all to the mindset of the drivers. If I touch anything I know there's a good chance my race is run so that's my incentive not to hit things/ people. However with a reset, a) I don't think it's simulating the real world circumstances and more importantly b) I wouldn't want to be responsible for causing problems for the rest of the pack by being a fast(ish) backmarker lapping in amongst everyone. No doubt it'll come back to haunt me but I'm not in favour, the agony of races ended early make the highs of good results that much more enjoyable.

Really looking forward to this one - just hope my concentration can last the distance, I feel like I'm going to have to absolutely nail every apex to stay mid grid lol!

[Mike Wrightson]

I don't want understeer, I want less sensitive/responsive steering. I'm happy with the oversteer/understeer aspect of the setup. The problem I find is that even a small turn of the wheel result in a massive change of direction. Some of the other cars have steering ratio, but not the Mazda. Is there maybe a trick to do with the steering lock control settings (now that controls are customised per car)?

You could cheat the calibration.  Select custom controls for the car and then recalibrate the steering.  When it asks to turn the wheel 90deg, turn it more than 90 and calibrate it there.  That's one way of getting a bit less sensitivity.

[Simon Gymer]

You could cheat the calibration.  Select custom controls for the car and then recalibrate the steering.  When it asks to turn the wheel 90deg, turn it more than 90 and calibrate it there.  That's one way of getting a bit less sensitivity.

Ok, so you turn 90 degrees but it thinks you are turning less than 90. Sounds good, but does that mean you can't get full steering lock as it's always less than what you'd expect?

[ross.mcw]

You could try less caster, although that will also reduce what little steering feel the car has.

I'm already on minimum, although tbh I can't say I noticed any difference between max and min castor in the Mazda which is also VERY odd as it makes a big difference on the other cars.

Wouldn't you need more caster to make the steering less twitchy?  I may be wrong though.

[ross.mcw]

Rolling start does seem a bit strange...

Not 100% sure I can do this one though as I've not had chance to practice yet so will have to rely on what I can remember from the iRacing races last season.  It was a great combo though.

Another very easy and 100% consistent technique for starting is simply to select 1st at red with no throttle and plant your foot at green.  The engine picks up so quick with no wheel spin that it's always worked a treat for me.  Seems counter intuitive, but it always seems to result in competitive starts off the line.

Cheers, Ross.

[Mike Wrightson]

Ok, so you turn 90 degrees but it thinks you are turning less than 90. Sounds good, but does that mean you can't get full steering lock as it's always less than what you'd expect?

No, you will still get full lock.

[Simon Gymer]

I think the rolling start is unnecessary personally, is somebody having problems getting a Mazda off the line? As Kerr says, T1 will be the prob and that's going to happen regardless - plus I reckon we're more likely to have problems negotiating that tight and bumpy last turn as part of a clumsy train without limiters than losing it getting the power down from a standing one but in for a penny as they say!

I know what you're saying and I agree, but I don't think it's getting off the line that's the issue, like it was in GPL. It's the situation that presents itself as a result of everyone being that much closer to each other with many differences in speed. Rolling starts mean everyone is going roughly the same speed and if done single file mean that people are also spaced far further apart. Sorry forgot to ask if we're doing single or double file rolling (don't know if it's even an option)?

I know we all think we can manage it and should manage it but we didn't and couldn't which is why we went to rolling starts in the GTR cars and it helped to reduce the number of lap 1 incidents.

The last turn is actually much wider than it looks especially when going at pace car speed. If everyone leaves a nice gap instead of doing a WTCC style double file rolling start, we'll be fine.

[Blunder]

Ok, so you turn 90 degrees but it thinks you are turning less than 90. Sounds good, but does that mean you can't get full steering lock as it's always less than what you'd expect?

No, you will still get full lock.

I use this technique all the time with the Custom controls option ticked!
I set 500 degrees in game controller.
In theory 90 deg gives you 500 degrees when in the calibration screen but as Mike says, you can then dial in 400 or 600 etc.
Still not perfect but does allow you a little adjustment!

M.

[popabawa]

Single file rolling starts aren't an option at present (unfortunately) so it will be double file.

[Fred Basset]

Good luck to all of you in the Mazda tonight, I'll see you next week for the DP race

Gary

PS Iain - you ignoring me?

[popabawa]

PS Iain - you ignoring me?

EDIT: Ah. sorry, I get you. PM being replied to!

[Dan Minton]

Wouldn't you need more caster to make the steering less twitchy?  I may be wrong though.

No Ross the more caster you have the sharper the car should turn in .